Kyle Tucker has found himself in an extended slump, with his offensive performance dipping noticeably over the past few weeks. In his last six games, he has managed just two hits and four strikeouts in 22 at-bats—numbers well below his usual standard. The frustration peaked during Sunday’s game when, in the sixth inning, Tucker grounded out against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clearly dejected, he jogged to first and did not hustle down the line—a moment that drew boos from the Wrigley Field crowd.

For Cubs faithful, it was the culmination of their disappointment with the outfielder’s struggles. However, in the eyes of some observers, the reaction from the stands went too far.

On his podcast, Nothing Personal with David Samson, the former Marlins executive David Samson criticized Cubs fans for booing Tucker: “If you’re a Cubs fan, this is your moment not to be the people who boo Kyle Tucker. What are we doing here?”

Samson also reminded fans of Tucker’s contract situation: “Why are you bullying the guy who you’re trying to pray to God will sign a long-term deal with your team, or you’re going to end up with just a one-year rental?” Notably, Tucker was recently ranked the No. 1 pending free agent by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, despite his recent downtrend.

Many analysts still expect Tucker to command a massive new contract, with projections reportedly falling between $500 million and $650 million for a long-term deal. But for now, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has revealed his near-term plan for Tucker.

“The fans are frustrated, and Kyle is frustrated. When you make out, it doesn’t look good. He’s trying. It’s just not clicking. We’re going to have to take a step back here; just give him some days off to reset him, hopefully,” Counsell explained.

So, Tucker is set to get some time on the bench, but given his year-to-date performance—a .263 average, .376 OBP, 116 hits, 18 home runs, and 62 RBIs—it’s reasonable to think a turnaround could be just around the corner.

What’s Behind Tucker’s Struggles?

The root of Tucker’s slump appears to be a finger injury suffered on June 1. Despite the setback, the Cubs opted not to place him on the injured list. Some believe returning too soon contributed to lingering mechanical issues and hampered Tucker’s swing.

When Tucker got hurt, the Cubs held a four-game lead in their division. As they head into Monday’s doubleheader, that’s shifted to an eight-game deficit—a telling swing that highlights how much his slump has impacted the team.

The Cubs’ outfield trio of Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), and Seiya Suzuki—all strong performers earlier this year—are now collectively struggling at the plate. A turnaround is needed if the Cubs hope to contend seriously down the stretch and into October.

If the team rallies and makes a postseason run, it’s likely the Cubs front office will work hard to keep Tucker out of free agency. Should negotiations fail, however, Tucker’s skillset and age will make him one of the most coveted free agents on the market. For now, the focus is on helping their star regain his All-Star form.