In December, the Chicago Cubs made a major move, trading for Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes and prospect Cam Smith.
This trade significantly boosted the Cubs’ 2025 World Series aspirations, though Tucker is entering the final year of his contract, making him potentially a one-season rental for Chicago.
CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson recently predicted that Tucker could sign a nine-year, $333 million deal next offseason. It’s uncertain whether the Cubs could afford to keep him at that price.
Anderson noted that Tucker is undeniably one of the top 12 players in baseball, but his perception doesn’t always match that status.
Anderson suggested that Tucker’s relatively low-key personality, his time playing alongside well-known stars in Houston, and his all-around game—rather than a focus on a specific skill set—may contribute to this mismatch in perception.
While the $333 million figure might seem high for Tucker, Anderson pointed out that the market was reset by Juan Soto’s deal this offseason, and if Soto is valued at nearly $800 million, Tucker could easily be worth over $300 million.
The Cubs, having traded Paredes and Smith for Tucker, are unlikely to let him go without putting up a fight when he reaches free agency.
