The energy on the North Side of Chicago is electric right now — and with good reason. The Cubs just wrapped up a thrilling two-game sweep of the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, capped off by a dramatic 7–6 win Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. The series was a showcase of offensive firepower and team chemistry, two things that haven’t always come easily to the Cubs in recent seasons.
Over the course of those two games, Chicago exploded for 18 runs on 25 hits, with a balanced attack that showed off both veteran consistency and youthful promise. At the center of it all was Kyle Tucker, who is quickly becoming the star the Cubs were banking on when they acquired him from the Houston Astros in a blockbuster offseason trade. Tucker’s bat has been red-hot, his leadership evident, and his presence transformative — not just in the box score, but in the clubhouse and across the fanbase.
Tucker is slashing .289/.408/.585 with 23 home runs and 49 RBIs through 78 games, and his early-season dominance has sparked not only excitement but urgency. That’s because Tucker, now in the final year of his contract, is on the verge of hitting free agency — and the Cubs, from the front office to the dugout, are making it clear they don’t want him going anywhere.
This isn’t just about numbers or wins. It’s about identity. And for the 2025 Cubs, building a team that can compete at the highest level starts with convincing Kyle Tucker that Chicago should be his long-term home.
Winning Games — and the Tucker Sweepstakes
General manager Jed Hoyer and team owner Tom Ricketts have already expressed admiration for Tucker’s impact, but so far, no extension has been finalized. In the meantime, the players themselves are taking matters into their own hands. Every win, every highlight, every celebration has an undercurrent: show Tucker that Chicago is where he belongs.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson, who signed a seven-year deal through 2029 and is one of the team’s veteran leaders, made that mission clear following Wednesday’s win. Swanson was the player selected for the postgame on-field interview, and though he’s had a slower start to the season at the plate, he delivered two hits and drove in two crucial runs in the win.
More importantly, Swanson used the opportunity to sing Tucker’s praises — and not subtly.
Asked what had turned the Cubs’ offense into one of the league’s most potent, Swanson didn’t hesitate. “A guy like Kyle Tucker really, really helps,” he told MLB Network’s JP Morosi. “He’s a special talent, special player.”
That wasn’t just a passing compliment. Swanson knows exactly what he’s doing. Tucker’s impact has gone far beyond home runs and RBIs — he’s altered the team’s chemistry and become the star around whom the rest of the lineup can revolve. His presence provides a sense of stability and confidence, something the Cubs have sorely lacked in recent years as they transitioned from their 2016 title core to a new generation.
Swanson went on to credit others — including Pete Crow-Armstrong, who seems to be having the breakout season Cubs fans have been waiting for — but make no mistake: the first name out of his mouth was intentional. Tucker is the priority.
A Clubhouse Campaign
Inside the clubhouse, Tucker has fit in seamlessly. His work ethic, quiet leadership, and winning experience from his days in Houston have earned him instant respect from teammates. Players like Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and Michael Busch — all of whom have been swinging hot bats — have benefited from the added protection Tucker provides in the lineup. He changes the way pitchers attack the Cubs. He elevates the floor and ceiling of the entire offense.
More than that, Tucker seems to be enjoying himself in Chicago. He’s said as much, telling reporters he’s “always open” to extension talks and that he sees Chicago as “a great city to play in.” The Cubs are hoping to turn that openness into a signature on the dotted line.
The effort to retain him isn’t just happening behind closed doors. It’s public, it’s loud, and it’s everywhere — from the players’ postgame interviews to fan replies on social media. Scroll through any recent post from the official Cubs account on X (formerly Twitter), and you’ll find Cubs Nation doing its part: memes, pleas, and jokes all urging the team to lock Tucker in long-term.
The Stakes for Chicago
The Cubs are in a unique position. They’re winning, they have a strong mix of young talent and experienced leadership, and for the first time in a few years, they look like serious contenders again. But keeping Kyle Tucker would signal more than just ambition — it would show that Chicago is ready to be a major player in the National League for years to come.
Losing Tucker to free agency after one season would be a major blow, both emotionally and competitively. He’s not just a good player — he’s the type of elite, franchise-altering presence that teams dream of building around. His bat in the middle of the order gives the Cubs a legitimate shot at postseason success, and his leadership could help shape the young core that’s developing around him.
With every swing, every big play, and every win, Tucker proves his value — and with each passing day, the Cubs’ stars are doing their part to show him just how much he means to the future of the franchise.
The 2025 Cubs aren’t just playing for wins. They’re playing for Kyle Tucker’s signature — and if this week’s sweep and celebration are any indication, they’re all in.