Former Major League Baseball general manager and current writer for The Athletic Jim Bowden gave an update on what a potential contract for Kyle Tucker looks like.
Bowden went on 670 The Score to discuss what the Chicago Cubs will do at the trade deadline as well as a financial breakdown of Tucker’s next contract.
“It’s going to get excessive, so if you don’t want to do excessive, you’re probably not going to get him,” said Bowden. “I’ve said this before and I’ll stand by it; he’s going to get a 6 in front of his number.”
Bowden noted that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got $500 million from the Toronto Blue Jays and Tucker is a better player.
“Great defender, great arm. They are just few and far between,” said Bowden. “When you’re in your 20s like he is, he’s going to age well, you can feel comfortable giving him a 10 to 12-year contract. He’s a complete player; there’s nothing he can’t do.”
Tucker, 28, has had an incredible campaign in his first and potentially only season in Chicago. The three-time All-Star has 17 home runs and 52 RBI while slashing .291/.395/.537 in 83 games.
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Tucker is a dynamic, five-tool player. When healthy, he is a top 5 player in baseball. He is a Gold Glover, has stolen 20 bases on 21 attempts this season and walks more than he strikes out.
A player like this is hard to come by, and Bowden went on to say that only two or three teams will actually be in the running to secure Tucker.
The Cubs have been one of the best teams in baseball with Tucker, but despite being a big-market team, the franchise has never surpassed a deal worth $184 million.
Teams that are likely to be all-in on Tucker this offseason are the Cubs, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
More MLB: Who could the Phillies target from their ideal trade deadline partner?
