The Chicago Cubs made a bold move this past offseason, trading franchise cornerstone Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees and acquiring Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros as his replacement. While Tucker is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to be one of the top free agents this winter, the gamble has paid off—at least so far.
Known for his elite power-speed combination, Tucker has helped propel the Cubs to first place in the National League Central and one of the best records in baseball. His performance has significantly boosted his market value, with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reporting that Tucker’s projected free-agent worth may have jumped from \$300 million to over \$500 million.
Though Tucker has largely avoided discussing his contract status, he recently addressed fan interest in an extension during an interview with ESPN Chicago’s Carmen DeFalco.
“It’s nice, hearing it from fans that they want me to stay with the team and how much support and love they’re giving you,” Tucker said. “For the most part, I just focus on playing ball and doing my part to win those games and kind of let those other pieces fall into place whenever they shall.”
While Tucker hasn’t committed to staying in Chicago long-term, his comments suggest he’s open to the idea—leaving the door open for the Cubs to lock down their new star before he hits the open market.