(670 The Score) The Cubs have finally landed the star hitter that they’ve lacked in recent seasons, taking a big Yankees trade target off the board in the process.
In a splash move, the Cubs have acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Astros, according to multiple reports Friday afternoon. The 27-year-old Tucker is a three-time All-Star in his prime who holds a .870 OPS for his career.
In return, the Cubs traded third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cami Smith back to the Astros, according to reports. The deal is pending medicals.
Tucker is coming off a 2024 season in which he hit .289 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs and a .993 OPS in 78 games. Tucker was sidelined for several months due to a shin fracture.
Tucker was fifth in the American League MVP race in 2023, when he hit .284 with 29 homers, 112 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and an .886 OPS in 157 games.
Tucker is also a strong defender, having won a Gold Glove in 2022.
Tucker has a 139 OPS+ in his seven-year MLB career. That means he has been 39% better than league average in that department.
Tucker has one year of contract control left before free agency looms. He’s projected to make $15.8 million in 2025 through the arbitration system, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The Cubs will surely be interested in signing him to a long-term contract, but the expectation is that he’ll enter free agency after the 2025 season. Around MLB, many expect Tucker’s next contract to approach or surpass $400 million.
The largest contract the Cubs have ever handed out is a $184-million deal to outfielder Jason Heyward ahead of the 2016 season.
The Cubs acquired Paredes from the Rays last July just before the trade deadline. Paredes was an All-Star in 2024, but he struggled after arriving in Chicago, hitting just .223 with three homers and a .633 OPS in 52 games for the Cubs. Paredes hit 31 homers with an .840 OPS in 143 games for Tampa Bay in 2023.
Paredes is under contract control through 2027. He’s projected to make $6.9 million in 2025 through the arbitration system.
Wesneski, 27, had a 3.86 ERA in 28 appearances for the Cubs in 2024, which included seven starts. He has a career 3.93 ERA in three MLB seasons.
The 21-year-old Smith was selected by the Cubs at No. 14 overall in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He hit .313 with seven homers and a 1.004 OPS in 32 games across three minor league levels after joining the Cubs’ system. Smith is rated as the 73rd-best prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.