Astros, Cubs discuss possible trade involving Kyle Tucker, Isaac Paredes

DALLAS — Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and area infielder Isaac Paredes are 2 players the Houston Astros are targeting successful a imaginable waste and acquisition for correct fielder Kyle Tucker, sources briefed connected the discussions told The Athletic connected Wednesday.

Talks are fluid, and the teams person exchanged a assortment of names. Any Cubs package for Tucker, 27, apt would see prospects arsenic well. Third baseman Cam Smith, Chicago’s first-round prime successful 2024, is different subordinate successful whom the Astros are interested.

Suzuki mightiness beryllium retired of scope for the Astros. A convention root said that the Cubs are highly improbable to move him, and they seemingly for illustration to woody first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger successful a abstracted trade. But the Astros’ liking successful Suzuki and Paredes signals the squad wants to stay competitory moreover if it trades Tucker and loses free-agent 3rd baseman Alex Bregman, pinch whom they are negotiating.

“Dana and I proceed to talk and we’re making each attempt,” Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, said Wednesday, referring to Astros wide head Dana Brown. “We cognize that Breggy plays really, really good location pinch a awesome group of teammates and singular history that fewer teams enjoy. We proceed to talk astir it.”

The Astros could portion pinch Tucker, who is eligible for free agency astatine the extremity of adjacent season, sloppy of what happens pinch Bregman. In the aftermath of Juan Soto’s grounds $765 cardinal woody pinch the New York Mets, Tucker figures to bid a statement of astatine slightest $400 cardinal to $500 million. Astros proprietor Jim Crane has consistently resisted signing players to monster deals, which is why Bregman mightiness beryllium the adjacent Houston prima to depart.

The New York Yankees and respective different clubs besides are pursuing Tucker, a three-time All-Star and erstwhile Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner. The Yankees mightiness not want a repetition of what happened pinch Soto, for whom they gave up a awesome package, past mislaid connected the unfastened market. But they besides are trying to return to the World Series and — successful the aftermath of signing free-agent left-hander Max Fried — perchance could see American League Rookie of the Year victor Luis Gil successful a package for Tucker, arsenic first suggested by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.

Paredes, projected to gain $6.9 cardinal successful arbitration and nether nine power for 3 much seasons, is simply a notorious propulsion hitter who would beryllium an perfect fresh astatine Minute Maid Park. He could play 3rd guidelines if Bregman departs and first guidelines if Bregman stays. The Astros made a beardown bid for him astatine past year’s waste and acquisition deadline, but the Cubs acquired Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays instead.

The Astros presumably want Suzuki, who is owed $38 cardinal complete the adjacent 2 seasons, to switch Tucker successful correct field. Suzuki has a afloat no-trade clause, and his support would beryllium basal to complete immoderate deal.

Tucker is projected to gain much than $15 cardinal successful his last twelvemonth of arbitration. According to Fangraphs, he has accumulated 20.9 wins supra replacement since becoming a full-time subordinate successful 2020 — 4th among outfielders only to Soto, Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts.

(Top photograph of Kyle Tucker: Nick Cammett / Diamond Images via Getty Images)