Aside from Juan Soto getting the largest contract in sports history with the New York Mets this offseason, the Chicago Cubs’ trade for Kyle Tucker was the most important move across the league. Tucker, perhaps one of Major League Baseball’s top five to ten players, is exactly the type of talent the Cubs have been looking for in recent years. The city of Chicago begged for a Cubs star, and they not only got one, but there aren’t many better in the league. However, Tucker will be available for free agency next winter, and unless Chicago can reach an agreement on a long-term contract before then, the Cubs may lose him.
That would be the worst-case scenario, and the Philadelphia Phillies have already expressed an interest. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Phillies “make particular sense” for the left-handed hitting sensation. “But the Phillies also could need to sign a free agent or two in their primes. Right fielder Kyle Tucker, who will be 29 years old when he hits the open market next summer, could make particular sense,” Rosenthal said.
Philadelphia is in a win-now situation, and while the same could be said about Chicago, the Phillies have more reason to be concerned right now than the Cubs. If Philadelphia does not win the World Series within the next year or two, the front staff will have to make some difficult decisions.
It’s even possible that the front office will go after Tucker. Adding Tucker would help the Phillies get closer to their goal, making it something the Cubs should be aware of.
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