The Chicago Cubs face uncertainty around Kyle Tucker’s future as a free agent, with general manager Jed Hoyer offering vague comments about contract talks. Tucker’s outstanding 2025 season has intensified discussions about whether he will remain with the Cubs, highlighting the stakes involved for the team’s ownership and front office.
Kyle Tucker has shown exceptional performance this year, building on last season’s success despite limited playtime. While he posted a 179 OPS+ in fewer than 80 games last year, his current 157 OPS+ across 67 games this season suggests he is on track for his best full-season numbers yet. Tucker has contributed 13 home runs, 12 doubles, and 43 RBIs, underlining his importance to Chicago’s lineup.
Following recent remarks to the media, Jed Hoyer emphasized that contract negotiations concerning Tucker are being handled privately, which leaves fans and analysts uncertain about the Cubs’ intentions. Hoyer acknowledged the team’s desire to keep Tucker but did not disclose concrete plans or offers, fueling speculation about the direction of talks.
“Obviously, we gave up a lot to get him, and you know we’d love to keep him long term,”
Hoyer said to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman.
“As far as conversations go, I keep that in house, but certainly he’s a player who’s going to have options at the end of the year, but we’d love to keep him and hopefully the best sales pitch you can have is a winning team and an awesome place to play and, so that’d be the hope.”
—Jed Hoyer, Chicago Cubs GM
Despite Hoyer’s cautious tone, Tucker’s camp is likely evaluating offers from multiple teams, as no compelling reason currently exists for him to accept a Cubs deal without a highly competitive proposal. Analysts suggest that unless Chicago presents an offer exceeding $650 million, Tucker’s best course may be to explore a bidding war.
Kyle Tucker’s decision will significantly influence the Cubs’ future, both competitively and financially. Should he depart, it would represent a setback for the franchise that acquired him with high expectations. Conversely, re-signing Tucker could solidify Chicago’s lineup and help fortify its playoff aspirations in the coming seasons.