Ever since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a massive extension with the Blue Jays back in April, Kyle Tucker has been viewed as the consensus top player in this winter’s free agent class. It’s not hard to see why, as he’s a four-time All-Star, a former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winner, and the fifth-place finisher in AL MVP voting in 2023. That resume is what convinced the Cubs to trade All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, top prospect Cam Smith, and young starter Hayden Wesneski to the Astros last winter in order to acquire Tucker in his final year of club control.
It’s a decision that paid off in a big way during the first half of the season. Through the end of June, Tucker slashed an phenomenal .291/.395/.537 across 83 games. Among qualified hitters, only Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Shohei Ohtani, and Will Smith had a higher wRC+ than Tucker’s 158 during that stretch. While it wasn’t quite on par with the otherworldly 179 wRC+ Tucker posted in 78 games with the Astros last year, it was still an undeniably dominant showing that led to many wondering if he would join Guerrero and Juan Soto in clearing the $500MM benchmark upon hitting free agency this winter.
Once the calendar flipped to July, however, things changed for Tucker in a hurry. In 163 plate appearances since the start of July, Tucker has hit just .189/.325/.235 with a wRC+ of just 72. He’s tallied just four extra-base hits in that time and has gone a full month without hitting a home run at this point after launching his last long ball on July 19. Tucker’s slump has been lengthy enough and severe enough that club manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including Patrick Mooney of The Athletic) yesterday that he plans to give Tucker “some days off” in hopes of helping him reset and get back on track.
That the Cubs are sitting a player who looked like a legitimate MVP candidate just over a month ago is inherently shocking, but it’s hard not to see why given his recent performance. It’s fair to wonder how Tucker’s deep struggles of late may have impacted his market in free agency, as well. After all, a major calling card for Tucker has been his consistency and reliability as a middle-of-the-order force. An extended slump such as this one puts a hole in that narrative, especially when combined with him missing half of last season due to injury.
When looking at other outfielders who signed mega deals in free agency, Tucker’s resume doesn’t quite measure up. He no longer seems likely to wind up with an absurd platform season like Judge (nine years, $360MM) put together in 2022, and he’s three years older than Bryce Harper (13 years, $330MM) was when he reached free agency. The inflation top-level MLB contracts have seen in recent years should help Tucker, especially as compared to Harper’s contract from all the way back in the 2018-19 offseason, but if his season doesn’t turn around going forward he may not even crack the $400MM threshold in free agency, much less $500MM.
So, will Tucker be able to turn things around? There’s certainly some reasons for optimism. Most notably, his discipline at the plate has remained elite even during his slump. Since July 1, Tucker has actually walked (16.0%) more often than he’s struck out (15.3%). His .224 BABIP during that period suggests some positive regression could be on the way in terms of batted ball luck, but even underlying metrics like hard-hit rate (27.9%) and barrel rate (2.7%) suggest he’s earned his lack of power production. There’s been speculation in some circles that a finger injury suffered when sliding into second base could be the cause of his power outage, but that’s a somewhat dubious claim between Tucker himself suggesting his finger has not caused him problems at the plate and the fact that he had a 14.7% barrel rate and 42.6% hard-hit rate in 24 June games following his return from the injury.
It would be a shock if Tucker truly batted below the Mendoza line with virtually no power the rest of the way this year. He’s been a bottom 20 player in baseball since July 1 in terms of wRC+, and it’s practically unheard of for a player of his caliber to perform that poorly for that long when not dealing with some sort of physical issue or age-related decline. With that said, it’s worth noting that Tucker’s recent slump has actually put his 2025 numbers more or less in line with his career norms. Tucker is hitting .261/.374/.447 with a 131 wRC+ overall this year. Through the end of the 2023 season, Tucker was a career .272/.345/.507 (132 wRC+) hitter.
Those slash lines are awfully similar, and it stands to reason that it’s at least possible Tucker’s incredible 78-game 2024 campaign was simply an outlier. On the other hand, it must also be noted that Tucker put together 709 plate appearances between the start of the 2024 season and the end of June 2025 where he hit a combined .290/.401/.559 with a wRC+ of 168. Only Judge (218), Ohtani (179), and Soto (171) posted better numbers during that time frame. It shouldn’t shock anyone if Tucker is able to recapture some of that production over the season’s final six weeks and ends up with a strong platform year, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights that looked possible two months ago.
