The Giants are exploring both the free agent and trade markets in search of roster upgrades this offseason.

After signing shortstop Willy Adames to a franchise-record seven-year, $182 million contract, San Francisco has its sights set on another big slugger in center field.

The Giants, along with the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs, are among the teams “involved in discussions” with the Houston Astros about outfielder Kyle Tucker, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Tucker is widely considered one of the best power hitters and one of the best players overall.

In three seasons from 2021 to 2023 before his 2024 season was cut short due to a shin bruise, Tucker averaged nearly 30 home runs and 103 RBI per season while posting an OPS+ of 147, 129 and 142, respectively, in those three seasons.

Tucker is a career .274/.353/.516 hitter, a three-time MLB All-Star and has won both the Gold Glove (2022) and Silver Slugger (2023).

That begs the question: Why would the Astros, a perennial World Series contender, want to trade perhaps their best player?

Tucker is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Sherman points out that he could close a megadeal next winter that could eclipse the $300 or even $400 million mark. That might be a price Houston isn’t willing to pay, which is why they might be willing to move him now and get something in return.

Sherman also reported that the Astros are prioritizing major league-ready corner infielders and starting pitching for Tucker on every return, a possible sign that they are preparing to lose the free-agent third Baseman Alex Bregman prepare. San Francisco has a plethora of young starters but may not have the obvious prospects of a top infield outside of top prospect and first baseman Bryce Eldridge.

It remains to be seen how motivated the Astros are to trade Tucker, but it appears the Giants are at least interested in the slugging outfielder.

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