Sports Former MLB Executive Offers Cubs Dire Kyle Tucker Warning

With the Chicago Cubs rolling despite the news that Justin Steele would miss the entire regular season after elbow surgery, the focus now turns to Kyle Tucker, their best performer.

After five years of strong service time, Tucker will become a free agent after this year. Tucker has excelled on both sides of the ball, offering strong defense and quality bat-to-ball skills.

The Cubs traded top prospect Cam Smith as well as Hayden Wesneski and Isaac Paredes to the Astros this offseason in exchange for Tucker. Due to his well-rounded style of play, Tucker's free agent contract is expected to exceed $350 million.

It's for this reason that former MLB executive Jim Bowden issued the Cubs a dire warning yesterday.

Bowden said on MLB's 'Foul Territory' show that if the Cubs don't lock up Tucker long-term during the season and lose him in free agency, it's possible Jed Hoyer and members of the Cubs front office could lose their jobs.

"You don't make the Kyle Tucker trade if you think you're not gonna have him long term," Bowden said. "You don't give up six years of Cam Smith for what appears to be one year of Kyle Tucker, so you have to do everything you can to win right now."

"You don't make the Kyle Tucker trade if you think you're going to be there long-term."

It's win or get fired for Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office, says @JimBowdenGM. pic.twitter.com/lIeKHNPuwp

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 17, 2025

It's strong words to a Cubs team that has turned it around after a demoralizing season-opening sweep to the Dodgers in Japan. The Cubs have won 10 of their last 15, including an 18-3 romp of the Athletics where Tucker went 4-for-7 with three RBIs.

The Cubs will be active during the deadline, and it would be surprising if they haven't already discussed an extension with their new star.