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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer
The Chicago Cubs are acquiring Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Tucker, 27, possess a career .870 OPS over seven seasons with the Astros. He’s entering his final year of team control — meaning he’ll be a free agent after next season — where he’s likely to make around $18 million through the arbitration process.
He’ll become the Cubs starting right fielder with Seiya Suzuki relegated to designated hitter duty – at least for the moment. The team still employs INF/OF Cody Bellinger but he’s likely to be moved in a sperate trade, sources tell ESPN.
Tucker played in only 78 games last season due to a shin injury but instantly becomes the Cubs best player. The team has been searching for star quality production on offense and they may have found it in the three time all-star who finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 2023.
Paredes, 25, spent a half season with the Cubs after being acquired from the Rays last July. He’ll likely serve as a replacement for Alex Bregman at third base if he leaves Houston via free agency. Paredes is a dead pull hitter, useful for the short left field fences at Minute Maid Park. He hit 19 home runs last season, split between Tampa Bay and Chicago. He has a career .755 OPS over five big league seasons.
Wesneski, 27, has appeared in 68 career games for the Cubs, including 22 as a starter. He has a career 3.93 ERA pitching as a swing man over the last three seasons. He was acquired from the Yankees at the summer trade deadline in 2022.
Smith, 21, was the 14th overall pick out of Florida St. in last year’s amateur draft. He made headlines during his short pro debut, hitting home runs in six straight games for Single-A Myrtle Beach last August. He played mostly third base in college.