Astros trade All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to Cubs for package headlined by infielder Isaac Paredes

The Chicago Cubs are bringing in a new offensive weapon, acquiring 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 the past few seasons, including three All-Star selections, a Gold Glove (2022) and a Silver Slugger (2023). Tucker missed time this season due to a right shin injury but still received his third consecutive All-Star selection.

In 2024, Tucker finished with a .289/.408/.585 slash line. The 27-year-old outfielder picked up 80 hits, 49 RBI and 23 home runs while nabbing 11 stolen bases.

Paredes, the 25-year-old infielder who headlines the Astros' return, finished the season hitting .238 with 19 home runs. He began the season in Tampa but was traded to Chicago at the trade deadline. Paredes plays third and first base and will be a versatile infielder for the Astros. Houston will be Paredes' fourth MLB team in his short career.

Wesneski, who has a career 3.93 ERA, made his MLB debut with Chicago in 2022. The right-handed pitcher was optioned to the minors at the start of the 2024 season.

Smith was Chicago's first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, with the Cubs selecting him 14th overall out of Florida State.

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 might opt to trade for Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger, now that Chicago has brought in another strong outfielder, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, and might also make a play for former Astro and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.

What to make of this deal?

What the Cubs have lacked in recent years has been a true, difference-making bat in the middle of their lineup. They haven’t had one since the days of Kris Bryant. Now Tucker provides exactly that — a player who can produce consistently on offense and carry a lineup for weeks at a time. And with other teams in the National League having game-changing players, including Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., Soto and Francisco Lindor, and the Dodgers’ three MVPs, Chicago now has an answer.

The addition of Tucker also immediately makes the Cubs better on defense. With Tucker presumably in right field, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center and Ian Happ in left, you can make the case that the Cubs have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball. What the team will do with outfielders Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki still needs to be figured out, but this deal gives Chicago moveable assets to continue to improve the roster.

And in the aftermath of this trade, the Cubs have even more incentive to keep improving. The next step for Chicago will be to land one more starting pitcher; they’ve been active in the free-agent and trade markets for starters. Adding a high-leverage arm or two in the bullpen is also a significant need and would really put a stamp on what is shaping up to be an impactful winter for the Cubs. Read more. — Dorsey