7 trade packages for Astros AF Kyle Tucker amid MLB rumors | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

Trade proposal: San Diego Padres get AF Kyle Tucker, RHP Lance McCullers Jr.; Houston Astros get 1B Luis Arraez, RHP Jason Adam

Why it works for the Padres

If the Padres are going to catch up with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, they would be wise to swing big. This trade would do the trick.

Although Fernando Tatis Jr. has right field gone, Tucker would fit nicely into Jurickson Profar’s abandoned shoe in left field. It hasn’t been his primary position as a big leaguer, but he has 72 games of experience out there.

Otherwise, an offensive foursome of Tucker, Tatis, Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill would be downright scary. It’s even scary enough to give the Dodgers’ trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman a run for their money.

Why it works for the Astros

Honestly, I considered an outright trade of Tucker for Dylan Cease. But since that would be a basically cash-neutral swap of impending free agents, it doesn’t quite work.

In Arraez and Adam, this deal would give Houston two pieces it could join right away. Arraez, in particular, is needed at a first base slot that has been a major problem for the Astros.

It’s also about the money. With $51.2 million in salaries expiring and $19.9 million in salaries, this deal would clear plenty of cap space for the Astros to subsequently bring back Bregman.