Breaking news: The Cubs’ favorite player receives an incredible $500 million offer from the Yankees.

Jed Hoyer shouldn’t count on keeping Kyle Tucker with the Chicago Cubs next winter if a deal isn’t reached for him now. The worst-case situation would be to let him go to the free market so that teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and even the Philadelphia Phillies could bid on him. This is an intriguing scenario to watch, though, as it appears like the Cubs are unwilling to offer him a deal at this time.

Chris Kirschner of The Athletic recently reported that the Cubs’ situation may only worsen. He stated that he would cost more than $500 million and that the Yankees would be interested in him. “This offseason, the Yankees ought to be a contender in the Tucker sweepstakes. Prior to the Houston Astros trading the outfielder to the Chicago Cubs last offseason, they showed interest in him. Although the teams discussed a possible trade, the Yankees were reluctant to give up Luis Gil.

“Tucker and his representation should have popped numerous bottles of champagne upon seeing Guerrero get $500 million from the Toronto Blue Jays because 1.) Tucker is better, and 2.) the teams that may have shown interest in adding star first baseman Guerrero in free agency may now shift their attention to possibly signing the pricey outfielder,” wrote Kirschner. The Cubs’ $500 million market is a problem, but it’s also not ideal to learn that the Yankees will be involved.

Tucker would effectively be replacing Juan Soto, who was lost by New York in the offseason. Tucker, who earned a Gold Glove Award in 2022, is not just a superb hitter like Soto but also a far superior defensive outfielder. Tucker will likely enter free agency if he is wise, but if the Cubs make him an offer that is too good to refuse, he could give it some thought.