Kyle Tucker Reportedly Expected to Leave Cubs in MLB Free Agency, Eye $300M+ Contract

The Chicago Cubs are "likely" going to part ways with Kyle Tucker this winter as the slugger seeks a contract north of $300 million in free agency, ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers reported Wednesday.

Passan named the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies as clubs who potentially have the budget and interest to sign Tucker to his next deal.

According to Rogers, Tucker making a return to his hometown by signing a major deal with the Tampa Bay Rays "isn't likely."

The Cubs are set to clear at least $20 million in salary this winter, per MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, although the club has never before paid a free agent to a total deal worth more than $200 million.

The franchise's previous largest free agency swing was their eight-year, $184 million contract for Jason Heyward in 2015. That paid off with a World Series run the following season.

Rogers has previously reported, however, that he feels the Cubs never planned in getting involved in making a free agency bid for Tucker despite trading third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and third baseman prospect Cam Smith to the Houston Astros in order to acquire his expiring contract last winter.

Rogers wrote last month the Cubs were "never going to" re-sign Tucker, and that the franchise added him not for the long term but with the focus of qualifying for the postseason in 2025.

The Cubs achieved that goal by making it to the NLDS despite Tucker being limited by injuries for a second straight season.

Tucker, who finished his 2023 season with the Astros fifth in MVP voting after leading MLB with 112 RBI, was sidelined by a shin fracture for a significant portion of the 2024 season.

Following his trade to Chicago, Tucker played at an All-Star pace through the first half of 2025. Injuries then limited him for the back half of the campaign, including a hairline fracture in his right hand the club later revealed he had played through since June 1.

That hand fracture, as well as a left calf strain that sidelined him for three weeks in September, could go a long way toward explaining why Tucker went from batting .280 in the first half to .231 in the back half of the 2025 campaign.

It could also mean a deep-pocketed MLB club will be willing to take a bet on Tucker's potential resurgence when he returns to the plate with a healed right hand.

Just nine players in MLB history have signed contracts in free agency worth $300 million or more. Any club taking that bet on Tucker will be counting on his ability to stay healthy in 2026.

The Cubs' will meanwhile hope to build on this fall's NL Wild Card victory over the San Diego Padres, and their two NLDS wins over the Milwaukee Brewers, by remaining a postseason contender regardless of whether Tucker re-signs in Chicago.