The force of a pennant race can push the most seasoned managers to make tough decisions. However, when an elite star of the team is struggling, the path forward is not always so clear. In the instance of the Cubs, a decision to bench Kyle Tucker raised eyebrows, specifically when the team’s playoff hopes were on the line. While sitting a struggling star is not an uncommon move, the timing of this specific decision has sparked a deeper debate, not only among fans but also within the broader baseball community.
After this decision, many, including former MLB president David Samson, have raised concerns related to the long-term effects of such a move. “It’s a mistake,” Samson fired back at the Nothing personal with David Samson, when discussing Craig Counsell’s decision.
“I’m sorry, did I just hear that you’re going to take Kyle Tucker out of your lineup when you’re scratching and clawing against the Milwaukee Brewers?” Samson asked, incredulous. It is tough to argue with Samson’s sentiment. Tucker, despite his struggles in the current weeks, is still a top star of the Cubs. His slump is concerning because after the All-Star break, he is hitting 148 with an OPS of 358. He has hit no extra bases in the last 15 games. However, it was not something that warranted a benching for an extended period. Samson thinks that such a decision is risky, specifically when the Cubs were in dire need of victories to close the gap on the Brewers.
Manager Craig Counsell clarified the decision by saying that Tucker was frustrated with his performance and the team was struggling to find solutions. “We will take a step back and try to figure this out with him”, the manager said. “Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward again,” Counsell explained. However, to Samson, this raised more questions. Should not the focus be on helping the star to get through his slump, instead of providing him a mental reset? After all, MLB is a game of adjustments, and David Samson thinks that taking a star out of the lineup for days does not help to fix the issue — it only exacerbates it.
May 10, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) receives congratulations from teammates after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Samson’s powerful reaction highlights a deeper philosophical divide within baseball management. While managers could prioritize mental resets and adjustments, some think that a star’s resolve can only be truly tested when they are out there, battling through the slump. Should the team have bet on Tucker’s power to break out of the star’s funk and chosen to reset Tucker mentally and physically? The answer lies somewhere in the tension between managing expectations and trusting your star’s capability to turn things around when it matters most.
While Samson’s criticism highlights the issues in the Cubs’ decision-making, it also raises concerns related to the overall strategy for Tucker’s future with the team. Could there be a longer-period effect from this move, not just on the team’s postseason hopes, however, on Tucker’s potential to stay with the Cubs?
Who will fill in for Tucker at the period of his absence?
With Kyle Tucker temporarily sidelined to reset, the Cubs need to find ways to fill the gap left by his absence. Luckily for the Cubs, they have some options to consider in the interim. Three stars, in specific, stand out as powerful candidates to step up and fill the right-field position.
First, there is Owen Caissie, the Cubs’ highly-touted star. After a rocky beginning to his big-league career, Caissie finally registered his first hit in a 7-0 loss to the Brewers. While it has not been a smooth transition to the majors, the star brings a powerful track record from the minors, having hit 22 home runs in 93 games in 2025 alone. The team could now turn to him, thinking that the young outfielder could find success against big-league pitchers.
Next, Seiya Suzuki is another star to watch. Suzuki has been with the team for a few seasons, playing right field for the majority of that time. Though Suzuki’s bat has been inconsistent since the All-Star break, the star has shown flashes of power, containing a .246 batting average and a .318 OBP over the last 47 games. The team could move Suzuki back to right field while enabling Caissie to take over as the designated hitter.
Lastly, Willi Castro, while not a prolific hitter, brings some much-needed versatility to the lineup. Castro, acquired at the trade deadline, can play almost every position on the field, containing right field. Although the star’s batting average this season for the team is .253, his defensive flexibility makes him a viable backup option.
May 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) wipes off his uniform after hitting a double against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
With these three stars ready to step in, the team is not entirely without options. However, the reality remains that filling Tucker’s shoes will be no easy feat. The Cubs will have to decide whether they want to go with the high-risk, high-reward approach of providing Caissie more playing time, stick with the steadier hand of Suzuki, or rely on Castro’s defensive flexibility.
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