Report: Kyle Tucker, Cubs Agree to $16.5M Contract After Trade, Avoid Arbitration

The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Kyle Tucker reportedly agreed to terms on a contract for 2025 after all and avoided an arbitration hearing

ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported Thursday the two sides agreed to a $16.5 million contract for the upcoming season. Since there will not be a hearing, it also frees Tucker up to be included in the Cubs' fan convention during the coming weekend.

That the number settled in at $16.5 million isn't shocking considering the developments from earlier this month.

Rogers reported on Jan. 9 that the two sides did not come to an agreement after the Cubs filed at $15 million and Tucker's representatives filed at $17.5 million. It seemed to set the stage for an eventual arbitration hearing before he even played a game for the National League Central team.

It also seemed less than encouraging for the Cubs' long-term prospects of signing Tucker to a contract extension down the line if they were haggling over a $2.5 million difference shortly after trading for him.

However, Thursday's news means there won't be a potentially contentious hearing and both sides can now turn their attention to the 2025 campaign.

After all, Tucker has been Chicago's major addition this offseason. The team traded infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith to the Houston Astros for the 27-year-old in a move that immediately bolstered its chances in a National League Central that appears to be wide open.

Even if Tucker is only with the Cubs for this one season before he hits free agency, he raises their ceiling to a potential playoff team.

The three-time All-Star has a World Series title, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger on his resume with the ability to anchor a team's lineup. While he was limited to just 78 games last season, he still launched 23 home runs after hitting 29 and leading the league with 112 RBI in 2023.

Tucker hit 30 homers in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022 and will make Chicago's lineup far more dangerous in 2025.

And now he and the team know what he will be making as he does so.