The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a great start in 2024, leading baseball with a 44-19 record through June 6 and holding a 7.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.
To strengthen even further, the Phillies might make a huge move before the July 30 trade deadline to address what ESPN’s Jeff Passan refers to as “their outfield hitting issues,” possibly targeting Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker.
“President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski tends to adhere to a go-big-or-go-home philosophy, and whether it’s [the Chicago White Sox’s Luis] Robert, [the Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy] Arozarena or even Tucker, he’s got the minor league system to convince an on-the-fence team to deal a true impact outfielder,” Passan stated in his June 4 “early MLB trade deadline preview.”
The Astros have a terrible 28-35 record, but Tucker has done everything possible to help them turn things around. The two-time All-Star and 2023 Silver Slugger Award winner has already hit 19 home runs, 11 doubles, 40 RBI, and 42 runs in 262 plate appearances. That’s contributed to a.266/.395/.584 triple slash.
Could the Phillies Capitalize on Tucker’s Uncertain Future in Houston?
Tucker is earning $12 million this season. However, his contract status is becoming a big topic. He’s been one of MLB’s most underappreciated sluggers since his first full season in 2021. Over the last three years, he has hit.278/.353/.517 with an average of 30 home runs, 34 doubles, 104 RBI, and 84 runs scored.
The left-handed hitter is under team control until 2025, according to Spotrac. However, it is unclear whether Houston will be able to sign Tucker to a long-term agreement. With a surprisingly dismal start, the Astros may be able to rebuild the farm system by moving him.
The Phillies’ typical starting outfield lineup includes Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, and Johan Rojas. Whit Merrifield, Cristian Pache, and Weston Wilson are also capable of playing outfield. Marsh is currently on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, thus David Dahl has been given an opportunity to play.
Dombrowski has transformed the Phillies into a consistent contender by making significant acquisitions. According to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource, the majority of Philly’s starting lineup has been made up of external players. If Tucker becomes available, the Phillies would have an excellent opportunity to boost their team for the stretch push.
Astros Still Refusing to Sell at the Deadline
Of course, closing a contract requires two teams. Despite Houston’s struggles, the organization must remain open to having those conversations.
“I don’t see a scenario in which we are sellers. On June 3, Brown told Chandler Rome of The Athletic that he believes they will be buyers.
This would be a ridiculous statement if it weren’t for the MLB’s 12-team playoff field. Houston is 7.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League West as of June 7. However, they are only 5.5 games off of the final AL Wild Card place. One hot streak can alter the perspective of their season. However, experiencing a hard stretch at the wrong time is a similar case.
If the Astros eventually decide to make Tucker available, Dombrowski and the Phillies should make a run for him.