{"id":138470,"date":"2024-12-18T17:23:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T10:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=138470"},"modified":"2024-12-18T17:23:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T10:23:52","slug":"jed-hoyer-discusses-kyle-tucker-corner-infield-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=138470","title":{"rendered":"Jed Hoyer Discusses Kyle Tucker, Corner Infield Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p>The Cubs pulled off a huge deal last week, acquiring outfielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tuckeky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kyle Tucker<\/a><\/strong> from the Cubs in exchange for third baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paredis01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Isaac Paredes<\/a><\/strong>, right-hander <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wesneha01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hayden Wesneski<\/a><\/strong> and prospect <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=smith-014cam&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cam Smith<\/a><\/strong>. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke to members of the media today (including <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/M_Montemurro\/status\/1869088893796274569\" rel=\"noopener\">Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MLBBruceLevine\/status\/1869088949173719489\" rel=\"noopener\">Bruce Levine of 670 The Score<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/maddie_m_lee\/status\/1869090443885175286\" rel=\"noopener\">Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times<\/a>), addressing Tucker and the club\u2019s corner infield options.<\/p>\n<p>While Tucker is a big upgrade for the 2025 team, he is set to be a free agent after that. That means he doesn\u2019t currently provide the Cubs any value beyond the upcoming season, apart from the extra draft pick they would receive if he rejects a qualifying offer at season\u2019s end and then signs elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>The Cubs could always change that future by signing Tucker to an extension, something that Hoyer touched upon a bit. \u201cI don\u2019t know what the future holds,\u201d he said. \u201cBut obviously Chicago sells itself really well. And so, I\u2019m excited to bring him in for this year, and we\u2019ll see where it goes beyond that. But clearly this was the kind of player that we lacked.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s fair to assume that the Cubs would love to have Tucker beyond just the one year. They clearly value the player highly, based on the strong package of talent they gave up just for that one season, plus the aforementioned QO compensation. Tucker himself also spoke today (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MLBBruceLevine\/status\/1869097865467097511\" rel=\"noopener\">per Levine<\/a>) and said he\u2019s open to having talks before he hits the open market.<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s nice that Tucker is open to having talks, agreeing on a price point might be a challenge. Tucker has been one of the better players in baseball in recent years and is slated to hit free agency ahead of his age-29 season. To get a really good player to sign an extension just before hitting free agency ahead of his 30th birthday isn\u2019t cheap, as shown in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/contracttracker?name=&amp;team=0&amp;position=H&amp;bats=0&amp;throws=0&amp;type=extension&amp;years1=0&amp;years2=&amp;amount1=0&amp;amount2=&amp;aav1=0&amp;aav2=&amp;options=0&amp;agefirst1=2&amp;agefirst2=29&amp;agelast1=0&amp;agelast2=&amp;service1=5&amp;service2=&amp;super_two=0&amp;qo=0&amp;agency=0&amp;gm=0&amp;d1=2019-10-01&amp;d2=2024-12-17\" rel=\"noopener\">MLBTR\u2019s Contract Tracker<\/a>. Some recent examples include $365MM for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bettsmo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mookie Betts<\/a><\/strong>, $341MM for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lindofr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Francisco Lindor<\/a><\/strong> and $313.5MM for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/deverra01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Rafael Devers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a somewhat similar situation to the one that just played out between <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sotoju01.shtml\" rel=\"noopener\">Juan Soto<\/a><\/strong> and the Yankees. He was acquired from the Padres with one year remaining before hitting free agency, said he was open to contract talks at any time, but ultimately became a free agent and signed a mega deal with the Mets.<\/p>\n<p>With the Cubs, it\u2019s arguably even less likely to get done. Tucker\u2019s earning power isn\u2019t as high as Soto\u2019s but the Cubs have never given out deals even to that Betts\/Lindor\/Devers level. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/heywaja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jason Heyward<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s $184MM deal is still the largest in franchise history, even though it\u2019s almost a decade old at this point. Since Hoyer took over, the club\u2019s largest deal has been $177MM for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/swansda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dansby Swanson<\/a><\/strong>, the only time he\u2019s gone higher than $85MM. Perhaps they are willing to break that pattern for Tucker, who they clearly like, but it would likely require them to effectively double the Heyward\/Swanson deals.<\/p>\n<p>Hoyer also addressed the third base situation at Wrigley, as trading Paredes created an opening there. It has been expected that the club would be willing to give prospect <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=shaw--000mat&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Matt Shaw<\/a><\/strong> to take that spot. Hoyer seems to be open to that coming to pass, saying that Shaw would get a \u201clong look\u201d, though he wouldn\u2019t just call it a done deal. \u201cHe has to earn that job,\u201d Hoyer said. \u201cI\u2019m not going to gift him that on a conference call in the middle of December.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a fair position to take. Though Shaw has performed very well in the minors, even the best prospects can struggle when first called up to the majors, so nothing can be taken for granted. Selected 13th overall last summer, Shaw has slashed .303\/.384\/.522 so far in 159 minor league games across different levels. That includes a line of .298\/.395\/.534 in 35 Triple-A games to finish his 2024 season, so there\u2019s definitely an argument for him cracking the majors to start 2025.<\/p>\n<p>But since there\u2019s no guarantee he will hit the ground running, the Cubs will need to have backup plans. The Cubs had six players spend at least 85 innings at third this year, but <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mastrmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Miles Mastrobuoni<\/a><\/strong> is the only one of the six left on the roster. As mentioned, Paredes was in the Tucker deal. The Cubs traded <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/morelch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Christopher Morel<\/a><\/strong> to the Rays in order to acquire Paredes in the first place. