It’s been quite a Friday for MLB trades, and this one involves a true star.
Kyle Tucker, the Houston Astros outfielder coming off of a shorter year due to injury, is off to the Chicago Cubs, who get an elite, young left-handed bat. The Cubs might think they’re contenders in the NL Central given this move between a pretty good rotation and a bolstered lineup.
As for the Astros? They got a decent return, but if they lose Tucker and free agent star Alex Bregman, it’s going to be a really rough offseason.
So who won or lost this trade? As we do all the time, we’re handing out grades for each side:
Astros and Cubs trade details
Astros get: 3B Isaac Paredes, SP Hayden Wesneski, 3B Cam Smith
Cubs get: OF Kyle Tucker
Astros grade
So here’s the thing: Kyle Tucker is on his way to getting PAID next year. And if you’re the Astros and you’re not sure if you can retain a young slugger like Tucker and you just saw Juan Soto sign with a new team, you might not love to lose him for nothing.
That’s why they’re acting now. Paredes has knocked in runs in his young career even if his batting average isn’t great. Wesneski has shown some effectiveness on the mound. And Smith is a top-10 prospect in the Cubs’ organization.
But … could they have done better elsewhere? Is this really the best deal for a name like Tucker? It doesn’t feel like the greatest of returns, even though their leverage was capped by Tucker’s impending free agency.
GRADE: B-minus
Cubs grade
WOW. If the Cubs think they’re contenders in 2025 with this move, then it’s intriguing. Or if they’re grabbing Tucker thinking they could sign him long term, then it’s also intriguing.
That said, I’m not sure Chicago is good enough to do either. But when a superstar of this caliber is available and you don’t have to give up THAT much, you roll the dice.
GRADE: B-plus
