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Kyle Tucker: baseball's best kept secret
Trading at the deadline within your division is a pretty rare deal, and while the M’s and Astros have a history of making deals, this one would definitely take the cake. Seattle currently has the Astros on the ropes in the division, a place Houston has never experienced since moving over to the AL West. While Houston appears to be facing the end of an era, that doesn’t mean they will go quietly.
In their final 25 games before the all-star break, the Astros only have six games versus teams with a record currently above .500. They will have to face the hot Mets in New York, visit a desperate Toronto squad, and finish the first half against the Rangers. After the break, the Astros will be in Seattle for a critical series. By July 21st, it should be clear whether the Astros are cooked, or going to fight for a playoff spot. While their team has been extremely disappointing, that doesn’t mean it lacks star power which may become available if the ship is indeed sinking.
The most valuable name is Kyle Tucker. The 27-year-old right fielder is going to be a free agent after next season, and there may not be a player more likely to bring back real talent than Tucker, and for good reason. The two-time all-star with a gold glove and Silver Slugger award is in the midst of his best season yet. Tucker is currently slashing .266/.395/.584 with 19 home runs and an OPS+ of 178. His OBP, SLG, and HR rank 6th, 6th, and 4th in all of baseball. When you combine his defensive skill set, Tucker is arguably one of the top five offensive players in baseball right now, but the Astros stain definitely keeps his stardom from shining.
With Tucker’s free agency on the horizon and the rumors that owner Jim Crane is starting to crack down on the length of contracts, it feels like the Astros could look at moving him, if they believe this is the end of their run.
If Houston wants to get back quickly, without committing massive amounts of years and money to Tucker (will be turning 30 around the time of his massive free agent deal), then collecting some big prospect haul, and building around Yordan Alvarez, may be the best way back for Houston.