The Chicago Cubs are going to have a big offseason this time and will have a lot of spots to fill. They are most probably going to lose Kyle Tucker, and this offseason will be about covering his production in the lineup. According to the latest rankings, the Cubs are rumored to be the best fit for Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.

In a recent video by Jim Reily, he ranked the landing spots for Okamoto, and he ranked the Cubs in the S tier. “They’re about to lose Kyle Tucker,” Reily confirmed. “You could sign Okamoto to play third base… He would be an upgrade instantly over Shaw for next season and give Matt Shaw another year to try to figure this out… This is actually really good. I’ve got the Chicago Cubs as an S-tier team for Okamoto.”

Kazuma Okamoto was initially linked to the Yankees and Phillies as top contenders for his services. The Cubs, however, are gaining traction as the leading contender with a projected four-year, $64 million contract. This development follows the Cubs’ clear decision to move on from Kyle Tucker and not pursue his return.

Okamoto provides a solution to replace the 2025 production lost from Tucker, delivering consistent home run power. In eight NPB seasons, he hit 30 or more home runs six times, showing reliable middle-of-order offensive output. While Matt Shaw offers stronger defense, Okamoto’s bat addresses the Cubs’ immediate need to maintain offensive performance.

Integrating Okamoto allows Shaw to continue development while bolstering the lineup against left-handed pitching with Michael Busch. His ability to handle third base and occasionally first base increases flexibility for the Cubs’ roster. With Tucker gone, adding Okamoto secures an experienced, high-impact bat to protect and enhance the team’s core offensive structure.

The Cubs walking away from Kyle Tucker only strengthens their all-in chase for Kazuma Okamoto now. If the Yankees and Phillies want to catch up, they might need binoculars and a miracle. Jed Hoyer has positioned Chicago to own this offseason, and the next headline is Okamoto wearing blue.

The Cubs might not value Kyle Tucker anymore, but he is gaining more importance from another place

The Chicago Cubs seem ready to wave goodbye to Kyle Tucker, treating one of baseball’s most dynamic outfielders like yesterday’s box score. Yet while Chicago shrugs, the whispers elsewhere are growing louder, hinting that Tucker’s stock might be surging in a very different corner of the league. Sometimes, the players you undervalue are the ones everyone else can’t stop calling about.

The Chicago Cubs have made it clear they will not pursue Kyle Tucker’s long-term contract this offseason. Tucker, who hit 22 home runs with 73 RBIs and earned a Silver Slugger award in 2025, will enter free agency. Cubs president Jed Hoyer confirmed the team’s focus this winter will be on pitchers, not retaining position players.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are reportedly prioritizing Tucker, understanding his impact on a lineup needing power and consistency. Adding a player who drives in 73 runs while hitting 22 home runs strengthens the Yankees’ offense behind Aaron Judge. Tucker’s versatility in the outfield and proven offensive output could finally give New York the push toward a World Series championship.

As the Cubs shrug off Tucker, the Yankees see a clear path to championship contention. New York’s front office is clearly willing to pay for talent Chicago prefers to ignore. Baseball fans might just witness Tucker turning Cubs’ oversight into Yankees’ long-awaited World Series push.