CHICAGO – Kyle Tucker and the Chicago Cubs reached an agreement on the biggest of the 17 salary arbitration cases, finalizing a one-year contract worth $16.5 million on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the discussions who spoke to The Associated Press.
The source requested anonymity because the deal, initially reported by ESPN, had not yet been officially announced.
Chicago had proposed a $15 million salary, while the All-Star outfielder had requested $17.5 million last week. Without a resolution, a hearing before a three-person panel was scheduled to take place between January 27 and February 14.
Tucker, who will be eligible for free agency after this year’s World Series, was traded to the Cubs from the Houston Astros last month in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and top infield prospect Cam Smith.
Tucker, who will turn 28 on Friday, earned a $12 million salary last season. He was limited to 78 games due to a fractured right shin, but still posted a .289 batting average with 23 home runs and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions.
In 2023, he batted .284 with 29 home runs, leading the American League with 112 RBIs and 30 steals for Houston.
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