The Astros and Kyle Tucker have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $12MM salary for 2024, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The outfielder is a client of Excel Sports Management.
Tucker, 27 next week, is coming off another excellent season at the plate. He hit 29 home runs, just one beneath the even 30 he hit in each of the previous two campaigns. He also drew walks in 11.9% of plate appearances while striking out just 13.6% of the time. For reference, the major league averages in those categories were 8.6% and 22.7% in 2023. Tucker’s .284/.369/.517 batting line translated to a wRC+ of 140, indicating he was 40% above league average.
His defensive metrics slipped a bit in 2023 but he’s been solidly above average in his career overall. On the basepaths, he stole 30 bases last year, setting a new career high. He swiped 14 bags in 2021 and then 25 the year after.
Tucker first qualified for arbitration last offseason and went to a hearing with the Astros. He filed at $7.5MM but the arbiters opted for the club’s $5MM salary instead. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for a jump to $12.6MM but he has settled for a salary just beneath that. He will be eligible for another raise in 2025 before he’s slated to reach free agency.
He and the Astros have had some extension talks in the past but the two sides didn’t appear to make much traction. Regardless, he’ll head into 2024 as part of an outfield that’s also slated to feature Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick, with Yordan Álvarez perhaps spending some time there as well when he’s not serving as the designated hitter.
They should trade him if they aren’t signing him long term.
Probably not until next year, and that highly depends on whether they keep Altuve and/or Bregman.
Altuve is probably the only player they will pay, no way he is not an Astro for life. Sadly they refuse to sign anyone else and watch them all walk with nothing in return. And have the worst farm system in baseball, lol a sinking ship.
And yet that “sinking ship” keeps on winning.
Along with Bregman and Framber because they are not going to be signing either of those guys long term either. The Astros are just gonna watch this dynasty fade away without trying to reload or keep winning after the next 2 seasons once everyone walks minus Alvarez and Altuve. Can’t win with those 2 alone.
Completely agree.
The Stros got hot at the exact right time last year and sqeaked by to win the west, i highly doubt they come within 7 games in 2024 and thats IF somehow Verlander stays healthy.. Houstons gonna have to burn money or try to restock and that will probably entail trading some fan favorites
@oneofthesedays some fans are just too lovestruck to see the forest for the trees. The only way they can quickly restock is to trade assets. Those tradable assets are Tucker, Valdez, Bregman, and Verlander. I disnt include Alruve or youth like Diaz as the team won’t be trading them.
Tucker is sooo friggin good!
Definitely an amazing regular season guy. His post season play on the other hand…
Given Houston’s track record/M.O. it wouldn’t surprise me if this is a placeholder/fail safe deal to lock things in while they negotiate a long term deal.
I am guessing that winds up being 7 years/$190M ($12M, $18M, $32M AAV over 5 years)
More likely what Devers got unfortunately
TTO
“I am guessing that winds up being 7 years/$190M ($12M, $18M, $32M AAV over 5 years)”
I’ll take the over on the years
That seems too light. Way too light.
He is arb eligible, the amounts are mostly set. They arent going to pay him $10M more than they need to.
Why not pay him more the next 2 years on a extension, if u save some on the back end because of it?
They can if they extend him, but they didnt yet. Could also do what Jays did with Bo and buy out arb years to lower the AAV in the back end.
dg
Does the mute button work yet?
Dammit. Nope
Get on that MLBTR. Will ya?
Tucker is better than any White Sox RF in my lifetime, with the possible exception of best years of Magglio, or Jermaine Dye for one kick ass season. Rock solid player, a super bargain for the Astros at 12M considering what some very mediocre pitchers are getting.
AB
“a super bargain for the Astros at 12M considering what some very mediocre pitchers are getting.”
You are aware that MLB robs players for their first 6 years in the league, right?
I would hardly consider $700k being robbed.
BJ
“I would hardly consider $700k being robbed.”
Luckily the truth doesn’t care what you would consider
Tucker is worth about 3 times as much as he’s getting,
RE dg
:crosses fingers and tries to mute:
Dammit
Come on MLBTR
lol “the truth.” You are one of those miserable people. I feel sorry for anyone who has to spend time around you regularly. But hey, we know, you have an unwavering need to always be right!
BJ
“you have an unwavering need to always be right!”
Guilty. I think being right is better than being wrong
Having read a few of your posts I see you aren’t saddled with that burden
Well you know what that say about arguing with idiots. So I am going to leave the discussion before I have to wonder if I’m the real idiot arguing with you.
BK
“Well you know what that say about arguing with idiots. So I am going to leave the discussion before I have to wonder if I’m the real idiot arguing with you.”
If you think being paid s fraction of your worth (Tucker would likely make three times what he is noe if he were a free agent) isn’t being robbed, that’s on you.
The Stros farm system is turrrrrrible, they are going to have to pony up some funds to extend Tuck and Bregman
Agree wholeheartedly
This guy is easily worth double that
Someone will pay him, unfortunately it won’t be Houston.
He’s better than George Springer was when they let him walk. If Mr. Crane is going to do anything ever, it’s on this guy. He is the real deal