Sep 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Alec Bohm (28) celebrates in the dugout with right fielder Nick Castellanos (8) after hitting a home run during the third inning New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden revealed the details of an offer he says that the Phillies made the Houston Astros for Kyle Tucker, only to be rejected.
On his MLB Network Radio show, Bowden says that the Phillies offered Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos for Tucker, which Houston declined:
Phillies offered the Astros Nick Castellanos & Alec Bohm for Kyle Tucker. The Astros declined.
H/T: @PhilsTailgate
pic.twitter.com/eGgN4JQOzQ
Earlier this week, On Pattison examined the type of trade package it would take to entice the Astros to part with Tucker — one of the game's elite players — before his contract year. Suffice it to say, it was a more lucrative offer than what Bowden is talking about here:
What would the Phillies have to give up to acquire Kyle Tucker? For @OnPattison, I put together the forefront of a possible trade package. Hint: It will make Phillies fans uncomfortable. https://t.co/e5ipauwi97
With two years remaining before free agency, Bohm definitely has value. Even if the Astros view him more as a first baseman than a third baseman as Bowden suggests (which may very well be a negotiating tactic), they also have a need at first base. However, when Bruce Levine of 670 The Score says that the Chicago Cubs are discussing a deal that would send third baseman Isaac Paredes — a 25-year-old with three more years until free agency — to the Astros for Tucker, it becomes clear that the Phillies need to offer more than Bohm to headline their return.
Castellanos is a piece that just doesn't make a ton of sense for the Astros. If they may lose Alex Bregman because he prices his way out, and are considering trading Tucker and/or Framber Valdez out of fear they could do the same next offseason in free agency, why would they want Castellanos? Set to turn 33 in March, Castellanos is still owed $40 million over the next two seasons. His production has been uneven over three seasons with the Phillies, as he's posted a .744 OPS. Castellanos can carry a team when he's hot and just played all 162 games, so he absolutely has a place. It's just not at the forefront of a trade package for Tucker, especially if the Phillies don't plan to eat a significant chunk of his remaining money.
This may well have just been an opening offer from the Phillies, if it indeed was made. But it seems to be a long ways away from something that would get the Astros to trade away Tucker.
From @TimKellySports: Another AL West Team Reportedly Checked In on Alec Bohmhttps://t.co/jgNiBAvAfw
