DALLAS — The Chicago Cubs are currently discussing a potential trade with the Houston Astros that would send Kyle Tucker to Wrigley Field, where he could transform their offense and raise his profile toward a superstar level.
The Cubs already submitted their introductory presentation to Roki Sasaki’s representatives, hoping their credibility and connections with Japanese players help them land one of the most talented pitchers in the world.
Even before the start of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Cubs had signed a starting pitcher (Matthew Boyd), traded for a reliever (Eli Morgan) and zeroed in on their next catcher (Carson Kelly).
Compared to last winter — when the Cubs didn’t sign a major-league free agent or make a significant trade until the middle of January — president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer appears to be working with a greater sense of urgency.
“It’s a faster pace this offseason,” Hoyer said Wednesday in a suite at the Hilton Anatole. “I don’t think it’s just us. I think it’s everything. Last offseason felt exceptionally deliberate. This offseason, things are happening quicker.”
Why trading Isaac Paredes would make sense
It may seem odd to hear Isaac Paredes’ name in the Tucker trade rumors just months after the Cubs acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays. Paredes fit the long-term plans on the North Side and filled an immediate need at third base. But these types of opportunities to acquire a star talent on an expiring deal rarely come along.
The Cubs haven’t been well-suited to pursue these types of deals in recent years. Timing, fit and a lack of prospect depth meant they were never serious contenders to trade for Paul Goldschmidt, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor or Juan Soto.
The Cubs traded for Paredes knowing that his combination of power and patience would appeal to other teams, as would his three remaining seasons of club control. That overall package appeals to an Astros team that expects to stay in contention.
For the Cubs, the timing is perfect. The front office is in a win-now situation. The major-league roster is solid. The farm system is producing young talent.
The Cubs have passed on these opportunities too often. Now that another chance has come their way, not being aggressive to get a trade done would be a mistake.
Cubs already have a connection to Sasaki
The Cubs have been working on their recruiting pitch to Sasaki, league sources said, and the club is viewed as a viable contender for the Japanese pitcher at this preliminary stage. The process will be run by Joel Wolfe — the same Wasserman agent who represents Seiya Suzuki.
During Tuesday’s briefing with reporters, Wolfe revealed that Hoyer broached the idea of Suzuki waiving his no-trade clause. Going back to those contract negotiations when Suzuki decided to pursue MLB opportunities, Wolfe also suggested that the Japanese outfielder would not have signed with a team that envisioned him as a full-time designated hitter.
“I’ve got a great relationship with both Seiya and Joel,” Hoyer said. “We’ve had conversations about his role, DH-ing, all those things. But ultimately he’s a really good player. I expect him to be a Cub.”
Cody Bellinger leaving a foregone conclusion?
While Suzuki is unlikely to be moved this offseason, sources also indicated that a Cody Bellinger trade feels inevitable. The New York Yankees are a logical trade partner after Juan Soto chose the New York Mets and their monstrous 15-year, $765 million contract, though the Cubs may need some time for Bellinger’s market to develop. There are financial considerations and the Cubs aren’t looking to simply dump Bellinger’s contract.
“Jed told us that they have some roster configuration issues that they have examined,” agent Scott Boras said. “Cody and I have been talking a lot about it. Whenever the player is in this situation, there’s always an expectancy. But we also know that where Cody’s at in his career — where his contract is — he’s going to be going to a very competitive team if it happens. If he stays in Chicago, that’ll be a place where he’s very welcome.”
Former player of Craig Counsell a possible addition to Cubs pen
The Cubs haven’t hidden their plans to add more pitching. Both the starting rotation and bullpen are areas where the Cubs want to — at a minimum — create much more depth. Both the front office and Cubs manager Craig Counsell want to avoid the issues that plagued the bullpen early last season.
“We (ran into trouble) because we had massive injuries, and then we didn’t have depth behind it to fill in,” Counsell said. “I think very few teams go into seasons and say, ‘I’ve got it figured out with my bullpen.’ If you do, you’re going to cause some mistakes. Having a set of good answers and letting it sort itself out a little bit is generally the process that teams go through.”
There is a need for more certainty when it comes to their left-handed relievers. Sources said one reliever who has received real interest from the Cubs is former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Hoby Milner.
Milner spent the last four seasons in Milwaukee, where Counsell was his manager for three years. Milner worked at least 64 innings in each of the last three seasons with remarkably similar peripherals — a strikeout rate just under 24 percent and a walk rate just over 5 percent. His best season was in 2023 when he had a 1.82 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP.
Milner comes from a funky angle, and his age (he’ll turn 34 in January) and recent non-tender by the Brewers mean he will likely come at a reasonable price.
(Top photo of Paredes: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
