{"id":297228,"date":"2025-10-12T12:14:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T12:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/297228\/"},"modified":"2025-10-12T12:14:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T12:14:09","slug":"kyle-tucker-unsure-of-cubs-return-as-free-agency-looms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/297228\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Tucker unsure of Cubs return as free agency looms"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Chicago Cubs<\/a>‘ season having come to an end, the questions about Kyle Tucker<\/a>‘s future can start.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest prizes on the market entering free agency, the outfielder said after Saturday’s loss in Game 5<\/a> of the NL Division Series to the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> that he isn’t sure what’s next.<\/p>\n

“We’ll see what happens,” said Tucker, who agreed to a $16.5 million deal to avoid arbitration this season. “I don’t know what the future is going to hold. If not, it was an honor playing with all these guys and I wish everyone the best of luck, whether it’s playing next year or not with them. It’s a really fun group to be a part of.”<\/p>\n

The addition of Tucker, who was acquired via trade from the Houston Astros<\/a> prior to this season, buoyed the Cubs’ hopes of a deep postseason run. And when Tucker was healthy and rolling early in the season, he was a viable MVP candidate and a catalyst in a dynamic, varied offense.<\/p>\n

However, Tucker, who turns 29 in January, suffered a fractured right hand in June and a calf strain in September as the Brewers won the NL Central by five games over the Cubs, who landed the top wild-card spot at 92-70.<\/p>\n

Still, he slashed .266\/.377\/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 steals in 136 games while earning an All-Star nod for the Cubs this season. He returned in time for the playoffs and was 7-for-27 with a home run and one RBI.<\/p>\n

“He meant a lot,” Cubs first baseman Michael Busch<\/a> told reporters. “The consistency of at-bat. Getting on base and driving [in runs]. He’s just as complete of a hitter as you can get. I think putting him in any lineup, he’s going to be right up at the top. I think he’s one of the best hitters in the game. He can change that lineup just with putting him in there.”<\/p>\n

But Tucker and the Cubs never came to an agreement on a long-term deal as the season unfolded.<\/p>\n

“I don’t really know right now,” Tucker said when asked if the Cubs have an advantage in signing him as a free agent. “I was more worried about the game tonight and everything. I’ll kind of get through this today and worry about that a little later.<\/p>\n

“I think this team is really, really talented. A great group of guys. And I can definitely see this team having a lot of success in the future.”<\/p>\n

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and Bradford Doolittle contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

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