Cubs president highlights biggest selling point for Kyle Tucker’s potential contract extension

The Chicago Cubs brought in three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in return for third baseman Issac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and infield prospect Cam Smith. However, the two parties are at loggerheads, as the Cubs failed to reach a pre-arbitration salary agreement with Tucker for the 2025 season.

Jed Hoyer, the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, believes it won't hinder discussions about a possible contract extension for Kyle Tucker in the future. Hoyer believes that the primary selling point for the Cubs in signing a long-term deal with the outfielder is the atmosphere created by home fans at Wrigley Field, something Tucker hasn't experienced properly as yet.

On The Rekap podcast on Wednesday, Tucker gave his views on the Cubs potentially offering Kyle Tucker a contract extension.

"The biggest sales point for the Cubs, he hasn't experienced that, in a lot of ways. there's a time for that, and I'm sure I'll have conversations with [his agent] Casey Close about that," Hoyer said. "I'm just excited to just get him. We're going to go to Japan. We're going to come back and play at Wrigley. This place sells itself.

"I enjoy the recruiting part of this job, but one of the best parts about this job is you've got the Wrigley, and you've got the fans, and you've got Chicago in the summer," he added. "And those are all things that he hasn't experienced yet that I'm sure will have an impact on him."

The Cubs haven't reached the postseason in the past four years. They ended the 2024 campaign on an 83-79 record to finish third in the National League Central.

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"Kyle Tucker is a player you'd love to have for a long time": Jed Hoyer

Kyle Tucker played for the Astros after he was picked up in the 2015 MLB Draft. (Image Source: Imagn)

Kyle Tucker is set for a salary arbitration showdown with the Chicago Cubs after the two parties failed to reach an agreement about the his for the upcoming campaign. As per reports, there was a $2.5 million gap in their estimates, with the Cubs offering $15 million while Tucker wants $17.5 million.

Nevertheless, Jed Hoyer is confident that it won't cause a poor relationship between the player and team. He said the Cubs would like to sign Kyle Tucker to a long-term extension in the future.

"Clearly, he's a player that you'd love to have for a long time; that's obvious," Hoyer added. "He's such a great player. He's young. He does everything well. That's a process that will go on in the future."

Tucker hit 23 home runs and had 49 RBIs with an OPS+ of 181 last year despite missing more than half the season due to a fractured shin.