HOUSTON – The Houston Astros have traded star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Isaac Paredes, prospect Cam Smith and pitcher Hayden Wesneski, according to multiple league sources.
Tucker was in the final year of his contract with the Astros, and sources believe would command at least $400 million in his free agency. The largest contract ever offered by the Astros is less than half of that. By moving Tucker, Houston has added to a farm system widely seen as barren with a top (50) / (100) prospect in MLB, according to MLB Pipeline.
The Astros have long coveted Paredes, according to sources, noting his versatility on the infield and pull-side power that fits well at the newly-renamed Daikin Park. Paredes can play both third base, and first base, and would be Houston’s third baseman if the team is unable to retain Alex Bregman. As of now, the Astros are still working to sign Bregman, league sources say.
Paredes struggled after being traded from Tampa Bay to the Cubs, putting up just a .633 OPS in Chicago. Paredes finished 2024 with a .739 OPS overall and 19 home runs between the two teams. His career OPS+ is 113, or 13 percent above league average as a hitter.
Tucker missed half of 2024 after fouling a ball of his shin and suffering a stress fracture. In his limited time, the outfielder was one of the best hitters in baseball, hitting 23 home runs and hitting for an OPS of .993. Tucker is a career 139 OPS+ hitter, a Gold Glove award winner, three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner.
Prospect infielder Cam Smith was the Cubs No. 1 draft, picked 14th overall in 2024, and rose quickly through the Cubs system, making it all the way to Double-A in his first professional season at age 21. Smith hit to a 1.004 OPS in his first 32 professional games. Smith is ranked the 73rd overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Cubs sources tell KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander that as a person, Smith’s character and makeup are extremely well thought of and that they loved him.
It’ll be a homecoming for right-hander Wesneski, who is from Cypress. He pitched for Cy-Fair and then went on to Sam Houston State. Wesneski is best known for his sweeper and has a fastball in the mid-90s. His average fastball velocity last year was 94 mph.
December 10, 2024: Hayden Wesneski and his fiancé celebrating in The Woodlands with family and friends. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
The Astros drafted Tucker with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, and he made his MLB debut in July 2018. In his seven seasons in the big leagues, Tucker tallied three All-Star selections, three All-MLB Second Team selections, a Gold Glove Award, and a Silver Slugger Award. He also played a monumental role in the Astros’ 2022 World Series championship run.
Tucker is only under contract until the conclusion of the 2025 MLB season, and he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. He will almost certainly be in the market for a long-term, nine-figure extension, so any team that isn’t prepared to meet Tucker at that number will likely view the 2025 season as a rental.
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