When the Chicago Cubs traded for Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker this offseason, they had to give up a lot in return. In addition to infielder Isaac Paredes and reliever Hayden Wesneski - both experienced major leaguers - Chicago parted ways with third baseman Cam Smith, the club's first-round pick in last year’s draft.
That would be a fine price to pay for a long-term middle-of-the-order bat, but since Tucker still hasn't signed an extension with the Cubs, the 28-year-old slugger remains an impending free agent.
Adding to that is Houston's recent decision that Smith, after only a few months of minor league ball, will begin the season as part of the 26-man roster. Chandler Rome of The Athletic had the news first:
Not only did Chicago trade a Top 100 MLB prospect, but they also traded someone who could have been playing at Wrigley Field this Summer for a possible rental.
Smith's swift rise to the majors is practically unheard of. Rome reported that he is the third-fastest player to make an Opening Day roster after being drafted, based on games played in the minors. The 22-year-old hit .313 this spring and, ideally, will immediately help fill the gap left by Alex Bregman's departure to Boston.
So, where does this leave the Cubs and Tucker?
If anything, it gives Tucker even more leverage on ownership to give him a new contract, and his terms could increase as the season goes on, depending on his and Smith's respective performances. Tucker's bat will be even more important after the club flipped Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees, as even in a rather weak NL Central, the Cubs have missed the playoffs the past two years.
Chicago began the season in a bit of a hole, losing both games of the Tokyo Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They'll face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game series, starting Thursday, March 27 at 9pm CDT.
