Chicago Cubs: Michael Conforto over Kyle Tucker was a low-key MVP-level decision

The Chicago Cubs seem to have dodged a bullet when they essentially passed on pursuing a continued relationship with right fielder Kyle Tucker.

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Although they never would’ve offered Tucker the 4-year, $260 million contract that the Los Angeles Dodgers did, there was still real talk about a deal in the area of $400 million over ten years. Looking back, it would’ve been a deal that not only hobbled the franchise, but one which also would’ve likely crushed the positive vibe of this current squad.

Instead, the Cubs opted to return Seiya Suzuki to full-time right field duty and then sign veteran Michael Conforto as a capable fourth outfielder for insurance.

As things would turn out, the Conforto decision was one of the low-key important moves of the offseason.

Conforto is clutch; Tucker, not so much

Chicago Cubs, Michael Conforto — May 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Michael Conforto (20) is greeted in the dugout by teammates after scoring during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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The 33-year-old has come through repeatedly for this team and has become the linchpin for a much improved bench this season. Coming into Tuesday’s game, the veteran had a 1.202 OPS as a pinch hitter and is boasting a franchise-record four home runs in that role. All in all, he’s batting .232, but has 12 home runs and 33 RBIs, with a .794 OPS in 240 plate appearances—on a one-year, $2 million contract.

Tucker, meanwhile, is hitting .231 with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs, posting a .687 OPS as a full-time starter with 510 plate appearances.

For Conforto, taking a bench job had to be a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. He came into the 2026 season after having made $17 million in a season with the Dodgers last year and $18 million a year for two years with the San Francisco Giants as an every day player. However, a brutal 2025—where he hit .199 on the season and was kept off the Dodgers’ playoff roster—forced him to reassess his options.

“When you sign a player of his stature and they come in and they accept a role that’s not something they’ve done before, it builds things around the room,” manager Craig Counsell said of Conforto. “Mike’s been a real connector for this group. His production and his leadership from that perspective has been really important.”

A focus on winning

May 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Michael Conforto (20) is greeted by center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The former Dodger, Giant, and Met claims that his focus now is just on winning and adding on to his career legacy after 11 years in the game.

“I’ve felt more like I’ve come in here and kind of joined the party,” Conforto recently told the Chicago Sun-Times. “The big thing is coming in here and being honest: At this point in my career, I just want to win games. That was just a great fit from the beginning.

“A lot of these guys, maybe it resonated with them that you can get to a place in your career where, maybe, it’s not so much about the money and the playing time and all that stuff but it’s about being a part of something special.

The Cubs are absolutely not having buyer’s remorse when it comes to their signing of Conforto. Now, the question is whether they’ll make any moves in the offseason to keep him in Chicago.

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