DALLAS – Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and corner infielder Isaac Paredes are two players the Houston Astros are targeting in a possible trade for right fielder Kyle Tucker, sources briefed on the discussions told The Athletic on Wednesday.
Talks are fluid, and the teams have exchanged a variety of names. Any Cubs package for Tucker, 27, likely would include prospects as well. Third baseman Cam Smith, Chicago’s first-round pick in 2024, is another player in whom the Astros are interested.
Suzuki might be out of reach for the Astros. The Cubs are highly unlikely to move him, a league source said, and seemingly prefer to deal first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger in a separate trade. But the Astros’ interest in Suzuki and Paredes signals the team wants to remain competitive even if it trades Tucker and loses free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, with whom they are negotiating.
“Dana and I continue to talk and we’re making every attempt,” Tucker’s agent, Scott Boras, said Wednesday, referring to Astros general manager Dana Brown. “We know that Breggy plays really, really well there with a great group of teammates and remarkable history that few teams enjoy. We continue to talk about it.”
The Astros could part with Tucker, who is eligible for free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what happens with Bregman. In the wake of Juan Soto’s record $765 million deal with the New York Mets, Tucker figures to command a contract of at least $400 million to $500 million. Astros owner Jim Crane has consistently resisted signing players to monster deals, which is the reason Bregman might be the next Houston star to depart.
The New York Yankees and a number of other clubs also are pursuing Tucker, a three-time All-Star and former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner. The Yankees might not want a repeat of what happened with Soto, for whom they gave up a major package, then lost on the open market. But they also are trying to return to the World Series and – in the wake of signing free-agent left-hander Max Fried – possibly could include American League Rookie of the Year winner Luis Gil in a package for Tucker, as first suggested by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.
Paredes, projected to earn $6.9 million in arbitration and under club control for three more seasons, is a notorious pull hitter who would be an ideal fit at Minute Maid Park. He could play third base if Bregman departs and first if Bregman stays. The Astros made a strong bid for him at last year’s trade deadline, but the Cubs acquired Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays instead.
The Astros presumably want Suzuki, who is owed $38 million over the next two seasons, to replace Tucker in right field. Suzuki has a full no-trade clause, and his approval would be necessary to complete any deal.
Tucker is projected to earn more than $15 million in his final year of arbitration. According to Fangraphs, he has accumulated 20.9 wins above replacement since becoming a full-time player in 2020 – fourth among outfielders only to Soto, Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts.
(Top photo of Kyle Tucker: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
