Does the Kyle Tucker-Isaac Paredes Trade Spell the End for Alex Bregman in Houston?

Yesterday, the Houston Astros traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, relief pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith.

Tucker, who turns 28 next month, was a first-round draft pick (and fifth overall in the nation) by the Astros during the 2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut during the 2018 season and became an everyday player during the COVID shortened 2020 season leading the AL in triples with 9. Tucker enjoyed back-to-back 100 RBI seasons with Houston in 2022 and 2023 - leading the league in the latter year. A shin fracture limited Tucker to only 78 games in 2024 but still slammed 23 HR in only 277 at bats. He has earned three consecutive AL All-Star Team selections, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and a World Series ring in 2022. Needless to say, the Cubs hope Tucker will be the key to getting the team back to the post-season for the first time since 2020.

The key player for the Astros is Paredes who split the 2024 season between Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs. Prior to the mid-season trade, Paredes had earned his first AL All-Star Team selection. His overall numbers (.238 AVG, 19 HR 80 RBI) were down from 2023 (.250 31 HR 98 RBI) but at 25 the best is yet to come for the Mexican born infielder.

The question is where the Astros plan to play Paredes. If it is at third base, then Alex Bregman has played his last game in a Houston uniform. Paredes can also play second base, but Jose Altuve isn't going anywhere. He can also play first base. But Paredes can play third base for the Astros for a lot less money than Bregman would command. It might be the case the Astros would rather have Bregman walk, Paredes play third and acquire Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals and move him to first with the Cards eating part of his contract. 

Bregman, like Tucker, was also a first-round draft pick in 2015 (and second in the nation behind only Dansby Swanson) has been with the Astros his entire professional career including 9 seasons in the big leagues. If Bregman does depart Houston then he might end up with the New York Mets, New York Yankees, or perhaps an A.J. Hinch reunion with the Detroit Tigers. Or perhaps another team altogether.