From the outset of the offseason, it was clear that Kyle Tucker wasn't going to spend 2026 in a Chicago Cubs uniform. The expectation that he'd receive a megadeal far beyond what the team has ever signed all but killed any hope of a reunion. Even when his market wasn't fully materializing, he still didn't feel as realistic as the other big free agent bats and didn't fit as well as infielders Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette.
When the Cubs went out on Saturday evening and stunned fans by indeed inking Bregman to a shocking five-year, $175 million deal, the nail was finally, seemingly driven into the Tucker coffin.