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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Astros general manager Dana Brown has made it clear that his goal is to sign as many of the team’s core players as possible, which is an increasing challenge considering three key players are arriving to free agency at the end. of 2025.
Tucker said Monday that there have been some talks about an extension with the Astros, but there is no offer yet.
“As I’ve always said, we’re always open to having those conversations, whether it happens now or a little later or whatever,” he said.
The sooner, the better the case would be for Tucker, although the Astros will likely prioritize Bregman because his contract expires a year early. Tucker and the Astros agreed to a $12 million contract for this season after the 27-year-old lost his arbitration case last year and played for $5 million.
“Obviously, I’d rather not drag it out forever, but it’s just having those conversations and figuring it out and seeing what’s best for me and the team,” Tucker said. “You have to take everything into account and see where it goes. I enjoyed my time here. It has been great. “I’m looking forward to the season and looking forward to participating in the World Series.”
Tucker hit .284/.369/.517 with 29 home runs, 30 steals and an AL-leading 112 RBIs last year, finishing fifth in AL MVP voting. He was named Astros MVP by the Houston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He also won his first Silver Slugger Award.
MLB Network ranked Tucker as the second-best right fielder in baseball in its annual tradition of ranking the “10 best players right now” at each position. He was second to Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., who was the National League’s Most Valuable Player last year. Tucker, who was one home run shy of a 30-30 season, said his focus this year is to be more consistent.
“The year is long and there are a lot of games, but you have to stay on top of it,” he said. “Sometimes you can get tired of playing so many games in a row, but our job is to go out and perform. I try and do my best to make it a consistent process every day.”
When it comes to specific areas he’s trying to improve, Tucker said it’s a little bit of everything: defense, hitting and baserunning.
“I want to get back to playing solid defense on every pitch, every ball I get hit, or even the ones where I’m just backing off,” he said. “And then run bases, be aggressive and make smart decisions. And just being consistent at the plate and not chasing or trying to do damage up there.”
Tucker is a big reason the Astros are the favorites to compete for another American League title in 2024 after falling one win short of reaching the World Series again last year. There may not be a more formidable lineup quartet in baseball than Altuve, Bregman, Yordan Alvarez and Tucker.
“Personally, I think we have the best team in the league,” Tucker said. “I know that’s the vibe in the clubhouse. You have to have that mentality and go out there and still go earn it, play hard and overcome it. But you have to go out with the mentality that you are the best player or the best team and hopefully we can get back into that position and get the job done.”
