OUR YANKEES ARE IN HOT PURSUIT OF KYLE TUCKER!

The Yankees are moving on up in the world. The Yankees are actually trying to make a move that makes some sense for once. Teams are asking the Houston Astros about Kyle Tucker, and he's available. He's someone I'd love to see in the outfield more than I ever wanted Juan Soto (and no I am not bitter at all). The asking price is high though, and I just don't want another Soto repeat.

There's a lot to like about Tucker. He won a Gold Glove in 2022 and finished fifth for 2023 MVP when he hit 29 homeruns, stole 30 bases and hit 112 RBI's. Plus, he gives the Yankees another lefty bat that could do some serious damage in Yankee stadium. I could easily see 30+ homeruns in our ballpark. He's just a better overall player and that is exactly what the Yankees need....and the Astros know it.

That is why the Astros want Luis Gil included in any trade package, read more HERE. They are prioritizing MLB ready corner infielders and starting pitching if they move Tucker....so Rookie of the Year Gil is on their radar. Honestly, I can't blame them. Gil was impressive especially in the first half of the season and now that the Yankees have Max Fried, they know the Yankees have the ability to move some pitching. I wish they would take Carlos Rodon or Marcus Stroman but, that's a pipedream that will never happen.

My challenge with this idea is Tucker is a free agent at the end of next season. So here we are talking about a trade with another one-year rental. It stings more than it usually does because the Yankees gave up SEVEN prospects to get Soto and now, he's a Met. We just don't have a lot of higher caliber talent to give away on one-year rentals. It is one sure fire way to obliterate a team's farm system and I don't like the idea of doing it two years in a row. I understand a prospect is just an unproven body but it leaves the Yankees in a more vulnerable state long term. If we hadn't given up so many players on Soto I wouldn't be so concerned.

I've seen a lot of chatter about getting Tucker to sign an extension before including Gil. That sounds like a great idea, but it may not be realistic. Early predictions of what he would land for a new contract are between $300-$400 million. Considering Soto just exceeded his earliest $600 million projected contract, Tucker could easily test his own market at the end of the season and exceed his projected contract too.

At the end of the day, I really like the idea of Tucker in pinstripes. If the Astros are going to trade with the Yankees they are going to request a king's ransom....and I just don't know how I feel about including Gil right now without an extension. I'd like to avoid the burn of a one-year rental.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj