The Houston Astros traded All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs on Friday in a deal could create a domino effect that could reverberate throughout the game.
It leads to the probable departure of All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman from Houston and the Cubs with former MVP Cody Bellinger.
The Astros are receiving third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third-base prospect Cam Smith for Tucker, according to an official with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports the condition of anonymity because the deal wasn’t yet official.
Just like that, it signals the Astros have given up on their pursuit of re-signing Bregman. They offered him a six-year, $156 million contract but he’s seeking in excess of $200 million.
The New York Yankees now are expected to put on a full-court press to sign Bregman and move Jazz Chisholm to second base, in what would be their latest big move since losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency.
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The Yankees also could turn around and trade for Bellinger, who’s being openly shopped, to play first base. The Yankees and Cubs have been in talks, but the Yankees want the Cubs to pay at least $10 million of the $32.5 million that Bellinger is owed for the 2025 season and his $25 million salary or $5 million buyout in 2026.
The Yankees had engaged in serious trade talks with the Astros for Tucker, but balked at their demand for Rookie of the Year Luis Gil and second-base prospect George Lombard Jr.
The Cubs’ deal for Tucker is reminiscent of the Yankees’ acquisition of Juan Soto a year ago, knowing that it might be only for one season. Tucker, 27, is expected to seek a contract north of $500 million next winter.
Certainly, the Yankees haven’t sat back and wallowed in their misery since losing out on Soto. They acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the day for starter Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin and $2 million, signed left-handed starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal last week, re-signed right-hander Jonathan Loaisga and now are in position to now land Bregman and Bellinger.
For the Cubs, who want to stay beneath the luxury tax, now have one of the premier players in the game in Tucker. Tucker averaged 30 homers with 104 RBI in 2021-2023 with an .870 OPS before playing in only 78 games last season because of a fractured shin.
The Astros, who have won two World Series, four pennants and reached the postseason eight consecutive years, believe the trade will enable them to still continue their dominance in the AL West. They now have a third baseman in Paredes who’s a dead pull hitter and can take advantage of the short left field porch in Houston, while acquiring a top prospect in Smith, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2024 draft. They also got pitching depth in Wesneski, 27, who has a career 3.93 ERA in 68 games.
Contributing: Steve Gardner
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