The Chicago Cubs made a significant move this offseason by trading for Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker. Acquiring a superstar like Tucker came at a hefty price, as the Cubs gave up Hayden Wesneski, Isaac Paredes, and their 2024 first-round draft pick, Cam Smith.
With just one year left on Tucker’s contract, he faces a crucial decision. If the Cubs fail to re-sign him for the 2026 season and beyond, the trade could ultimately favor the Astros. Unfortunately for Cubs fans, it appears that an extension with Tucker isn’t in the cards.
This leads to the big question: Where will Kyle Tucker sign in the offseason? There are many predictions, including one from Jim Bowden of The Athletic, who forecasts that Tucker will sign with the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2025-26 offseason.
Se, Tucker would ink a massive 14-year, $604 million contract with the Phillies, which would include significant deferrals. This move makes a lot of sense for Philadelphia, given the circumstances: Kyle Schwarber is entering the final year of his contract, and Nick Castellanos has just two seasons remaining on his five-year, $100 million deal.
If Kyle Schwarber decides to sign elsewhere after the 2025 season, Nick Castellanos could transition to the designated hitter (DH) role, opening up right field for Tucker. While there is still a lot of time before the offseason, the Cubs and Tucker could potentially work out a long-term deal to secure his future with the team. However, if the two sides fail to reach an agreement, Tucker will likely have a long list of suitors eager to sign him for the future.
