The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star outfield from the Houston Astros for third baseman Isaac Paredes, righthanded pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith. Tucker, who turns 28 in January, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Cubs do not currently have any plans to extend his contract. He has a career .274 average and .870 OPS. Last year was his fourth full season at the major league level.

Tucker is expected to play right field for the Cubs this season with Seiya Suzuki spending most of his time as the designated hitter. The Cubs have a bit of a crowded outfield right now with Tucker, Suzuki, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Cody Bellinger. Chicago is rumored to be shopping Bellinger with the New York Yankees being a possible destination.

Paredes, who the Cubs acquired ahead of last year’s trade deadline, is expected to play third for the Astros as they are not expected to re-sign free agent Alex Bregman. Paredes has an extremely pull-heavy approach which will play well with the short left field porch at Minute Maid Park. Paredes had 31 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2023 but has failed to reach 30 in the last two seasons.

Wesneski pitched to a 3.86 ERA last season bouncing back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen. He made seven starts and pitched a total of 67.2 innings. He was haunted by the home run ball last season giving up 12 in those 67.2 innings.

Smith was the 14th pick of the 2024 MLB Draft. MLB.com has him as the seventh-best prospect in the Cubs organization. He homered in six straight games last year at Single-A Myrtle Beach.