The Chicago Cubs made the biggest move in the offseason by trading for superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker.
Chicago has had one of the best offenses in Major League Baseball since the trade and Tucker’s efforts has them positioned for their first postseason berth since 2020.
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Overall, Tucker has had an excellent season and started for the National League in the All-Star Game.
Tucker, 28, has 18 home runs and 59 RBI while slashing .273/.387/.485 with 23 stolen bases in 105 games.
Tucker has slumped in July, though he continues to get on base at an elite clip. Over his last 22 games, Tucker has one home run and seven RBI while slashing .200/.358/.267.
He will be a free agent after this season pending an extension, and he is expected to sign a massive contract worth at least $500 million.
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ESPN 1000 radio host David Kaplan had some choice words about a Tucker extension.
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“Jim Bowden’s on going “that guy is going to get $600 million,” $600 million for that guy?” said Kaplan on X. “Let me tell you what he’s hitting in the last 30 days, since the 29th of June. .208 with a .286 slug. For those of you that don’t follow statistics, that sucks. That’s horrible.
“…When’s the last time that dude hit a monster hit in a big spot? I’m talking about a game-wrecker. That’s what you get when you pay $500 million, not what we’re watching from Kyle Tucker.”
This is a major overreaction from Kaplan. Everyone goes through slumps, and Tucker is a five-tool player that does everything on the field.
Whatever Tucker signs for, it’ll be well-deserved.
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