CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are buying All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a commerce with the Houston Astros, paying an enormous value for one among baseball’s finest hitters.
The Astros introduced the commerce on Friday afternoon.
The Cubs are sending third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one among their prime infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who’s eligible without spending a dime company after the 2025 season.
Tucker was restricted to 78 video games this yr due to a fractured proper shin, however he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. He batted .284 with 29 homers, an AL-best 112 RBIs and 30 steals for Houston in 2023.
Tucker, who turns 28 on Jan. 17, joins a crowded scenario in Chicago’s outfield, however the Cubs are reportedly seeking to commerce Cody Bellinger, who can also play first base. Additionally they have talked to Seiya Suzuki’s agent in regards to the outfielder’s no-trade clause.
The Cubs have completed second within the NL Central with an 83-79 report in every of the previous two years, and there may be elevated strain on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to get the workforce again into the playoffs for the primary time since 2020.
Paredes is an possibility for Houston at third base if Alex Bregman departs in free company. The 25-year-old Paredes hit .238 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 153 video games this yr. He made the AL All-Star workforce with Tampa Bay after which was traded to Chicago in July.
Wesneski, a Houston native who performed faculty ball for Sam Houston State in Huntsville, seemingly will compete for a spot within the Astros’ rotation.
The correct-hander, who turned 27 on Dec. 5, went 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA over 21 aid appearances and 7 begins this yr. He was on the injured listing from July 20 to Sept. 20 with a proper forearm pressure.
Houston is hoping the addition of Paredes and Wesneski will assist the workforce proceed its spectacular run as one among baseball’s finest groups. It has made the playoffs for eight straight years, successful the World Collection in 2017 and 2022. It was swept by Detroit within the wild-card spherical this yr.
Whereas Paredes and Wesneski may have an instantaneous influence, Smith additionally was a key part of the deal.
Smith, 21, was chosen by Chicago with the No. 14 decide on this yr’s draft out of Florida State College. He hit .313 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 32 video games over three minor league stops, ending the yr with Double-A Knoxville.
Tucker was Houston’s first-round decide in 2015, taken No. 5 total. He made his massive league debut with the Astros in 2018.
Tucker had a breakout efficiency three years after his debut, hitting a career-best .294 with 30 homers and 92 RBIs in 140 video games in 2021. He gained a Gold Glove the next yr.
The Tampa, Florida, native is a .274 hitter with 125 homers, 417 RBIs and an .869 OPS in 633 profession video games — all with Houston. He additionally has appeared in 64 postseason video games, batting .229 with eight homers and 28 RBIs.
