The Chicago Cubs have acquired Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and junior Cam Smith, the teams announced Friday.

Tucker, 27, has a career .870 OPS in seven seasons with the Astros. He is entering his final year as team leader – meaning he will be a free agent after next season – and is expected to earn around $18 million through the arbitration process.

He becomes the Cubs’ starting right tackle, while Seiya Suzuki is relegated to designated hitter – at least for now. The team still employs INF/OF Cody Bellinger, but he will likely be moved to a separate job, sources told ESPN.

Tucker played in just 78 games last season due to a shin injury – but will continue to be the Cubs’ best player. The team was looking for star quality on offense and may have found it in the three-time All-Star, who finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 2023.

Paredes, 25, spent half a season with the Cubs after being acquired from the Rays in July. He will likely serve as Alex Bregman’s replacement at third base if he leaves Houston via free agency. Paredes is a dead-pull hitter who is useful for the left field short fences at Minute Maid Park. He hit 19 home runs last season and has a career .755 OPS in five big league seasons.

Wesneski, 27, has played in 68 career games for the Cubs, including 22 as a starter. He has a career 3.93 ERA as a swingman pitcher over the past three seasons. He was acquired from the Yankees at the summer 2022 trade deadline.

Smith, 21, was the 14th overall pick out of Florida State in last year’s amateur draft. He made headlines in his brief professional debut when he hit home runs in six straight games for Single-A Myrtle Beach in August. In college he played primarily third base.