Kyle Tucker reacts to Vlad Jr.'s contract extension: 'It's great for him'

Kyle Tucker was well aware of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s massive contract. He just wasn't sure how it will impact him.

A day after Guerrero agreed to a $500 million, 14-year contract with Toronto that begins in 2026, Tucker insisted he is focusing more on the immediate future than whether he will remain with the Chicago Cubs after this season.

"I'm sure he loves playing in Toronto," Tucker said before Monday's game against Texas. "It's great for him. I mean, everyone's a little different. Right now, I'm here to play this year. I'm excited to get out again and play tonight, just kind of see where everything goes after that."

Guerrero's contract sets a high bar for other players with expiring deals, such as Tucker. It's the third largest in total dollars behind outfielder Juan Soto's $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets that started this season and two-way star Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers that began last year and is heavily deferred.

Guerrero, the son of a Hall of Famer, is playing on a $28.5 million, one-year contract after avoiding arbitration. The four-time All-Star had said he wouldn't negotiate a long-term deal once he reported to spring training. But talks with his agent continued.

Tucker was asked if he had set a deadline for the Cubs.

"I haven't thought about it that much," he said. "I'm just trying to come out here and play. ... I'm just here to play baseball. I just let the other stuff fall where it is and see what happens."

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The Cubs acquired the well-rounded Tucker from Houston in December, hoping the three-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove outfielder can lift