Brian McTaggart: Astros Have 'Momentum Building' For Kyle Tucker Trade At MLB Winter Meetings

Following Juan Soto's historic contract, the value of Kyle Tucker has increased drastically. The Houston Astros right fielder is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, and general manager Dana Brown could look to benefit from trading Tucker before he hits the open market. "Definitely seemed like there is momentum building," Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, said while attending the final day of MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas. Tucker and the Astros agreed on a $12 million contract last season after the 27-year-old lost his arbitration case the year prior. "There's always been a belief that Tucker was going to explore free agency," McTaggart said. Framber Valdez will also be a free agent next season at age 32. The left-handed pitcher held a 15-7 record, 2.91 ERA and 4.5 WAR in 2024, but Brown said he will "listen on anybody" when asked if he would consider a trade of either Valdez or Tucker. "I think it's less likely that [Valdez] gets traded," McTaggart said. The Astros still remain in the race to sign Alex Bregman, who is now a free agent. Houston offered the third baseman six years at about $156 million, and agent Scott Boras has stated that he is still communicating with Brown about a potential deal, but many remain pessimistic as Bregman is reportedly seeking a number closer to $200 million. "I find it hard to believe that the Astros would go above six years." The Astros have their ace, third baseman and right fielder dominating the headlines from Winter Meetings, and there is a chance that the 2025 season's lineup would feature a lot of new faces in key positions, but could the Astros still win the division with a restructured roster? "They're not the 2019 Astros," but they "could still be a pretty good team," McTaggart said.