What do MLBTR readers think is in store for Tucker over the final weeks of the 2025 campaign? Will he be able to turn things around and quell any doubts created by his recent struggles? Will his slump continue and push his season numbers lower than they are now? Or will his numbers settle in as he levels off somewhere close to his career norms? Have your say in the poll below:
No matter the season, how it turns out. If Tucker is not in Pinstripes by January, it’s a complete Cashman failure. Bye-bye, Goldy, and Grisham. Bellinger 1B and Tucker LF. Someone, please take Stanton. Judge the DH and Spencer Jones in RF with Dominez in CF. I’m trying to have positive thoughts for once
Aloha mlbnyy, I said this at the time of the trade, Tucker doesn’t profile the best in a Wrigley or San Francisco Giant’s park. Difficult, plus he played his whole career in a nice environment controlled park in Houston. Being out in the elements in Wrigley in March/April can be brutal, then the heat and humidity in the summer months. He’s a good player. I do think he profiles well in NY, Boston and LA. Also, his defense is regressing some and many believe he eventually is a DH only. So LF in NY could be very good for him. I believe he will move on and wish him well. Mahalo!
Goods points. Playing in Wrigley as you stated can be tough. Tucker also played with a strong supporting cast in Houston. Altuve, Bergman to mention just a couple. The guy looks totally lost right now. Interesting to see how the rest of the season rolls for him heading into free agency.
Just saw an article where Gollum said he wishes the Cubs were more like the Brewers. Kind of says it all when he’s the reason they’re not.
newsweek.com/sports/mlb/cubs-boss-says-he-wishes-h…
What he said was;
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a streak like this,” Hoyer said, per The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg. “I mean, give them a lot of credit. I wish we were on that kind of streak. We’re not. They are.”
Don’t let facts get in the way of a troll post.
The streak is historic. I can’t find the chart, but iirc not since the 1930s has a team done what the Brewers have accomplished this year. It’s even better than their spectacular 2018 finish.
Doesn’t matter what he said. Even him inferring it when it’s HIS job to fix it should be an excuse to fire him offense, But they gave him an extension
Let’s not forget the MVP of Houston… The Garbage Can.
Fire him for essentially saying he wished Cubs were playing like that well?? Id say it should be the exact opposite, anyone not wishing their team was playing that well should be fired.
And yes it absolutely matters what someone says if you are complaining about what they said.
Mike, if the Cubs were to be more like the Brewers, they DEFINITELY would not have traded Cam Smith for Tucker.
That is why I feel Ricketts was behind that move – to sell more tickets in 2025.
He was better early on than he is now
He will be a Dodger and the Yankee fans will be disappointed.
Kinda makes you wonder whose idea it REALLY was to give Counsell 8 million a year doesn’t it? Things that make me go Hmmmmmmmmmmm………..
Sadly the Ricketts are turning into the Tribune. Counsel can run a bull pen. But after that he is useless. Milwaukee and Pat Murphy are a perfect example of it. He will barely eclipse the 83 wins they have put up the past two years. Tucker should of been benched during the Pirates series so he would be ready this week or better yet should of been on the IL . when hen got hurt . Instead we allow him to play it out like Swanson did last year and thru the team into a slump like this year.
Bellinger is basically the same player as Tucker and is a lot cheaper and almost as good
While Tucker’s lefty swing fits well in yankee stadium I think the dodgers or Phillies want Tucker more
The Phillies will make an offer but they won’t sign Tucker. Middleton can’t sell enough Black n’ Milds to pay for him. I could see a scenario where they bring in Alonso to replace Schwarber.
Maybe the angels take on castellanos’s contract and they use the savings from no more schwarber and realmuto and Kepler money to sign Tucker
But they’ll probably resign schwarbomb and get someone like jurickson profar in a trade
Agree, but he has hit very well this year and the Marlins are covering some of his salary the next two years. According to BRef, Marlins are covering $10 million in each of the next two seasons. The third, final season is dependent on whether or not they buy Stanton out.
I could see a few teams in desperate need of a DH being interested.
There is no such thing as “in desperate need of a DH”
Certainly not a 36-year-old DH who produced a 111 OPS+ from age 32-35. Marcel Ozuna has produced better than that and the Braves couldn’t find takers as a short-term rental.
Teams might be desperate for an impact offensive player like Schwarber at DH. But that’s a totally different player.
