Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
*PREDICTION*
Despite All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker easily being the best player available on the free agency market this winter, he remains unsigned as the calendar approaches 2026. Tucker’s camp has been looking for a massive contract, somewhere in the eight-to-10-year range, and there are only a handful of teams that may be willing to give him this.
Tucker is coming off his lone season as a member of the Chicago Cubs, and he seemed to fit in very well with the team. With the Cubs, Tucker hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 runs batted in, appearing in 136 games.
The outfielder also stole 25 bases this past season, marking the third time in four years that he had at least hit that mark. Tucker is an all-around player, especially since he is very strong on the defensive side of the field.
Many organizations across the league would be helping themselves in different ways by landing him, and he is one of the few players worth a large, long-term deal. But whether Tucker does get the type of contract that he desires remains up in the air, and the scope of teams interested is unknown at this current time.
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Kyle Tucker Stays With Chicago Cubs
With Tucker remaining on the open market, a return to the Cubs could be on the docket for this team. Chicago saw some success last season with Tucker, and by keeping him around, the franchise can build on this going forward.
The Cubs traded away a nice haul to land Tucker from the Houston Astros last offseason, giving up slugger Isaac Paredes and top prospect Cam Smith to acquire the All-Star outfielder. This team wouldn’t have agreed to make this deal for a one-year rental without the hope that they could keep him around long-term.
Chicago also somewhat needs Tucker going forward, especially considering that the outfield is a little thin without him. While the team does have young star Pete Crow-Armstrong, having Tucker next to him in the lineup makes this team very dangerous.
If the Cubs were to bring Tucker back, the front office could then look to improve the pitching staff, giving them a well-rounded roster for the 2026 season. Chicago has all the tools to win a World Series with this current group, and the franchise owes it to itself to give the players the best chance to win.
Keeping Tucker around for the long haul doesn’t seem to be a massive priority, but if the Cubs can net him for a smaller amount than originally thought, it could be a no-brainer move. Overall, the All-Star seemed to thrive playing in Wrigley Field, and the Cubs should be doing whatever they can to keep him for the foreseeable future.