{"id":523055,"date":"2026-01-16T06:38:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T06:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/523055\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T06:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T06:38:15","slug":"whats-next-for-cubs-after-kyle-tucker-leaves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/523055\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Next for Cubs After Kyle Tucker Leaves"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the breaking news that Kyle Tucker has reportedly signed<\/a> with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the immediate response from Chicago is what the Cubs should do next. Losing Tucker isn\u2019t the worst thing, but it\u2019s where he landed that will cause the controversy.<\/p>\n

Tucker<\/a> was arguably the best free-agent hitter on the market this winter. It was thought that a deal with the New York Mets was close<\/a> today, but it never crossed the finish line. Nonetheless, his signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers this evening confirms he will not be back on the North Side of Chicago in 2026.<\/p>\n

In reality, there were never serious rumors confirming significant interest from the Cubs in bringing Tucker back. The price tag explains why.<\/p>\n

At $60 million AAV \u2014 the largest AAV in baseball history \u2014 one\u2019s immediate reaction should scream gross overpay. This is the Dodgers, however, and their level of revenue is unmatched. For the Cubs, we must dissect what it means. Even after landing<\/a> Alex Bregman<\/a>, many will say it\u2019s still not enough to compete with Los Angeles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for the Cubs After Kyle Tucker\u2019s Departure?<\/p>\n

Losing Tucker, based on what he did in 2025 for the Cubs, wasn\u2019t the worst thing. The Cubs had three hitters hit over 30+ home runs, and none of them were named Tucker. Not that he doesn\u2019t bring a superstar pedigree, but the Cubs can replace his 2025 production with Bregman. Given that he\u2019s never hit north of 30 home runs and finished inside the top five of MVP voting just once, it\u2019s hard to imagine Tucker paying off a $60 million annual investment. Still, questions arise about whether the 2026 Cubs have enough to take down a team like L.A.<\/p>\n

Should the Cubs back up the Brinks truck and open the vault for one last blockbuster move? Cody Bellinger<\/a> is still out there, still not commanding $200 million, and the Cubs still have boatloads of money coming off the books next year. They also still need a right fielder \u2014 ideally one who can fill in at multiple positions. Realistically, that\u2019s shooting for the stars. Given the newfound aggressive Cubs nature, however, you can\u2019t rule it out 100% until he signs elsewhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Playing some devil\u2019s advocate here: Tucker\u2019s deal may help Bellinger\u2019s market. Teams may get desperate now and wind up going to uncomfortable levels for Bellinger. That is not a bidding war the Cubs will get into. He is just the only move left that still \u201cmakes sense\u201d if the Cubs secretly had another blockbuster up their sleeve.<\/p>\n

Especially now, with Tucker heading to L.A., it\u2019s easy as a fan to want the Cubs to pursue somebody like Bellinger. I usually talk myself off of these impulsive ledges, but the more you look at the future payroll for the Cubs, the more it starts to make sense. The Cubs\u2019 only outfielders signed past 2026 are Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/a> and Kevin Alcantara<\/a>. They do, in theory, need to check that box. Adding Bellinger with opt-outs after year two may be a way to secure more wins now and buy yourself time to figure out what to do in the future.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/p>\n

I genuinely see the Cubs as a top-three team in the National League, at least. Pushing for another major signing would send them well over the luxury tax. This is still a special group capable of going all the way, perhaps even without another addition. We\u2019ll have to wait and see what comes next. The Cubs noted they had checked \u201csome\u201d big boxes this winter. So, never say never.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jed Hoyer on the Cubs: \u201cBy no means are we done with the offseason but we did check some of the big boxes.\u201d
He mentioned adding depth<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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