(670 The Score) Former MLB executive Jim Bowden believes Cubs star right fielder Kyle Tucker will command a contract of at least $600 million when he hits free agency in the offseason.
Bowden cited Mets star outfielder Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765-million deal and Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 14-year, $500-million contract as reference points in his explanation.
“It’s going to get excessive, so if you don’t want to do excessive, you’re probably not going to get him,” Bowden said on the Rahimi & Harris Show on Tuesday. “I’ve said this before and I’ll stand by it – he’s going to get a six in front of his number. He’s going to get $600 million.
Guerrero got $500 million, and Tucker is a better player, great defender, great arm. They’re just few and far between when you’re in your 20s like he is. He’s going to age well. You can feel comfortable giving him a 10- or 12-year contract. He’s a complete player. There’s nothing he can’t do. You guys are witnessing it. He’s an All-Star player that hits for average, hits for power, steals bases, is a great defender, has a great arm. He does the full package. They’re really hard to come by.
“Now if you’re going to look at the price of Soto at $765 million and Guerrero $500 million, I think it’s fair to place him at $600 million. Now the question is who is the team that’s going to step up and pay him that? I don’t have the answer to that. But I do believe it’s going to end up in that area. I don’t know if the Cubs will play in that area. Time will tell.”
Tucker, 28, is hitting .291 with 17 homers, 52 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and a .931 OPS in 83 games this season. He’s a finalist in the fan voting to start for the National League in the All-Star Game. When he does receive his All-Star honor for this year, it will mark the fourth such honor of his career.
Tucker’s 4.0 WAR ranks sixth in all of baseball, according to Fangraphs.