Kyle Tucker’s Potential Move to the Orioles

This winter, Kyle Tucker could find himself in an unexpected place. The Athletic reported on Thursday that Orioles officials are “not ruling out” the possibility of signing the talented outfielder during free agency.

Interestingly, Baltimore is now on the radar of various teams interested in Tucker, who will turn 29 in January. He’s considered one of the top position players available this offseason.

In fact, last week, Jon Heyman from the Post identified the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Mets, and Yankees as teams also vying for Tucker’s talent.

Meanwhile, the Cubs, who acquired Tucker from the Astros last offseason, reportedly aren’t looking to bring him back. It’s a curious situation since the Orioles, known for their budget constraints, might not be a perfect match for a four-time All-Star believed to be seeking a contract worth over $400 million.

Mike Elias, the Orioles’ president of team operations, has long been familiar with Tucker; he was the Astros’ director of scouting when Tucker was drafted fifth overall in 2015.

Tucker just wrapped up a solid first season with Chicago, posting a .266 batting average with an OPS of .864, along with 22 home runs. His career stats reflect an impressive 27.3 WAR over eight MLB seasons.

If the Orioles do manage to sign him, there’s even some speculation that they might trade away young outfielders like Colton Cowser or Dylan Beavers in exchange for a pitcher.

In a recent trade, the Orioles sent right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels to acquire outfielder Taylor Ward, which adds another layer to their offseason plans.

Looking ahead, Baltimore is hoping to rebound after a disappointing 2025 season. They entered the year with playoff aspirations, but ultimately finished last in the American League East with a record of 75 wins and 87 losses.