The Chicago Cubs have six arbitration eligible players this off-season. According to current reports, all but two have agreed to deals for 2025 and have avoided arbitration. Of those who have not agreed to a deal is newly acquired Kyle Tucker.
Back in November, the Chicago Cubs agreed to deals with Keegan Thompson ($850,000) and Julian Merryweather ($1.225 million). Today, which was the arbitration filing deadline, Nate Pearson agreed to a $1.35 million deal for 2025 and Justin Steele $6.55 million. This leaves Eli Morgan and Kyle Tucker as the two players to not reach deals, although it is important to know that the sides can continue to negotiate even after exchanging salary figures. If they cannot come to an agreement, then an arbitration hearing will take place in February
According to Jesse Rogers, Kyle Tucker filed for $17.5 million and the Cubs $15 million. This means that the sides are $2.5 million apart and if a deal cannot be made then an arbitration hearing will take place. Tucker is in his final year of arbitration and will be a free agent upon seasons end.
The Cubs and newly acquired OF Kyle Tucker could not come to an agreement on a salary for 2025, per a source. The Cubs filed at $15 mil. Tucker’s camp at $17.5 mil.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 10, 2025
If Kyle Tucker and the Cubs go to an arbitration hearing, they tend to get ugly, feelings get hurt, and weaknesses get exposed. In Chicago’s case, they would have to make a case for him to earn less money due to his efforts while with a different organization. This could result in bad blood from Tuckers side towards Chicago and negatively impact the Cubs chances of re-signing following the seasons end.
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