Cubs to Face Stiff Competition From Yankees for Kyle Tucker per Report

The longer the Chicago Cubs wait, the harder it is to sign Kyle Tucker.

They knew the risk when they dealt Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith, and Hayden Wesneski for the star outfielder on a one-year deal last offseason. They knew it was going to be difficult to lock him up long-term this summer. They knew that the potential National League MVP was going to command hundreds of millions of dollars and hear from every viable team.

But this bidding war, no matter the Cubs’ preparation, could sink them. Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote this about Tucker’s suitors:

“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. Several big-market teams, including the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees, and Dodgers, should be in play for him.”

Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) circles the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Chicago still has time to secure Tucker’s future, but that scenario seems less likely with each passing day. If he were going to commit to the Cubs, it likely would have happened already. The situation remains a double-edged sword: the team needs his production, yet the better he performs, the higher his price climbs.

Tucker is having another one of those seasons that have earned him three consecutive All-Stars, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and MVP votes. The 28-year-old has a .268 batting average, a .912 OPS, a 156 OPS+, 11 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Tucker also has a magnificent 35:27 BB:K ratio over 190 at-bats.

The Cubs are still in position to ink Tucker to a, say, 12-year, $600 million deal, but this growing competition, according to Bowden, complicates things. All of those teams mentioned above have top-five payrolls (Philadelphia at No. 2, Los Angeles at No. 3, New York at No. 5), and while Chicago is right behind at No. 6, it is never easy going against those big dogs unafraid to spend.

Maybe a few more months at Wrigley Field will convince Tucker. Maybe not. But we do know that the Cubs will have to fend off more than a couple of elite franchises vying for Tucker.

Cubs to Face Stiff Competition From Yankees for Kyle Tucker per Report

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