Bellinger or Suzuki Trade-Promoting Cubs giant Kyle Tucker..1 to 3 trade with Houston
Dec 14, 2024
|
|
The Cubs acquired right fielder Kyle Tucker through a trade with the Houston Astros on the 14th (Korea time) and gave up third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman and outfielder Cam Smith, ranked seventh in the team's prospect rankings. It's a one-on-three trade.
On the background of the trade, MLB.com said the Cubs have not advanced to the playoffs with only 83 wins in the last two consecutive years. The Cubs lineup was relatively thick, but they lacked a true slugger-centered hitter. Tucker will immediately add a great boost to coach Craig Counsell's batting lineup plan.
Tucker, who was drafted by Houston with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2015 draft, made his major league debut in 2018 and became a starting player in 2020. Having established himself as the main gun with 30 home runs in 2021, he stood tall as the top hitter with 30 home runs-107 RBIs in 2022 and 29 home runs-112 RBIs in 2023.
This season, he played only 78 games due to a fracture in his right shin for three months in early June, but he marked a batting average of 0.289, 23 home runs, 49 RBIs, 56 runs, and OPS of 0.993. bWAR was 4.7, higher than Dansby Swanson (4.0), who is ranked first in this category at this year's Cubs. For the third year in a row, he won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger as an All-Star.
Tucker will be an FA at the end of next season, so the Cubs are expected to be motivated naturally. He was born in January 1997 and will soon turn 28 years old, and there is also a possibility of an extension contract before becoming an FA.
|
|
MLB.com said that Bellinger and Suzuki shared right field and designated hitter, especially Bellinger also played center field and first base, and both Bellinger and Suzuki have been mentioned as parties to this offseason trade rumors. With Tucker's addition, additional deals are expected.
In the case of Bellinger, there is a possibility that he will go to the New York Yankees, and it is true that the Yankees, who missed Juan Soto, need to reinforce the left-handed slugger, but it is unclear whether he will bring him in a trade because he has a history of reviewing Bellinger, who was an FA last winter and turning a blind eye.
With Paredes out, the Cubs will be vacant for third base, but MLB.com predicted that Matt Shaw, the No. 1 prospect in MLB Pipeline, will become the third baseman in next year's opening game. Paredes batted .238 with 19 homers, 90 RBIs and an OPS of 0.739 in 153 appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cubs this season.
Wesneski pitched 67 ⅔ innings in 28 games (seven starts) this year, posting 3-6 losses, two holds, 21 walks, 67 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA.
Smith, who was drafted by the Cubs as the 14th overall pick in the first round of this year's draft, played in 32 games in Single-A and Double-A at the age of 21, batting .313 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs and 1.004 OPS, showing the quality of a big shot.
jhno@sportschosun.com
