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The New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants are in serious talks with the Houston Astros about a trade for three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The 27-year-old Tucker averaged 30 home runs, 104 RBIs and 23 stolen bases from 2021 to 2023 before a broken tibia limited him to 78 games in 2024.

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The Astros are wary of losing Tucker a year from now, when he becomes eligible for free agency. Astros general manager Dana Brown might be better served in the long run by trading Tucker up front to recoup some value if he doesn’t believe he can re-sign the homegrown star.

On Monday during the Winter Meetings, Brown did not directly answer whether he had received calls from other teams on Tucker, but revealed that “we will listen to everyone,” The Athletic reports.

The Yankees made a huge splash in free agency on Tuesday, agreeing to terms eight-year, $218 million contract with starting pitcher Max Fried.

Fried, 30, was the best left-hander — if not the best pitcher — left on the free agent market. Last season he went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA in 29 starts for the Atlanta Braves. Since his debut with Atlanta in 2017, he is 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA in 168 games (151 starts).

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As Sherman notesSigning Fried gives the Yankees seven starting pitchers through 2025. That could create the opening they need to trade for Tucker — who might be the best power-hitting corner outfielder available this winter after the Mets . agreed to the terms and conditions with American League MVP runner-up Juan Soto:

But with the top end of the Yankee farm system in a down cycle, they would have to get creative to recruit someone as talented as Tucker, and Houston would be very interested in AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. It’s possible that Gil and Ben Rice present a package that at least gets the Yankees at the table.

Of course, the Yankees aren’t the only team that could use Tucker. The Cubs and Phillies are both talented enough on paper to compete for a division title – if not more – in 2025. Tucker could be the piece that puts both clubs over the top.

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The Giants, meanwhile, have historically struggled to find power hitters capable of boosting the middle of their lineup at pitcher-friendly AT&T Park. Tucker would give San Francisco perhaps the best left-handed slugger since Barry Bonds retired.

New president of baseball operations Buster Posey made a splash this week by signing shortstop Willy Adames from a seven-year, $182 million contract.

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