During an appearance on 670 The Score Wednesday, president Jed Hoyer argued that it was “hard” for the Cubs to negotiate in-season.
“Obviously, we’d love to keep Kyle long term,” Hoyer said via Audacy.com. “Who wouldn’t want a player like that? I would keep any conversations we’re having internal. It’s hard to negotiate in-season. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with that. If we do have those conversations, we’ll keep them internal. But like I said, he’s really fun to watch.
“I think he has a huge impact on our entire team, on our entire offense. He’s a player that any team would want to have in the lineup.”
Being in-season didn’t stop the Toronto Blue Jays from giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a 14-year deal worth $500 million this month.
Jed Hoyer wants Tucker to stay for sentimental reasons
Money is expected to be an obstacle to keeping Tucker. Hoyer suggested that the Cubs hope that Tucker signs for sentimental reasons instead of monetary ones.
“The single best recruiting tool that the Cubs have is last night,” Hoyer said. “It’s this is a really special place to play. It’s an incredible city. It’s an even better city in the summer. Listen, he’s not going to have a shortage of suitors.
“My hope is Wrigley and Chicago become really special to him and he realizes there’s not a better place to play in baseball.”
The Cubs have been adamant that they want to extend Tucker as long as his paycheck doesn’t come at the expense of what Chicago can field around him.
Given Pete Crow Armstrong’s unwillingness to take a deal and the team’s troubles with rookies at third base, that could be a problem that sends Tucker to another suitor.Given Pete Crow Armstrong’s unwillingness to take a deal and the team’s troubles with rookies at third base, that could be a problem that sends Tucker to another suitor.