Kyle Tucker is a slugger whose contract is set to expire after this season. He was traded from the Houston Astros to the Chicago Cubs on December 15. Kyle Tucker will now play his home baseball games at Wrigley Field on the north side of Chicago.
The Yankees were rumored to be trading reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, a prospect, and cash for Kyle Tucker. Despite losing out on Tucker there are at least three options still on the table for the Yankees. Readers should expect the Yankees to make one of the three moves in this article before 2024 ends. The article will begin by detailing the Kyle Tucker trade.
The Kyle Tucker Trade
The Houston Astros traded three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for Third Baseman Isaac Paredes, Pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third-base prospect Cam Smith. Kyle Tucker hit 23 home runs and had 49 RBI an injury-shortened season last year. Before last season he was good for 30 home runs and 100 RBI since 2021.
In return, the Houston Astros got Isaac Paredes, a third baseman (to fill the spot of the departed Alex Bregman). Last season, in splitting time between the Tampa Rays and Chicago Cubs, Paredes hit 19 home runs and had 80 RBI. In 2023, he had 31 home runs and 98 RBI. The Astros also got pitcher Hayden Wesneski. Wesneski is a reliever who started a few games last season. He was 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA. The Cubs also gave No. 1 prospect Cam Smith to the Astros.
Trade For Cody Bellinger
So, what options do the Yankees have now that they have lost out on Kyle Tucker? Many, it turns out. First, the Yankees can trade for Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger. The Yankees have been rumored to be interested in Bellinger, who can play outfield or first base, both of which the Yankees need. He can protect Aaron Judge in the lineup and play multiple positions. Bellinger is 29 but may be on the downside of his career. His left-handed swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium. With the Cubs acquiring Kyle Tucker, Bellinger is available.
Sign Christian Walker
The Yankees could sign Arizona Diamondbacks Gold Glove First Baseman Christian Walker. Walker would be a nice consolation prize for losing Kyle Tucker. Walker can hit, he exceeded 30 home runs in each of the past two seasons. Walker would also help plug up a rickety defense. He fills a position of need for the Yankees. It is rumored Walker will sign a contract of about $60 million. When you add that to the sum the Yankees offered Juan Soto, you are not even at half. Come to think of it, the Yankees could do this signing (plus one other, a relief pitcher) and make a trade.
Trade For Nolan Arenado
Finally, the Yankees could trade for St. Louis Cardinals slugger Nolan Arenado. Arenado plays third base, another position of need. Arenado said he is willing to move to first base, another position of need for the cub. Arenado would have to waive his no-trade clause if the Cardinals were to deal him to the Yankees.
Nevertheless, a huge stumbling block, maybe an insurmountable stumbling block, is that Arenado is owed $52 million over the next three years. The Yankees should be cautious here, lest they take on another large contact for an aging superstar. Arenado is 33 years old now, and his power numbers have declined in each of the last four years.
Conclusion
The New York Yankees still need multiple players to fill voids on their roster. After missing out on Kyle Tucker, thankfully, there are still viable options out there. The Yankees currently have six starting pitchers and they should look to unload in a trade for Bellinger. He can play outfield if the Yankees also sign Walker. The Yankees would then have piles of money left over from the offer they made to Juan Soto and they should try to sign another reliever, perhaps Tanner Scott.
