Report: Cubs, new OF Kyle Tucker avoid arbitration w/ $16.5M deal

Field Level Media|published: Thu 16th January, 17:53 2025

MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros

Sep 21, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) flicks his bat after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs and their newly acquired outfielder Kyle Tucker agreed on a $16.5 million contract for 2025 to avoid arbitration, ESPN and several other outlets reported Thursday.

The Cubs acquired Tucker from the Astros in a trade last month that sent infielder Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and 2024 first-round draft pick Cam Smith to Houston.

But it appeared the sides would head to arbitration after Tucker filed at $17.5 million and the Cubs filed at $15 million earlier this month.

Tucker, who turns 28 on Friday, is changing teams for the first time after spending his first seven major leagues seasons in Houston.

In 633 career games for Houston since making his debut in 2018, Tucker is a career .274 hitter with 125 homers, 135 doubles and 417 RBIs.

An All-Star in each of the past three seasons, Tucker missed three-plus months this year with a small fracture in his right shin from his own foul ball in early June.

--Field Level Media