6:35pm: In a full column at The Athletic, Rome writes that the Astros have unsurprisingly obtained calls on Tucker. He signifies that none of these discussions have grow to be severe however stories that Brown is certainly keen to think about transferring one of many two gamers if the best alternative presents itself.
6:20pm: Astros basic supervisor Dana Brown met with reporters this night on the Winter Conferences. Along with reiterating their longstanding want to re-sign Alex Bregman, Brown left the door a minimum of barely open to buying and selling one in every of his star gamers.
In response to a query in regards to the workforce’s willingness to area curiosity in Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez, Brown replied he “would pay attention on all of the gamers” (X hyperlink with video by way of Brian McTaggart of MLB.com). It doesn’t appear they’re actively buying both, nevertheless.
“We’ll pay attention on anyone. We’re not making an attempt to aggressively transfer anyone out the door… If it doesn’t make sense, we wouldn’t do it,” Brown expanded (relayed on X by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle). “So it actually must make sense. As a result of proper now we’re a superb workforce and we’re not motivated to maneuver any of those guys.”
An open-mindedness to dialog isn’t a declaration that both participant is on the block. It nonetheless appears likelier than not that each will start subsequent season in Houston. That stated, there’s a minimum of slightly little bit of chatter about the potential of the Astros pulling off a blockbuster. Chandler Rome of the Athletic floated the thought final week, declaring that it’d open a good quantity of rapid payroll area whereas serving to to replenish a poor farm system. Jon Morosi of the MLB Community tweets that there’s “some buzz” across the Conferences concerning the potential for a Tucker commerce, particularly.
Each gamers would internet a robust return. They’re every all the way down to their ultimate yr of arbitration however are among the many finest in baseball at their respective positions. Tucker, whom MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz tasks for a $15.8MM wage, hit 23 dwelling runs in solely 78 video games this yr. He slashed .289/.408/.585 throughout 339 plate appearances. A nagging proper leg harm value him a couple of months, however Tucker’s price manufacturing was the perfect of his profession. He’s one of many recreation’s 5 to 10 finest hitters and trending in the direction of a free agent deal that would push close to $400MM.
There’s little to counsel the Astros are going to make a push to signal Tucker to that form of contract. Even when they anticipate him to stroll in 12 months, a commerce can be a tricky promote. Houston is making an attempt to win one other AL West title. They wouldn’t come near changing Tucker’s manufacturing in the event that they transfer him. They’re already skinny within the outfield, the place Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers are the opposite projected starters. Yordan Alvarez may see time in left area, however supervisor Joe Espada stated at present the Astros had been hoping to reduce his outfield work to provide him extra reps at designated hitter (X hyperlink by way of Rome).
Valdez in all probability wouldn’t deliver fairly the identical return as Tucker. He’d arguably be simpler to exchange, although the Astros can be putting a variety of religion in harm returnees Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. to take action. The southpaw is coming off a 2.91 ERA exhibiting via 176 2/3 innings. Valdez has topped 175 frames in three straight years. He hasn’t allowed an ERA above 3.45 in any of these seasons. Whereas his strikeout charges are extra good than nice, Valdez posts elite ground-ball numbers.
Swartz tasks Valdez for a $17.8MM wage in his ultimate arbitration yr. That’s a notable sum however nonetheless effectively beneath what he’d make for one season if he had been a free agent. (Frankie Montas simply signed for $17MM yearly over two seasons, for instance.) Valdez goes into his age-31 season and might be restricted to a five-year free agent contract, however he’s on observe for a deal that lands effectively north of $100MM. The Astros have a greater likelihood of re-signing him than they do of retaining Tucker, however neither participant appears particularly more likely to stay in Houston after subsequent season.