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/madrini01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nick Madrigal<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wisdopa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Patrick Wisdom<\/a><\/strong> were non-tendered at season\u2019s end. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/boteda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">David Bote<\/a><\/strong> was outrighted off the roster in August.<\/p>\n<p>Infielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=workma000gag&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gage Workman<\/a><\/strong> was just grabbed from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft, so he has a roster spot for now, but he doesn\u2019t have any major league nor any Triple-A experience. <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=cowles000ben\" rel=\"noopener\">Ben Cowles<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vazqulu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Luis V\u00e1zquez<\/a><\/strong> are other multi-positional infielders currently on the 40-man. Perhaps the Cubs will look at adding to that group by signing a veteran utility man, whether that\u2019s to a modest major league deal or a minor league pact.<\/p>\n<p>One thing that is apparently not under consideration is moving <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/buschmi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Michael Busch<\/a><\/strong> across the diamond. The club had an outfield logjam but <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bellico01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cody Bellinger<\/a><\/strong> can play first, so it was theoretically possible for them to open that spot for Bellinger by moving Busch to the hot corner, a position where he has 99 1\/3 innings of major league experience. But Busch got strong grades for his first base defense this year and Hoyer suggested their focus would be keeping him there. Bellinger was <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2024\/12\/yankees-to-acquire-cody-bellinger.html\" rel=\"noopener\">traded to the Yankees<\/a> after Hoyer\u2019s comments this afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Unrelated to Hoyer\u2019s comments, there was another Cubs tidbit of note this week. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6000151\/2024\/12\/16\/cubs-kyle-tucker-trade-jesus-luzardo\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic<\/a> report that the club has considered the possibility of stretching out right-hander <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/pearsna01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nate Pearson<\/a><\/strong> as a starter.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s some merit to the plan but it may be difficult to pull off. Pearson was a starting pitching prospect of note with the Blue Jays before injuries pushed him into a relief role. As recently as July, he <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2024\/07\/nate-pearson-interested-in-future-starting-role.html\" rel=\"noopener\">expressed an interest<\/a> in returning to a rotation role, shortly before he was traded to the Cubs.<\/p>\n<p>Bullpen-to-rotation conversions have been all the rage lately. Some recent success stories have included <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kingmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Michael King<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lugose01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Seth Lugo<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lopezre01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Reynaldo L\u00f3pez<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crochga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Garrett Crochet<\/a><\/strong> and others. It doesn\u2019t always work, with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/pukaj01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">A.J. Puk<\/a><\/strong> experiment one attempt that didn\u2019t pan out, but clubs seem to be warm to the idea. The Mets have signed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holmecl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Clay Holmes<\/a><\/strong> with a plan of stretching him out next year and there have been some reports suggesting <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hoffmje02,hoffma003jef&amp;search=Jeff+Hoffman&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jeff Hoffman<\/a><\/strong> might get a rotation gig next year as well.<\/p>\n<p>With Pearson, it\u2019s tough to see a path next year. The Cubs already have <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/i\/imanash01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Shota Imanaga<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/steelju01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Justin Steele<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=boydma01,boyd--002mat&amp;search=Matthew+Boyd&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Matthew Boyd<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/taillja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jameson Taillon<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/assadja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Javier Assad<\/a><\/strong> in the rotation, with reported interest in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/luzarje01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jes\u00fas Luzardo<\/a><\/strong> of the Marlins as well. They also have <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wicksjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jordan Wicks<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=brownbe02,brown-016ben,brown-015ben&amp;search=Ben+Brown&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ben Brown<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=horton001cad,horton000cad&amp;search=Cade+Horton&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-17_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cade Horton<\/a><\/strong> and other potential starters around, so all those guys might not leave a lot of room for Pearson to get big league starts. As such, Mooney and Sharma admit that Pearson is most likely to stick in a relief role next year.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/5067886\/300x250_2_MLB -->\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2024\/12\/jed-hoyer-discusses-kyle-tucker-corner-infield-plans.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Cubs pulled off a huge deal last week, acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Cubs in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=138470\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-138470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=138470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138470\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=138470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=138470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=138470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}