The Houston Astros have consistently been one of the best teams in MLB over the past few years. In 2024, though, the Astros are struggling. Houston currently owns a 30-36 record and they are on track to sell at the trade deadline barring a resurgence over the next month. As a result, players such as Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman are already being mentioned in trade rumors.
Bregman is set to enter free agency following the conclusion of the 2024 season. Tucker will not enter free agency until the end of the 2025 campaign, but his value is especially high at the moment.
The Astros do not want to sell ahead of the deadline, but they may not have much of a choice given their underwhelming 2024 season and looming free agency. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Astros may opt to keep Tucker and trade players such as Bregman who are on the verge of entering free agency.
Olney notes, however, that Tucker, Bregman, and reliever Ryan Pressley will draw interest on the trade market if they are available. Tucker would receive the most interest given his contract situation and impressive 2024 season.
Kyle Tucker trade?
Tucker is currently injured. Regardless, he is a player who will still entice contenders.
The outfielder has been selected to back-to-back All-Star teams and has performed well in 2024 so far. He is currently slashing .266/.395/.584/.979 across 60 games played. Tucker has also hit 19 home runs and 11 doubles to go along with 10 stolen bases.
He has continued to improve over the years, even finishing fifth in American League MVP voting in 2023. Tucker is a superstar who would change the dynamic of any lineup.
If Houston trades him, they could receive an incredible return. The fact that he is still only 27 years old helps matters as well. He could be a player that a team can build around.
Of course, the Astros may opt for a similar strategy. Perhaps Houston will consider offering Tucker a contract extension. It certainly is a possibility. If contract talks fail to come to fruition, though, the possibility of a trade will increase.
Alex Bregman era with Astros may end soon
Bregman has played an important role in the Astros' two championships since 2017. Barring an extension, he will become a free agent at season's end, though.
Bregman is a two-time All-Star. He has not played as well in recent years, however. Bregman recorded respectable results in 2022 and 2023, but he had back-to-back top-five MVP finishes in 2018 and 2019.
The third baseman will still draw interest in a potential trade given his track record. However, the possibility of Bregman being a one-year rental will cause his trade value to decrease.
Still, Bregman is a much more likely trade candidate than Tucker. Houston will not want to risk losing Bregman in free agency and receiving nothing in return.
The Astros may keep Bregman if they start winning games and believe they can contend. If Houston continues to struggle, then Bregman will emerge as a serious trade candidate.
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