Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding the Yankees possibly trading for Kyle Tucker …
Dec. 13, 12:25 p.m.
The Chicago Cubs are circling on a potential trade with the Houston Astros for the outfielder, with Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago reporting the deal centers around the North Siders parting with infielder Isaac Paredes and 2024 first-round draft pick Cam Smith.
While the Yankees are also interested in acquiring Tucker, if they lost out on the three-time AL All-Star, they could possibly benefit from the Cubs landing him. A trade with Houston would increase the likelihood (and potentially the urgency) that Chicago, who is looking to shed some payroll, would deal outfielder Cody Bellinger and potentially Seiya Suzuki.
The Yanks have been linked with Bellinger for some time and with the former NL MVP from 2019 scheduled to make $27.5 million for the 2025 season and $25 million for 2026, the Cubs are willing to part with him. Add in his power from the left side of the plate and ability to play both center field and first base and the deal makes a lot of sense for both clubs.
Of course, the player Chicago is willing to part with isn’t quite on par with the one they’d be getting from Houston. The now 29-year-old former Rookie of the Year had 23 doubles and 18 home runs with 78 RBI with a .266/.325/.426 slash for a .751 OPS (111 OPS+) and 109 wRC+.
Tucker, 27, had 13 doubles and 23 home runs with 49 RBI while slashing .289/.408/.585 for a .993 OPS (181 OPS+) and 180 wRC+ in just 78 games last campaign. (He missed a significant chunk of time due to a fractured shin.)
And Tucker would be much cheaper as he is set to make around $17 million for the 2025 season. But with it being his final season of arbitration, may only be in right field for the one season in The Bronx. (Too soon.)
Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m.
After losing out on Juan Soto to the Mets, the Yankees are “among the teams most seriously pursuing” a trade for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post.
Sherman notes, however, that the Yanks perhaps aren’t the most “determined” suitor for Tucker, listing the Cubs, Giants, and Phillies as other teams who could swing a deal for the 27-year-old star.
Per Sherman, the Astros are seeking big league-ready corner infielders and starting pitching in a potential deal for Tucker.
The Astros, who are attempting to re-sign third baseman Alex Bregman, are also reportedly open to trading ace left-hander Framber Valdez, who — like Tucker — is set for free agency after the 2025 season.
As far as what the Yankees could offer the Astros for Tucker, it’s probably not ideal that New York’s two best position player prospects — Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones — are outfielders, while the rest of their top 10 per MLB Pipeline is made up of pitchers.
Tucker has been an offensive force since he broke into the big leagues in 2021. In 525 games since, he’s slashed .280/.362/.527 with 112 home runs, 115 doubles, 360 RBI, and 307 runs scored.
