MLB Trade Rumors: Kyle Tucker Would Go to Phillies in Proposed MLB Network Deal

From all accounts, it sounds like the Houston Astros will be trading superstar Kyle Tucker before the Winter Meetings are wrapped.

The 27-year-old has only one year of team control remaining, so any team acquiring him will have to consider it a rental, as he'll undoubtedly head into free agency after the 2025 season after seeing what Juan Soto got from the NY Mets. He's expected to command anywhere from $300M to $400M, and the Astros are highly-unlikely to be bidding in that neighborhood.

Granted, Tucker is not exactly Soto, but he does have a career .879 OPS and an OPS+ of 139. He's a 30 HR+ hitter and can also steal 30 bags, while playing Gold Glove defense in the OF (the latter two feats are not in Soto's toolkit).

There are a number of big-money, big-market teams in discussions, but the crew at MLB Network has proposed the following deal that would get Tucker to the Philadelphia Phillies — a team that's desperate to elevate themselves back into the World Series conversation.

The hypothetical proposal from Ruben Amaro Jr. would look like this:

Philadelphia Phillies Receive:

OF Kyle Tucker
RHP Ryan Pressly

Houston Astros Receive:

3B Alec Bohm
OF Nick Castellanos
RHP Mick Abel OR SS Starlyn Caba

.@RAJr_20 thinks the Phillies should pursue Astros OF Kyle Tucker 👀

He breaks down why and shares a hypothetical proposal that includes 3B Alec Bohm and OF Nick Castellanos.#MLBTonight presented by @CohnReznick pic.twitter.com/uV4SQ7IyeK
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 11, 2024

This deal brings another monster bat into that already tough Phillies lineup, giving them back-to-back-to-back superstars with Trea Turner and Bryce Harper at the 2-3-4 spot in the order. This proposal would also add another fine arm to their bullpen, an area they are always looking to upgrade (already have added Jordan Romano as a free agent).

As for the Astros, they get an All-Star replacement for Alex Bregman at third if he departs in free agency, plus a solid bat for the outfield to plug in for Tucker and replace at least some of that offense.

In addition, the Stros also land one of the Phils' top 6 prospects in this deal – Casa is #4 in the system, or Abel #6.

Amaro Jr., who constructed this hypothetical deal, is a former GM of the Phillies.