Cubs, Kyle Tucker Headed to Arbitration

The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Kyle Tucker have failed to reach an agreement on his 2025 salary, with the Cubs offering $15 million and Tucker seeking $17.5 million, leading to an impending arbitration hearing. Acquired from the Houston Astros in a significant trade involving top prospect Cam Smith, Tucker is expected to become a top free agent after the 2025 season. Despite a fractured shin limiting him to 78 games in 2024, Tucker maintained a high level of performance with a .993 OPS and 23 home runs. The ongoing salary negotiations reflect the Cubs' traditional file-and-trial arbitration approach, although exceptions have been made in the past. Meanwhile, players like William Contreras and Michael King are also experiencing salary disputes with their respective teams, highlighting the broader tension in MLB salary negotiations this offseason.