The early weeks of the 2025 MLB season have offered an intriguing glimpse into the National League Central, where storylines range from breakout stars to looming contract questions. At the center of it all—literally and figuratively—are the Chicago Cubs, who lead the division thanks to a high-powered offense and the early-season brilliance of Kyle Tucker. But as Cubs fans enjoy the present, questions about the future hang in the air. Meanwhile, 6+ are all navigating their own blend of promise and uncertainty in a division that’s still wide open.
One of the main takeaways from the early portion of the season for the Chicago Cubs depends on whether fans choose to focus on the dark cloud or the silver lining.
From the positive perspective, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins were right to make the mid-December trade for outfielder Kyle Tucker. Chicago sent infielder Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third baseman Cam Smith, the first-round pick (14th overall) in last June’s MLB Draft, to Houston on December 13 for the three-time All-Star, who shook off a slow spring to make an immediate impact in the regular season.
Tucker was named the National League Player of the Week for the season’s opening week after he hit .391 (9-for-23) with three homers, eight RBIs, three doubles, eight walks, 11 runs scored, two stolen bases, a .913 slugging percentage and a .548 on-base percentage through the first six games. The left-handed swinging left fielder cooled off slightly, taking a .322/.452/.678 slash line into the Cubs’ Friday night contest at Los Angeles, and he ranks among the top two in the National League in home runs (5), doubles (6), RBIs (16) and runs scored (16).
“It’s been fun watching Kyle at the peak of who he is as an offensive player,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
Which segues nicely into the dark cloud looming over the franchise: How much longer will Tucker be displaying those skills in a Cubs uniform?
Tucker, who turned 28 in January, will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Cubs management was willing to take the chance on it being a one-and-done scenario, counting on the offense Tucker would likely provide, but the team’s fan base, whose favorite pastimes include blasting Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts for not investing large market funds into the roster, remain largely convinced that Chicago will pay the price to keep Tucker.
That cynical concern spiked after Toronto signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year, $500 million extension. Tucker will be the prized bat available during the offseason, with early Spotrac projections forecasting Tucker to be worth a 12-year, $533 million deal. Hawkins didn’t soothe any nerves during an appearance Thursday on 670 The Score’s “Mully & Hugh Show,” while discussing how the Guerrero Jr. contract might impact the Tucker situation.
“You’re trying to understand, are there certain positions, certain players that are overvalued or undervalued, and allocate your dollars appropriately within those contexts, but it’s hard to judge markets,” Hawkins said.
“The guys that are doing it on Wall Street are having a really hard time right now, and it’s not too much easier over here in baseball either.”
Despite recent reports about ongoing contract discussions, the overwhelming industry opinion is that Tucker will enter free agency, forcing the Cubs to outbid what is sure to be a who’s who of big spending franchises.
In the meantime, Tucker is providing the offensive boost for Chicago. The team got off to a 9-6 start, good for first place by one game in the NL Central Division entering play on Friday, due primarily to an offense that ranks second in the Major Leagues with 6.40 runs per game. Other offensive stalwarts include designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, who is hitting .300 with 15 RBIs. Second baseman Nico Hoerner, who missed the Cubs opening games against Los Angeles in Tokyo while returning from flexor tendon surgery last fall, has hit .326 in 11 games with six stolen bases.
On the pitching side, the Cubs sit 19th in MLB in runs allowed, at 4.53 per game. The team’s starters have been mostly efficient, led as expected by Justin Steele (3-1, 4.76 ERA) and Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.70). However, league analysts have opined for months about the need for the Cubs to add another top starter if they truly want to make the most of the Kyle Tucker era.
Similar suggestions can be expected with the injury concerns surrounding Steele, who earlier this week was placed on the 15-day injured list due to what the team is calling elbow tendonitis. An MRI was performed on Thursday, with no immediate announcement from the Cubs regarding the results. But Jesse Rogers, who covers the Cubs as a writer for ESPN Chicago, was a guest Friday morning on ESPN 1000 and offered his gut feeling that the team’s front office is gearing up for the potential of Steele being out for a longer period.
Elsewhere in the NL Central, Milwaukee is in second place with a 7-6 record, including 5-2 at home. Left fielder Jackson Chourio has led the way for the Brewers, batting .310 with a .655 slugging percentage and four home runs, and he is tied atop the National League with Tucker and Los Angeles outfielder Teoscar Hernandez in RBIs with 16. Second baseman Brice Turang is batting .296 with three home runs and eight RBIs.
Freddy Peralta has been the ace of the staff, going 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 22 strike outs in 18 innings. Other key starters include Tyler Alexander (1-0, 2.84) and Chad Patrick (1-0, 2.45).
Cincinnati takes a 5-8 record into Friday action, sitting one-half game behind St. Louis in fourth place. The Reds are batting just .206 as a team, which is 26th in MLB. Elly De La Cruz is hitting .250 and leads the team with 12 RBIs.
Defensively, the Reds are sixth in MLB, allowing 3.54 runs per game. Hunter Greene has pitched 20.2 innings in three starts for the Reds, going 1-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 23 strikeouts. Nick Lodolo (2-1, 0.96) and Brady Singer (2-0, 2.25) are also off to strong starts.
Pittsburgh is tied with Cincinnati at 5-8, but the Pirates have actually been even worse offensively, batting .198 overall, which is last in MLB. Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.300) and catcher Joey Bart (.282) have been offensive bright spots. On the mound, Paul Skenes has led the Pirates with a 1-1 record and 3.44 ERA, striking out 20 in 18.1 innings.