Cubs president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, continues to keep discussions around contract negotiations private, but he acknowledged that the team will engage with Kyle Tucker’s agent, Casey Close, about a potential extension. Hoyer emphasized the importance of entering negotiations with a clear value in mind and expressed his desire to keep the three-time All-Star, stating that Tucker has had a significant impact on the Cubs’ offense this season.
Hoyer praised Tucker’s contributions since joining the Cubs, noting, “He’s been one of the best players in baseball this year.” He reiterated the team’s commitment to retaining players of Tucker’s caliber, while also recognizing the necessity of understanding the team’s budgetary limits.
The Cubs recently triumphed over the Guardians with a 5-2 victory, showcasing strong performances from their pitching staff. Left-hander Matthew Boyd, who previously played for the Guardians, expressed gratitude for his time with the Cleveland organization after limiting them to two runs in seven innings. Boyd’s stellar outing continued his streak of allowing two or fewer runs over the past seven starts.
The Cubs bullpen also demonstrated its strength, recording only one run over the course of a seven-game road trip. Offensively, the team had a notable second inning, scoring three runs, but not without facing challenges as some players were caught on the base paths. Seiya Suzuki added an insurance run with his 23rd home run of the season, highlighting his significance to the team’s lineup.
As the trade deadline approaches, Hoyer expressed confidence in the financially flexibility of the team to address any pressing needs. He stated, “Financially, I’m comfortable that we’ll be able to address the needs we need to address at a deadline,” alleviating concerns regarding potential budget constraints.
The combination of strong pitching performances and an effective offensive strategy gives the Cubs a hopeful outlook as they navigate the remainder of the season and potential trades.