Kyle Tucker and the Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement on the largest of 17 salary arbitration cases. The two sides settled on a one-year contract worth $16.5 million, according to a person familiar with the talks. The deal, which was first reported by ESPN, has not been officially announced.
Chicago had initially proposed a $15 million salary, while the All-Star outfielder had requested $17.5 million. Without a settlement, a hearing before a three-person panel would have taken place between January 27 and February 14.
Tucker, who will become a free agent after this year’s World Series, was traded to the Cubs last month from the Houston Astros in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and top infield prospect Cam Smith.
Tucker, who turns 28 on Friday, earned $12 million last year. He played in only 78 games due to a fractured right shin but managed to hit .289 with 23 home runs and 49 RBIs for the AL West champion Astros.
In 2023, he batted .284 with 29 home runs, 112 RBIs—leading the American League—and 30 steals for Houston.
