Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishCHICAGO — The already slim possibility that the Chicago Cubs might sign Kyle Tucker to a contract extension appears to be fading now that the Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a 14-year, $500 million megadeal.The Blue Jays were under enormous pressure to close a deal with Guerrero, who was born in Canada and is the son of a Hall of Famer who once starred for the Montreal Expos. After teasing their fans with failed pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, the Blue Jays are locking up a homegrown player months before he could have become a free agent.“That was what he wanted to do,” Tucker said before Monday’s 7-0 win over the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field. “I’m sure he loves playing in Toronto and everything. That’s great for him. But everyone’s a little different. Right now, I’m here to play this year and play for the Cubs.”Tucker, 28, is two years older than Guerrero and positioned to become the biggest name in the upcoming class of free agents. The Cubs understood Tucker could be a one-and-done player when they acquired him from the Houston Astros last winter, giving up infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and top prospect Cam Smith in a win-now trade.Around that time, Soto landed his 15-year, $765 million commitment from the New York Mets, which raised the expectations for what Tucker could command on the open market. Not only is Tucker a superb left-handed hitter with proven World Series experience, but he can also steal bases and play Gold Glove defense in right field.“I’m excited to get out there and play,” Tucker said, “and just kind of see where everything goes after that.”Though Guerrero’s camp and Toronto executives blew past the player’s self-imposed deadline, Guerrero had previously set Feb. 18 as the final date to hammer out a contract extension, viewing the first full-squad workout in spring training as a time to focus on the season and not let the negotiations become a distraction.“I haven’t thought about it that much,” Tucker said when asked whether he had given any instructions to his agency, Excel Sports Management, or Jed Hoyer’s Chicago front office on how to proceed. “I’m just trying to come out here and play and put up wins and get my numbers. I’m just here to play baseball. I just let the other stuff kind of fall where it is and see what happens.”
No doubt about it. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/0nfkqFww9C
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 7, 2025The adjustment period has been such a nonfactor that Tucker was just named the National League’s player of the week after hitting .391 with three doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs, eight walks, 11 runs scored and a 1.461 OPS. As soon as the Cubs announced Tucker’s award on their X account, the replies started rolling in: “EXTEND HIM!”The Excel agency that represents Tucker has negotiated the two biggest player contracts the Cubs have ever authorized — Dansby Swanson’s seven-year, $177 million deal and Jason Heyward’s eight-year, $184 million pact. Combining the total guarantees of those contracts — $361 million — still would not come close to matching Guerrero’s number.Adding to the uncertainty is Hoyer’s own contract situation — the Cubs president of baseball operations is in the last year of his deal — and a collective bargaining agreement that will expire after the 2026 season. It’s also unclear how high the Ricketts family is willing to push the major-league payroll, which has slipped toward the middle of the pack in recent years.In any event, Tucker comes across as a low-maintenance personality, someone who blends into the clubhouse and enjoys working on his craft.“Every player’s got their own stuff,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “(Rule 5 pick) Gage Workman’s trying to stay on the team, you know what I mean? Everybody’s got their (own deal). It’s part of being a professional athlete. The first week’s a pretty good example for (Tucker). He seemed to handle it pretty well.”Assuming Tucker reaches free agency, the Cubs are expected to be among a small group of franchises with the resources, connections and motivation to make a compelling offer. In essence, this season will be one long recruiting pitch to see what it’s like to live in Chicago and go to work at Wrigley Field.“The hospitality’s been great,” Tucker said. “Ever since I came here, it’s been a pretty easy transition, having them make me feel as comfortable and at home as possible. Everyone’s here to help each other get better and try to win games. We’ve done a really good job with that so far.”(Photo of Kyle Tucker: Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images)
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