The New York Yankees were in the running for the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, but the blockbuster deal never came to fruition.
Instead, the Yankees watched the Chicago Cubs send three players in the deal to the Houston Astros in exchange for the 27-year-old star.
Not landing Tucker is a gut-punch after the Yankees seemingly were in pursuit for the ideal Juan Soto replacement. However, there was one part of the negotiations the front office couldn’t move past.
The Astros reportedly were demanding the Yankees include Rookie of the Year Luis Gil in any potential package for Tucker, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
The Yankees, however, felt that was too much to pay.
“As for Tucker, he will be a free agent after this season, which puts him in a similar one-year rental category that the Yanks just went through after dealing for Soto last winter,” Heyman wrote. “They are adamant about not giving up Gil, who they view as a potential No.1 starter, in addition to other top prospects, such as High-A shortstop George Lombard Jr.”
The Yankees seemed to have a luxury in the starting rotation after signing Max Fried to a $218 million deal earlier this week. However, it seems the Yankees believe in Gil enough to keep them from acquiring another superstar for the middle of the lineup.
With Tucker off the board, the Yankees will now turn their attention to adding more beef to the lineup. Their options include a potential trade for Cody Bellinger while also targeting free agents Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander and Christian Walker.
MORE MLB: Next move Yankees can make after Devin Williams trade