The Houston Astros pulled off one of the biggest trades of the offseason, sending All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs ahead of his final year of control in 2025.
Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith, both of whom have looked great for Houston, were the players received for Tucker in the offseason blockbuster deal. Losing Tucker stings, but aside from the play for Smith and Paredes, the contract of Tucker looms large.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports ranked Tucker as the top free agent in this upcoming offseason and made a bold contract prediction, which further strengthens the point that the Astros' decision to trade Tucker was smart.
"Only two outfielders have signed free-agent contracts worth more than $40 million annually: Juan Soto ($51 million) and Aaron Judge ($40 million); Tucker has a chance to become the third." Anderson writes.
If Tucker lands such a huge deal, then the Astros' decision to trade him away for Smith, who's looked great in his rookie year, and Paredes, who, despite a hamstring injury, was an All-Star, looks like a very savvy decision.
Houston could sign Tucker to a $40 million deal, as Jim Crane isn't afraid of spending big money on players. But, Crane instead used some of that money on Carlos Correa, reuniting with a franchise icon at the trade deadline.
MORE: Astros agree to blockbuster trade with Twins for Carlos Correa
The Astros could have had Tucker for around $40 million per year, or a trio of valuable players in Smith, Paredes, and Correa. The latter fits the Astros' needs better, as the trio of hitters helps round out the roster.
Tucker is deserving of such a huge deal, even though he isn't the best at any specific category. He's just elite at every facet of the game. An all-rounder, Tucker might not reach the $40 million prediction from Anderson. But a team could pry him from the Cubs with such a high contract offer.
Aside from the strong return and freed-up money from dealing with Tucker, the Astros also won't have the headache of a free agency with Tucker as he fields incredible offers from around baseball.
It was a sad day trading away Tucker, but the Astros have come out on the other side strong, and with this $40 million contract prediction for Tucker, the Astros look to have saved a ton of money and stress by trading him away when they did.
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