Latest Kyle Tucker trade rumor has a more defined Chicago Cubs' offer

The Chicago Cubs are in hot pursuit of Houston Astros' superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker at the Winter Meetings.

Given the reporting over the last 24 hours, there seems to be momentum building toward the Astros trading Tucker this offseason. The Cubs have emerged as the most aggressive team in pursuit of Tucker but the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Philadelphia Phillies are believed to be interested as well.

Tucker is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, adding to the motivation for the Astros to move him this offseason. It's important to note that the Astros are planning on contending next season, meaning the package that the Cubs would potentially send to Houston will include Major League-ready talent.

In an update on the trade talks between the Astros and Cubs, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic mentions that Seiya Suzuki and Isaac Paredes are two names that Houst has targeted. Paredes seems like a no-brainer to include in the deal as he is an extreme pull-hitter who would benefit from the short porch in left field at Minute Maid Park. Not to mention, trading Paredes in this deal would open third base for the Cubs' top prospect, Matt Shaw.

While the Astros want Suzuki, Rosenthal confirms that the Cubs may not be willing to include him in the deal. Despite the believed issue that Suzuki has with serving as the Cubs' designated hitter, it seems that the Cubs are looking for scenarios that include him on their roster in 2025.

Rosenthal also highlights Cubs' 2024 first-round pick Cam Smith as one of the key prospects who might be included in the trade.

Given the nature of Rosenthal's reporting tendencies, whenever he drops specific names, that is a sign that trade talks between the two teams have advanced past the preliminary stage. Again, as a reminder, that's not to say a deal will be completed but that the Cubs may already be well on the path toward moving a trade across the finish line.