Cubs Could Soon Lose $400M Four-Time All-Star To Giants, Insider Warns
The Chicago Cubs have the player everyone will be itching to sign away in free agency this winter.
Even though it hasn't been a dream season for outfielder Kyle Tucker, it's still been an elite one. The four-time All-Star has an .854 OPS and 4.8 bWAR despite fighting through two injuries and a prolonged July/August slump.
The Cubs traded for Tucker knowing full well there would be numerous teams trying to lure him away after only one season in Chicago. Now, with his free agency a couple of months away, we're starting to hear whispers of who that competition could be.
On Monday, insider Robert Murray of FanSided named the San Francisco Giants as the "juiciest fit" for Tucker, and strongly suggested that president of baseball operations Buster Posey would be on the hunt for more star power after trading for Rafael Devers in June.
"Tucker is a player that I expect to be of interest to the Giants this offseason, and clearly they will not be alone," Murray wrote. "Tucker will be the best player in free agency and should have a variety of suitors, possibly the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies among others. Those are just speculative fits, but what do they all have in common? They're big markets."
Murray also threw in a projected contract value for Tucker, which conservatively sat at $400 million, more than double the Cubs' franchise record (Jason Heyward, $184 million).
"The number for Tucker probably starts at $400 million, and it'll only go higher if he has a big postseason," Murray added. "Still, landing Tucker would be a coup for the Giants – or any World Series-caliber franchise – and could very well put them over the top. Don't overreact to his midseason struggles due to a broken finger. He's very much a franchise-altering player."
The Giants have very publicly missed out on a handful of free agents in recent offseasons, partially because it seems big names have been gun-shy about hitting in the pitchers' paradise of Oracle Park. Will Tucker buck that trend?
If he's not opposed to the challenge, the Giants' willingness to eat all $255 million Devers was owed at the time of the trade suggests that they're not scared of a skyrocketing payroll.
Heat Could Land Hawks' Star Guard in Blockbuster Trade to Fill Backcourt Need
It was a disappointing season last year for the Miami Heat as they finished 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, though they were able to secure the eighth seed through the Play-In Tournament before being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
Miami will now look to bounce back this season behind their core of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins.
Of course, the Heat also added Norman Powell to their roster this offseason in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and they also landed Simone Fontecchio from the Detroit Pistons.
With these moves, the Heat are hoping to take advantage of the weakened East this season as they look to secure a top seed, though they could also elect to make moves to upgrade their roster ahead of the trade deadline.
Heat Could Target Hawks' Trae Young
One player the Heat could target ahead of the deadline is Trae Young if the Atlanta Hawks are willing to move him.
For Young, his future in Atlanta is in question due to the Hawks having yet to offer him a contract extension despite him having a player option at the end of the season.
Because of this, the star guard may be on the move this season and Miami could be a team to watch in the sweepstakes for him.
Mock Trade Sends Trae Young to Heat
In a potential trade, the Heat could send Kel’el Ware, Terry Rozier, Davion Mitchell, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and multiple draft picks to the Hawks in exchange for Young.
Of course, this trade cannot be finalized until January 15 due to Mitchell’s signing restriction.
For the Heat, this would be a solid trade for them, though they would have to move on from one of their best young players in Ware, who was reportedly untouchable in trade talks for Kevin Durant earlier this summer.
If that is the case once again, it is likely that the Heat may not be able to pull off this trade as the Hawks would likely want Ware included in the trade package.
If Miami does agree to this trade, adding Young would be a massive boost for their offense as he would not only give them an elite playmaker at the point guard position that they have been in desperate need of for many years, but he also gives them an elite 3-point shooter.
The Heat have been in need of a point guard for a while with Rozier’s struggles over the past few seasons and by adding Young next to Adebayo, Herro, Wiggins and Powell, Miami could be a contender in the East this season.
