Just because the Reds could trade for Kyle Tucker doesn't mean they should

The Houston Astros are officially shopping Kyle Tucker, and all signs point to the outfielder landing on the North Side with the Chicago Cubs. Tucker is arguably a top-20 player, and his profile would drastically improve the Cincinnati Reds lineup in 2025. But just because the Reds could trade for Tucker doesn't mean they should.

The current trade proposal being floated about would send Tucker to the Cubs in exchange for outfielder Seiya Suzuki and infielder Isaac Parades. Houston would essentially be replacing Tucker in the outfield with Suzuki and supplementing the impending loss of Alex Bregman with Parades.

The outline itself is solid. The Astros are paying Jose Abreu and Rafael Montero a combined $40 million not to play for them next season, and with hefty contracts already doled out to players like Jose Altuve and Josh Hader, Houston doesn't have the payroll to commit to both Bregman and Tucker. This would help fill the losses of Tucker and Bregman while still allowing the Astros to remain competitive.

If the Cubs want to trade for Astros' OF Kyle Tucker, the Reds should not stand in the way

But the Reds could easily match or exceed the deal that's been circulating of late. Neither Suzuki nor Parades is a bona fide star, though both are everyday players. The Reds could offer a trade package centered around TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer or maybe Jake Fraley and Noelvi Marte. Those types of trade packages would effectively help Houston fill the void on their current roster and probably be enough to bring Tucker to Cincinnati.

But Tucker is a one-year rental; and he has no plans to sign a contract extension. After watching Juan Soto cash in big time this offseason, Tucker would be a fool to ink a new deal a year before he's able to hit free agency. Tucker has the type of talent that could warrant $300 million on the open market. That's not the type of territory that Cincinnati is comfortable competing against.

Furthermore, there's an equally attractive trade candidate available that would cost about the same amount of money in terms of salary and shouldn't require the Reds to subtract from their major league roster. The Chicago White Sox just dealt Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox, and there's little doubt that Luis Robert Jr. is on the trade block. If the Reds are looking to add a stud outfielder this winter, Robert is the guy that Nick Krall and Co. should focus on.

Unlike Tucker, Robert is under contract through 2027. That fact alone should be enough to convince you that Robert, not Tucker, should be tops on the Reds' list. But with the White Sox focusing on a rebuild, Cincinnati would only have to give up prospects (not major league talent) in order to land the former All-Star centerfielder.

Though Tucker would look great with the wishbone 'C' on his cap, the price tag and long-term future don't align with the Reds. Instead, Cincinnati should turn their attention to Robert.

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