Baseball’s world is totally unpredictable, from game-day surprises to off-field deal negotiations. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., coming off a stellar past year season with 42 home runs as well as 123 RBIs, is ready to earn 28.5 million US dollars in arbitration for 2025. But, his journey to such a paycheck was not without controversy. The Blue Jays totally delayed his MLB debut to manipulate Vladimir’s service period, postponing his free agency as well as costing him millions.

Such a situation, common in MLB, enhances heated debates related to fairness and approach. As the Cubs track arbitration talks with Kyle Tucker, fans wonder if MLB history will repeat itself. Will the Cubs ignore another Kris Bryant-like saga? Will they risk losing the trust of their rising star?

Guerrero Jr. and the service period saga

Vladimir Guerrero Jr could be making a whopping $28.5 million in arbitration, however, the road to such a large number was anything but straightforward. The Blue Jays took an uncertain path back in 2019 when they kept Guerrero in the minor leagues for a little period to postpone his service time clock. The formal explanation? More enhancement in the field. The truth? It was all related to securing an extra year of manipulation over Vladimir Guerrero’s deal, an approach that has become all too familiar for large league teams trying to enhance their financial leverage.

The decision delayed Guerrero Jr.’s free agency by a full year, delaying his scope to enter the free market and earn a huge contract. It cost him more than just a few weeks of big-league action. No doubt, he is making a large amount of money now, but, Toronto managed his contract for an extra season without paying him at a star-level rate because of the missed period. Now, players and fans view it as a classic instance of how baseball business approaches could occasionally force elite players to play catch-up.

From hero to zero, will the Cubs turn Tucker into the next Kris Bryant?

Kris Bryant’s journey with the Cubs is a masterclass in how to mismanage a superstar. Despite leading the team to a long-awaited World Series title as well as earning an MVP award, Kris Bryant became the poster child for service-period manipulation. Under the pretense of “seasoning”, the Cubs postponed his major league debut in 2015, which led to years of arbitration disputes and broken links. By the period his deal was up, Bryant seemed less, like, a beloved franchise cornerstone as well as more, like, a player ready to move on.

Enter Kyle Tucker, an enhancing player with All-Star credentials as well as a Gold Glove to boot. While Tucket’s arbitration talks with the team have not gained a destiny yet, the shadow of Bryant’s saga looms large. The Cubs run the risk of repeating their past of alienating important players if they play hardball and undervalue Tucker. If Kyle loses faith in the organization, he could lose the scope to be a mainstay in their lineup for years, making another hero into a cautionary tale.

The Cubs are at a critical juncture, and how they handle Kyle Tucker’s arbitration could define their future approach to player relations. Taking the high road here isn’t just about keeping a star happy, it is related to signaling to players and fans that they’ve moved beyond the mistakes of the past. With the spotlight firmly on them, the Cubs have the opportunity to set a new standard, one which focuses on fairness and long-term success. The ball, quite literally, is in their court.