Here’s the latest news and buzz surrounding the Yankees who may trade Kyle Tucker …
December 13, 12:25 p.m
The Chicago Cubs are circling a potential trade with the Houston Astros for an outfielder, with Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago reporting that the deal centers around the North Siders parting ways with the outfielder. Isaac Paredes and a 2024 first-round draft pick Cam Smith.
While the Yankees are also interested in acquiring Tucker, if they lose out on the three-time AL All-Star, they could benefit from the Cubs landing him. A trade with Houston would increase the likelihood (and potentially the urgency) that Chicago, looking to shed some salary, would trade the outfield Cody Bellinger and potentially Seiya Suzuki.
The Yanks have been linked to Bellinger for some time, and with the former 2019 NL MVP set to make $27.5 million through the 2025 season and $25 million through 2026, the Cubs are willing to part ways 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 the same level as the one they’d get from Houston. Now 29, the former Rookie of the Year had 23 doubles and 18 home runs with 78 RBIs, slashing .266/.325/.426 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 amount of time with a broken shin.)
And Tucker would be much cheaper, as he is due to make around $17 million in the 2025 season. But with this being his final season of arbitration, he may only be in right field for one season in the Bronx. (Too soon.)
December 11, 10:30 a.m
After losing to Juan Soto to Mets, Yankees among ‘teams most seriously pursuing’ trade for Astros outfielder Kyle TuckerJoel Sherman of The New York Post reports.
Sherman notes, however, that the Yanks may not be a “committed” suitor for Tucker, listing the Cubs, Giants and Phillies as other teams that could make a deal for the 27-year-old star.
According to Sherman, the Astros are looking for big-league-ready corner outfielders and are starting to field a potential contract for Tucker.
Astros trying to re-sign third baseman Alex Bregmanthey are also reportedly open to trading ace lefties Framber Valdezwho — like Tucker — is up for free agency after the 2025 season.
As for what the Yankees could offer the Astros for Tucker, it’s probably less than ideal that New York’s top two prospects — Jason Dominguez a Spencer Jones — are outfielders, while the rest of their MLB Pipeline top 10 is made up of pitchers.
Tucker has been an offensive force since breaking into the big leagues in 2021. Since then, he has hit .280/.362/.527 with 112 home runs, 115 doubles, 360 RBI and 307 runs scored in 525 games.