The buzz began with a number—one so staggering, it nearly broke baseball’s collective brain. Half a billion dollars. Not over a decade, not split between endorsements, just pure ensured money to play. Naturally, it got stars, fans, and insiders wondering, who is next in line?

Quietly crushing MLB in a distinctive way, a lefty slugger with a sweet swing and a $16.5 million contract has entered the interaction—whether he asked for it or not. As headlines related to Vladdy’s $500 million stat, Kyle Tucker provided just seven words in reaction, “Everyone is a little different,” and suddenly, the interaction flipped.

While the baseball world lit up at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million megadeal with the Blue Jays, the Cubs had a more grounded reaction. Kyle Tucker, the team’s newest addition, did not exactly jump at the comparison when asked how that deal could affect his future. “I am just here to play baseball”, he said through AP, brushing aside any long-period speculation.

Still, the star’s calm demeanor could not hide the elephant in the room—he is the next in line for a massive payday, and MLB knows it.

The talent’s 2025 campaign is off to a red-hot beginning. He batted .327 with 5 HR and an NL-best 16 RBIs. That contains an NL Player of the Week honor after a 9-for-23 stretch with 3 homers and 8 RBIs. Plus, his Gold Glove defense and three All-Star nods are only making the whispers louder. While the star didn’t speak much about the money, he is letting the bat talk for him. And with the Cubs owning just a one-year agreement, Tucker’s long-term status is anything but locked in.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s deal shattered assumptions because it put the star in the same stratosphere as Ohtani and Soto, and Tucker is arguably entering his peak at the perfect period. Guerrero hit .323 with 30 HR and 103 RBIs in 2024, while Tucker posted a .289 average with 23 HR and 49 RBIs for Houston. From a pure production standpoint, the gap is not wide, and that is exactly what makes this interaction so interesting.

Amidst all these speculations, Tucker’s reaction acts as a quiet reminder. Not every talent is chasing the largest bag. Some just need the right fit, the right culture, and a real shot at winning. But when the numbers are this good and the production this consistent, money becomes unavoidable. So, while Kyle Tucker is expectedly to be the next biggest superstar, talks around MLB’s strategies are also entering the scene. 

Vladdy’s contract & Tucker’s speculations: MLB teams are rethinking positional value

In the last 24 months, five of MLB’s ten richest contracts went to outfielders, not traditional infield sluggers—signaling a transformation in how the league is focusing on tools over flash. Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking $700 million deal, though largely deferred, opened the floodgates for premium-position talents to dream more. Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765 million contract established a reference point not just for left-handed bats, but for all-around helpers.

Front offices are also leaning harder into durability analytics—opting for talents with high game counts and low IL stints over big names alone. In 2024, nine of the top ten WAR leaders through April’s first week played premium defensive positions – center field, shortstop, and right field. That is no coincidence—it is part of a deliberate transformation toward enhancing roster flexibility over sheer offensive firepower.

In addition, contract structuring has been enhanced. Teams now tailor long-period deals with opt-outs, escalators, and vesting scopes to manage late-year drop-offs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s record deal reportedly contains performance-triggered incentives linked to conditioning and fielding metrics—something once unheard of for corner infielders. As an outcome, talents like Tucker, who brings five-tool production at an elite spot, are no longer just desirable—they are vital.

Teams are not just paying for stars—they are paying for sustainable blueprints. And probably, that is where the next billion in MLB contracts is going.

As one talent locks in half a billion with his longtime team, another quietly establishes an instance to top it. While Kyle Tucker shrugs off the buzz with a humble response, MLB is already watching and analyzing. Buckle up, because this contract chase is heating up.