Kyle Tucker started off the season looking like an MVP candidate for the Chicago Cubs. However, he has not been himself as of late.
Tucker is slashing .189/.325/.235 since the start of July with just one home run. This month, he is just 8-for-54. After Monday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Craig Counsell announced that Tucker would spend some time on the bench.
Tucker sat out both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Brewers. The Cubs won both games, and Owen Caissie, who was playing in place of Tucker, looked great.
Counsell was not clear on how long Tucker would be out of the lineup. Tucker himself was not too sure.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Tucker told The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney.
The Cubs may be able to afford keeping him on the bench if Caissie continues to produce. In the doubleheader, he went 3-for-6 with four RBI. He also scored two runs and picked up six total bases. Caissie also hit his first big league home run and collected his first RBIs.
Caissie is the Cubs’ top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and showcased exactly why the team believes in him. His breakout not only gives Tucker more time to reset, but it also gives the Cubs an option if they cannot retain Tucker in free agency.
Tucker was expected to be the prize of free agency, but his recent play may change that. Regardless, many teams will be interested in him and may be willing to overlook his recent woes. He is still a four-time All-Star, Gold Glove Award winner and Silver Slugger.
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