Stanton is not a fielder. He is a great hitter. Goldy is showing his age a bit but not that much. Grisham is hitting AWESOME and has great fielding capabilities. I do agree on 2026 that Spencer Jones should play. Rice play first base, jones dh, as long as judges arm is ok. I am not sure that Dominguez is capable to be a MLB CF
Why do you want Tucker so badly??? Do you see how he’s been playing lately?? New York can do a lot better than Tucker. Why are you setting your sights so low??
I do not want tucker. I was answering mlbnyy99fan. Sorry if I got the name wrong. But I do not think the yankees should get tucker. I think it will be OK if they pass him up
I don’t care who gets Tucker as long as it’s not the Cubs. Cubs have proven they know how to draft and the extra high pick will be used wisely I’m sure. That is if ole Gollum doesn’t trade them for some more Magic beans. Conrad is hurt but 2 of the other OF’s are playing and helping South Bend and Myrtle Beach make the Playoffs. Kepley looks really good so far and Snell is at High A and the C is at MB too but hasn’t got much of a shot yet.
Isoab
“Why do you want Tucker so badly??? Do you see how he’s been playing lately?? ”
Have you seen the way he’s played most of his career?
This is probably one of the most Yankee statements within the Yankee skewed mindset that I’ve seen in a while. I appreciate the reminder.
MLBnyyf
“If Tucker is not in Pinstripes by January, it’s a complete Cashman failure. …I’m trying to have positive thoughts for once”
Keep trying
Typical new york fan boy dreaming. Or even maybe if you are on to something a deal for Tucker without giving up Spencer Jones and alot more just isn’t happening
CD
“a deal for Tucker without giving up Spencer Jones and alot more just isn’t happening”
???
Tucker is a free agent after this season
Oh course im thinking he signed a deal with Chicago or that it was sign and trade. My b.
Hopefully Grisham takes the QO. I agree about Tucker and Bellinger though. I would offer Belli a 3 year, $95-100 million deal right now. He can play lst next season. Stanton is fine for next season. The Marlins are paying his salary for next year anyway. Tucker can play left field. Grisham and Dominguez can platoon in center.
I imagine he’ll finish the year like the rest of us, either attending a new years party, or possibly watching the festivities on TV.
Or sound asleep before the ball drops?
“Poll: How Will Kyle Tucker Finish 2025?”
On a one year prove it deal…
He’ll turn it around somewhat, only because it behooves him to finish the year strong especially when it’s a contract year. I’m disappointed with his performance to say the least…
If he homers in October, all will be forgiven.
If he homers in October it will probably be in the AFL.
Have you seen Tucker’s track record in October? Just leave him on the bench then too. If his offense won’t be killing you, his defense most certainly will.
My biggest fear right now is he ACCEPTS the QO. That would really stink. Can you trade a guy if he accepts the QO? And yes that was sarcasm for all you Sheldon’s out there.
Oh c’mon! Hyperactive hyperbole. QO forthcoming and it should be, as Cubs will offer maybe $90 million over three years with opt-outs every year. And some other team will give Tucker the 10-12 year deal that he does not deserve.
You cannot trade a guy that accepted a QO until June 15.
Isn’t “deserve” a relative term, no? If two teams bid for his services and he accepts the highest offer, that’s what he “deserves” because the free market dictated it.
YBC
Yes, I agree that you deserve to get whatever the market bears.
My statement was not meant literally. Rather, recently there was a ground ball where he did not run out of the box. I still think Tucker was a good one-year acquisition, but he’s not a player that I would want to invest $300 million plus on a ten or more year deal.
Just highly unlikely he continues to carry a .214 Batting Average on Balls in Play, which is what he has since the ASB.
This makes me sad
Every single one of these polls, the mediating position wins. I voted slump continues just to be different. Who really knows, for real.
its the entire cubs team regressing .. not just one player… something going on in the organization ..
Sometimes it’s just a Cubs thing. I’m old enough to remember a lot of awful baseball and decisions by the Cubs. This season is now turning into 1969 and 1977. Time to start thinking about the Fall Guy. Obviously it won’t be Counsel or Hoyer. Hawkins? Maybe. But Hoyer and Hawkins are joined at the hip.
@Fred: What this is most like is 1973.
Another bad one. At least day baseball can’t take the blame. It’s just a pattern of poor decisions and judgement over years and years.
Nope, guys, it’s 2025 and the Cubs just swept the DH from the Brewers. Two more to go.
Why let facts get in the way?
