The Chicago Cubs have taken their biggest swing of the offseason thus far, as multiple outlets reported Friday that the team has agreed to acquire three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros.
Chicago will send third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesnecki and well-regarded infield prospect Cam Smith to the Astros in exchange for Tucker, a major contributor to Houston's 2022 World Series champion team and the American League's leader with 112 runs batted in during the 2023 season. The deal is still pending physicals of the involved players.
Tucker added 29 home runs and a career-high 30 stolen bases while hitting .284 for that 2023 campaign to finish fifth in balloting for the AL's MVP award. A fractured shin limited the slugger to just 78 games last season, though he still posted a career-best .993 OPS while producing 23 homers, 49 RBIs, 11 steals and a .289 average.
Financial considerations, as well as Tucker's upcoming free agency, likely prompted the Astros to make the move. The 27-year-old is projected to receive a roughly $16 million salary in his final arbitration year before hitting the market after this season.
The trade could also signal Houston's intentions to move on from another core player, as Paredes could be viewed as a potential replacement for star third baseman Alex Bregman, one of the top remaining available free-agent hitters this offseason.
Paredes was also an AL All-Star last season while then with the Tampa Bay Rays, who dealt him to the Cubs in late July at the trade deadline. The 25-year-old finished the season with 19 homers, 80 RBIs and a .238 average in 153 games.
The native Mexican set career highs with 31 homers and 98 RBIs with the Rays in 2023.
Chicago may not be done dealing as well after adding Tucker to a corner outfield mix that also includes established players Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ. Both Bellinger, the 2019 National League MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Suzuki have been mentioned in trade rumours this winter.
Smith, 21, was rated the Cubs' seventh-best prospect and No. 73 overall by MLB.com. Chicago selected the third baseman with the 14th overall pick of the 2024 draft out of Florida State, and he hit .313 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 32 games between Single and Double A in his pro debut.
Wesneski, a Houston native, gives the Astros a versatile right-handed arm who can handle a variety of roles. The 27-year-old has made 22 starts and 46 relief appearances over three major league seasons while compiling a 9-13 record and a 3.93 earned run average.