Baseball’s billion dollar arms race just found its newest battleground — and it’s not where you think. As front offices across MLB pretend they’re running charities instead of billion-dollar businesses, one National League giant seems ready to actually spend. The Chicago Cubs, eyeing the market’s most complete star, are preparing a move so bold it could make Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s record-setting deal look like child’s play.

If there is one guy who can topple the $500 million signing of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., it is Kyle Tucker. MLB insider, Bob Nightengale thinks the same and in his recent article he reveals the price Tucker had before and what it is now.

Bob Nightengale wrote, “No one has made more money this first month of the season than Tucker, whose free-agent value has skyrocketed from $300 million to perhaps more than $500 million.” This price jump is not surprising after the contract that Guerrero Jr. got.

The market dynamics have changed drastically since the signing of Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and with Tucker performing consistently, this increase in value is no surprise. Despite just playing 78 games in 2024 due to injury, Tucker had a season better than many other players. He had a 4.7 WAR—the highest ever recorded by a position player in fewer than 80 games since 1900.

He posted a .289 batting average, .408 on-base percentage, .585 slugging percentage, and a 181 OPS+ in 2024, marking career highs across the board. He also added a Silver Slugger Award in 2023 and stole 30 bases in the whole season without getting caught. His position as a right fielder also plays a major part in this market, and when a first base player can get $500 million, it is very likely that Tucker can get more.

When a part-time season can deliver full-time greatness, you know the market’s rules have changed. Tucker isn’t just riding a hot streak — he’s redefining what elite production looks like. In today’s MLB, if first basemen are printing $500 million checks, imagine what a true five-tool superstar will demand. At this rate, teams won’t just need deep pockets — they’ll need a bailout plan.

Kyle Tucker focuses on baseball and Cubs and not on his contract

While the world watches multi-million dollar contracts fly off the shelves like hotcakes, Kyle Tucker has his eyes on one thing: baseball. As the Chicago Cubs scramble to figure out his future, Tucker’s not sweating the big-dollar deals of his peers. With a potential $500 million payday looming, he’s keeping his cool, focusing on hitting dingers, not numbers. After all, a contract doesn’t hit home runs; he does.

All the signs point in the direction of Kyle Tucker getting a $500+ million but Kyle Tucker himself is not worried. During his recent interview, he talked about the news of his contract and its value. He said, “Right now, I’m here to play this year and play for the Cubs. I’m just here to play baseball.”

He knows that the only thing that will give him a big contract is his performance, so his only priority is that. He also says that he is open-minded and has not made any decision about his future. He wants to look at all the possibilities before making a decision, and with the number that is being thrown around, it is the right decision.

Tucker’s approach is simple: let the game speak for itself. While the speculation and rumors swirl, he remains unfazed, knowing that his on-field performance will determine his worth, not the noise around him. As the Cubs hope he stays, they can’t forget that the clock’s ticking — and Tucker isn’t rushing into anything. He knows a $500 million deal won’t be handed to him; it’ll be earned, one swing at a time.