Astros trade star outfielder Kyle Tucker to Cubs

According to reports on Friday, the Chicago Cubs are set to acquire talented outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros.

In exchange, the Astros will receive a package that includes infielder Isaac Paredes, along with right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third-base prospect Cam Smith, as reported by The Athletic.

Last season, Tucker, who is 27 years old, had an impressive batting average of .289, with 23 home runs and 49 RBIs in just 78 games.

Despite being an All-Star for the past three seasons, Tucker was sidelined for over three months this year due to a small fracture in his right shin, which he sustained while fouling a ball in early June.

He is expected to earn a minimum of $15 million in arbitration for the 2025 season and will become a free agent at the end of the year.

Throughout his career with the Astros, which began in 2018, Tucker has played in 615 games and has a career batting average of .272, along with 121 home runs, 133 doubles, and 408 RBIs.

At just 21 years old, Smith is currently the seventh-ranked prospect in the Cubs' organization, according to MLB Pipeline. He was drafted in the first round earlier this year and primarily plays third base, but has also seen time in left field.

Paredes, who is 25 years old, has played at three different infield positions and hit 31 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. Last season, he hit a combined total of 19 home runs for the Rays and Cubs. Paredes was acquired by the Cubs in July in exchange for three players.

Paredes will not become a free agent until 2028 and originally signed with the Cubs for $500,000 in 2015.