Some time over the next 2 seasons the Cubs very likely lose Nico, Happ, Seiya, and Taillon to FA or trade.
I imagine our prospects replace most of those guys, so they have payroll room longterm, and some of the above could possibly get moved next offseason to make space for a big Tucker AAV in 2026 if they extend him.
Caissie + Tucker (at around 40m AAV) is very close in AAV total to Happ + Seiya.