Kyle Tucker: Uncertain Future After Cubs Elimination
With the Chicago Cubs’ season over, questions about Kyle Tucker’s future begin to arise. Tucker, one of the most coveted players in the free agent market, expressed after the loss in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, that he does not know what the future holds for him.The arrival of Tucker, acquired via a trade from the Houston Astros before this season, boosted the Cubs’ hopes of having a deep postseason run. When Tucker was healthy and in form at the start of the season, he was shaping up as an MVP candidate and a catalyst in a dynamic and varied offense. However, Tucker, who will turn 29 in January, suffered a fractured right hand in June and a calf strain in September. After returning from the hand injury, Tucker struggled at the plate, batting .218 in July and .244 in August. Despite this, he batted .266/.377/.464 during the season, with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases in 136 games, and was selected for the All-Star team with the Cubs. He returned in time for the playoffs and had 7 hits in 27 at-bats, with a home run and an RBI. First baseman Michael Busch told reporters: “It meant a lot. Consistency at the plate, getting on base and driving in runs. He’s as complete a hitter as you can be. I think putting him in any lineup, he’ll be at the top. I think he’s one of the best hitters in the game. He can change that lineup just by putting him there.” But the Cubs and Tucker, represented by Excel Sports Management, never reached an agreement for a long-term contract as the season progressed. “I really don’t know right now,” Tucker said when asked if the Cubs have an advantage in signing him as a free agent. “I was more concerned with tonight’s game and everything. I’ll get through this today and worry about that a little later.” “I think this team has a lot of talent. A great group of guys. And I can definitely see this team having a lot of success in the future”.We’ll see what happens. I don’t know what the future holds. If not, it was an honor to play with all these guys and I wish them the best of luck, whether playing next year or not with them. It’s a very fun group to be a part of.
Kyle Tucker
