It’s fair to say MLB execs put their out-of-office replies on ice after the Winter Meetings because Friday’s trades were anything but a quiet lead-up to the weekend.
Two monster moves — one by the Cubs, the other by the Yankees — shook up the NL Central and sent clear messages that teams are not here to mess around.
This was first seen on MLB.com, and they nailed it. Let’s break it down because this week was a rollercoaster, and these trades sparked serious implications.
The Cubs Are Finally Going for It With Kyle Tucker
They’ve been lurking in this weird, frustrating limbo since dismantling their 2016 championship core. Sure, there have been solid pickups — Swanson, Bellinger, Suzuki — but none of those guys really screamed “franchise centerpiece.”
Then came Kyle Tucker. If Cubs fans were starting to lose faith, they needed this adrenaline shot. A three-time All-Star, Tucker walks into Wrigley and immediately becomes the guy. He’s their best bat since Kris Bryant’s MVP form.
There’s a catch, though. He’s got just one year of control left. If the Cubs are serious about ending their postseason drought, they’ll need to pony up and keep Tucker in Chicago past 2025. The clock’s ticking, but for now, they’re finally playing to win.
The Yankees Didn’t Waste Any Time With Max Fried
Losing Juan Soto to the Mets, especially their crosstown rivals, stings. Hard. But if anyone thought the Yankees would mope around, think again.
They wasted zero time pivoting, locking down an eight-year deal for Max Fried and pulling in Devin Williams, a two-time All-Star closer who’s lights-out in the ninth.
It’s classic Yankees: take the hit, dust off, and get aggressive. Sure, they’re still a bat or two short, but you just know they’re eyeing options like Bregman, Bellinger, Arenado, or Alonso. One thing’s clear: they are not standing pat.
Are the Astros Rebuilding or Retooling?
Losing Tucker feels weird. This isn’t just another star leaving in free agency, like Springer or Correa — they traded him away.
The question is, why? Are they throwing in the towel or just recalibrating? They got Isaac Paredes and a promising prospect in Cam Smith, which signals they’re making room for a new direction.
If Bregman walks too, Houston’s once-unshakable core could be in for a shake-up. But don’t write them off yet. This team has retooled before and could be setting up another big move. The AL West better keep their heads on a swivel.
The AL West Smells Blood in the Water
Speaking of the AL West — who steps up now? Tucker’s departure cracks the door open, and the Rangers, Mariners, Angels, and even the A’s smell opportunity.
The Rangers are still the champs and have shored up their roster. The Mariners are perpetually on the verge of breaking through, and maybe this motivates them to finally snag that big bat.
Even the Angels and A’s, usually the underdogs, have been active. The division is getting scrappy, and with the Astros looking a bit vulnerable, everyone wants a piece.
MLB Trade Season Is Just Getting Started
Cody Bellinger might be on the move soon. The Cubs are suddenly stacked with lefty bats, so unloading Bellinger seems inevitable.
And let’s not sleep on Nolan Arenado — the Cardinals promised action, and they might see a golden opportunity to ship him off to a contender like the Yankees. The market for top-tier talent is still very much open.
Kyle Tucker’s “Underrated” Era Is Over in the MLB
Can we talk about Kyle Tucker’s “underrated” label? Yeah, that’s over. He’s headed to one of the most iconic franchises in baseball, playing a full season at Wrigley Field in a contract year no less.
If anyone hasn’t been paying attention to Tucker’s talent, they’re about to get an education. This guy is about to be front and center, and the days of him being MLB’s “best-kept secret” are long gone.
So, in case it wasn’t obvious, Friday’s trades were just the beginning. This MLB hot stove isn’t cooling off anytime soon. It’s going to be a wild ride.
