This deal has been rumored for a couple of days now, and though it has not officially been announced by the Cubs or Astros, it appears that it’s about to happen:
Cubs close to acquiring Kyle Tucker from the Astros for a package led by IF Isaac Paredes. RHP Hayden Wesneski and 3B prospect Cam Smith also in play, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2024
UPDATE:
BREAKING: The Chicago Cubs have acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, sources tell ESPN. Deal is done.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 13, 2024
UPDATE: The three players noted in Ken Rosenthal’s tweet are, in fact, the three players headed to Houston.
This trade also takes two players off the 40-man roster (Paredes and Wesneski) and adds one (Tucker), so this could make room for the recently-rumored signing of Carson Kelly.
Kyle Tucker was one of the best players in the American League from 2021-23, posting seasons over 5 bWAR each year, with two 30-HR seasons and one of 29, along with a Gold Glove award.
Tucker was on pace for the best year of his career in 2024, potentially being a candidate for AL MVP, batting .266/.395/.584 with 19 home runs in just 60 games when he had a right shin fracture that kept him out for three months. Returning in September, Tucker batted .365/.453/.587 with four home runs in 19 games that month and did play in the Wild Card series against the Tigers, going 0-for-8.
Tucker’s lefthanded bat should play well at Wrigley Field, presuming the ballpark returns to a more “normal” split in 2025, not the pitcher-friendly park it was much of 2024.
He made $12 million in 2024 and 2025 is his final arbitration-eligible season. and is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $15.8 million in 2025.
Isaac Paredes should hit very well at Minute Maid Park (which will be renamed Daikin Park on Jan. 1). His pull-friendly hitting should work well with the Crawford Boxes at that ballpark.
Cam Smith was the Cubs’ No. 1 pick (14th overall) this past July, and batted .313/.396/.609 in 32 games combined between Myrtle Beach, South Bend and Tennessee. Those are good numbers, but a small sample size. He was probably ticketed for Tennessee in 2025. While Smith looks like a great prospect, getting Tucker for him and Paredes looks like a really good deal for the Cubs.
Hayden Wesneski always had a lot of potential and good stuff, but could never put together a really good season for the Cubs. He turned 27 last week and the Cubs have other guys in the pipeline who could take his place. He leaves the Cubs having posted a 3.93 ERA and 1.1 bWAR in 68 games (22 starts) over the last three seasons as a Cub.
There are three other things to consider.
First, this likely increases the chances that Cody Bellinger will be traded, because Bellinger was the Cubs’ likely right fielder in 2025. The Cubs don’t need both Bellinger and Tucker, and perhaps could deal Bellinger for some pitching help.
Second, and perhaps more importantly: Can the Cubs sign Tucker to a long-term contract extension? Tucker’s been quoted as saying he wants to test free agency, and of course that’s his right. His agent, Casey Close, has done the “trade and extend” thing before with Paul Goldschmidt when Goldschmidt was traded to the Cardinals, so perhaps that can happen again. Close is also Kyle Schwarber’s agent, for whatever that’s worth.
Third, who plays third? Without Paredes, the position is wide open. I’d think Matt Shaw would be penciled in to play there — unless the Cubs have other deals in mind. As always, we await developments.
Acquiring Tucker is a positive thing for the Cubs and this appears to be a very good trade. I will update this article when there’s more definitive information.
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