Cubs could pair $174 million All-Star with Kyle Tucker after stunner

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The Chicago Cubs reportedly pulled off a massive move on Friday.

Some have been wondering when the Cubs were going to make a big move this offseason. Chicago won just 83 games in 2024 after signing Craig Counsell to a historic deal to manage the team. Clearly, the Cubs haven’t been trying to enter a rebuild but things didn’t work out in 2024.

The Cubs haven’t landed a big-name free agent yet, but they did reportedly pull off the biggest trade of the offseason so far on Friday. Chicago reportedly swung a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros on Friday to land three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“Breaking: The Chicago Cubs have acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, sources tell ESPN,” Passan said. “Deal is done.”

This is a game-changing move for Chicago. Tucker is one of the top outfielders in baseball. Plus, he won’t be that expensive in 2025. He’s going to make just over $16 million before hitting free agency after the season. This is a similar scenario to what the New York Yankees were in with Juan Soto, but Tucker’s future is a question for another time.

The Cubs now have landed one superstar and should go after another to pair with him in free agency. Chicago has been linked to former New York Mets star Pete Alonso in the past and should go get him now. He’s projected to land a six-year, $174 million deal this offseason by Spotrac.

Chicago can still afford a deal like that, especially with Tucker not making a massive amount this season. One way to make things easier would be trading Cody Bellinger away to save some cash to throw at Alonso.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman even mentioned Chicago as a fit for Alonso on Thursday.

“I’d throw the Cubs in the mix there too,” Heyman said on his live stream for Bleacher Report. “I know I mentioned three or four other teams, but that’s a team that has been long rumored to be interested in Alonso so that makes very good sense.

Chicago struck by landing Tucker. The time is now to add another piece to pair with him.

More MLB: Cubs-Astros ‘gain momentum’ on franchise-altering blockbuster trade

Patrick McAvoy’s experiences include local and national sportswriting across baseball, football and basketball. He has provided coverage for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Philadelphia Eagles and Boston Celtics throughout his career. Outside of journalism, Patrick also has received a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Brandeis University and studied communication and business at Merrimack College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree.