The Chicago Cubs made a significant move on Friday, acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a deal with Houston. To acquire Tucker, the Cubs traded third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski, and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects.
Tucker, who is available for free agency following the 2025 season, had a solid year in 2023, hitting.284 with 29 home runs, 112 RBIs (the highest in the AL), and 30 steals. However, his 2024 season was cut short due to a fractured right shin, which limited him to only 78 games.
Tucker joins a crowded outfield in Chicago, although reports indicate that the Cubs may move Cody Bellinger, who can also play first base. The Cubs are also talking about Seiya Suzuki’s no-trade clause. The Cubs have finished second in the NL Central the previous two seasons, and team president Jed Hoyer is under pressure to return the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
In addition to Tucker, the Cubs signed catcher Carson Kelly to a two-year contract worth $11.5 million. Kelly, a Chicago native, played for Detroit and Texas this season, batting.238 with nine home runs and 37 RBI.
Before the transaction, the New York Yankees expressed interest in Tucker. Brian Cashman, the Yankees general manager, expressed relief that Tucker would not be joining the AL East.
Paredes, who is now with the Astros, may fill in at third base if Alex Bregman left for free agency. The 25-year-old had a successful season, hitting.238 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI. Paredes is looking forward to playing at Minute Maid Park, which he believes will benefit his hitting technique. Dana Brown, Astros general manager, left the door open for a prospective reunion with Bregman.
Wesneski, a Houston native, will fight for a spot in the Astros rotation. In 2024, he had a 3-6 record with a 3.86 ERA, making 21 relief appearances and 7 starts.
The Astros are hoping that the acquisitions of Paredes and Wesneski would help them maintain their winning ways. Houston has made the playoffs eight straight years, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022. Despite being swept by Detroit in the wild-card round this season, Brown remains optimistic about the team’s prospects.
Smith, who was drafted 14th overall by the Cubs this year, is regarded as a crucial aspect of the transaction. In 32 minor league games, the 21-year-old batted.313 with seven home runs and twenty-four RBIs.
Tucker, a first-round choice in 2015, has enjoyed a solid career with the Astros. In 633 games, he has a.274 batting average, 125 home runs, 417 RBIs, and an OPS of.869. He also has 64 games of postseason experience, batting.229 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs.
Kelly’s two-year deal with the Cubs pays $5 million per season, with a $7.5 million mutual option for 2027 and a $1.5 million buyout. He is eligible for annual performance bonuses based on the amount of games he starts. The Cubs hope to strengthen their depth behind the plate by adding Miguel Amaya and Matt Thaiss, who was obtained in a trade with the Angels.
