Latest news with #NationalLeagueCentraldivision
Newsweek
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Kyle Tucker Offers Two-Word Response to Recent Struggles for Cubs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Cubs have struggled recently as they are just 5-5 over their last 10 games entering Friday. It's part of why they now sit four games out of first place in the National League Central division. One player in particular, Kyle Tucker, has been below league average for the last month. While he knows his performances haven't been great, he is optimistic about his ability to turn it around. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 4: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 4, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 4: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 4, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois."Not great," Tucker told Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. "Just doing the best I can. Gotta grind through it. Try and figure it out and turn it around." The 28-year-old outfielder had a quiet month of July as he hit just three doubles with nine RBI and zero home runs. Those struggles have carried over into the early part of August as he has just three hits entering Friday. Tucker is set for free agency at the end of the season, and a slump like this won't be good for his contract negotiations when the offseason rolls around. However, he knows what he needs to do better moving forward. "I normally hit the ball in the air a lot, and I hit it pretty hard when I do," Tucker told Sharma. "Obviously haven't been doing that a lot. I have a handful of extra-base hits the last month-and-a-half or whatever. Some of those at-bats, I've hit some hard singles just right at the center fielder, right at the right fielder. Didn't get in the gap or down the line." If the Cubs want to catch the Brewers, Tucker will certainly have to step it up as the number of chances to close the gap is quickly declining. More MLB: Mets' 'Best-Case Scenario' For Rest of Season: Trust Remodeled Bullpen
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs' Kyle Tucker Offers 2-Word Response on New Contract After Trade
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Chicago Cubs took a big and somewhat risky swing this past winter and it has paid off. The team decided to deal Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees and bring in Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros as a replacement, trading away players with several years of control ahead on their contracts for the pending free agent. Heading into the All-Star break, the Cubs sit in first place in the National League Central division and the decision to trade for Tucker is driving optimism that they can end their playoff drought. But given the strong results in Tucker's debut with the Cubs, it seems the franchise will have little choice but to try and re-sign him to a long-term contract after this season. "In giving up 14 potential years of club control over those players (traded for Tucker), the Cubs got one season to maximize Tucker's talents and make their pitch," Patrick Mooney wrote for The Athletic. "For both sides, it probably makes the most business sense to see what the market will bear for an elite player who will be 29 years old next year." HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 27: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs smiles as he watches a welcome back video during his return to Daikin Park before a game against the Houston Astros at Daikin... HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 27: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs smiles as he watches a welcome back video during his return to Daikin Park before a game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on June 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by) More Astros/Getty With signs pointing to free agency for Tucker, the Cubs can hope that his individual success and a deep playoff run give them an edge in upcoming negotiations with the outfielder, who will surely garner interest from other big-market teams. But when asked if anything has changed about his thinking on free agency since joining the Cubs, Tucker offered a two-word response that suggested things haven't changed in his mind. "Not really," Tucker told Mooney. "I don't necessarily worry about it too much," Tucker added, per Mooney. "If something happens, something happens. The only thing I can really control is just going out there and doing the best I can, putting up numbers and trying to help us win games." As the best Tucker can do on the field continues to drive him to the top of the upcoming free agent class, Cubs fans might be disappointed to learn that he hasn't had a change of heart on testing the market since being traded to the team. But given the early returns on the Cubs' bold offseason move to acquire him, a long-term deal could still be ahead. More MLB: Red Sox, Alex Bregman Deal Projected to Reach $200 Million After Negotiation Update
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs Superstar Kyle Tucker Won't Budge in Latest Update on Contract Talks
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Cubs maintained their lead in the tightly-contested National League Central division with a blowout win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. And, as has been a common theme all season, the victory was powered by superstar slugger Kyle Tucker, who recorded his 16th homer of the year. Tucker has been a key part of the Cubs' success this season and seems likely to propel a return to the playoffs after a four-year drought for the franchise. But if the Cubs want to build on that success for future seasons, they will need to extend Tucker before he becomes a free agent or risk competing with teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox for his services over the winter. Last month, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported that the Cubs "really want to keep" Tucker and that the team will likely propose an extension to him. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 9: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs looks on after hitting a solo home run in the top of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park... PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 9: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs looks on after hitting a solo home run in the top of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 9, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) More Leff/Getty But following the team's latest win, Tucker refused to provide a concrete update on whether or not he's had any extension talks with the team recently. "For the most part, we're just going to keep that between us," Tucker said, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. "If anything happens, I'm sure you guys will know." Tucker has remained quiet about his future contract, routinely dodging questions by explaining that he is more focused on the season at hand. He did acknowledge that joining the Cubs after spending his entire career with the Houston Astros has changed his perspective on transitioning to new teams. "It kinda opens up your eyes," he added, per Sharma. "But for the most part, I'm just worried about this team, the Cubs this year and trying to get better this year." As Tucker continues to slug for a first-place team in Chicago, though, questions about his future contract will only grow more persistent. More MLB: Yankees Announce Plans for Marcus Stroman After Horrid Rehab Start
