The Chicago Cubs currently hold the top National League Wild Card spot, but they’ve been slumping recently — a trend that seems to apply to all three NL Wild Card teams. Making matters worse, superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker has hit a rough patch of his own.
“Tucker’s play began to deteriorate in June after he suffered a jammed right finger, and manager Craig Counsell gave him a day off last Wednesday, hoping that it would spark a turnaround. It hasn’t. Until the slugger rediscovers his first-half form, the Cubs are unlikely to pull closer to the Brewers. They will instead have to fend off hungry challengers in the NL’s wild-card hunt,” YardBarker’s Eric Smithling wrote.
Tucker was acquired by the Cubs last December in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros. Given his elite résumé, expectations were high.
“We’re excited that we were able to get it across the finish line,” Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said. “We’re thrilled. He’s been an offensive machine over the last several years, and we’re excited to be able to insert that into our lineup. That’s a bat that fits into any lineup in the league.”
Looking ahead, if the Cubs want to retain Tucker beyond this season, it won’t come cheap.
“Tucker is expected to be the highest paid free agent in this class. Most analysts believe he will get somewhere between $500 million and $650 million based on the recent contracts of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Blue Jays ($500 million) and Juan Soto with the Mets ($765 million). Tucker can impact a game in so many ways with his five tools: hitting, power, defense, arm strength and speed. He has made four straight All-Star teams and is putting together another strong season,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Tucker is set for a massive payday this winter, joining the ranks of the game’s highest earners. But for now, his focus is on breaking out of his slump and helping the Cubs secure a postseason berth. If he can get hot at the right time, both the Cubs and Tucker stand to benefit — now and in the offseason.
