Kyle Tucker was celebrating a former Houston Astros outfielder when he learned he would become one himself. As the Astros worked to trade him last Friday, Tucker was in Bradenton, Fla., for the wedding of former teammate Myles Straw,

Kyle Tucker played his first major league games at Wrigley Field when the Houston Astros visited the Chicago Cubs in April. It was cold, he said, and a lot of fun.

Tucker is only under team control for the next year. And to land him, the Cubs had to give up an All-Star third baseman who doesn’t hit free agency until after the 2027 season, a young pitcher with potential still to unlock, and a prospect who immediately slotted in as the best in the Astros’ farm system.