The Kyle Tucker sweepstakes could be nearing an end.

Our Esquina’s Jose de Jesus Ortiz reports that it would be a “surprise if the Astros don’t trade Kyle Tucker within 48 hours [and] the Cubs appear like clear favorites.”

Ortiz, who has covered the Astros for the Houston Chronicle, also reports that the “Cubs were better positioned”.

A source confirmed to Marquee Sports Network that trade talks between both teams are ongoing.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Wednesday that the Astros had interest in a trio of Cubs players: Seiya Suzuki, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith.

“We think we’ve moved the ball down the field on a bunch of things and had a bunch of good conversations,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at the Winter Meetings on Wednesday.

Earlier in the week, the Cubs acknowledged that their best path to improving on back-to-back playoff-less, 83-win seasons is through that market.

“It’s safe to say that … is most likely to happen via trade,” Hoyer said.

Acquiring Tucker would be the type of move that could jumpstart the Cubs offense. His 23 home runs and his 4.2 fWAR in 2024 would have ranked second on the Cubs. All that production came in just 78 games due to a right shin fracture. Tucker has received MVP votes in 3 seasons, has been an All-Star in three straight seasons and has a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award under his belt.

Stay tuned to @WatchMarquee on social and marqueesportsnetwork.com for more updates.