The Chicago Cubs are bringing in a new offensive weapon, receiving All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, per multiple reports.
In return, the Astros will reportedly receive three players: infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith.
Tucker has played his entire career with the Astros, starting in 2018. He won a World Series with the team in 2022, and has picked up a number of awards over the past few seasons, including three All-Star selections, a Gold Glove (2022) and a Silver Slugger (2023). Tucker missed time this season with a right shin injury, but still received his third consecutive All-Star selection.
This year, Tucker finished with a .289 average off of 277 at-bats. The 27-year-old outfielder picked up 80 hits, 49 RBIs and 23 home runs, while also nabbing 11 stolen bases.
Paredes, the 25-year-old infielder who headlines the trade from the Cubs’ end, finished the season with a .238 average, picking up 19 home runs. Paredes plays third and first base, and will be a versatile infielder for the Astros. Houston will mark Paredes’ fourth MLB team in his short career.
Wesneski, one of the other players the Astros receive in the trade, made his MLB debut with Chicago in 2022. The right-handed pitcher was optioned down to the minors at the start of the 2024 season. Smith, meanwhile, was Chicago’s first round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, with the Cubs selecting him 14th overall.
The Tucker trade is likely to create a domino effect, with the New York Yankees possibly looking to make deals with both teams. The Yankees may opt to trade for Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger, now that Chicago has brought in another strong outfielder, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, and may also may a play for former Astro and free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
