The Chicago Cubs and their superstar avoid arbitration

The Chicago Cubs needed to add a big name to their roster, and they did just that when they acquired superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade from the Houston Astros earlier this offseason.

Since being acquired, there has been a ton of speculation about whether or not the Cubs and Kyle Tucker would reach an agreement on a contract extension past this season.

That possibility came to an impasse when both the Cubs and Tucker couldn’t reach an agreement on a deal for arbitration.

However, that changed when the two sides finally came together to reach an agreement to avoid arbitration.

The Chicago Cubs and Kyle Tucker avoid arbitration

It seemed like both the Cubs and Tucker were heading towards a brutal arbitration hearing is now thankfully avoided with both parties agreeing on a salary for this upcoming season. Jesse Rodgers of MLB.com reported via his X account that the Cubs and Tucker agreed on a salary of $16.5 million for this season. Rodgers said in his tweet: 

“Breaking News: The Cubs and OF Kyle Tucker have agreed on a $16.5 mil contract for 2025, sources tell ESPN. The sides avoid an arbitration hearing and Tucker will be in Chicago for the team’s fan convention this weekend.”

This is great news for the Cubs to get a deal done now and avoid going to arbitration, so they didn’t have to present all the things they feel are wrong with Tucker which could’ve soured any chance for a contract extension. During the negotiations, the Cubs offered Tucker a salary of $15 million for this season while Tucker and his camp were expecting to get $17.5 million. Both parties settled on a salary of $16.5 million is a happy medium with Tucker receiving a well-deserved pay raise of $4.5 million after making $12 million last season.

What does this do for the season and a possible extension? 

Getting a deal done now and not after the arbitration hearing could be looked at as a good sign for the Cubs. With this all out of the way Tucker can now settle in with the Cubs and get himself focused for Spring Training which is right around the corner. This was also important to get done before the 2025 Cubs Convention which kicks off this weekend where Tucker will make his first appearance in front of Cub fans. 

Tucker will figure to be a big part of the Cubs offense this spring and summer and having any unnecessary distractions is not what either party wants to have. With Tucker entering the final year before becoming a free agent and the Cubs trying to make the playoffs for the first time in five years, removing this huge barrier such as this opens the door more to that happening.