Kyle Tucker was preparing to be part of former Houston Astros teammate Myles Straw’s wedding in Bradenton, Fla., when he learned the news. After spending his entire career in Houston’s organization, the Astros traded the three-time All-Star to the Chicago Cubs on Friday for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith. Tucker had seen some of the trade rumors circulating online “so I kind of knew it was somewhat of a possibility.” The timing wasn’t necessarily ideal. “I was doing all the groomsmen stuff and getting prepared for their wedding while also trying to field some calls and whatnot on that day, so kind of funny how that was all working out,” Tucker said Tuesday. “But obviously ended up on the Cubs now, and I’m excited to start my career with them.” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer initially connected with Astros general manager Dana Brown about Tucker after the GM Meetings last month at which point the Cubs learned the slugger could potentially be available. “We have a lot of really good players on the team, we’re very balanced, but it did feel like we lacked that consolidation of WAR, I would say, on our roster, in one player, and obviously Tucker’s one of the best players in baseball, period,” Hoyer said Tuesday. “Obviously to acquire a player like that it comes at a real price, but it’s a price we’re willing to pay, given the fact that was something we felt all summer that we lacked and something we really wanted to bring to this team.” 1. Tucker is open to extension talks. One of the biggest risks the Cubs took in trading the package they sent to the Astros for Tucker is that they could only have him for one season. Tucker, who turns 28 in January, will be a free agent after 2025 and should command top dollars in free agency. Asked whether he would consider staying with the Cubs and reaching an extension before hitting free agency, Tucker said he is “always open to talks and see where that leads.” “I’m open for anything,” Tucker said. “My job is not to worry about all that, it’s to go out there perform, put up numbers and try and win games, get to the playoffs, win a World Series. And then the rest will take care of itself. If you have your numbers and whatnot, you can deal with the rest.” Column: Has Jed Hoyer changed the Chicago Cubs narrative with the bold move for slugger Kyle Tucker? The interest in potential conversations is mutual, though given how the free-agent market has operated this offseason for the top stars, an extension would likely require the Cubs and ownership to commit to the largest contract in franchise history, surpassing the $184 million they gave Jason Heyward heading into the 2016 season. “Of course you want players like Kyle Tucker for a long time, there’s no question,” Hoyer said. “He’s at such an elite level in our game. I mean, are you ever going to know if we’re having extension talks? No, so I wouldn’t comment on it. Certainly, there will be contact with his agents, we’ll have discussions. We’ll keep those internal.” 2. Cubs are in a competitive window to make this type of trade. The Cubs know they must get back to the postseason, and adding a player of Tucker’s caliber makes that more of a possibility. The organization recognized they needed to shake up the construction of a lineup that has fallen short offensively the last two years. Hoyer disputed the idea of an all-in narrative, making clear that moves are always made with trying to balance short- and long-term in mind. Chicago Cubs trade OF/1B Cody Bellinger and cash to the New York Yankees for pitcher Cody Poteet Clearly, though, the Cubs were willing to push more toward the now with the Tucker trade and be better than they were last season. “You wouldn’t make this kind of deal if you felt like you didn’t have a lot of good players around a player like Tucker,” Hoyer said. “One of the things we talked about a lot over the course of the winter and the planning phase of our offseason was that there’s a finite number of ways that we can really improve as a team, especially on a position player side. Because in order to get a player that’s better than our internal replacement level, you have to go fairly high.” 3. Matt Shaw will get a shot for playing time at third base. Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw practices fielding drills on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) Bringing in Tucker subsequently created a new hole in the Cubs lineup: third base. Paredes’ departure in the trade leaves the Cubs without a solidified option at third base. However, top prospect Matt Shaw will be among those in line to get time at the position. Hoyer said the Cubs will give Shaw “a long look” at third base. Hoyer compared the situation to how they incorporated Pete Crow-Armstrong into center field where by midseason he was their everyday starter. Related Articles Chicago Cubs | MLB study: Velocity, max efforts likely causing pitching injuries and rule changes should be considered Chicago Cubs | Chicago Cubs trade OF/1B Cody Bellinger and cash to the New York Yankees for pitcher Cody Poteet Chicago Cubs | Column: Has Jed Hoyer changed the Chicago Cubs narrative with the bold move for slugger Kyle Tucker? Chicago Cubs | Chicago Cubs trade 3 players for Kyle Tucker — landing the superstar hitter their lineup has needed Chicago Cubs | New York Yankees to acquire closer Devin Williams from Milwaukee Brewers for Nestor Cortes and Chad Durbin “Making room for young players is really important,” Hoyer said. “(Shaw) has to earn that job. I’m not going to gift him that job on a conference call in the middle of December. But certainly with what he’s done in the minor leagues since we’ve had him, he’s played really well.” Shaw, their 2013 first-round draft pick, earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A Iowa where he finished with a .298/.395/.534 slash line in 35 games with 21 starts at third base. He put in work at the position last offseason, increasing his versatility to play multiple infield spots. “I think his arrow is really pointing up,” Hoyer said. “You’ve got to give young players some runway and some ability to play. And obviously it’s not always linear, as we talk about, but certainly you’ve got to give at-bats to talented young players, and Matt has certainly put himself in position to be considered.” The Cubs will also explore external veteran options to give them depth at third base and the infield entering spring training. Michael Busch is not expected to be in the mix at third. The Cubs view Busch as a Gold Glove first baseman, Hoyer said, and he has made strides at the position. “I thought after the first month of the season, he was fantastic at first (base),” Hoyer said, “and that’s certainly how we’re seeing him.”