The Chicago Cubs signed a true game changer last year—one who lived up to every bit of the hype. “He’s an exceptional hitter,” said Cubs president Jed Hoyer, reflecting on the impact his star has made. But with free agency looming, the calm is cracking. Other teams won’t just sit back and watch. Baseball’s hottest bat is about to hit the open market, and the bidding war could get wild. The powerhouse behind all this buzz? None other than Kyle Tucker.
Tucker is the main highlight of this offseason’s free agents. If the rumors are true, he has every chance to become the third-highest-paid player in MLB after Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto. The former Astros player signed a one-year, $16.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs last offseason. And, he is arguably one of the most, if not the most, consistent hitters in baseball right now. So, it’s no surprise that teams are lining up for a shot at him. If the rumors are correct, Buster Posey and Craig Breslow are gearing up to be key contenders for Tucker once he hits free agency.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network analyzed the teams likely to enter the market for Tucker. Of course, the Cubs are definitely going to try and retain him, but they’re not alone. “Once the guy’s a free agent, he’s only been there a year, there are going to be other teams in there. Have to count the San Francisco Giants at this point. They look like an aggressive team, as we’ve seen. And the Red Sox. Now, the Red Sox have a lot of outfielders, but we’ve heard of Duran potentially on the market. There would be a possibility as well, because they do need to do something to make up for Devers,” he added.
What does Kyle Tucker’s future look like heading into free agency this upcoming offseason?@JonHeyman mentions the Cubs, Giants and Red Sox as potential suitors. pic.twitter.com/audOe402QZ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 20, 2025
He’s right, the Red Sox have a huge void to fill after losing Rafael Devers, while the Giants, who just welcomed Devers, will want to polish their roster even more. And Tucker is the best fit on all accounts. He was once predicted to land a $600 million deal by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden. “Following Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million deal in free agency and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, Tucker is expected to land a nine-figure contract that starts with a 6,” he wrote. But recently, MLB insider Jeff Passan brought that prediction down by several million. “This offseason, Kyle Tucker is going to cost $400-plus million,” Passan told Rich Eisen.
That is a surprising take, for sure. Tucker is hitting .284/.395/.513/.908 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 74 games so far this season. He’s been terrific for the Cubs, and his presence truly helped to change their lineup positively. He’s the kind of hitter any team would want to go for, especially the Cubs, who gave up a lot to get him and would love to keep him long-term. Not only the Giants and Red Sox, but the Phillies, Yankees, and Dodgers would also be looking to make a deal for him. While it’s a win for Tucker, Hoyer’s headaches are already starting; no need to wait for free agency.
Hoyer feels the pressure as the clock ticks
Only six weeks remain until the trade deadline. Front offices are going to be busy strategizing offers that players can’t refuse. The Cubs are no different. They are in a good spot this season, and if they maintain their performance, they don’t have much to stress over this season. But in the long run, especially with the Kyle Tucker situation hanging over, they have to stay prepared. The Cubs’ offense is one of the best in MLB, but they could use some solid pitching arms. All of these challenges now rest on Jed Hoyer’s shoulders.
ESPN’s Buster Olney put out a list of executives facing the most pressure as the trade deadline nears. And the Cubs president got a pot in the list. Olney further evaluated the trade deadline options for the team. “The Cubs’ payroll is well under the luxury tax threshold — 12th highest in the majors — but Chicago’s offer to Alex Bregman wasn’t competitive, even though he would’ve been a perfect fit. Rival evaluators wonder if Cubs ownership will green-light the sort of pricey acquisition that could help this team compete for its second title in the past decade,” he wrote.
Well, the Cubs should definitely bid high for pitchers, especially with Justin Steele out for the season. They are leading the NL Central with a strong 45–30 record, and they’re a .600 team as of now. So, making the playoffs isn’t a concern for them, but if they want to make a run for October glory, as Olney wrote, they need to make some calculated decisions. Some big choices lie ahead for Jed Hoyer, and he’ll have to act fast.
The post Giants and Red Sox Clash as Cubs Receive Stark Warning About $600 Million Superstar appeared first on EssentiallySports.