At this point in the offseason, no one has really linked the Chicago Cubs to Kyle Tucker. Even though Tucker played for the Cubs during the 2025 season, many expect him to sign elsewhere in free agency.

That’s not a total surprise, considering the Cubs don’t usually give out big contracts. Chicago has never given out a contract worth more than $184 million in the team’s history, and the front office usually spends the offseason looking for ways to find value across the free-agent market.

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But the Cubs could be in play for Tucker if no team meets his long-term contract demands.

As a matter of fact, there might not be a big market for the All-Star outfielder right now. Buster Olney of ESPN has been all over the Tucker sweepstakes over the past week, and no team might be willing to pay him what he wants.

“I don’t think the Yankees will get involved on Tucker,” Olney said on the Just Baseball podcast. “I don’t think the Dodgers are getting involved on Tucker. So, it’s not a very long list for Kyle Tucker. There is definitely concern about his second half and the injuries.”

Olney also wrote a few days earlier in terms of Tucker that “there are early indications that a lot of the teams that are traditionally aggressive might be more conservative this winter, perhaps because of the looming labor situation…”

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With the Blue Jays being the only main team known to be involved with Tucker, the four-time All-Star could decide to take a one to three-year deal with a higher average annual value. That’s where the Cubs could come in.

The front office likely doesn’t want to commit six to eight years to Tucker, which is why it’s a long shot that he will sign with the Cubs this offseason. However, Chicago could be willing to give Tucker a three-year deal worth somewhere between $120 and $130 million.

Just last offseason, the Cubs attempted to sign Alex Bregman by offering him a four-year, $115 million deal with multiple opt-outs included. A similar framework could land Tucker back with the Cubs, especially since several teams appear hesitant to offer the slugger more than $350 million.

While it’s unlikely that the Cubs will wind up with Tucker, the best chance for him to return to the team will be if he decides to take a shorter-year deal. The front office would then likely be involved in some aspect.