(670 The Score) The Cubs have avoided arbitration with recently acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker.
The sides have agreed on a $16.5-million salary for Tucker in 2025, according to reports Thursday afternoon, after they previously failed to get a deal done before the deadline for exchanging figures. Tucker had requested a $17.5-million salary, while the Cubs submitted a figure of $15 million. With that as the baseline, they met in a spot near the middle and a bit closer to Tucker’s request.
The Cubs acquired Tucker in a trade with the Astros in December. He’s entering the final year of his contract and is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season.
Tucker is a three-time All-Star who has a career .870 OPS. He hit .289 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs and a .993 OPS in 78 games in 2024, when he was sidelined for a long stretch with a shin fracture. He posted a 4.7 WAR in essentially a half-season.
Tucker was fifth in the American League MVP race in 2023, when he hit .284 with 29 homers, 112 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and an .886 OPS in 157 games.