Analyzing The Phillies’ Interest In Astros’ Kyle Tucker And Potential Trade Scenarios

On Tuesday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the team was not shopping third baseman Alec Bohm.

"I know the rumors are flying all over the place," Thomson stated on MLB Network. We're not shopping him."

Thomson also said that teams are approaching them about Bohm and "you got to listen".

Translation? If the right deal is there, we have to move you.

So would adding a player like Astros left fielder Kyle Tucker make the Phillies change their mind about moving Bohm?

Tucker will be 28 years old at the start of the 2025 season, plays a Gold Glove-level left field, and has hit at the top of the Houston batting order.  While he was limited to just 78 games in 2024, he still managed to hit 23 home runs with 49 RBI, hitting .289 with a .408 on-base.

He has one year left on his deal before he hits free agency, but according to MLB Network's Joel Sherman, the Phillies are one of the teams that have inquired about Tucker.

The Phillies also had been among the teams that at least inquired and tried to find a package that would work with the Astros.

So what are the Astros looking for in return for Tucker? According to Sherman, it might be exactly what the Phillies have to offer.

The Astros are prioritizing major league-ready corner infielders and starting pitching

Sherman says Houston is looking for MLB-ready players, a corner infielder like Bohm, and a starting pitcher like Ranger Suárezmight be a fit for the Astros.

Would the Astros take that deal?  There will be competing, with teams like the Cubs, Giants, and Yankees, who are among the teams to have discussed Tucker with the Astros.

One issue with Tucker is that he is a left-handed bat. Where would he hit in the Phillies' lineup?

The Phillies could hit Trea Turner leadoff, but Tucker hitting in the No. 2 hole would likely be followed by Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, both left-handed bats. If the Phillies kept Schwarber at the top of the lineup with Turner at No. 2 and Harper at No. 3, they could hit Nick Castellanos fourth with Tucker hitting No. 5, which is where he has it for most of his Astros career.