Cubs predicted to make blockbuster trade to replace Kyle Tucker with $340 million three-time All-Star, MVP candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs had a great season in 2025, going 92-70 and making it to the playoffs, where they lost in the NLDS in five games to the Milwaukee Brewers. Now, their superstar, Kyle Tucker, is a free agent, and the best on the market. So, they’ll have to find a replacement to keep a good thing going.

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Luckily for them, Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes they’re in a prime position to get a three-time All-Star outfielder and perennial MVP candidate: San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

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“The Chicago Cubs aren’t typically keen on huge long-term commitments, but Tatis’ contract feels so affordable by 2025 standards that even Jed Hoyer could get in on the action — especially with Kyle Tucker widely expected to depart as a free agent. There will be tremendous pressure to replace Tucker after such a successful season. Chicago needs to address other areas of the roster, such as the rotation, but Tucker’s bat clearly moved the needle for a Cubs team that missed the postseason entirely a year ago. Whereas Tucker was a rental, Tatis is under contract through 2034. Chicago can set and forget him at the top of the lineup,” Kline wrote.

This past season, Tatis Jr. slashed .268/.368/.446/.814, with 27 doubles, 25 home runs, 71 RBI, and 32 stolen bases in 155 games. He’s also a two-time Platinum Glove winner, meaning he’d be a huge defensive upgrade from Tucker.

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Having Tatis Jr. would be a huge upgrade from Tucker. He’s the same offensively, but he steals more bases and has one of the best gloves in the MLB. Stick him in a park like Wrigley for half the season, and he could finally get the MVP that’s evaded him.

Hopefully, the Cubs get talks started up soon; otherwise, another contender looking for an MVP candidate outfielder to take them to the next level will swoop right in and take him.

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