Cubs Trade Idea Opens up Money for Kyle Tucker Extension
Kyle Tucker is going to demand an astronomical price this offseason. The Chicago Cubs star outfielder has come back down to earth lately, but is still putting together another all-star campaign with a .262 batting average, a .892 OPS, a 153 OPS+, and 10 home runs.
The Cubs are in first place in the National League Central at 25-18, but shipping some of their more expensive contracts could be necessary to preserve Tucker.
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Brendan Kuty of The Athletic threw out Nico Hoerner as a potential target for the New York Yankees.
While Chicago does not need to trade Hoerner by any means, here is what a deal could look like and why it would benefit them:
Cubs receive: OF Everson Pereira (No. 12), INF Jorbit Vivas (No. 19).
Yankees receive: 2B Nico Hoerner.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits an RBI triple against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field.Matt Marton-Imagn Images
With Jazz Chisholm Jr. out for the short term and Oswaldo Cabrera out for the long term, New York needs infield support. Shipping Vivas would strain their depth, but with D.J. LeMahieu activated, the Yankees are in a position to deal prospects for MLB support.
Hoerner could play second, and once Chisholm is healthy, he could return to third base (where he surprisingly excelled last season). LeMahieu, who has been hampered by injuries in his older days, would slot in nicely as a depth infielder who can fill in for off days.
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Shipping Hoerner would likely ruffle some feathers amongst Cubs fans, but he is also owed $23.5 million over the next two seasons, and that money could be valuable for the Tucker fund.
This would be a step in the other direction for a team and a President in Jed Hoyer that has been insistent on win-now moves (the Tucker trade, the Matt Shaw demotion). However, Hoerner's slow start at the plate (.281 batting average, .668 OPS, 92 OPS+) makes him as expendable as ever.
Pereira is a tantalizing prospect who could eventually garner a Chicago outfield spot with so much uncertainty moving forward. Ian Happ is a free agent in 2027, Pete Crow-Armstrong is due for a massive deal, and, of course, the unknown status of Tucker beyond this year.
It may seem ludicrous, but this league has also taught us to expect the unexpected.
Related: Cubs' Craig Counsell Sends Message to Pete Rose Amid Reinstatement
Related: Fox Sports Makes Historic Cubs-Mets Announcement
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