Wonder if free agency has gotten into his head.
That’s been my line of thought. Sometimes players perform poorly in seeking a big contract, and some are awful after getting it–trying to live up to it. Pressure and anxiety manifest in weird ways with ballplayers.
It’s hard to write off Tucker’s slump to exhaustion – it started on 7/1. No apparent injury in play. Giving him time off is about the only thing Counsell can do. Cubs gave up a lot to get him, and it should be interesting how this affects their efforts to re-sign him this winter. If Caissie kills it the rest of the way, Cubs may not even try to bring Tucker back.
The Cubs were never going to try to get Tucker back unless they get a great deal. I think they will trade Suzuki and Happ if he will waive no trade and have an outfield of PCA, Caissie and Alcantara.
Who in their right mind would want Ian Happ? It’s also doubtful that any team other than one that’s in the middle of a rebuild would have two rookies in the outfield.
The Red Sox didn’t have to trade anybody to acquire him.
It could be an assortment of things really. Mental and physical stuff. Free agency, a new team with high expectations, a few bumps and bruises. It all takes a toll. Tucker likely has never encountered the boos he’s been getting lately. And no way has he seen and had to deal with the voracious sports media like we have in Chicago.
Right on Drasco
Why did they never try moving him down in the lineup or platooning him for a few weeks? Seems wild that their first move is to outright bench him.
Giants are going to be all in on this dude in the offseason.
God I hope some other stupid team is. I’ll take the draft pick at this point.
Haven’t been following his slump, but see him as an upgrade to the Giants current situation! Ha
I got to think mechanical adjustments post-injury may be contributing to his slump. This could mean compensatory changes in his swing are reducing his power output.
Tucker did not “look like a legitimate MVP candidate a little over a month ago.” Why has everyone been so hypnotized by this very-average player?
The truth is this: When the Cubs got back from Japan and started “the North American portion of the schedule,” he squared up the ball a lot and had a good two-three weeks. Then he went into a slump, and then he had a fairly lengthy period where he didn’t get a lot of hits but walked a lot, enabling him to maintain a decent OBP even though he wasn’t really helping the team much.
Now, for almost two months, he hasn’t been hitting at all or even walking much. He rolls over ground balls to the right side in most of his at-bats. He has a long, loopy swing that reminds Cubs fans of Jason Heyward at his worst. Tucker has been pretty close to an unmitigated disaster.
There is no real evidence that his hand injury has had anything to do with his problems. I think part of it is that he was used to the controlled environment of Daikin Field, and had trouble adjusting to playing half his games in a real ballpark with real weather, and then decided he was too good for it all. I imagine it would be hard to hit with your nose that high up in the air.
I will laugh at whichever team is dumb enough to overpay him this winter. He might have to accept a “pillow contract.” Don’t be surprised if he winds up back in Houston, from the safety of which he will rip the Cubs and their fans. The feeling will be mutual.
He absolutely looked like an MVP candidate a little over a month ago. He had a .930 OPS at the beginning of July. Even with his slump, he still has a 4.1 WAR right now.
“he squared up the ball a lot and had a good two-three weeks.”
See above. Writing off his hitting to a good two-three weeks is wrong and shows whatever bias you have, He entered June with a .283/.391/.520/.911 slash and then slashed .311/.404/.578/.982 for the entire month of June. You don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.
@rct: If, as Samuel Johnson wrote, “false patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel,” OPS and WAR are the last refuges of a rotoballer who knows nothing about real baseball.
We’re doing old quotes?
“A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, that he is wiser today than yesterday.” – Jonathan Swift.
One statement that can never be refuted.
” Wherever you go, There you are.”
Uncle Mike
I thought Dolly Parton said that. Or was it Lord Byron?
“But now it’s me.”
@Alan53: “OPS and WAR are the last refuges of a rotoballer who knows nothing about real baseball.”
I’ll take OPS and WAR over the gut instincts of a keyboard jockey who lets Samuel Johnson do his talking.
A vague reference to knowledge of “real baseball” is the last refuge of a windbag with no genuine argument.
As a wise man once said- “Imagine being Alan?”
Alan- (aka Lifelong Pretend Cubs Fan Since May 2025) knows zilch about everything.
