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The Chicago Cubs are off to a strong start in the 2025 season, surprising much of the baseball world by emerging as one of the best offensive teams in the big leagues.
As of Wednesday, the Cubs lead all of Major League Baseball in total hits, runs, on-base percentage and more. And while there have been plenty of surprise contributors, the team can look to superstar trade acquisition Kyle Tucker as the biggest catalyst.
Since joining the Cubs in a surprise deal with the Houston Astros, Tucker has slashed .320/.420/.650 with an MLB-leading 24 runs and 25 RBI, as well as 32 total hits.
The Cubs swapped third baseman Isaac Paredes as well as top prospects Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith to acquire Tucker, which was a bit of a surprise because Tucker has the chance to become a free agent at the end of this season. It was a large price to pay for just one season with a star, even one as good as Tucker has been
As a result, all eyes have been on the Cubs front office and its ability to extend Tucker with a longer-term contract. On Tuesday, insider Jon Heyman told MLB Network that there was “no evidence” the two sides had begun extension talks but that the Cubs “are expected” to undergo negotiations.
Tucker is due for a big payday, particularly if he keeps up his hot start, and the Cubs are facing a major price tag. In the latest update on Tucker’s long-term contract cost, Bleacher Report has identified a steep starting price as they named him the number-one free agent of the upcoming class.
His asking price probably starts at $300 million, though that figure could easily climb after seeing the contracts handed to Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in recent months,” Joel Reuter wrote.
Soto received a record-breaking $765 million deal from the New York Mets, while Guerrero got a $500 million extension from the Toronto Blue Jays. Tucker’s contract might not reach those heights, but as he continues his torrid pace at the plate and other superstars sign for ever-increasing totals, it seems the Cubs will face a steep sum whenever their negotiations begin.
