Cubs' $2,500,000 arbitration gap with Kyle Tucker sparks cautionary advice from ex-Rockies OF

The Chicago Cubs and newly acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker failed to reach an agreement on his 2025 salary. Tucker’s camp has filed at $17.5 million, while the Cubs countered with $15 million, creating a $2.5 million arbitration gap.

Former Rockies outfielder and current MLB analyst Ryan Spilborghs weighed in on the situation, offering a word of caution to the Cubs based on similar cases in MLB history.

Spilborghs referenced former Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who had a reputation for avoiding arbitration hearings, preferring to bridge financial gaps for the sake of maintaining strong player relationships.

"He’d tell ownership, 'You’re better off just paying the player that extra amount if it’s within reason.' If it’s within reason — like, if you’re a million and a half off with a superstar player — you bite that one, you take it. But if you’re off by, like, eight million dollars, that’s a fight you’re willing to take," Spilborghs said on MLB Network.

"In this case, to your point, they traded for him. The million and a half is not worth the fight unless you’re trying to get a multi-year deal done. But this is part of the business, right? It’s part of the business of baseball."

Spilborghs believes if the Cubs, who acquired Kyle Tucker in a trade from the Houston Astros, are looking to extend the future free agent, they shouldn't have gone to the hearing.

"That said, there are certain aspects of this business where, if you’re trying to do an extension with this guy, this is not quite the way to go about it," the analyst said.

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MLB journalist calls Kyle Tucker heading to arbitration a blunder on the Cubs part

There's no point in acquiring someone like Kyle Tucker in the offseason through trade and denying him his money or dragging it to arbitration. However, this is what Jed Hoyer & Co. are doing with the All-Star outfielder, and according to FanSided's Christopher Kline, it's a "baffling blunder" on the Cubs' part.

Tucker will be a free agent after the 2025 season. A strained relationship could cost the Cubs a lot more if they are to re-sign or extend the outfielder. In the meantime, other teams like the Yankees, who are rumored to be keeping tabs on what's going on in Windy City, should be enjoying.

The move has already been made, but Hoyer could still bail out of the hearing and give Kyle Tucker his money. After all, the outfielder is coming off a season where he hit 23 home runs and 49 RBI in 78 games. A full-season projection, has him surpassing even Juan Soto's numbers. So, it's likely that he would be in high demand next winter.