MILWAUKEE — Kyle Tucker’s final swing of the season — a soft grounder to second base off a 98-mph sinker — may also have been his last as a Chicago Cub.
The routine out ended the top of the eighth inning and extinguished the Cubs’ final comeback chance in Saturday’s winner-take-all Game 5 of the National League Division Series, a 3–1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
Now, with Chicago’s season over, Tucker’s future has become the biggest question of the Cubs’ offseason.
The 28-year-old All-Star is headed to free agency for the first time and is expected to command one of the largest contracts on the market this winter. But inside the quiet visitors’ clubhouse, Tucker wasn’t ready to think about what comes next.
“We’ll see what happens,” Tucker said. “I don’t know what the future is going to hold. But if not, it’s an honor playing with all these guys, and I wish everyone the best of luck — whether it’s playing next year or not for [the Cubs]. Really fun group to be a part of.”
When asked if the Cubs had an edge in bringing him back, Tucker stayed noncommittal.
“I don’t really know right now,” he added. “I was more so worried about the game tonight. I’ll think about that later.”
Tucker went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the decisive Game 5, missing key opportunities with runners on base in the sixth and eighth innings. But his prior performances in the series showcased why he remains one of baseball’s elite hitters: across Games 3 and 4, he went 4-for-6 with three walks, one home run, and three runs scored.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Tucker’s 2025 campaign mirrored the Cubs’ — explosive early, uneven late. Through June, he ranked among the NL MVP favorites, slashing .291/.395/.537 with a .931 OPS and earning a starting nod in the All-Star Game. But after a midseason hand injury, his production cratered.
From July through September, Tucker hit just .225/.348/.342, one of the roughest stretches of his career. He was briefly benched during the Cubs’ August series against Milwaukee, then lost additional time to a calf strain.
By season’s end, he was limited to designated-hitter duties, never returning to the field as his leg injuries lingered.
“This Group Was Special”
Despite the disappointment of another early postseason exit, Tucker spoke glowingly of the team that rallied to 92 wins and its first playoff berth in five years.
“This group was special,” he said. “We had ups and downs, but we stuck together. Really great group of people and players. We battled back in the series and gave it our all. Proud to play with these guys — phenomenal people and players.”
Tucker credited the Cubs’ clubhouse chemistry as one of the best he’s ever experienced.
“It’s kind of one big family,” he explained. “Everyone’s here to support each other, whether it’s getting better on the field or off the field. We’re hanging out outside the field, becoming close. I don’t know if many teams are like that, but this one definitely built a lot of relationships this year.”
Now, Tucker’s next relationship — with Chicago or another city — will be decided in the coming months.
The Cubs would love to keep his bat in the middle of their order, but with the outfielder expected to seek a $300 million deal, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer faces a difficult decision.
For now, Tucker leaves behind a season that began with promise, ended with pain, and may have closed his chapter in Wrigleyville.
“It’s hard to think about what’s next right now,” he said. “But whatever happens, I’ll always be proud of what we built here.”
