Free agency is around the corner for Cubs' Kyle Tucker: 'I don’t know what the future’s going to hold'

MILWAUKEE – Cubs designated hitter Kyle Tucker extended his bat to to a sinker on the outer corner of the plate, rolling a soft grounder to second base for the final out of the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 3-1 loss to the Brewers Saturday.

That may have been his last at-bat as a Cub.

The Cubs’ postseason ended Satruday night when they dropped Game 5 of the National League Division Series to the Brewers. And when the World Series wraps up at the end of the month, Tucker's free agency is set to officially open.

“I don’t really know right now,” Tucker said when asked after the game about his expectations for free agency. “I was more so worried about the game tonight. It’s, get through this today and worry about that a little later.”

Would he want to return to Chicago?

“We’ll see what happens,” Tucker said. “I don’t know what the future’s going to hold. But, if not, it was an honor playing with all these guys and I wish everyone the best of luck, whether it’s playing next year or not for them. It’s a really fun group to be a part of.”

Tucker’s season didn’t go quite as expected when the Cubs traded for him last offseason. They were willing to give up a lot – sending third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and 2024 first-round draft pick Cam Smith to the Astros – in order to elevate their offense with an impact bat.

Tucker did just that for the first three months of the season, even though he played through a fracture in his right hand in June. He had a .931 OPS going into July, coming off a series in Houston,where his former team welcomed him back with a tribute video and "King Tuck" crowns in the stands.

Then he sunk into a seven-week slump. And just when he was coming out of it, logging four home runs and a .400 batting average in the span of 11 games, he was sidelined by a calf injury.

Tucker was still feeling the effects of the injury when he returned for the last series of the regular season. Then he went 7-for-27 in the playoffs. His solo home run in Game 4 of the NLDS was his only extra-base hit.

In order to avoid putting further strain on Tucker’s calf, manager Craig Counsell had him serve as the designated hitter through the postseason instead of playing right field.

“I was just doing my best, doing what I can to help this team,” Tucker said. “Just keep it moving forward. I’m always out there trying to do my best, try to go out there and put up good at-bats one after another.”

An extension had seemed unlikely from the onset, when Tucker was expected to garner a hefty pay day in free agency. And after the way his season unfolded, with no agreement percolating in that time, it’s difficult to picture a scenario where a reunion makes sense for both parties.

“It’s going to suck regardless,” Tucker said when asked if his uncertain future intensified his disappointment after the loss Saturday. “You play this game to win and to come together as a group and win. It was really fun playing with this group this year.”