How the Astros could run the table as a Wild Card

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The crew from MLB Network takes a look at the current playoff landscape and shares their thoughts on how the Astros' experience could land them back in the World Series if they get into the postseason as a Wild Card.

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Kyle Tucker is heading to the Cubs. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images.

According to multiple reports, Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker has been traded to the Cubs. It appears that the Juan Soto contract added to growing concern that the club would not be able to reach agreement with Tucker long-term.

In return for Tucker, the Astros receiver infielder Isaac Parades, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and 3rd base prospect Cam Smith.

Parades can play both 3rd and 1st base, but his best position is 3rd, per Chandler Rome. Parades is 25 years old and hit .238 last season with 19 home runs and was an All-Star. His best season was in 2023, he blasted 31 dingers and had an OPS of .840.

He will be a free agent in 2028 and is a perfect fit for the Crawford Boxes, as he's a pull hitter.

Chandler Rome recently reported that Wesneski is a pitcher that "very much intrigued the Astros." He pitched out of the bullpen and started seven games for the Cubs last year, posting a 3.86 ERA over 67.2 innings. He also spent some time pitching for Triple A in 2024. Wesneski went to Cy-Fair high school in Houston, and is under team control for the next several years.

Smith is a 3rd base prospect that was drafted 14th overall out of Florida State in the 2024 draft. He hit .313 overall in three different levels of the minors last season.

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