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MLB insider identifies 3 potential suitors for Kyle Tucker this winter
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- MLB insider identifies 3 potential suitors for Kyle Tucker this winter
Matt Marton-Imagn Images Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Chicago Cubs took a big swing this offseason with the Kyle Tucker trade, sacrificing young talent and hoping the All-Star outfielder would stay with the club long-term. While Chicago will make every effort to avoid losing him in MLB free agency, several big-market clubs could be lurking to create a bidding war.
Appearing on MLB Network , insider Jon Heyman mentioned the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants as potential suitors who could join the Cubs in going after Tucker this winter.
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Related: Insider sheds light on Chicago Cubs' approach to MLB trade deadline
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Kyle Tucker stats ( ESPN ):.285/.395/.528, .923 OPS, 15 home runs, 46 RBI i 284 ABs
Tucker, a three-time All-Star selection, is thriving in a contract year. Chicago made attempts to sign him to an extension in-season, but those negotiations went nowhere. As for the other suitors, Boston does have a bit of a logjam in the outfield, and San Francisco did just absorb the Rafael Devers contract. However, both lineups could certainly benefit from adding a perennial All-Star who plays solid defense in the outfield.
While Tucker has earned more than $55 million in career innings before his age-29 season, he's never been one of the highest-paid MLB players . That will change next season, as many around the league believe that several teams will offer Tucker a contract worth more than $500 million in total value.
Related: San Francisco Giants eyeing trade for versatile infielder
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Kyle Tucker contract ( Spotrac ):$16.5 million salary in 2025, MLB free agent this winter
His consistent production certainly merits it. From 2021 to 2024, Tucker posted an .888 OPS with a .280/.362/.527 triple-slash line with 532 hits and a 145 OPS+ in 1,901 at-bats. Over those four years, he compiled a 2 0.9 bWAR . Tucker's WAR and home run totals (112) would have been even higher if not for a shin injury in 2024 that limited him to 78 games.
Chicago knew the risks when it acquired him. It could also feel even more incentivized to win a bidding war in free agency for Tucker, considering how well Isaac Paredes (.838 OPS) and Cam Smith (.739 OPS as a rookie) are performing for the Houston Astros . With other big-market clubs expected to get involved, though, the asking price could fall out of the price range of Cubs ownership.
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