Cubs Ownership’s Latest Excuses Should Have Fans Doubting a Kyle Tucker Extension

The Chicago Cubs have long been a franchise with a passionate fanbase and a storied history. From the iconic Wrigley Field to the 2016 World Series triumph, Cubs fans have seen highs and lows. However, as of April 6, 2025, there’s growing unease among supporters regarding the team’s direction—particularly when it comes to securing superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker with a long-term contract extension. Recent comments from Cubs ownership and front-office leadership, including president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, have sparked skepticism. Are these just more excuses from a franchise reluctant to spend big, or is there a legitimate strategy at play? Let’s dive into why Cubs fans should be doubting a Kyle Tucker extension based on ownership’s latest rhetoric.

Kyle Tucker: The Superstar the Cubs Desperately Needed

When the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in a blockbuster offseason trade, it felt like a turning point. Tucker, a three-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, and proven postseason performer, brought elite talent to a lineup that had been missing a true cornerstone since the departure of the 2016 World Series core. Through the first nine games of the 2025 season, Tucker has lived up to the hype, slashing .324/.444/.784 with a 1.228 OPS, four home runs, and 11 RBI. His scorching start has fans dreaming of a deep playoff run—and a long-term commitment to keep him in Chicago.

However, Tucker is in the final year of his contract, set to hit free agency in November 2025. The Cubs gave up significant assets—third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and top prospect Cam Smith—to land him. Letting him walk after one season would be a disaster, especially given the team’s postseason drought since 2018. So why are fans growing increasingly worried? It all comes down to ownership’s track record and the latest signals from the top.

Ownership’s History of Frugality

The Ricketts family, who have owned the Cubs since 2009, have built a reputation for being conservative spenders despite operating in one of MLB’s biggest markets. After the 2016 championship, the Cubs traded away key pieces like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Báez rather than reinvesting in the roster. Payroll slashing became a recurring theme, with the team prioritizing real estate ventures around Wrigley Field over blockbuster signings. Even as revenue streams like ticket sales, merchandise, and stadium tours generate massive profits, the Ricketts have often cited financial constraints as a reason to avoid luxury tax spending.

This approach has frustrated fans who see rivals like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets flexing their financial muscle to build contenders. The Tucker trade signaled a shift—an aggressive move to compete now—but ownership’s reluctance to commit long-term raises red flags. If the Cubs won’t pay to keep a top-10 talent like Tucker, what’s the endgame?

Jed Hoyer’s Vague Responses Fuel Doubt

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has been tight-lipped about Tucker’s future. In a recent media session, Hoyer acknowledged the desire to discuss a contract extension “down the line” but stopped short of offering any concrete timeline or commitment. This ambiguity isn’t new. Hoyer has a history of measured responses, often deferring to ownership’s financial priorities. When pressed about his own contract status beyond 2025, he was equally noncommittal, leaving fans to wonder who’s steering the ship.

Hoyer has praised Tucker’s impact, calling him “the kind of player you want to build a lineup around.” Yet, without a clear plan to lock him up, these words ring hollow. Tucker’s current performance only drives his price tag higher—comparisons to Juan Soto’s $765 million deal suggest Tucker could command $500-600 million in free agency. For a franchise that balked at re-signing Kyle Schwarber for far less, the idea of Cubs ownership approving a half-billion-dollar contract feels like a pipe dream.

The Latest Excuses: Profitability Over Championships?

The most telling sign of trouble came from recent comments attributed to Cubs leadership, including business operations head Crane Kenney. While not directly quoted on Tucker, Kenney has echoed a familiar refrain: running a profitable baseball team is expensive, and the Cubs can’t splurge like other big-market clubs. This claim might hold water for small-market teams like the Oakland Athletics, but for the Cubs—one of MLB’s richest franchises—it’s a tough sell.

Wrigley Field remains a cash cow, drawing sellout crowds and tourists year-round. The team’s real estate investments, including the Hotel Zachary and other Wrigleyville developments, further boost revenue. Forbes valued the Cubs at $4.6 billion in 2024, with annual revenues exceeding $500 million. Yet, ownership continues to frame spending as a burden rather than an investment in winning. For fans, this sounds like another excuse to avoid paying Tucker what he’s worth.

What Tucker’s Extension Would Mean for the Cubs

Extending Kyle Tucker isn’t just about keeping a superstar—it’s about signaling intent. The Cubs haven’t won a playoff game since 2017, and their 83-win seasons in 2023 and 2024 reflect a team stuck in mediocrity. Tucker, at 28 years old and in his prime, offers a chance to build a contender around a proven winner. Pair him with talents like Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and a strong defensive outfield featuring Pete Crow-Armstrong, and the Cubs could dominate the NL Central for years.

But this vision requires ownership to step up. Tucker’s hot start has fans chanting his name at Wrigley, and his openness to an in-season extension—“Chicago’s a great city to play in”—gives the Cubs a window of opportunity. Waiting until free agency risks losing him to a deeper-pocketed suitor, undoing the trade’s value and alienating a fanbase already weary of half-measures.

Why Fans Should Be Skeptical

Cubs fans have heard promises before. The post-2016 rebuild was supposed to yield sustained success, yet the team has floundered. Ownership’s latest excuses—couched in vague financial concerns—don’t align with the reality of a franchise flush with cash. If the Cubs were serious about Tucker, negotiations would already be underway, not relegated to some undefined future date. The longer they delay, the more leverage Tucker gains, and the less likely a deal becomes.

Social media reflects this growing distrust. Posts on X highlight fans’ frustration, with some calling out Tom Ricketts directly: “Pay Tucker now, or lose him forever.” Others point to the Soto contract as a benchmark, questioning why the Cubs can’t compete at that level. The sentiment is clear: fans want action, not excuses.

The Clock Is Ticking

As of April 6, 2025, the Cubs are off to a promising start, thanks in large part to Tucker’s heroics. But the clock is ticking. Every home run, every clutch hit, drives his value higher and tests ownership’s resolve. If the Ricketts family and Jed Hoyer let Tucker walk, it’ll be seen as a betrayal of the fanbase and a squandered opportunity to reclaim relevance.

Cubs fans deserve more than excuses—they deserve a commitment to winning. Until ownership proves it’s willing to pay for a superstar like Kyle Tucker, doubt will linger over Wrigley Field. Will the Cubs finally break from their frugal past, or will Tucker be another “what could have been” in Chicago’s baseball lore? Only time will tell, but the signs aren’t promising.