Will Chicago Cubs re-sign Kyle Tucker? ‘You must have your limits’ in contract talks, Jed Hoyer notes.

The Chicago Cubs had a front-row seat last weekend for the emergence of Cam Smith.

During a three-game series at Daikin Park, the Houston Astros right fielder clubbed two home runs, totaled four hits and drove in five runs.

Smith continued his hot streak this week during three games in Colorado, collecting eight more hits and driving in five more runs.

Entering Friday he was hitting .337 with four home runs and 21 RBIs since June 1.

The former Cubs prospect has catapulted into second place among betting favorites to win American League Rookie of the Year honors.

Smith, the Cubs 2024 first-round draft pick, was a key piece in the trade that sent All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago.

Cubs President Jed Hoyer was asked this week whether Smiths success adds any pressure to sign Tucker to a long-term contract.

Hoyer doesnt look at it that way.

The fact is, there will be pressure regardless of how Smith plays.

Obviously Kyle Tucker is a player you want to have for a long time, Hoyer said.

Hes been one of the best players in baseball this year and he does so many things well and hes really had a significant impact on this offense.

Certainly you want to keep a player like that.

On Wednesday Tucker was voted in as an All-Star Game starter for the first time, his fourth consecutive All-Star selection.

The lefty slugger was hitting .287 through Thursday with 17 home runs and 52 RBIs.

The Cubs acquired Tucker in December in exchange for Smith, third baseman Isaac Paredes and right-hander Hayden Wesneski.

While Smith will remain under Astros control for the next handful of years, Tucker, 28, is in the final year of his contract and can become a free agent after the 2025 season.

Hes making $16.5 million this season but is projected to get several hundred million dollars on the open market.

His play this season has only upped those estimations.

Keeping Tucker likely would require the type of megadeal the Cubs have shied away from.

Jason Heywards eight-year, $184 million deal in December 2015 remains the largest contract in franchise history.

Tucker has stayed mum on the topic, keeping his focus on the team and doing his job every day.

I try and just come out here and do my part in helping this team win, he said Wednesday, hours after learning he made another All-Star Game.

Obviously Ive played with a different team other than this year.

The group of guys in here, front office, staff have made it super easy for that transition.

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, left, left fielder Ian Happ and right fielder Kyle Tucker celebrate a 10-7 win over the Mariners on June 21, 2025, at Wrigley Field.

(John J.

Kim/Chicago Tribune) Tucker and agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management might want to test the free-agent market even if Chicago remains a potential landing spot.

From their perspective, it could make sense to do so.

Hoyer expressed confidence this week that hell have the financial resources to address what he needs before the July 31 trade deadline .

The Tucker contract, though, is a different animal.

You go into negotiations wanting to keep him, Hoyer said.

Obviously you realize you must have your limits.

Well keep all those things internal, but certainly I think Kyle is the kind of player you want to keep.

Ive said that all along.

Well talk with Casey about that at some point, but you ultimately have to go into the negotiation with a value.

You have to do that with any negotiation.

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Tucker and a number of teammates spent their day off Monday taking in the citys sights from a boat on Lake Michigan.

Rookie third baseman Matt Shaw was among those on the boat, although he didnt say whether he and his teammates were trying to persuade Tucker to make Chicago his permanent home.

We all had a great time, Shaw said.

We were all in the water, so it was nice.

Manager Craig Counsell noted this week that Tucker has exceeded expectations for a player coming to a new team after spending seven seasons in Houston.

When you go to a new place and you come with maybe the attention that brings for a player like Kyle and hes been in one place for a long time theres (emotions) there, Counsell said.

Wed all feel that if we were in that situation.

I think our groups done a good job, I think hes done a good job just being himself.

For some people thats easy to do, and hes done a great job and I applaud him for it.

Its led to a really good baseball player whos having a great season.

And great seasons tend to be worth big dollars..

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