When Kyle Tucker jogged out to right field on Opening Day, the Wrigley crowd roared like it hadn’t in years. This was the guy—the power bat with October scars and swagger, the centerpiece of a Cubs renaissance. Paired with a healthy, dominant Justin Steele atop the rotation, the vision was clear: this team wasn’t building for the future. They were chasing it now. Alas! It was a short-lived fantasy—just two weeks in, the dream’s wobbling.

On Wednesday, the Cubs placed Steele—the $6.55 million lefty who was supposed to anchor the staff—on the 15-day injured list with elbow tendinitis. At first glance, it sounded like a cautious move. But that optimism didn’t last long. On ESPN 1000, reporter Jesse Rogers gave a chilling update: “After the Justin Steele imaging, the news today might be not good. He wasn’t reporting anything for sure, but doesn’t have a feeling that it’ll be a minimum stay on the IL.” That changes everything—especially for Tucker.

The former Astros star, acquired in a bold offseason move, signed only through 2025. Extension talks have swirled around a jaw-dropping $500+ million figure, but no pen has touched paper. And now, with Steele’s health in question and the Cubs’ short-term competitiveness suddenly cloudy, Tucker has every reason to pump the brakes.

He came here to win. And make no mistake: Tucker has options. If the Cubs can’t prove they’re serious players — especially in a brutal NL with teams like Atlanta and Los Angeles breathing fire — Tucker can walk. A player of his caliber doesn’t beg for attention on the open market. He gets it.

Here’s the real issue: without Steele, this rotation thins out fast. Jameson Taillon and Jordan Wicks aren’t scaring anyone in a postseason series. And if the Cubs stumble through the next few weeks, the narrative changes from “contender” to “uncertain” fast. That’s not the pitch you make to a guy about to commit half a billion dollars’ worth of trust.

So what now? Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ brass have to act quickly not just to patch the rotation but to steady the vision.

Kyle Tucker: contender or pretender?

Till now, the team’s foundation has been Steele. And with him out temporarily, it’s all looking shaky. For all intents and purposes, this is the gut check. With Justin Steele sidelined and no timeline locked in, the Cubs are staring down a critical stretch that could define not just their season but their entire trajectory. Can they hold the line with a patchwork rotation? Can Jameson Taillon step up? Will Jordan Wicks or Javier Assad turn into reliable stopgaps? There’s no time for excuses. Because the division won’t wait, and neither will Tucker.

They need to stabilize their pitching staff while Tucker keeps leading the offense. If they struggle during this time, it could raise some serious questions about their direction—and that could impact Tucker’s decision when he hits free agency next year. He’s projected to command a massive contract worth $500 million or more, so the Cubs need to show him they’re serious about winning.

For Tucker to consider staying long-term, the Cubs must prove they’re contenders. If they falter while  Steele is out, it gives Tucker every reason to wonder if Chicago is the right place for him. The Cubs have made big moves to build a competitive team, like acquiring Tucker himself, but now they need to back it up with results. If they can stay competitive despite their challenges, it sends a strong message to Tucker and the rest of the league that Chicago is committed to success. But if they fall flat, it could be a tough sell to keep him in the Windy City.

Tucker’s performance isn’t just about his own stats; it’s about how he impacts the entire team. He’s already making history in Chicago, breaking records and leading the Cubs to crucial wins. If the Cubs can keep up this momentum, it will be a huge selling point for Tucker to stay long-term.