Tucker is having a miserable last 6 weeks that is undeniably true. I do think his finger is messing with his grip. Cubs are absolutely right to be sitting him right now- however they screwed up by not starting this last week pre-Pirates. Having a 70% Tucker right now does nothing to help this team. Would be much more beneficial to have him sit out even a phantom 15 day IR or whatever, heal up and hopefully come back and.contribute for the final 35 games just like he did the first 80 when he was unquestionably a top 5 MVP candidate.
What Alan LPCFSM2025 is so insanely wrong on is what Tucker is. Alan LPCFSM2025 doesn’t believe in such outdated 😂 things as WAR 😂 yeah okay man!
How about his 131 career RC+? How about his 709 plate appearances with a 168 RC+ from 2024 thru July. How about Silver Slugger? Joe about Gold Glove? How about 4 time All Star? Top 5 MVP voting? The fact his presence over the first 80 games helped give the Cubs such a fast start that they can go through a brutal 20-20 stretch where they’re playing like dog crap and still have a top 5 record in MLB. Yeah it hurts that the Brewers have the best record but all they can do is try to put this slump behind them and get back on track.
And heck who knows sitting Kyle and having Cassie have a few more good days if that happens could be a spark.
Am I happy with the July/Aug Cubs so far? Hell no. I wish Counsel showed more of a pulse. I wish Hoyer could have found a way to pull in Joe Ryan although as any real Cubs fan knows they have the #1 starting staff era since June 1st so really it isn’t the starters hitting them (plus the Twins reportedly asking for Cassie, Shaw and Horton is so ludicrously stupid well then I guess I’m glad they didn’t make that trade.
But anyway things have changed in the last couple hours since Alan LPCFSM2025 posted his drivel above – the Cubs won both games of the doubleheader. Alan you should be so happy! Your pretend lifelong favorite baseball team went 2-0!! You’re a die hard fan right?!?!! Hope you’re drinking up in celebration!
Well today does look much brighter than yesterday. But they still need a bunch more of todays and the offense does seem improved with PCA and Caissie hitting now. Couldn’t believe Alan wanted to send PCA to Iowa. Amazing what even one piece of new blood from the Minors can provide to give a team a spark. Maybe do it more often. Instead of putting Horton on the IL make a paper move and send him down( Without really having him go anywhere) And let him heal up for September. I’d suggest Sanders or Noland but since they jerked them around for rehab pitchers they haven’t been doing well lately. All that’s left is Turnbull and nobody wants to see that am I right? Sending Horton down on paper doesn’t stick him with a 15 day absence and he can pitch whenever he’s able.
I am far more frustrated with Happ and Dansby than I am with PCA and Tucker. Well no that’s a lie- I am an annoyed that Tucker/Counsel/Hoyer couldn’t have decided to take a few days off last week. He’s CLEARLY not 100%. Him playing through this was not helping the team. Bit he’s gonna be a free agent, yada, yada, yada. Whatever. Very annoying yes.
But I am far more tired of Happ swinging and missing with his freakin’ 1 handed follow through swing. He’s always been streaky. But this is a bad bad slump. He still has his defense. But his hits seem to come in non clutch times (don’t hate me Keith Law I know “clutch hitting” isn’t a thing). I have little confidence when he comes up.
And Dansby? Ugh. Just ugh.
PCA is young and going through a rough patch is to be expected. He’s showing signs of breaking out.
Can’t say enough about Hoerner. Shaw is a totally different animal since he came back up. Feel awful about Amaya I think he could have been a nice reinforcement. And Busch is doing fine they don’t need him to be a star.
Just keep the momentum from today going. Then let’s see where it goes. All that matters is how you’re playing come October. And I know Alan LPCFSM2025 is behind them 100% as well and gosh darn it that makes me feel good!
Well I’m more optimistic about the pitching than I was. With Boyd, Shota, Tallion, Assad , Rea and Brown around at least there are innings eaters around. Just hoping the antique bullpen hangs on. How many more games in a row Can Kittredge pitch before the IL beckons? On Sept 1 hopefully they bring up Triantos for another guy who can play 7 positions and PR if necessary. Hopefully Hodge has his stuff together by then if not Little should do fine. Things should be looking up. Counsell and Hottovy finding the right way to mix Assad, Horton, Brown and Rea in Sept. should keep their brains occupied. There is no reason to think if they hit they should be a WC. I still don’t have a ton of faith they can advance anywhere but that’s why they play the games and it will be good for the young guys to see what it’s all about. It’s not all bad, Hopefully the worst is over.
What the hell are you talking about?
Which ballparks aren’t “real”?
