How Astros’ Paredes, Smith flipped the Kyle Tucker controversy on its head

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How Astros’ Paredes, Smith flipped the Kyle Tucker controversy on its head
Is it time to rethink the trade? Composite Getty Image.

The 2025 season hasn't gone according to script for the Houston Astros. Injuries, slumps, and a retooled roster have left fans asking whether this version of the Astros is underwhelming—or if, given all the turmoil, they might actually be overachieving.

When Houston dealt Kyle Tucker, a franchise cornerstone, the move raised eyebrows. Tucker was a consistent producer and an anchor in right field. In return, the Astros received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman now outfielder Cam Smith—players who didn’t bring the same star power but offered versatility and upside.

Paredes has delivered as advertised. He’s brought steady production at the plate and the ability to play a solid third base. While he may not be with the team beyond 2027 if the front office sticks to its recent pattern of letting players walk in free agency, his presence right now is stabilizing an otherwise inconsistent lineup.

Then there’s Cam Smith, who might be the real key to this deal. After a slow start and questions about whether he or Zach Dezenzo was the better option in right field, Smith has surged. Over the past 30 days, he’s hit north of .300 and shown signs of becoming a long-term fixture. The biggest question now is positional: Is he Houston’s future in right field, or could he eventually slide over to third base if/when Paredes departs? That decision will ripple through future roster planning and could define how this trade is remembered.

In the meantime, however, he’s shown flashes of being a quality everyday player. But it’s not uncommon for young hitters to take a step back after an initial surge. The Astros need him to keep proving it, but the potential is unmistakable.

Underwhelming or overachieving?

Elsewhere on the roster, the results are mixed. Players like Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini, who came into the season with modest expectations, have performed admirably. Meanwhile, stars like José Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Díaz have underperformed, leaving the offensive output uneven. Add in the extended absence of Yordan Álvarez and the loss of three-fifths of the starting rotation, and it's fair to say Houston has had more than its share of adversity.

King of the hill

One area where the Astros have arguably found a diamond in the rough is Bryan King. With a 1.52 ERA in 2025, King has passed the eye test as a potential long-term solution in high-leverage relief situations. He’s been more than capable, building on a solid 2.39 ERA in 2024. His performance has solidified his place in the bullpen, and he’s taken on ownership of his role. However, it’s important for the Astros to temper expectations, especially after the lessons learned from the Rafael Montero signing. King looks like the real deal, but he still has a ways to go before being considered a true elite option out of the 'pen.

What should we make of the Alex Bregman quad injury?

Bregman’s injury doesn’t really change the conversation around whether the Astros should have extended him. If anything, it highlights the complexity of roster decisions. Houston could’ve kept Bregman, shifted Paredes to first base, and potentially avoided spending big on Christian Walker. But injuries are part of the game—Yordan Álvarez has missed nearly half the season, and no one’s suggesting the Astros should regret signing him. Kyle Tucker missed significant time last year, too, and he’s about to land a massive contract. Players get hurt. That’s baseball.

Moving forward

While the Astros have struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, they have managed to remain competitive—perhaps even overachieving given the circumstances. The team's depth, the surprising performances from certain players, and the emergence of promising new talent have allowed them to hold their ground, currently possessing a Wild Card spot in the AL if the season were to end today.

There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

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Nick Chubb will make a great addition to Houston's backfield. Photo via: Wiki Commons.

Over the weekend, reports emerged linking the Texans and four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, with mutual interest in a potential deal.

The contract is expected to be a one-year, incentive-heavy deal, but it’s contingent on Chubb passing a physical. He’s working his way back from a severe knee injury suffered in 2023, followed by a broken foot that sidelined him for the final three games of the 2024 season.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Chubb has passed his physical, so a deal should be official in short order.

Impact on the offense

If Chubb can return to anything close to the player he was before the knee injury, this will give the Texans offense a tremendous lift. Chubb, still only 29 years old, is one of the best backs in the league when he's right. Chubb rushed for 996 yards in his rookie season, and then ripped off four-straight seasons with over 1,000 yards. With his best year in 2022 (1,525 yards) before blowing out his knee in Week 2 of 2023.

Pairing Chubb with Joe Mixon could create a dynamic duo in Houston's backfield. And should Mixon miss time like he did in 2024 with an ankle injury, Chubb could step in without the offense missing a beat.

Chubb could also make a big impact in goal line situations. At 227 pounds, he's a big load for defenders to take down.

One thing is for sure, if the Texans make this deal official, nobody can say the front office isn't doing their best to surround CJ Stroud with top level talent this season. With a revamped offensive line and a slew of new playmakers, we should expect the Texans to get the offense back on track in 2025 and beyond.

Official!

It's a done deal, per KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. A one-year contract worth up to $5 million.


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