Chicago In a high-profile trade with the Houston Astros, the Chicago Cubs are getting All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, one of baseball’s top hitters.
The deal was made public by the Astros on Friday afternoon.
Tucker, who is available for free agency following the 2025 season, is being traded to the Astros by the Cubs in exchange for right-hander Hayden Wesneski, third baseman Isaac Paredes, and Cam Smith, one of their best infield prospects.
Tucker hit.289 with 23 home runs and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions this season despite being limited to 78 games due to a fractured right shin. In 2023, he batted.284 for Houston, hitting 29 home runs, an AL-high 112 RBIs, and 30 steals.
Although the Cubs are apparently attempting to deal Cody Bellinger, who can also play first base, Tucker, who turns 28 on January 17, joins a congested scenario in Chicago’s outfield. They have also discussed the outfielder’s no-trade clause with Seiya Suzuki’s agent.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is under more pressure to lead the Cubs back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020 after the team finished second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record in each of the previous two seasons.
If Alex Bregman leaves in free agency, Houston may need Paredes at third base. In 153 games this season, Paredes, 25, hit.238 with 80 RBIs and 19 home runs. After Tampa Bay selected him to the AL All-Star team, he was transferred to Chicago in July.
Born in Houston and a graduate of Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Wesneski is expected to contend for a spot in the Astros’ rotation.
In 21 bullpen appearances and seven starts this season, the right-hander, who turned 27 on December 5, finished 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA. Due to a strain in his right forearm, he was placed on the injured list from July 20 until September 20.
With the arrival of Paredes and Wesneski, Houston hopes to maintain its stellar run as one of baseball’s top teams. It won the World Series in 2017 and 2022 and has advanced to the playoffs for eight consecutive years. This year, Detroit swept it in the wild-card round.
Smith had a crucial role in the agreement, even though Paredes and Wesneski could make an immediate difference.
Smith, 21, attended Florida State University before being chosen by Chicago with the 14th overall choice in this year’s draft. He finished the season with Double-A Knoxville after hitting.313 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 32 games across three minor league destinations.
In 2015, Tucker was selected by Houston with the fifth overall pick in the first round. In 2018, he made his major league debut with the Astros.
Three years after making his debut, Tucker had a spectacular 2021 season, batting a career-high.294 with 30 home runs and 92 RBIs in 140 games. The following year, he was awarded a Gold Glove.
The Tampa, Florida native has played 633 games for Houston and is a.274 hitter with 125 home runs, 417 RBIs, and an OPS of.869 overall. In 64 postseason games, he has also batted.229 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs.
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