With Kyle Tucker, Maybe He Will, Maybe He Won't, and That Uncertainty is Ok

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Don't let great be the enemy of good. 

Image courtesy of © David Banks-Imagn Images

(Famous last words, but) This is not a thinkpiece. When it comes to Kyle Tucker as a Cub, it's practical advice for all of us who call ourselves the faithful of Chicago's North Side ball club. What is the advice, you ask? Enjoy yourself. Earlier this week, Jed Hoyer, Cubs President of Baseball Operations, joined 670 The Score's mid-day program to discuss (among other topics) the organization's prospects of extending their megastar right fielder Kyle Tucker.

"He will have a lot of suitors ... Who wouldn't want a player like that?" Hoyer asked, rhetorically.

Well, to answer your question, Jed, no one. With seven long balls and 25 runs batted in already in the 2025 season, Tucker is the rare type of generational player who gets immediately enshrined in his team's Hall of Fame. And if this is his one and only year as a Chicago Cub, so be it. 

A few years ago, I went on a lot of dates—some of them really good, some of them so bad that they didn't need to be captured on film to go viral. There were a couple of these individuals I really liked, and the feeling was at least mutual (sometimes). A third, fourth or perhaps fifth date got me thinking something could really be percolating here. And then? Nothing. Rapidly declining text threads, cryptic responses, and on to the next one. They just weren't that into me. The same can be said of Tucker. If Hoyer (or anyone else inside the Cubs organization) thinks Tucker is likely to shower the club—or even our great city of Chicago—with effusive praise, they're dreaming. Just as with other major player extensions we've seen across the league, the player is worth whatever a franchise is willing to pay them. 

So I offer you this, fine reader: If Kyle Tucker wants to be a cub for the next 10 years, sing with jubilation and welcome it with open arms. If he doesn't, let him go. Tucker, while an outstanding player in every way, will not save this franchise. Nor will his departure kill it. The Cubs, fresh off a 2-game series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, are a legitimate contender. You don't have to go to Starved Rock to see the forest for the trees. All you need to do is, check yourself, and have a good time watching one of the best baseball teams on the planet.

In Aladdin, Genie told his master not to wish for more wishes. I'm going to echo that sentiment right now. It doesn't matter if Tucker (or, for that matter, Pete Crow-Armstrong) plays for the Chicago Cubs for a longer term than that for which he's currently signed. They play for us right now. Every home run soaring onto Waveland, every stolen base, and every banner raised this season will be for the Cubs. Creating memories to outlast any contract. What you're waiting for is right in front of you. 

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