Astros general manager Dana Brown left the door open to trading either outfielder yesterday Kyle Tucker or left-handed Framber Valdez this winter. Today, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 (X-Link) reports that the Yankees and Cubs are two clubs interested in Tucker.

The news is not particularly surprising. Tucker is one of the best players in the league and it would actually be a bigger shock if no club was interested in him. He is entering his final year as club leader, which should see teams completely eliminated in rebuilding mode, but otherwise he is expected to have widespread interest. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz predicted Tucker would receive a salary of $15.8 million next year, a significant sum but still affordable for any team and a bargain for a player of Tucker’s talent level.

From 2021 to 2023, Tucker’s production was fairly consistent and also showed an upward trend. He hit 30 home runs in the first two of those seasons and 29 in the third. His walk and strikeout rates each improved slightly over that stretch. He hit free passes at a rate of 9.3% in 2021, then 9.7% and 11.9% in the next two seasons, while his strikeout rate went from 15.9% to 15.6% and then up 13.9% rose. His stolen base total increased from 14 to 25 to 30.

He missed significant time in 2024 after knocking a ball off his leg and breaking his tibia. This injury limited his counting stats, but he continued to improve on a rate basis. Although his strikeout rate rose back to 15.9%, he drew walks in 16.5% of his plate appearances. Although he only played 78 games, he launched another 23 home runs. His wRC+ has ranged from 130 to 146 over the past three seasons, but increased to 180 in 2024.

He is also considered a strong defender and, as mentioned, can steal some bases. FanGraphs rated him at either 4.9 or 5.0 wins above replacement in three seasons from 2021 to 2023, and Tucker had an fWAR of 4.2 in 2024 despite playing less than half a season. That’s 19.1 fWAR over the last four years, ranking him 13th among all position players over that span. Thanks to his shin injury, all 12 players ahead of him on this list have played in more games.

There are some rough parallels here Juan Soto Situation from a year ago. The Padres were willing to make Sotos’ final year of club control available on the trade market in order to walk a tightrope. They wanted to continue competing, but had a tight budget and several players who were difficult to trade for contractual reasons. Soto’s move freed up a lot of payroll space and brought immediate help back in other areas as the Friars were able to receive a player package that included the following Michael King And Drew Thorpelater he turned Thorpe around to get him Dylan Stop it.

The Astros are in a somewhat similar situation right now. Brown previously said the club may have to get creative with money this offseason, even if it still wants to win next year. Players like Jose Altuve And Jordan Alvarez have big contracts, but are cornerstones of the franchise. Josh Hader And Ryan Pressly Everyone has the right to veto any trade. Lance McCullers Jr. cannot be moved easily due to his health condition.

They don’t really have to consider a trade, but it looks like they’ll pick up the phone and see if any club will blow them away with a Soto-like package. Tucker’s track record isn’t quite as good as Soto’s, but Soto should be making $33 million in salary through 2024, more than double what Tucker is scheduled to make next year.

In theory, it’s possible that they could get a package of young talent they like while freeing up some space on the payroll for a new signing Alex Bregmanas Brown and owner Jim Crane have both made this the club’s top priority. That would leave Houston’s outfield consisting of Alvarez, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, Taylor Trammell And Mauricio Dubonalthough it is possible that they can get cheaper field support commercially.

The Yankees obviously wanted to re-sign Soto as a free agent, but he’s now a Met. That leaves the Yanks with a big hole in their outfield and they’ll have to turn to other options. There are people like that on the free agent market Anthony Santander And Teoscar Hernandez while the Yankees have been linked to trade candidates Cody Bellinger. Tucker would be a more attractive option than all three in a vacuum, but of course whether a deal gets done depends on what it takes for the Astros to let him go.

The Yankees still have it Aaron Richter as their outfield anchor and could move him back to right field for the post-Soto era, with Jason Dominguez And Trent Grisham Middle options. Tucker is strong in right field, so the Yanks might consider moving him to left. Because of the short porch on the right side, more grass needs to be covered in left field, making defense there more of an issue.

There shouldn’t be a financial issue, as the Yankees reportedly just made Soto an offer of $760 million over 16 years, an average annual value of $47.5 million. They will now look to pass that kind of money on to other players, and Tucker is only expected to receive about a third of that.

The Cubs already have a crowded outfield, but are clearly interested in shaking it up a bit. Bellinger has been involved in many rumors this winter and Seiya SuzukiThe name also appeared. The trade is complicated in both cases, in Bellinger’s case due to his impending departure, while Suzuki has a complete no-trade clause. These two plan to be in an outfield group that includes Ian Happ, Pete Crow Armstrongas well as young people like Alexander Canario, Kevin Alcantara And Owen Caissie. Happ also has a no-trade clause, while the Cubs likely want to hold on to the younger players. Both Happ and Bellinger and Suzuki are scheduled to hit free agency after 2026, with Bellinger potentially leaving a year early.

As mentioned above, almost every suitor should call the Astros to get a feel for the asking price. There is no guarantee that he will be available, but even the possibility that he is available makes him one of the most interesting names to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.