As the Houston Astros keep an eye on the 2022 postseason, they are also looking at their future. The current core is aging as the likes of Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander, and Yuli Gurriel are not going to play forever. Other players are approaching free agency, and just as Carlos Correa did, could depart the organization.
It is time for the Astros to look to lock in their core for the present and future. This is something they are attempting to do as they have reportedly approached Kyle Tucker about an extension.
Houston Astros looking to future with Kyle Tucker
At this point, there is nothing happening with those talks. However, this does not mean that Tucker would not be amenable to an extension. He did say that he would be willing to have further discussions and noted that as he is under team control through 2025, there is still a lot of time to iron out a deal.
Tucker had been expected to be a key part of the Astros’ future. He was a consensus top 100 prospect from 2016 through 2019, someone whose all around game was expected to transform the lineup. His struggles during his brief stint in the majors in 2018 did nothing to change those thoughts.
He is beginning to develop into the player the Astros hoped for. Tucker has put together a .269/.338/.505 batting line in his 1108 plate appearances entering Tuesday, hitting 50 homers and 64 doubles while stealing 37 bases and providing Gold Glove caliber defense in right. At 25 years old, he may just be scratching the surface of his abilities.
That is seemingly what the Astros believe as well. Tucker is exactly the type of player they would look to build around, someone who can impact the game in every facet. He could become the next face of the franchise, their next homegrown superstar as they look to continue to contend into the future.
The Houston Astros are looking to extend Kyle Tucker. He is exactly the type of player that they should be looking to build around going forward.