The Cubs beefed up their lineup with one of the best all-around bats in the game on December 13. Kyle Tucker, a three-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion, was acquired via trade by the Cubs for three players. Among the notable players going to the Astros were prospect Cam Smith and third baseman Isaac Paredes.
The Cubs’ Return
- OF Kyle Tucker (.289/.408/.585, 23 HR and 36 XBH over 78 G)
There’s not much to be said about Kyle Tucker’s career thus far, other than the 27-year-old has been one of the best all-around bats over the past four seasons.
From 2021-24, Tucker recorded two 30-home run campaigns, drove in a AL-high 112 runs in 2023, and was on pace for a career season in 2024 before a shin contusion sidelined for a good chunk of the year.
Tucker, despite only playing 78 games, managed to hit 23 home runs and posted a .993 OPS for the Astros.
The new Cub outfielder is a five-tool player. Tucker does significant damage thanks to plus bat speed (72.1 MPH), which helps him put up ridiculously-high barrel numbers. He posted 10+% Barrel% in each of the last four seasons.
As we noted on December 12, Tucker’s numbers over the last few seasons compared with the game’s best outfielders, including the recently-signed Juan Soto. Tucker’s .878 OPS was eighth-best among outfielders (min. 850 PA) from 2022-24, ranking along with likes of now-first baseman Bryce Harper (.894) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (.879).
Kyle Tucker will be a free agent after 2025.
The Astros’ Return
- 1B/3B Isaac Paredes (.238/.346/.393, 19 HR and 45 XBH over 153 G)
- 3B Cam Smith (.313/.396/.609, 7 HR and 16 XBH over 32 G)
- SP/RP Hayden Wesneski (3.86 ERA, 67 K over 67.2 IP)
There were rumors that Houston was in on Isaac Paredes this past summer after Tampa expressed interest in moving the 25-year-old. Paredes was eventually traded to Chicago (NL) but now ends up in the Space City after all.
Paredes hit 16 home runs and 36 extra-base hits over 101 games in Tampa before the trade. But after his return to the Cubs organization, the corner infielder had just three home runs and nine extra-base hits over the final two months. Paredes posted a .633 OPS in Chicago.
The 25-year-old infielder was a natural fit in Tampa, as Tropicana Field has a very short left field porch. Paredes is an extreme fly-ball and pull hitter and his 51.9% Pull% was third-highest in 2024 (min. 400 PA). The only two players with higher pull rates were Carlos Santana and Rhys Hoskins.
The stadium formerly known as Minute Maid Park has a 315 foot porch in left field, the same as the Trop. Which, is very interesting for obvious reasons.
Paredes’ career high in home runs is 31 (2023).
The player with the highest upside in this trade is Cam Smith, the Cubs’ first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Smith had an interesting college career at Florida State. The 21-year-old hit 12 home runs in his freshman season at Tallahassee but struck out 66 times over 51 games and only hit .258. Smith deployed a very long swing, which led to obvious concern over how much he could hit at the next level.
Then, things turned. Smith hit .347 at the Cape in 2023 and was one of the circuit’s best players. He then hit .387 (1.142 OPS) with 16 home runs in his sophomore season, then rolled on with a 1.004 OPS in the Minors. Smith ended 2024 in Double-A.
Smith has shortened up his swing considerably since 2023, as the hands don’t really go far back at all. And, his performance in 2024 did take away some of the concern his new approach would lead to lost pop.
The last piece involved in this deal is Hayden Wesneski. Wesneski was acquired two years ago from the Yankees for Scott Effross. Since then, the righty has gotten time as a starter and reliever.
His numbers as a starter (.657 OPS) weren’t bad. Although, the Cubs preferred to use Wesneski as a reliever. The 27-year-old works with a mid-90s fastball that plays up with extension, as well as a sweeper with hard side-spinning movement that runs away from right-handed hitters. Additionally, Wesneski uses a sinker, cutter, and changeup.
Wesneski was born in Houston, Texas in 1997.
Analysis
The Cubs didn’t have problems getting runners on base last season. Chicago (NL) ranked 10th in baseball last season in on-base percentage (.317). However, the Cubs lacked slug. Chicago hitters ranked 17th in SLG (.393) and roughly average in wRC+ (101).
While Chicago had seven players in double-digits in home runs, three had 20+ home runs: Michael Busch, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ. Several of their relied-upon veterans, Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger, had down years. Tucker, upon the finalization of the deal, easily becomes the Cubs’ best power hitter.
With Tucker, the Cubs now have a premier bat with 30+ home run potential and one who gives Craig Counsell options with lineup configuration. He could slot in the #2 hole, maximizing the amount of plate appearances he gets and puts him in a spot to get on base and drive in the leadoff man. Or, put him in the #3 hole.
However, how he’s ultimately used could depend on who moves out after the Tucker pickup.
With Tucker in the fold, it likely pushes Suzuki — who’s had some hiccups in the outfield over the years — in the DH slot if he’s not moved. Suzuki has been a potential trade target, as has Cody Bellinger. Bellinger is more likely to be moved now, as Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong slot in to fill the rest of the Cubs’ outfield.
As for the Astros, the move gives Houston a replacement for Alex Bregman at third in Paredes. He could also play first, something to watch with Cam Smith near the MLB level. It also leaves a massive hole in right field, as Tucker was the ‘Stros second-best bat behind Yordan Alvarez.
The Kyle Tucker-Cubs trade was the second notable move on December 13. The other saw the Yankees, who were also reportedly in on Tucker, acquire closer Devin Williams.