"Even though the Cubs aren't yet admitting publicly that they'll have to replace Kyle Tucker's production, doing so will be one of their most important tasks this winter. And while filling that void by simply re-signing Tucker to a long-term deal is technically still on the table, all signs point to the club moving in a different direction."
"That's based on reports that the team knew from the start this could be a rental situation - which, obviously, but the intent of that phrasing carries weight. Then you've got Jesse Rogers tweeting that they were never going to, and anyone who said different was wrong. That runs contrary to what Jed Hoyer maintained in his end-of-season press conference, but it appears nonetheless as though Tucker is as good as gone."
""I think that might be a more specific question than I would answer, but I think that - clearly - Kyle had a huge impact on our offense this year," Hoyer said. "And so, if he's not here, that's a void and we have to figure out how to replace that. But there's a lot of different ways to do that, so I think that'll be the focus."
The Cubs appear prepared to move on from Kyle Tucker rather than prioritize a long-term re-signing. Internal signals and reporting indicate the team viewed the situation as potentially a rental and has shown a willingness to let him walk. Observers and insiders have noted a shift away from earlier expectations that the Cubs would be favorites to keep him. Leadership acknowledges Tucker's substantial offensive impact and recognizes a clear void if he departs. The front office plans to pursue multiple avenues to replace his production and make that replacement a central offseason focus.
Read at Cubsinsider
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