Tucker, who was traded to the Cubs in December, seems unlikely to sign a long-term deal with the team during the season and could enter free agency after the year, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago traded Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith for Tucker, but it could end being only a one-year relationship. Mooney notes that the Cubs' failed pursuit of Tucker's former Houston teammate Alex Bregman could signal the team's financial constraints this year and next. While Chicago may still attempt to sign Tucker in free agency, the talented outfielder will likely be able to attract richer offers. That makes 2025 essentially an audition year for Tucker, who was limited to 78 games with the Astros last year due to injury but still managed 23 home runs and a robust .993 OPS.

Tucker agreed to a one-year, $16.5 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker and the Cubs weren't able to agree on a deal prior to the arbitration deadline last week, but a few extra days of negotiation have resulted in the slugging outfielder receiving a $4.5 million raise from last season and $1.5 million more than the Cubs had filed for. Injuries limited him to just 78 games last season, but he was as efficient as ever when healthy, slashing .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 336 plate appearances. Tucker is slated to become a free agent next offseason, but the Cubs will likely attempt to sign him to a long-term deal during the season.

The Cubs acquired Tucker from the Astros on Friday in exchange for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whispers of Tucker being available via trade surfaced just a few days ago and a deal came together quickly. Tucker has blossomed into one of the game's best players, slashing .289/.408/.585 during an injury-shortened 2024 regular season. He will turn 28 in January and is slated to reach free agency next winter, although it wouldn't be a surprise if the Cubs attempt to lock him up with a long-term contract extension.

Tucker was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Guardians while it was in a rain delay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The game had been delayed for almost an hour when the team submitted a new lineup without Tucker, Jose Altuve or Alex Bregman, as the Astros opted to not risk one of their veterans getting injured in subpar conditions.

Tucker is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker is one of the regulars getting a day off after the Astros clinched the American League West title Tuesday. Jason Heyward will play right field and bat sixth Wednesday.

Tucker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker has gone 13-for-34 (.382) with four homers, six RBI, nine runs and seven walks over his last 10 games. The outfielder helped erase a two-run deficit Tuesday with his fourth-inning blast. Tucker's counting stats are down after he missed three months with a shin injury, but he's still been productive with 23 homers, 48 RBI, 55 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and a .281/.405/.588 slash line over 76 contests this season.

Tucker went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk and two total RBI in a 10-4 victory versus the Angels on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker kicked off the scoring in the contest with an RBI double in the first inning and added a solo homer in the seventh. The outfielder has tormented Los Angeles over the past two games, going 8-for-9 with a pair of homers and three RBI. Since returning Sept. 6 from a lengthy stay on the injured list, Tucker is batting .405 (17-for-42) with three home runs, seven RBI, 11 runs and a stolen base over 13 contests.

Tucker went 4-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Friday's 9-7 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

His sixth-inning blast off Roansy Contreras wrapped up the scoring for the Astros on the night. Tucker has been doing his best to make up for lost time since coming off the IL in early September, and over 12 games since his activation he's slashing .342/.447/.526 with two homers, five RBI and 10 runs.

Tucker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros continue to manage Tucker's workload carefully coming off an extended absence due to a shin fracture. Since returning from the injured list Sept. 6, Tucker has bowed out of the lineup four times in 12 games. The reins on Tucker gradually appear to be loosening, however, as he started in right field each of the past three days after previously being limited to designated-hitter duties in four of his first five starts upon returning from the IL.

Tucker went 2-for-4 with a walk, a steal, an RBI and a run in Tuesday's win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker was one of two Astros to have multiple hits on the night and his second hit was a big one, as he drove in what would end up being the game-winning run with a single in the top of the 10th. While Tucker started out 1-for-10 over his first three games after returning from a fractured shin Sept. 6, he has since gone 8-for-21 with three RBI and five runs scored over the last seven games while also swiping his first base since coming back.