Outfielder Kyle Tucker is in his eighth major-league season and his first with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs and Houston Astros executed a blockbuster trade in December 2024, sending Tucker to Chicago for infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith.
Houston chose to part with Tucker and capitalize on his arbitration-year value. His arrival instantly bolstered a Cubs outfield that had lacked consistent run production the previous season.
Over seven seasons in Houston, the 28-year-old outfielder established himself as one of the game’s most consistently great hitters. He earned three All-Star selections, won both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove, and played a pivotal role in the Astros’ postseason runs, including their 2022 World Series championship.
On Tuesday, the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5–2, improving to 50–35 on the season.
Before the game, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said, “Kyle is the kind of player you want to keep. We’ll talk with Casey [Close] when the time comes, but every negotiation requires a clear valuation. I don't think that (Cam Smith's play) changes anything," per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
Selected 14th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by Chicago, Smith has been a bright spot for Houston this season—batting .276 with a .776 OPS and belting seven homers.
Tucker’s performance this season has been exceptional. He’s batting .291 with a .931 OPS—both above his career averages—while showcasing his plate discipline and power consistency.
Chicago has surged behind Tucker, sitting 15 games over .500 atop the NL Central and chasing its first division title since 2020. He currently ranks third in NL outfielder All-Star Game voting, trailing only teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ronald Acuña Jr.
If Tucker continues to excel down the stretch, the Cubs have made it clear he’s a part of their future—at the right price—and that Smith’s strong rookie campaign won’t factor into those talks.
