These are turbulent economic times, not just for baseball but the entire nation.
On Monday, fans, likely still reeling from recent dips in the stock market, made their way through Chicago’s speed cameras to pay $13 per beer at Wrigley Field. They braved freezing temperatures to watch the Cubs dominate the Texas Rangers in the fourth-coldest game in franchise history. The game started at 34 degrees and ended closer to 30, but that didn’t stop Cubs pitcher Justin Steele from shining. He pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only three hits and striking out eight as the Cubs won 7-0.
In the broader baseball world, reports surfaced of the Toronto Blue Jays locking down first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a massive 14-year, $500 million contract extension. This has implications for the Cubs, who are dealing with their own contractual crossroads with star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker, 28, will become a free agent after this season. He posted an impressive .993 OPS last year, comparable to Guerrero’s .940 OPS. Guerrero is two years younger, which could influence the length and value of Tucker’s future deal.
When asked about Guerrero’s extension, Tucker kept things simple. He said he was happy for Guerrero but emphasized that he’s focused on the current season with the Cubs and will see what happens afterward.
Although Guerrero had previously set a February 18 deadline for a deal, he seemingly backed off, opting to take the offer now rather than test free agency, where he might have approached Juan Soto’s record $765 million deal. Tucker’s eventual contract could resemble Guerrero’s in average annual value — around $35.7 million — though likely for a shorter term, maybe 10 to 12 years, which could put his total deal around $400–430 million.
Whether the Cubs will offer that kind of money remains to be seen. The assumption is that the front office wouldn’t have acquired Tucker if they weren’t serious about signing him long-term. Still, factors like a new collective bargaining agreement, a potential salary cap, or a worsening economy could influence negotiations. Interestingly, the Cubs’ current payroll is about $40 million lower than last season, possibly leaving room for a deal like Tucker’s.
Competition for Tucker’s services will be fierce. While big spenders like the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, and Red Sox loom, some teams like Toronto, the Astros, and Padres might sit out the race. Dark horses like the Giants or Angels could jump in, and Boston has already beaten the Cubs once this offseason by signing Alex Bregman.
Symbolically, Tucker and Bregman — both former Astros — were named NL and AL Players of the Week. Tucker had a standout week, batting .391 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs. He even contributed in the freezing conditions Monday, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Michael Busch and Ian Happ also played key roles, as the Cubs stole five bases and took advantage of scoring opportunities.
Pitcher Justin Steele, now comfortable in cold-weather games, reflected on his experience and preparation, embracing the chilly Chicago atmosphere that once felt foreign during his early days in the minors.
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