Cubs could sign Mets 4-time All-Star if Kyle Tucker leaves Chicago, per insider

The Chicago Cubs could look like the same team they are now in 2026. Or they could look a whole lot different.

Chicago took a big risk by trading for three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker before the season with only one year left on his contract. It's worked out on the field so far, with Tucker helping power the Cubs into first place, but a lot can change before November.

Clearly, the Cubs' preference is to keep Tucker around, because he's been sensational. If they can't extend him before he hits free agency, they'll take their shot at him on the open market. But there will be lots of other big-market suitors lining up.

If the Cubs can't lay down the coin to keep Tucker, there's another big free-agent bat that a Major League Baseball insider believes could be a backup plan.

On Wednesday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic linked the Cubs to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who has an opt-out in his contract that he will likely exercise after getting off to a fast start in 2025.

"Alonso entered Tuesday ranked fourth in MLB with a .965 OPS," Bowden wrote. "He likely will opt out and get the long-term contract he sought last offseason before returning to the Mets on a two-year, $54 million deal.

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"If he doesn’t stay in New York, Alonso would be a fit with several teams including... the Cubs (they would have to be interested if they lose out on Tucker)."

While Tucker's fit with the Cubs has been seamless, Alonso's would be a bit more complicated. They've already got an exciting young first baseman in Michael Busch, but the designated hitter slot would open up with Tucker gone and Seiya Suzuki shifting back to right field on a full-time basis.

Few hitters can put up the sort of raw power numbers Alonso can, but not many right-handed first basemen age well into their thirties. Even after a huge year, he might be more in the Cubs' preferred budget range than Tucker will be.

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