Trading for one year of Kyle Tucker could prove to be a serious long-term setback for the Chicago Cubs.

Tucker, now a four-time All-Star right fielder, should be by far the highest-paid player in this winter’s free agent class. Even with a second-half slump and a pair of injuries, he’s racked up five wins above replacement this season and is right in the middle of his athletic prime.

Certainly, the Cubs should be a factor in the superstar’s bidding war. But the threat of a team with a higher payroll swooping in and adding him to their war chest looms large.

No team’s roster is more talented than the Los Angeles Dodgers, but right field has been by far the biggest hole for the defending World Series champions. Does that open up a lane for Tucker to join the fray?

On Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the belief among multiple executives around the league is that Tucker will join the Dodgers, which would be a major gut punch for Chicago.

“Despite Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker’s struggles since the All-Star break, hitting .242 with only five homers and 17 RBI, rival executives still believe he’ll be the highest-paid player in free agency,” wrote Nightengale. “Their prediction is where he’ll land? The Dodgers, who badly could use outfield help.”

The Dodgers have patented the art of handing out lucrative long-term deals with significant amounts deferred money, meaning that although their tax payroll was the only one over $400 million on opening day, they have a little more wiggle room to add free agents and avoid luxury tax penalties.

Spotrac currently projects Tucker for a 12-year, $498 million contract, and the largest deal the Cubs have ever handed out was eight years, $184 million for Jason Heyward. Do they have it in them to add an extra $300 million?

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