The Chicago Cubs are set to acquire Kyle Tucker from the Astros in a significant trade deal, pending medical reviews.
Chicago: So, the Cubs are making a big move by trading for Kyle Tucker from the Astros. This guy is an All-Star outfielder, and it sounds like they’re really going for it.
They’re sending over some players, including third baseman Isaac Paredes and pitcher Hayden Wesneski, plus one of their top prospects, Cam Smith. It’s a hefty price, but Tucker is a solid player.
Now, Tucker had a rough year with injuries, only playing 78 games due to a fractured shin. But when he was on the field, he still managed to hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs. In 2023, he was even better, hitting .284 with 29 homers and leading the AL with 112 RBIs.
He’s turning 28 soon, and while the Cubs have a packed outfield, they might be looking to trade Cody Bellinger. They’re also chatting with Seiya Suzuki’s agent about his no-trade clause.
The Cubs have been stuck in second place in the NL Central for the last two years, and there’s a lot of pressure on their president, Jed Hoyer, to get them back into the playoffs.
Paredes could be a good fit for the Astros if Alex Bregman leaves. He had a decent year, hitting .238 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs. He was an All-Star with Tampa Bay before being traded to the Cubs.
Wesneski, who’s from Houston, might get a shot at the Astros’ rotation. He had a mixed year with a 3.86 ERA and spent some time on the injured list.
The Astros are hoping this trade helps them keep their winning streak alive. They’ve made the playoffs for eight years straight and won the World Series twice recently.
Smith, the prospect in the deal, is someone to watch. He was a first-round pick this year and had a great season in the minors, hitting .313 with seven homers.