New York Mets fans were treated to a visit from potential future outfield star Juan Soto of the New York Yankees this week at Citi Field, sparking hopes for his potential arrival with the Mets.
While Mets owner Steve Cohen has been known for approving significant free agent acquisitions, not all proposed deals materialize. As a result, the Mets are considering contingency plans. Interestingly, this weekend, another viable option for the Mets is visiting Queens: Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Despite Tucker’s absence from play since June 3 due to injury, his impressive stats at the time—batting .266/.395/.584 with 19 home runs and 40 RBIs in 262 plate appearances—make him a compelling target for the Mets’ right field next season, should the Astros entertain the idea of trading him.
Considering Tucker’s impending free agency after 2025, speculation suggests Houston might contemplate trading him, especially if they opt for a strategic reset. This scenario mirrors past successful MLB trades, such as the Milwaukee Brewers acquiring Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins. Mimicking this success would involve not only acquiring Tucker but also extending his contract, akin to the Brewers’ strategy with Yelich.
Regarding a potential trade, the Mets would likely need to offer a package similar to the following to secure Tucker:
– Drew Gilbert
– Brett Baty
– Blade Tidwell
– A catching prospect of Houston’s choosing
Including Drew Gilbert in the trade appears necessary due to positional constraints once Tucker joins the Mets, with Brandon Nimmo occupying left field. The Mets may also look to trade Brett Baty, possibly for third base, given Mark Vientos’ development trajectory and defensive progress.
Although some fans might question including Blade Tidwell, a promising pitching prospect, the Mets’ depth and emergence of other talents like Brandon Sproat could soften the impact of losing him.
Furthermore, any catching prospect desired by the Astros—such as Kevin Parada, Yovanny Rodriguez, or Ronald Hernandez—could be included in the deal, considering Francisco Alvarez’s rapid development beyond power-hitting capabilities.
While signing Juan Soto remains a straightforward path for the Mets, involving financial investment, General Manager David Stearns appears poised to make a substantial trade move. Kyle Tucker stands out as a worthwhile pursuit for the Mets, despite potentially higher costs than outlined in the proposed trade scenario.
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