Chicago Cubs (and former Houston Astros) outfielder Kyle Tucker is expected to headline a free-agent class that includes the likes of Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez this winter.
According to one MLB insider, Tucker could be the highest-paid player of the bunch.
On Friday, The Athletic's Jim Bowden put together his ranking of the top 25 free agents who will hit the market after the 2025 season. Unsurprisingly, Tucker was atop the list, and he is almost a sure lock to earn himself a contract worth well into nine figures — and among the most lucrative in the history of professional baseball.
"Most analysts believe he will get somewhere between $500 million and $650 million based on the recent contracts of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Blue Jays ($500 million) and Juan Soto with the Mets ($765 million)," Bowden wrote. "Tucker can impact a game in so many ways with his five tools: hitting, power, defense, arm strength and speed. He has made four straight All-Star teams and is putting together another strong season, batting .265/.377/.457 with 18 homers and 24 steals in 26 attempts. The Cubs would love to retain him, but the open market will determine where he’ll land and he’ll be the biggest prize in free agency.
Tucker has additionally contributed 62 RBIs, 77 runs scored and 4.3 WAR (according to Baseball Reference) across 117 games during his age-28 season, his eighth in the league.
The Cubs acquired Tucker in an offseason trade with the Astros this past December, with third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and then-outfield prospect Cam Smith going to Houston in return.