If the New York Yankees want Kyle Tucker, they are going to have to pay up.
After missing out on Juan Soto, who spurned the Yankees by signing a 15-year deal worth up to $800 million with the New York Meets, there’s a lot of work to be done in The Bronx.
Surprisingly, one of the top outfielders in MLB has become available via trade. The Yankees are reportedly “in hot pursuit” in trying to acquire Tucker from the Houston Astros, but they’ll have to part ways with a promising building block.
If the Yankees want Tucker, they will have to include American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil in the hypothetical package, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Whether the Yankees would be willing to include Gil in the package remains to be seen but after signing Max Fried to an eight-year deal, the loss of Gil wouldn’t be as drastic.
Landing a player like Tucker, who has averaged 35 home runs and an .888 OPS over the last four seasons, would be a massive get.
Though no available player could replace Soto’s bat in a one-to-one manner, Tucker is as close as it gets. Meanwhile, he would provide a massive upgrade in right field, and he adds am extra layer of offense with his ability to steal bases.
Tucker would be a one-year rental considering he’s set to be a free agent following the 2025 season, but the Yankees could realistically win a bidding war. His price shouldn’t come close to the $800 million contract Soto signed.
The Yankees have some stiff competition in a potential trade as the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies also are reportedly involved, but landing Tucker would give New York a stellar bat to put in front of Aaron Judge.
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