Kyle Tucker predicted to surpass Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s AAV by MLB insider

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker and Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were expected to be the biggest names in the free agent market next offseason. However, Guerrero Jr. isn't going anywhere as the All-Star infielder signed a $500 million extension over 14 years with the Blue Jays earlier this month.

With Guerrero Jr. likely to spend the rest of his career in Toronto, talk about Kyle Tucker's future with the Cubs has intensified. The three-time All-Star is in the final year of his contract after being traded by the Houston Astros in the offseason.

Several experts have weighed in on what a potential contract for Tucker might look like after Guerrero Jr.'s big payday. MLB insider Paul Hembekides argued that Tucker is a better all-round player and could fetch a higher AAV than Vladdy.

"Juan Soto is $51 million a year, Aaron Judge is $ 40 million a year, and Vladdy is $36 million a year. Given where the market is going, I think $39 million a year is a pretty good starting point for Kyle Tucker and we go from there.

"If we are talking years, 'if you are gonna dance with us price' is probably $429 million over 11 years. I think there is a team out there that might give him 12 for $500 million."

Paul Hembekides feels that since Kyle Tucker is 29, the team won't risk going for as long a contract as Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 14 years, but he expects the Cubs outfielder to sign a lengthy contract.

Cubs gauging the market value of Kyle Tucker after Vladimir Guerrero Jr's extension

While Vladimir Guerrero Jr. secured his future with the Blue Jays, the Cubs are still gauging the market value of Kyle Tucker before tabling an extension for the red-hot outfielder.

Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins touched on potential extension talks with Tucker on 670 The Score‘s “Mully & Hugh Show.”

“Generally, you’re trying to judge markets,” Hawkins said. “You’re trying to understand, are there certain positions, certain players that are overvalued or undervalued, and allocate your dollars appropriately within those contexts, but it’s hard to judge markets.

“The guys that are doing it on Wall Street are having a really hard time right now, and it’s not too much easier over here in baseball either.”

Despite the uncertainty around his future, Kyle Tucker said he is just focused on playing baseball right now as the Cubs lead the NL Central with a 9-6 record after a strong start to the season.