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Cubs' Kyle Tucker Gets $600 Million Contract Update After Latest Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 23, 2025 6:20 PM ET

Kyle Tucker has spoken about his free agency, but hasn't given any indication of what he plans to do. The Chicago Cubs outfielder understands that he's the best player on the market next winter, and doesn't want to say the wrong things.

It sounds like he wants to stay in Chicago, but it's ultimately going to come down to money. He recently said he's focused on playing this season and going from there.

And according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, that number could come as high as $600 million. Bowden noted that after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took a $500 million deal, Tucker is now expected to land a contract bigger than that.

“Tucker has led the Cubs to a first-place start in the NL Central and is considered a top-five MVP candidate in the league. He is again on pace to hit close to 30 homers and steal close to 30 bases.

“The three-time All-Star, one-time Gold Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger looks like he’ll have an opportunity to hit that trifecta in his free-agent walk year. Following Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million deal in free agency and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, Tucker is expected to land a nine-figure contract that starts with a 6,” Bowden wrote.

It's tough to say that Tucker isn’t a much better player than Guerrero, who is rightfully one of the better players in Major League Baseball, too.

However, Tucker offers different things on both sides of the baseball, including a much better glove at a valuable position in the outfield.

A three-time All-Star, Tucker is bound to be an All-Star again this season, currently hitting 278 with a 164 OPS+ and 12 home runs. That's the type of production that gets players paid, and he knows that.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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