MILWAUKEE – Cubs designated hitter Kyle Tucker prolonged his bat to to a sinker on the outer nook of the plate, rolling a tender grounder to second base for the ultimate out of the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 3-1 loss to the Brewers Saturday.
Which will have been his final at-bat as a Cub.
The Cubs’ postseason ended Satruday evening once they dropped Sport 5 of the Nationwide League Division Sequence to the Brewers. And when the World Sequence wraps up on the finish of the month, Tucker’s free company is ready to formally open.
“I don’t actually know proper now,” Tucker stated when requested after the sport about his expectations totally free company. “I used to be extra so apprehensive in regards to the recreation tonight. It’s, get by means of this right now and fear about that a bit of later.”
Would he wish to return to Chicago?
“We’ll see what occurs,” Tucker stated. “I don’t know what the long run’s going to carry. However, if not, it was an honor taking part in with all these guys and I want everybody the very best of luck, whether or not it’s taking part in subsequent yr or not for them. It’s a extremely enjoyable group to be part of.”
Tucker’s season didn’t go fairly as anticipated when the Cubs traded for him final offseason. They had been keen to surrender lots – sending third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and 2024 first-round draft choose Cam Smith to the Astros – so as to elevate their offense with an impression bat.
Tucker did simply that for the primary three months of the season, though he performed by means of a fracture in his proper hand in June. He had a .931 OPS going into July, coming off a collection in Houston,the place his former crew welcomed him again with a tribute video and “King Tuck” crowns within the stands.
Then he sunk right into a seven-week hunch. And simply when he was popping out of it, logging 4 dwelling runs and a .400 batting common within the span of 11 video games, he was sidelined by a calf harm.
Tucker was nonetheless feeling the consequences of the harm when he returned for the final collection of the common season. Then he went 7-for-27 within the playoffs. His solo dwelling run in Sport 4 of the NLDS was his solely extra-base hit.
In an effort to keep away from placing additional pressure on Tucker’s calf, supervisor Craig Counsell had him function the designated hitter by means of the postseason as an alternative of taking part in proper discipline.
“I used to be simply doing my finest, doing what I can to assist this crew,” Tucker stated. “Simply maintain it shifting ahead. I’m all the time on the market making an attempt to do my finest, attempt to go on the market and put up good at-bats one after one other.”
An extension had appeared unlikely from the onset, when Tucker was anticipated to garner a hefty pay day in free company. And after the best way his season unfolded, with no settlement percolating in that point, it’s troublesome to image a state of affairs the place a reunion is smart for each events.
“It’s going to suck regardless,” Tucker stated when requested if his unsure future intensified his disappointment after the loss Saturday. “You play this recreation to win and to come back collectively as a gaggle and win. It was actually enjoyable taking part in with this group this yr.”
