Cubs' Kyle Tucker gets startling $400M contract update after summer slump, ESPN insider reports
The Chicago Cubs swung a trade for Kyle Tucker during the offseason, and early on, it was paying major dividends as the outfielder took off. In what is a contract year for Tucker, his potential next contract value soared to $600 million.
“Tucker is expected to be the highest paid free agent in this class. Most analysts believe he will get somewhere between $500 million and $650 million based on the recent contracts of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Blue Jays ($500 million) and Juan Soto with the Mets ($765 million). Tucker can impact a game in so many ways with his five tools: hitting, power, defense, arm strength and speed. He has made four straight All-Star teams and is putting together another strong season,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote.
However, Tucker went into a significant slump in June that has somewhat slowed him down and affected his potential huge contract.
“Tucker's play began to deteriorate in June after he suffered a jammed right finger, and manager Craig Counsell gave him a day off last Wednesday, hoping that it would spark a turnaround. It hasn't. Until the slugger rediscovers his first-half form, the Cubs are unlikely to pull closer to the Brewers. They will instead have to fend off hungry challengers in the NL's wild-card hunt,” YardBarker’s Eric Smithling wrote.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan has revised his contract prediction, now estimating it in the $400 million range.
“Betts is the most obvious, and he signed a 12-year, $365 million deal that started in his age-28 season. So, yeah, the number is going to be big -- likely in the $400 million range,” Passan wrote.
Whichever team lands Tucker will have to pay up. Luckily, his value dipped a little; otherwise, it might have been in Vladimir Guerrero’s range. Tucker is aiming for a hot finish to the season before entering free agency seeking a big contract.
Broncos Add Former AFC Rival QB Amid Flurry of Roster Moves
The Denver Broncos had to reshuffle their roster just one day before they take on the Tennessee Titans in the regular season opener. Among the slew of transactions the Broncos announced, former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger re-signed.
Ehlinger, the No. 218 overall pick of the 2021 draft, spent the first three seasons with the Colts, signing with the Broncos in free agency this past offseason and turning heads in training camp.
The Broncos cut Ehlinger at the end of the preseason when they set their 53-man roster.
Former Colts QB Sam Ehlinger Rejoins Broncos Ahead of Titans Game
GettyJarrett Stidham #8 and Sam Ehlinger #4 of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos only had two other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham, after cutting Ehlinger in late August.
He was on the team’s practice squad after signing to it following his cut.
“Per source, Broncos are signing QB Sam Ehlinger to their 53-man roster for Sunday’s game vs. Tennessee,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X on September 6. “Ehlinger rewarded for terrific preseason. Had 53-man offers from two other teams.”
According to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson, “Source says there was no new offer for #Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger to go to another team’s 53 beyond the two offers he previously got. Source said the Broncos had been planning to put him on the 53 and were just waiting for the chance. That chance came today.”
Ehlinger, who turns 27 on September 30, has completed 63.4% of his passes for 573 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in his career.
If all goes well, his only role on game days will be on the sidelines with Stidham.
Amid quick speculation about a corresponding move to add Ehlinger, the Broncos provided an answer, making several more roster moves with the Titans (who were 3-14 in 2024) set to visit them in the Mile High City.
Broncos Lose Self-Proclaimed ‘6th Man’ to IR
GettyMalcolm Roach #97 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a tackle versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
To make room for Ehlinger, the Broncos shut down defensive tackle Malcolm Roach for four weeks. Roach was with Broncos head coach Sean Payton on the New Orleans Saints.
“Per source, Broncos are placing DL Malcolm Roach (calf strain) on short-term IR,” Klis reported in a separate post. “There is hope he will return as soon as week 5. Suffered injury during practice Thursday.”
Roach started one game in 2024, but he played in all 17 and considers himself their “sixth man.”
Roach cited comments from Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph about “understanding” the team’s “culture” is the “biggest thing.”
He cited the freedom that he has on the field when filling in for D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, and Zach Allen for his buy-in, name-dropping former NBA player-turned-media personality Lou Williams, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner, in another anecdote.
“The culture is a shared set of values that everybody got to have. And if I’m over there pouting because I’m not starting, that’s an energy vampire. Why would I worry about that when I’m still playing 40 snaps a game? I’m still playing. When crunch time on the line, I’m still out there in the game,” Roach told reporters in August. “I got that analogy from Lou Will, basketball player. He was like, ‘Man, I get to go in the game and get up as many shots as I want. When D.J., Zach, and JFM get tired, I get to go in there and get to go to work.”
Roach said bringing “quality” whenever stepping onto the field is how players last in the NFL.
“It’s just a role you got to embrace. And roles change. You never know what’ll happen. I might have to step up and be a starter for some games. You never know. But at the end of the day, I know what I get paid to do, and I know what I’m here to do, and we trying to win a Super Bowl,’ Roach said. “I think we’ll be better off if I’m helping in that way than not.”
Broncos Elevate Practice Squad Duo Amid Injuries
GettyAdam Prentice #46 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Broncos wrapped up an active day with a pair of roster elevations. They called up linebacker Levelle Bailey and recently signed fullback Adam Prentice from the practice squad. Tomasson reported an expectation for that in an article on September 5.
Bailey is taking the place on the gameday roster of fellow LB Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw is dealing with a quad injury, but could return as soon as Week 2.
Prentice is filling in for Michael Burton, who is out for the season, and Nate Adkins.
The Broncos announced all three of Adkins, Greenlaw, and Roach would miss the regular season opener in the team’s injury report on Friday.
Per Vegas Insider, the Broncos remain 7.5-point favorites, tying them with the Washington Commanders (New York Giants) for the biggest favorite in Week 1, though that could shift on game day following their roster moves.
