Chicago Cubs’ cheapness on Kyle Tucker expected to lead to MLB rule change

The Chicago Cubs gave a lot of lip service to the idea of signing star right fielder Kyle Tucker to a new deal.

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The Cubs traded for Tucker in a bid to go all-in on the 2025 season. However, Chicago’s decision to be passive at the trade deadline proved faulty in the second half the season and playoffs.

The Cubs surrendered the NL central to the Milwaukee Brewers. After defeating the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, Chicago lost a seven-game series to the Brewers in the NLDS.

Following the loss from the playoffs, the Cubs fan base and the national media didn’t think Tucker would return to Chicago. The Cubs weren’t expected to dish out a huge contract to the star hitter.

On Jan. 15, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Tucker to a four-year deal worth $240 million, a significantly more costly deal than the five-year $175 million contract the Cubs gave third baseman Alex Bregman.

Chicago Cubs’ cheapness could be catalyst for salary cap

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Tucker’s deal with the Dodgers could change how the MLB allows its teams to do business.

Per Evan Drellich of The Athletic, owners are expected to ask for a salary cap because of Tucker’s deal with Los Angeles.

Via Drellich:

“A 100 percent certainty” that the owners will push for a salary cap in wake of Kyle Tucker deal with the Dodgers, ownership source says. “These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes.”

“A 100 percent certainty” that the owners will push for a salary cap in wake of Kyle Tucker deal with the Dodgers, ownership source says.

“These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes.”https://t.co/oQKUt3X89F

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 20, 2026

The Dodgers won back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025. With Tucker, Los Angeles should be a favorite to three-peat in 2026.

The Cubs could have fought to keep Tucker. After all, his final contract was a lot cheaper than the $400-600 number that was put out during the summer of 2025.

However, Chicago chose not to invest in its team by keeping Tucker. More importantly, the Cubs allowed Tucker to boost one of its main challengers in the National League.

Instead of trying to compete with their pockets, owners will look for the MLB to put price controls on what athletes make.

That’s fine, but put a cap on the price of tickets.

The post Chicago Cubs’ cheapness on Kyle Tucker expected to lead to MLB rule change appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-cheapness-kyle-tucker-mlb-salary-cap