Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract extension is great news for the Toronto Blue Jays. It’s also great news for Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker, but bad news for the Cubs, who acquired him entering his walk year. Guerrero landed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays late Sunday night, taking one of the game’s biggest bats off the upcoming free-agent board. Tucker is 28, two years older than Guerrero, so his deal likely won’t stretch quite as long. But his average annual value could end up even higher in opening bidding.
But according to Spotrac, he could surpass Guerrero in average annual value. Their projection? 12 years at $42 million per season, totaling a $504 million guarantee. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts might already be shaking in his boots.
What Kyle Tucker Could Command on the Open Market
Tucker may not be a household name like Juan Soto, Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani, but he impacts the game in every phase. He contributes across the board in the triple-slash categories, has the power and speed to notch multiple 20-20 seasons and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field. Last season would have marked his fourth consecutive season with at least 5 bWAR if not for a right shin fracture that limited him to 78 games.
Despite putting up MVP-caliber numbers, Tucker has largely flown under the radar thanks to the star-studded Houston Astros lineups he’s played in. Over his seven seasons in Houston, he shared the field with Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez—players who often commanded the spotlight. Tucker has spent his entire career with the Astros, earning a Gold Glove for his stellar right-field defense in 2022 and adding a Silver Slugger Award in 2023. That same year, he finished fifth in American League MVP voting after hitting .284 with 29 home runs, 112 RBIs, and an .886 OPS.
Tucker’s Value Soars Early This Season
While it’s still early in the 2025 season, Tucker’s value could keep rising. He currently leads the National League in several major offensive categories and has posted a 1.0 bWAR in less than two weeks into the season. Through his first 47 at-bats with the Cubs, Tucker’s slashing .319/.458/.745 in a scorching start that could push his market value even higher.
If the Cubs fail to prioritize an extension for Tucker, he’ll hit the free agent market after this season. With increasing competitive pressure from NL rivals, the Cubs need to act on their financial strategy. While Tucker’s talent is strong, concerns about the Cubs’ ownership priorities complicate extension talks. Previous trades for a star player haven’t always led to successful signings, raising doubts about the franchise’s commitment to securing top talent. Additionally, despite being a major-market team, ownership ranks 12th in payroll, raising further questions about their financial dedication to winning.
Extending Tucker will signal the Cubs’ intention to stay competitive for now and the long term.
Main Photo: © David Banks-Imagn Images
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