For someone that says a particular player is stuck up about what type of ballpark he prefers, you sure seem to be struck up about a ballpark.
Just pointing out the irony.
The reference to “a real ballpark” is what we call a rhetorical device. I suppose you skipped English class that day, and other days. (You are also misusing the term “irony.”)
And here I assumed you were saying Wrigley Field is a real ballpark when others are not.
I believe my use of irony is applicable and correct.
Excellent parenthetical point. The correct use of irony is when you call somebody else boring.
A lot of words, a lot of nonsense.
Tucker will sign with Tampa.
I know this is off-topic but I love polls! As for Tucker I think he’ll bounce back at some point.
He will turn it around. And his regular season stats wouldn’t matter if he hit well in the playoffs. Let’s go Tucker
How are those splits even possible?
Undisclosed injury is my main thought.
I would agree with this.
He’s in a slump. Players have them–certainly Judge does. He surely hasn’t forgotten how to hit….but there’s a price for this. This quote says a lot ” he may not even crack the $400MM threshold in free agency” Imagine.
I don’t think outside talk of your potential future earnings affects a player so much… more than likely just your regular-around-the-League elongated slump or he’s nursing a body issue.
At this point Tucker aint worth a thing. Odd how Happ was hurt , Tucker is hurt . and it takes weeks to bring a guy up..Management dont want to win . They just want to fill the seats and call it success. Rickets, Hoyer, and Councsel need to go.
Which 2 position players have had better influence on their team – the brewers Vaughn and Jensen or the cubbies Busch and Kelly?
Counsell, u also need to send caissie down when Tucker is ready t go
Cubs fans- how has Caissie looked?! I’ve been too busy to watch the Cubs, but we’re rooting for Owen to do well!
Aloha brudduh, was working during the first game today. A friend said Owen made 2 great catches in RF in the first game, along with 2 hits and a homer, 3rbis! I hope he’s starter next year! He had another hit and rbi in the second game tonight. Mahalo!
He has a lot of red hair.
They’re already calling yesterday’s doubleheader “The Owen Caissie day” lol.
He had a home run in the first game and a big two out knock for two RBIs in the second game. A combined 3/6 with 4 RBIs on the day and scored a nice hustle run from first on a double. Wore #19 on August 19, so he had destiny working for him.
We like #19, good for Owen! Cheers fellas
Aloha bradduh, I shared with you a while back that I thought Jed/FO/ownership got a light return for Yu-san, the runner up CYA and had turned things around midway through 2019, remember he had I believe a bone spur or something dealt with in 2018. San Diego sends back 4 young teenagers for a good controllable arm. Years later, it is nice to see Caissie up. I have to temper my expectations as he’s a rookie. But wow, what a burst of energy compared, sadly to Tucker’s long slump. Owen runs well, scored on Busch’s double from 1st base. Made great plays in the OF and advancing runners, hitting them in. Let Tucker have more rest time. Then Craig C can figure if Happ needs an extended rest soon. Caissie should stay in the lineup til he plays himself out or makes the case to stay in. Mahalo!
Add Alcantara to OC and PCA and you guys might just have a very nice, young OF in ’26! Cheers kg 🤙🏽😎🤙🏽
Aloha bradduh, I would love to add Alcantara as he can play all 3 OF positions. Of course the rumors are that this fo may still trade away the young talent in the off season. As I said the other day, I wish Tucker well and that he moves on. Then yes to your plan and possibly trading Happ/Seiya away. They both have NTC clauses and are controlled through next season. If Seiya can heat up and finish well, he could be the backup OF and main dh next year. I really want the youth to get a chance to make their cases. Will be interesting to see if your Padres try to bring back Cease/King or let them go for comp picks, then trade for arms. This off season will be interesting leading into 2026! Mahalo
I suspect Preller will make a run at both arms but *probably* get priced out by a richer franchise. I’d prefer to keep King, but Cease is really good too. Most definitely headed into an interesting Offseason kg my braddha! Be well amigo, aloha kanaka!
As post-season approaches, Tucker will totally disappear like he always does. It seems to be starting a bit earlier this year.
An Uber driver in Houston told me the same thing about Tucker back in April.
I heard about it from some guy in a comment section.
If the comment section is talking to you, you might need help.
Good help is hard to find.
I don’t have that problem.
Yeah, but to be fair your son is a mob boss…
No, I’m the boss. Doug is my son.
