The deadline to accept or reject the qualifying offer came and passed for 13 players on Tuesday and Kyle Tucker was one of nine who officially became free agents after rejecting the $22.05 million salary for next season from their previous team. It wasn't much of a surprise as Tucker is the consensus No. 1 player in this year's free agent class and is projected to sign a contract upwards of $400 million by some experts, however, it doesn't make it any less depressing to know that the Chicago Cubs have essentially bowed out from pursuing the star outfielder before the free-agent frenzy has even started.
While Cubs fans got some optimistic news following last week's GM Meetings in Las Vegas regarding the team's expected splurge in free agency it does not sound like Tucker is on the team's radar whatsoever. Yes, be excited at the potential pursuit of Dylan Cease or Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai or maybe Alex Bregman becomes a realistic target, but as for Tucker? Don't count on a reunion with the Cubs.
Before Tucker officially rejected the qualifying offer from the Cubs on Tuesday night ESPN's Jeff Passan had this tidbit on the team's unwillingness to participate in a Tucker pursuit this offseason.
Via ESPN.
One team not expected to meet Tucker's expected contract price: the Chicago Cubs, who traded third baseman Isaac Paredes and right fielder Cam Smith to Houston to rent Tucker in his final season before free agency and will reap a draft pick around No. 75 if he signs elsewhere.
Again, not really a surprise, but just another confirmation that the Cubs are letting Tucker walk after his lone year on the north side of Chicago. Even in a down season, Tucker posted an .841 OPS and 136 wRC+ with a 4.5 fWAR in 136 games. His second half left a horrible taste in the mouth of most Cubs fans, but I can't help to wonder how the team will be able to replace his production in 2026 despite his disappointing final months with the team.
Meanwhile, Tucker's ex-teammate Shōta Imanaga was one of four players who did accept the qualifying offer heading into the 2026 season. Imanaga was joined by Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham and Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff.
