In a league where numbers speak louder than hype, you’d think a 10+ homer, 10+ steal star with MVP whispers would top every trade list. Well, that went out the window as an expert crowned someone else king of the offseason deals. Kyle Tucker, quietly tearing it up for the Chicago Cubs, was left clapping from the dugout. Turns out, WAR isn’t always enough when the flash outweighs fact.

Kyle Tucker has been one of the best players this season, not only for the Cubs but in the whole league. While everybody is thinking the Houston Astros made a mistake by trading him, an MLB insider, Jon Heyman, said he’s not the guy yet.

In the recent show on the MLB Network, Jon Heyman was talking about some of the best trades that have taken place this season. While most of us would have put Kyle Tucker at the top, Heyman put him at third. He said, “Number three, Kyle Tucker. And the guys always say, once you play on the North side, you wanna play there for a while, which makes me curious about his future, but the present is great.”

Exactly, the present is great, not just great, it is the best. We are all hyping Ohtani, Judge, and Soto, and Kyle Tucker has gone under the radar. Kyle Tucker has been a revelation for the Cubs, blending power, speed, and consistency at the plate. With a .281 average, 12 home runs, and a .913 OPS, he’s quietly dominating. He’s also swiped over 10 bases, flashing value beyond the batter’s box. In a Cubs lineup full of flash, Tucker brings steady thunder and Gold Glove-caliber defense.

What makes him the best trade of the season? Impact. The Cubs sit atop their division, and Tucker’s bat is a big reason why. Acquired in December from the Houston Astros, he’s transformed the heart of their order while stabilizing the outfield. No other trade has combined immediate production, positional value, and long-term upside so cleanly.

So yes, Jon, the present is great—so great it’s carrying a division leader on its back. If this isn’t what ‘best trade’ looks like, maybe we need a new scoreboard. Tucker didn’t just fit into Chicago—he elevated it. But sure, let’s keep pretending WAR is just a buzzword and third place is a compliment. Some take age like wine—others like unrefrigerated milk.

Kyle Tucker is closer to being a free agent than a Cubs player, with the Dodgers in the mix

Baseball’s worst-kept secret is out—and no, it’s not the Dodgers meddling in yet another blockbuster pursuit. When L.A. starts circling, you know a storm’s coming. Enter Kyle Tucker: slugger, table-setter, and the guy everyone suddenly wants to overpay. Sure, he’s wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey for now, but his locker might as well be halfway packed for Chavez Ravine.

Kyle Tucker is staring down free agency with a .300 average, 17 homers, and 1 goal: payday. At 28, he’s in his prime and producing like a $200 million man. His WAR sits north of 4.0, and he’s just getting started. Teams aren’t scouting— they’re calculating.

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A deal around 8 years and $220 million is within reach, maybe even conservative. Think $27–30 million annually for a bat that doesn’t slump. Toss in Gold Glove defense, and he’s a two-way investment. Tucker’s resume doesn’t whisper; it shouts long-term value.

Now, cue the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball’s richest disruptors. Their interest adds at least $20 million to the bidding chaos. They make mid-market teams panic and big spenders overspend. With L.A. circling, Tucker’s price is going up—whether they sign him or not.

So yes, Tucker might not wear Dodger blue—but he’ll absolutely cost like he does. L.A. doesn’t just chase stars; it raises the price for everyone else’s mistakes. And with Tucker’s numbers doing the talking, someone’s going to pay for the privilege. Call it market inflation or front-office fear—either way, his next MLB contract will echo in payroll rooms for years.