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs 'Have Talked' With Division Rival About Trade for $77 Million Starter: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Cubs are enjoying a narrow lead in the National League Central division and they're looking for upgrades to the roster with just a few weeks until the trade deadline. The Cubs might have signaled their willingness to buy at midseason months ago when they agreed to send some controllable talent to the Houston Astros for Kyle Tucker, a star outfielder in his last year of arbitration eligibility. After that move, the Cubs have little choice but to add even more win-now talent before it's too late. "The Cubs didn't trade third baseman Isaac Paredes and prized young outfielder Cam Smith for one guaranteed year of All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to sit back at the deadline now," as Bob Nightengale wrote for USA Today. "Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, whose contract expires after the season, knows what's at stake." The Cubs seem relatively set at several positions, but could certainly use another pitcher who can handle a high-stakes playoff start after losing ace Justin Steele for the season due to injury. And it appears they have interest in a division rival's veteran. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 21: President Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs speaks to the media during the introductory press conference for Dansby Swanson at Wrigley Field on December 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo... CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 21: President Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs speaks to the media during the introductory press conference for Dansby Swanson at Wrigley Field on December 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by) More Reaves/Getty "Confirming Pirates and Cubs have talked about Mitch Keller," 670 The Score's Bruce Levine reported. Keller, who is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million deal with the Pirates, would seem to fit the Cubs as a mid-rotation boost who might not command too much of a return. He has a 4.02 ERA across 16 starts this season and logged 210 total strikeouts in an All-Star season two years ago. Once Shota Imanaga returns, Keller could be a third or fourth option for the Cubs. But even a middle rotation arm could be hard to acquire in the upcoming deadline market. "Getting a deal done is challenging because of (a) sellers market," Levine added. "One GM said to me (that) 25 teams still feel they have a Wild Card chance." As virtually every contender explores their options for acquisitions like Keller, the Cubs might have to overpay a bit to get him. More MLB: Red Sox Announce Unfortunate Alex Bregman Injury Update
Newsweek
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs 'Backed Into Corner' on Kyle Tucker Decision After Red Sox News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Chicago Cubs made a bold move over the winter and it's been paying off. The team surprised the baseball world by trading for superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker even though Tucker is in his final year of arbitration before becoming eligible for a very lucrative free agency. Despite the fact that he could be just a one-year rental, Tucker has been a major boost for the Cubs and their first-place standing in the National League Central division. However, the success so far raises questions about what the Cubs intend to do on the long-term future of their star player. The Cubs might have to shell out as much as $500 million to retain Tucker after this year and, if he reaches free agency, they might have to compete for his services with any number of big market teams. And a recent blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants might have impacted the landscape. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 12: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs takes the field in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt... CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 12: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs takes the field in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/) More Dirksen/Getty "The Giants were looked at as a contender for Tucker, but now they have Devers' contract, which pays him between $27.5 million to $31 million between now and 2033 (with deferrals)," according to Jon Greenberg of The Athletic. "The Red Sox could be a possibility, but as longtime baseball reporter Tom Verducci said on 670 The Score on Monday afternoon, the Devers trade might just force Boston to sign Alex Bregman to an extension." With the Devers trade potentially removing two big-market suitors for Tucker, the Cubs might have a clearer path to a long-term deal for him. That might make a big difference in the total price tag for a new contract, and ultimately, Greenberg believes the Cubs will have little choice to get a deal done if the team's success continues in the face of a looming collective bargaining agreement battle in the sport. "So, if the success of the team continues, the ballpark will be full in September and playoff money will follow," he added. "With labor strife on the horizon, (Cubs owner Tom) Ricketts will be backed into a corner to spend on a modern-age superstar contract, and it shouldn't matter if Boston or San Francisco are bidding too." The Devers trade news could remove the Giants and Red Sox from contention for Tucker. And if the Cubs' winning ways persist, the team could feel it has little choice but to extend Tucker. More MLB: Ex-MLB Executive Urges Tigers To Acquire Bullpen Help Ahead Of Deadline
