With Major League Baseball gathered at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, we're seeing plenty of action starting to happen all around the league. While there have been some big free agent signings, the price of free agents is causing plenty of trade discussions between teams looking to fill a hole and teams with assets to offer.
After the Philadelphia Phillies finalized their signing of right-hander Jordan Romano on Monday, things were quiet around their camp on Tuesday. But the news on Wednesday morning got the juices flowing with the prospect of an exciting trade possibility rumbling around social media.
Houston Astros star outfielder Kyle Tucker found his name in the rumor mill on Tuesday, after Astros general manager Dana Brown said he'd be open to trading the three-time All-Star, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Phillies are trying to find a trade package for Astros' Kyle Tucker
As if the possibility of acquiring Tucker wasn't enough to get Phillies fans salivating, a report by the New York Post's Joel Sherman on Wednesday listed the Phillies as one of four teams in pursuit of the 28-year-old.
"The Phillies also had been among the teams that at least inquired and tried to find a package that would work with the Astros," according to Sherman.
We all know that the Phillies desperately need to add a plus player in the outfield this winter. My goodness, Tucker would be an incredible get. However, there are obviously other teams in play here.
The other three clubs known to be involved are the New York Yankees, who licking their wounds fresh off losing Juan Soto, the Chicago Cubs, who are seen as strong players in the trade talks, and the San Francisco Giants.
Tucker, who Phillies fans are more than familiar with after the 2022 World Series, has already compiled an impressive resume in his seven years in the majors. He didn't become a full-time player until the shortened 2020 season but then took off in 2021. Since then, the former fifth-overall pick has hit .280 with an .888 OPS, 112 home runs, 360 RBI and 80 stolen bases in 525 games. He has also won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger. Basically, he can do it all.
It's not known at this time what the Phillies' initial package consisted of, but Sherman says that the Astros are, "prioritizing major league-ready corner infielders and starting pitching." Whether the Phillies would be willing to part with enough MLB-ready players and high-level prospects to get a deal done is hard to say.
For a player like Tucker, it might be worth paying up, especially if he comes with an extension already signed.