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The Chicago Cubs could be heading toward an arbitration hearing against Kyle Tucker, their newly acquired All-Star outfielder. The two sides did not reach an agreement ahead of Thursday’s filing deadline, according to a league source briefed on the development.
The Cubs traded for Tucker knowing that he might spend only one season at Wrigley Field. To get a possible rental player, the club gave up a substantial amount of talent in last month’s blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros, moving infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and a top prospect, Cam Smith, who was a first-round pick in last year’s draft.
Tucker was projected to earn $15.8 million through the arbitration system this year, according to the model run by MLB Trade Rumors. In exchanging salary numbers, the Cubs filed at $15 million, per ESPN, while Tucker’s group countered at $17.5 million.
Tucker could enjoy the Wrigley Field experience, but it will make sense for him to explore his future options. The 15-year, $765 million contract that the New York Mets gave Juan Soto this offseason likely raised expectations. And even if Tucker’s next contract lands on a smaller scale than Soto’s, to this point the Cubs have not demonstrated much eagerness to make that kind of long-term, superstar-level commitment.
Tucker will turn 28 next week, meaning he should still have several prime years remaining in his very productive career. His age — combined with his all-around skills, superb track record of performance and good clubhouse reputation — will make him highly coveted on the open market.
While Soto is younger and a bigger offensive force, Tucker is also a prolific left-handed hitter with World Series experience. Tucker, however, is a 30-30 threat in terms of home runs and stolen bases, and he can play Gold Glove defense in right field. Tucker’s platform season will be a major storyline around a Cubs team that will be under pressure to go beyond 83 wins and make the playoffs.
As part of this arbitration cycle, the Cubs will at least avoid a hearing against a different All-Star player. Justin Steele, the homegrown left-handed pitcher, agreed to a $6.55 million salary for this upcoming season, according to a source briefed on the deal.
Steele, who has been in the organization for more than a decade, is operating on a different timeline than Tucker. Steele remains under club control through 2027 and will turn 30 this summer, which presents an interesting scenario for both a late-blooming player and Jed Hoyer’s data-driven front office. Especially as the cost of pitching continues to skyrocket.
In projecting a potential contract extension for Steele, The Athletic’s Tim Britton estimated a sweet spot could be a five-year deal worth around $74 million or a six-year pact valued at $96 million.
Separately on Thursday, the Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Matt Festa, who had been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers earlier this week. In the corresponding move on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated infielder Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.
Rounding out the team before spring training — and getting closer to the 90-win projections that Cubs manager Craig Counsell talked about last September — will likely involve adding another starting pitcher, more bullpen options and an infielder.
The club is roughly $50 million beneath the $241 million luxury-tax threshold for next season, according to databases maintained by FanGraphs, Baseball Prospectus and Spotrac, which estimate the Cubs are currently carrying a major-league payroll in the range of $190 million.
(Photo: Jack Gorman / Getty Images)
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