Houston sends All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs
HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have announced a significant trade deal, acquiring infielder Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and minor league infielder Cam Smith from the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Astros are sending outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Dana Brown.
Isaac Paredes, 25, has spent five seasons in the Major Leagues, playing for the Detroit Tigers (2020-21), Tampa Bay Rays (2022-24), and Chicago Cubs (2024). Last season, as an All-Star, Paredes batted .238 (129×542) with 64 runs, 25 doubles, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, and a .739 OPS (.346 OBP / .393 SLG) over 153 games with the Rays and Cubs. His standout season came in 2023 with the Rays, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 98 runs over 143 games, ranking second among AL third basemen in home runs. Defensively, Paredes split his time between third base (128 games) and first base (17 games) last season. Over his career, Paredes has a .232 batting average (357×1537) with 197 runs, 72 doubles, 72 home runs, 234 RBI, and a .755 OPS (.333 OBP/.422 SLG).
Hayden Wesneski, 27, posted a 3.86 ERA (29ER/67.2IP) with 67 strikeouts, 21 walks, a 1.14 WHIP, and a .215 opponent batting average in 28 appearances (including seven starts) for the Cubs last season. Over three seasons with the Cubs (2022-24), Wesneski has a 3.93 ERA (83ER/190IP) with 183 strikeouts, 60 walks, a 1.17 WHIP, and a .225 opponent batting average. A native of Houston, Wesneski attended Cypress-Fairbanks High School in Cypress, TX.
Cam Smith, 21, was the 14th overall pick in the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft, selected by the Cubs from Florida State University. In 32 minor league games, Smith batted .313 (36×115) with 20 runs, 7 home runs, 24 RBI, and a 1.005 OPS (.396 OBP / .609 SLG). Smith is rated as a top-100 prospect and the number seven overall prospect in the Cubs minor league system by MLB.com. Before being drafted, Smith batted .387 (104×269) in 66 games for Florida State with 16 home runs and 57 RBI, boasting a 1.142 OPS. Additionally, he played in the Cape Cod League in 2023 and was named the league’s Most Outstanding Pro Prospect.
Kyle Tucker, 27, had an impressive 2024 season, batting .289 (80×277) with 13 doubles, 23 home runs, 49 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .993 OPS over 78 games. In his seven seasons with the Astros, Tucker batted .274 (615×2241) with 135 doubles, 16 triples, 94 stolen bases, 125 home runs, 417 RBI, and a .870 OPS (.353 OBP / .516 SLG). Tucker is a 2022 World Series Champion, a three-time All-Star (2022-24), a Gold Glove Award winner (2022), and a Silver Slugger Award winner (2023).
