On the heels of Astros GM Dana Brown acknowledging earlier this week that the membership isn’t ruling out a commerce of both Kyle Tucker with free company looming subsequent winter, Joel Sherman of the New York Publish described the Yankees as among the many groups “most critically” pursuing the outfielder. Sherman provides that the Cubs are seen as a “robust participant” in Tucker’s market as effectively, nonetheless, whereas the Giants are additionally concerned. The Phillies have “at the least inquired” on Tucker beforehand, per Sherman, however whereas they tried to place collectively a package deal for the outfielder it’s unclear whether or not or not they continue to be concerned in his market.
Buzz surrounding the opportunity of a Tucker commerce has elevated within the days since Juan Soto signed his record-breaking deal with the Mets, and because the Yankees flip in the direction of their contingency plans for in the event that they did not reunite with Soto it’s hardly a shock that they might be concerned in talks concerning one other star proper fielder. Each New York and Chicago’s curiosity in Tucker’s providers has been beforehand reported, however Sherman’s report notably means that the Astros are prioritizing big-league prepared nook infield and beginning rotation assist in commerce talks surrounding Tucker. Whereas the Yankees themselves are missing in nook infield expertise, the membership reached an settlement with lefty Max Fried yesterday to create a surplus of their rotation, and Sherman provides the Astros are stated to be “very ” in reigning AL Rookie of the 12 months Luis Gil.
The Cubs, in contrast, are flush within the type of younger expertise that the Astros appear to be prioritizing. High infield prospect Matt Shaw is primarily a second baseman by commerce however spent nearly all of the 2024 season at third base. Sherman notes that Shaw is joined by 2024 first-round Cam Smith and incumbent third baseman Isaac Paredes are “enticing” to the Astros as they run the chance of dropping longtime third baseman Alex Bregman in free company. Whereas not famous in Sherman’s report, it’s additionally value noting that Chicago has a lot of younger pitchers who they may theoretically make out there together with Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, and Hayden Wesneski.
As for the opposite groups talked about in Sherman’s report, each golf equipment have at the least theoretical suits for Houston’s reported ask as effectively. The Giants have former high prospect Marco Luciano and power-hitting utility man Tyler Fitzgerald as items who could also be enticing to the Astros as third base choices, whereas right-handers Hayden Birdsong and Mason Black are among the many membership’s extra fascinating younger pitchers who might be made out there. It’s unclear whether or not any of these names have been mentioned or to what degree Houston could be fascinated about them, however San Francisco sports activities a deep group of younger choices in each areas. The infielders determine to be significantly out there following the membership touchdown Willy Adames in free company, and the identical might be stated of the rotation items in the event that they’re profitable of their reported pursuit of Corbin Burnes.
The Phillies, in the meantime, are recognized to be making third Alec Bohm out there in commerce however could also be an imperfect match for the Astros wants. The infielder has simply two years of crew management remaining, and two years of a stable however unspectacular third baseman appears unlikely to land one 12 months of a star participant like Tucker. It’s attainable the Phillies might complement a package deal together with Bohm with beginning pitching, however it will be a shock if the membership was prepared to half methods with high prospect Andrew Painter and different choices like Mick Abel and Seth Johnson are possible far much less inspiring to the Astros.