Hey, there’s this guy I might need “relocated”…
Funny you should say that. I had to relocate a few people in the Cubs organization myself to get Dougie some playing time in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But I’m retired now.
Obviously, the absence of the soporific Tucker from the lineup helped the Cubs in both games Tuesday. The team seemed looser and was surely relieved to be free from his glowering, self-dramatizing presence. He is the personification of the Isherwoodian “Truly Weak Man” who struts and preens but cannot deliver. (Though Chris was not a baseball fan–but Don might be!)
Tucker couldn’t have gotten to either of those fly balls near the foul wall, btw. He’d have pulled up and let them drop–gotta protect that next contract!
I really wanted to give you a thumbs up for trying so hard to impress everyone.
After realizing this would just encourage you to continue, like a child who repeats all the important sounding words he hears, I decided against doing so.
Were he alive today, Orwell would have done fine in choosing one of your screeds for an updated version of “Politics and the English Language”.
I still say he is over rated
He is not a generational talent etc
He is just a very good player
its a clubhouse problem the entire team is slumping …. why try to pin it on one guy
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
-In depth, comprehensive analysis of him wanting $425 million. Remember he bunted a couple weeks ago? DURING a game? Like the PA counts against his OBP and he squared around?
I think his struggles started when he fouled one off his leg. He broke it the year before the same way. I could see how a mental block could come from that. Just my take. Im not a psychologist but if I were to break something swinging a hammer and then nearly did it again, I may not swing it as hard for a while.
My post didn’t post. Ha. I must have used a word. Well I will just paraphrase. Wrigley is not a dome. The foul lines are unforgiving. The brick wall is unforgiving. The winds are u forgiving. And you can hear everything the fans say. It takes a certain kind of and this may not be for him.
And I’m all for a well thought out and explained post like this. And it could be the case.
But it could be an injury as well. Apparently he broke his leg previously, and fouled a ball off that same area. So maybe it’s just a pain tolerance issue.
Things happen over the course of 162 games. Which is why it should stay at 162.
You are right. He doesn’t seem to be planting right or shifting his weight right. That, more than the hand, could be a factor. In any case, he is useless.
See what a Change can do for a stale team if only in the short term- would the cubs have won one or both games if Tucker still batting 2 in lineup?
I wouldn’t mind seeing him just rest back in the lineup instead of sitting out in a contract year. If he’s injured. Do the right thing and put him on the injured list. It happens. 10 days is not the end of the World or a constant conversation.
When I used to teach English, some of the kids had trouble with the concept of “euphemism”–in part, I think, because we use euphemisms so frequently and unconsciously in our daily conversation that we don’t think of euphemism as a concept, as a “thing.” I would fall back on tried and true examples–“sanitation engineer” for garbage man, that kind of thing. But reading the gingerly way the local and national media are writing about Tucker’s benching, I think we have a new example: “Mental reset.” It’s a euphemism for “the guy can’t hit.” And now he won’t even bother to run out his feeble grounders.
I suppose he’ll get more starts after he “reset.” But not many. And I am confident that, for all practical purposes, he is through as a Cub.
The poet Auden wrote, “Teach me to outgrow my madness.” Is it possible that the utter fiasco of the Tucker trade is teaching Jed Hoyer something? We shall see. Hoyer has so far been ineducable, but maybe he will see the light and refrain from making trades like this in the future.
In the meantime, Sept. 18-21 looms–and maybe the week that follows. Those games might be decisive in whether this flawed team can back into the playoffs.
It’s going to be embarrassing for everyone when Tucker’s “mental reset” ends and his physical incompetence is the same as ever. The situation is somewhat like Jason Hayward’s, when he was clearly unplayable but David Ross kept playing him anyway for what apparently were sentimental reasons. Counsell deserves credit for turning away from that road, though he should have done so sooner.
Tucker has been dealing with a fracture near his pinky and ring finger diagnosed in june
How is this not mentioned until now?
I coveted Tucker but now I think resigning Belli is the better option in terms of fit, skill and price. Hard to say Bellinger will hit better than a healthy Tucker but a CF/1B is such a better fit.
Learn how to write in English, Deeds. Come on. “There’s certainly some reasons for optimism?” That’s saying “there is certainly some reasons.”
You’re a paid writer. Use proper grammar. Plus, you forgot “of” in “the inflation top level MLB contracts.” And there shouldn’t be a comma before “as well.”