...
By Zach Pressnell
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Chicago Cubs swung a blockbuster trade in December to acquire Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes and prospect Cam Smith.
This was a huge deal for the Cubs' 2025 World Series hopes, but Tucker is in the final year of his contract, so this may be a one-year rental for Chicago.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently predicted the Cubs superstar outfielder would sign a nine-year contract worth $333 million next offseason. It's hard to predict whether the Cubs would be able to afford to retain him at that price.
Read More on MLB
...
"Count Tucker as another potentially interesting case study. In terms of production, he's undeniably one of the best 12 or so players in the sport," Anderson wrote. "I'm not sure that he has the perception to match -- in a sense, that makes him the inverse of Guerrero. I can theorize on why that is: he's a low-key individual who has played alongside more established stars for the duration of his career in Houston; his game is broad rather than concentrated in a way that would have him ranked atop statistical leaderboards; and so on.
"My guess is some will find this prediction too aggressive at first blush -- and I think that supports my point about his perception working against him."
This figure seems quite steep for Tucker, but it's important to remember the market was completely reset by Juan Soto this offseason. If Soto is worth nearly $800 million, why wouldn't Tucker be worth just over $300 million?
The Cubs would likely throw their name in the hat here. It's hard to imagine them giving up Paredes and Smith in the trade to acquire Tucker, only to let him walk in free agency without a fight.
More MLB: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Predicted To Sign Deal Worth North Of $600 Million
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines