The Houston Astros made a surprising move this offseason by trading star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, a decision that could significantly impact their lineup in 2025. This trade leaves the Astros with a considerable gap in their outfield, an area they were already struggling with before the trade. Tucker's departure marks a departure from the Astros' usual approach of letting homegrown players test free agency, as seen with George Springer and Carlos Correa.

While fans may be disappointed to see Tucker go, analysts are optimistic about the return package. The Astros acquired veteran third baseman Isaac Paredes, who could fill in for Alex Bregman, and pitcher Hayden Wesneski, who will help offset the loss of Yusei Kikuchi and the potential exit of Justin Verlander. However, the standout of the trade is prospect Cam Smith, a first-round pick from the 2024 MLB draft. Smith has already made a name for himself with impressive stats in his early professional career and is now the top prospect in the Astros' system.