CHICAGO — Kyle Tucker’s introduction to the Chicago Cubs organization won’t involve an arbitration hearing during spring training.
The Cubs and their new slugger have agreed to a $16.5 million salary for 2025 to avoid arbitration, a source confirmed to the Chicago Tribune on Thursday. Tucker had filed at $17.5 million while the Cubs were at $15 million, which had been the largest gap among arbitration-eligible players who had not reached terms with their respective teams.
It settles the contract situation for the 27-year-old outfielder heading into the team’s annual fan convention this weekend, where Tucker’s first taste of the Cubs experience potentially could have featured awkward questions about his short-term contract situation ahead of his free agency following the season.
The Cubs acquired Tucker on Dec. 13 from the Houston Astros, adding a star to the middle of their order. Despite missing nearly three months with a right shin fracture last season, Tucker still put up 4.7 WAR and hit 23 home runs in only 78 games. It wasn’t far off what he delivered in 2022-23 (5.4 WAR each season in at least 150 games).
Now, Tucker and the Cubs can focus on the season ahead, which gets underway Feb. 9 when pitchers and catchers hold their first workout in Mesa, Ariz.
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With the Mets operating as if Pete Alonso will sign with another team, the discussion shifts to who can potentially fill his shoes, and the name floating around is Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Mets spoke with the Blue Jays about the slugging first baseman, who is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, and while nothing went past "checking in," Toronto is giving off the impression they are not willing to deal Guerrero.
In a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Blue Jays have a strong desire to keep Guerrero and that’s based on what type of package they want back in a potential trade.
According to the report, the Blue Jays are looking for major leaguers and top prospects in a package that would exceed the value the San Diego Padres received when they dealt Juan Soto to the Yankees last offseason before they even consider a trade for their perennial All-Star first baseman.
In that Soto deal, which also included outfielder Trent Grisham, the Yankees sent pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez in addition to catcher Kyle Higashioka and prospect Drew Thorpe.
Guerrero, who is entering his age-26 season, had an incredible 2024. Aside from hitting 30 home runs, the slugger hit a career-high .323 and drove in 103 runs. He also had a .396 OBP and a .940 OPS. He even played a handful of games (12) at third base.
Another wrinkle in this offseason is that Toronto is one of the teams engaged in discussions with Alonso, and the Blue Jays are open to having both Alonso and Guerrero on their roster.
The Athletic also reports that extension talks between Guerrero and the Blue Jays are expected to accelerate before the first baseman’s self-imposed Feb. 17 deadline.
If both sides do not come to an agreement, and Guerrero is not dealt, the first baseman will be one of the top free agents heading into next offseason.
While the Mets, and the baseball world, wait for Alonso’s decision, the team from Queens has begun to fill in their roster holes. The team re-signed OF/DH Jesse Winker on Thursday and will look to add to their bullpen.
Of course, there is still a chance Alonso and the Mets come to an agreement but if they don't, Guerrero may not be an option for them if that's Toronto's asking price.
