The Chicago Cubs are enjoying their best regular season in several years and lead the Milwaukee Brewers by one game for first place in the National League Central.
The emergence of budding superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong, the consistency of Ian Happ, and the All-Star play of free agent-to-be Kyle Tucker give the Cubs the best trio of outfielders in Major League Baseball. On Tuesday, Crow-Armstrong and Tucker became the Cubs’ first outfield teammates to be in the starting lineup of an All-Star game since 1936.
With Tucker’s free agency looming, Cubs fans and the organization hope the four-time All-Star either agrees to an extension or re-signs with the club during the winter. Will a surprise American League East club steal Tucker away from Chicago?
Could Kyle Tucker Leave Cubs for Rays?
By September, the trajectory of the Tampa Bay Rays organization may drastically change. On Monday, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich reported that a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski will purchase the Rays for $1.7 billion. With Zalupski’s potential purchase of the Rays, the organization’s spending habits may change.
In a separate story, Rosenthal cited an out-of-bounds free agency idea that sees Tucker land with the Rays.
“The thought might not be as preposterous as it sounds, depending upon how much Zalupski is willing to spend on players after plunking $1.7 billion or so for the team,” wrote Rosenthal.
“Tucker, 28, is a native of Tampa. The Rays are a good bet to escape the final eight years of Wander Francoâs 11-year, $181 million contract if Franco is unable to leave the Dominican Republic after being found guilty in that country of sexual abuse of a minor,” Rosenthal added.
“And even under owner Stuart Sternberg, theyâve occasionally tried to go big in free agency, most notably during the 2021-22 offseason when they reportedly offered Freddie Freeman six- and seven-year deals in the $140 million to $150 million range.”
A report from the New York Post’s Jon Heyman in November indicated the Rays reached out to then-free agent Juan Soto, suggesting the club’s urge to land the top players in baseball. If Tucker were to sign a contract with Tampa Bay, he would instantly become the face of the franchise.
Is Kyle Tucker to Rays Realistic?
Regarding Tucker, Rosenthal’s report may be nothing more than a pipe dream for the Rays, who own one of the lowest payrolls in MLB. Despite their low spending habits, they continue to field a competitive team season after season.
“As a free agent, Tucker figures to command at least three times that much, maybe more,” Rosenthal wrote about how the Rays’ offer to Freeman may not be enough to land Tucker.
“The range might be far out of Zalupskiâs comfort zone. But what better way for a new owner to announce his intentions than by signing the best free agent available?”
In all likelihood, Tucker remains with the Chicago Cubs or signs a long-term deal somewhere, where he can compete for World Series titles for several years. Like Soto, nearly every team will show interest, but only one organization can sign the star who’s already accomplished plenty in his eight-year career.
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