The Chicago Cubs have acquired Right Fielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in a blockbuster trade. In exchange for Tucker coming to Chicago, the team shipped out Infielder Isaac Paredes, Pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and Third Baseman Cam Smith. Tucker is a three-time MLB All-Star, Gold Glove winner, and a former Silver Slugger. He also won the 2022 World Series as a member of the Houston Astros.
Tucker had an injury-plagued 2024 regular season as he was limited to only 78 games with a shin fracture that sidelined him for over three months. He returned in early September for the final month of the regular season and the Houston Astros playoff run. He went 0-of-7 during Houston’s series against the Detroit Tigers. Tucker hit .289 during the regular season with 23 home runs and 49 RBI. He was having a tremendous regular season before going down with an injury. How will Tucker fit in with the Chicago Cubs in 2025?
Kyle Tucker’s Fit With the Chicago Cubs
Chicago finished the regular season 83-79 and missed the MLB Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Chicago’s was middling in 2024. They were 17th in batting average, 20th in home runs, and 12th in runs scored. Tucker, if he can be healthy in 2025, will surely provide the Chicago Cubs offense with a shot in the arm.
Final Thoughts
Tucker comes over to the Cubs after reportedly being denied a contract extension by the Houston Astros. It remains unclear if the Chicago Cubs are willing to extend Tucker this offseason themselves. If not, Tucker will have one more season until he is a true free agent next offseason. Chicago is taking a gamble by trading away three key players for what could be only one season in the “Windy City” for a perennial all-star player.
