ESPN: The Yankees make a blockbuster offer for the Astros’ great outfielder

Despite losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, the Yankees are making rapid progress in their quest to assemble a contender. They have their sights set on the trade market as they search for a bat that can replace Soto’s output after signing pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract on Tuesday.

Kyle Tucker is being pursued by the Yankees.

The Chicago Cubs and the Yankees are two teams reportedly vying for Houston Astros standout outfielder Kyle Tucker, according to Ari Alexander of KPRC2.

Numerous sources tell KPRC 2 that the Cubs and Yankees are interested in standout Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker. The Cubs and Astros have spoken on [Seiya] Suzuki, [Isaac] Paredes, and Cam Smith, a prospect. According to a league source, the Yankees are “ready to make a big offer” for Tucker, Alexander wrote on X.

The Astros are interested in Luis Gil, the Yankees’ starting pitcher and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic early on Wednesday. Gil and a few other prospects may be sent to the Astros as the main attraction in exchange for a possible deal for Tucker.

The ideal Juan Soto substitute would be Tucker.

Tucker would fit right in in New York and would address the Soto loss problem right away. Despite playing in just 78 games with Houston last season, the 27-year-old left-handed batter recorded a 180 wRC+, hit 23 home runs, and batted.289—the same total as Soto had with the Yankees in 2024.

With the short right field at Yankee Stadium, his left-handed power would be ideal. Additionally, he would provide them with a powerful bat to use in the middle of the lineup, between Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.

Tucker’s lifetime eight outs above average (OAA) in the outfield further demonstrates his ability as a defensive outfielder.

The Yankees will probably be quite active in their roster additions as the Winter Meetings come to an end, and a move for Tucker could be in order to make up for Soto’s loss.