DALLAS (AP) — The Houston Astros are receiving trade inquiries about outfielder Kyle Tucker, multiple people familiar with the discussions said The athlete on Monday night, potentially leading to a bidding war for one of baseball’s top young players.

General manager Dana Brown did not immediately respond to whether he had received calls from other teams, but indicated that “we will listen to everyone” as the club faces a crossroads.

Multiple people familiar with the club’s thinking said Brown would be open to a deal with Tucker or starter Framber Valdez, both of whom are expected to make more than $15 million in their final journey through the arbitration process. Estimates put the Astros about $12 million below the first luxury tax threshold, and it’s unclear whether owner Jim Crane will agree to exceed it for the second straight year. The fact that the Astros are shopping setup man Ryan Pressly already indicates that the club is looking for ways to make room for payroll.

According to a person familiar with the club’s plans, there are currently no serious discussions. He added that there was varying interest within the organization in trading the players.

“We’re not trying to push anyone out the door aggressively, but if someone wants to talk, that’s part of being at the winter meetings,” Brown said Monday in the team suite at the Hilton Anatole.

“Sometimes guys think outside the box and say, ‘Hey, would you do this guy or that guy?’ If it didn’t make sense, we wouldn’t do it. It should really make sense. We’re a good team and we’re not motivated to move any of these guys.”

Like Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez will become a free agent after the 2025 season. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Making either Tucker or Valdez available for trade talks would bring back the type of prospect acquisition Houston needs to replenish its ailing farm system while still maintaining a competitive club in 2025.

Asked Monday if he thought Houston could win the American League West without either of Valdez or Tucker, Brown replied: “Yeah, I think we could.”

“I think the team is good enough for it,” Brown said. “It depends on what you get back in return if you choose this path, but we won’t make trades that don’t make sense in terms of winning the division, getting back to the postseason and so on.” We don’t try to destroy the team. The swap should make sense in that we don’t weaken our club.”

Tucker is a three-time All-Star who has amassed 20.9 wins above reserve since becoming a full-time player in 2020, according to FanGraphs. Among outfielders, only Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts have collected more. Valdez is one of 11 pitchers to have thrown 710 innings since 2021, a stretch in which he has a 3.08 ERA.

During last year’s winter meetings, Brown strongly denied that the team would explore trades for impending free agent Alex Bregman, making Monday’s acknowledgment a departure from Houston’s standard operating procedure.

When asked about the difference between the two situations, Brown said, “I just think it’s often a lot harder to ultimately find replacements for certain people, so you might not be as open to moving this guy or that guy.” It’s very difficult to find a position like third base.”

Bregman played his final season in Houston and reuniting with him is now the team’s “top priority.” On Monday, both Brown and manager Joe Espada expressed optimism that the Astros could keep Bregman.

“I’m optimistic,” Brown said. “I don’t know exactly what he thinks, but I’m optimistic.”

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(Top photo by Kyle Tucker: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)