Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees Among Potential Trade Fits For Game-Changing Slugger, Per Insider

The New York Yankees are seen as a fit for someone who could be the perfect Juan Soto replacement.
Grant Young|
Sep 21, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) flicks his bat after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) flicks his bat after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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New York YankeesHouston AstrosChicago Cubs

There are a plethora of players available for the New York Yankees to acquire this offseason.

Not only is adding players via free agency an appealing option, but they could also trade for top superstars to directly address some of their more glaring roster holes without needing to spend a ton of money.

After the departure of slugger Juan Soto, one clear need is the addition of a left-handed bat in the middle of New York's lineup. Manager Aaron Boone is big on having a good balance of lefties and righties within his offense, and left-handed hitters are especially important for the Yankees because of their short porch in right field.

And a December 10 X post from the New York Post's Jon Heyman conveyed that the Yankees might have their eyes on one lefty slugger who could be on the trading block.

"Cubs and Yankees are among potential fits for Kyle Tucker if the Astros seriously entertain moving the star OF," Heyman wrote.

Tucker has asserted himself as one of baseball's premier power hitters over the past few seasons with the Houston Astros. He hit .289 with a .993 OPS, 23 home runs, and 49 RBIs in just 78 games during the 2024 regular season, despite missing about three months of action due to a shin fracture.

Tucker is an ideal replacement for Soto not just because he's a left-handed power hitter, but because he also plays right field.

It remains to be seen whether the Astros will want to trade Tucker away, But if they decide to do so, the Yankees appear to be a perfect fit.

Published
Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and Women’s Basketball for On SI. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco, where he also played Division 1 baseball for five years. He believes Mark Teixeira should have been a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame inductee. You can follow him on X: @GrvntYoung

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