Major League Baseball’s winter meetings are in full swing in Dallas, and the Houston Astros find themselves at the center of some serious buzz. With Juan Soto’s record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets shaking things up, all eyes are now on two Astros stars: Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman. Both are at the heart of some big offseason questions—will Tucker be traded, and where might Bregman end up?
Let’s start with Tucker. He’s entering his final year under team control with Houston, meaning a one-year deal is expected soon to carry him through 2025. But after that? Tucker hitting free agency was already seen as a strong possibility, and Soto’s mega-contract has only made that outcome feel more inevitable. Outfielders’ market value just shot through the roof, and it’s doubtful the Astros will pay the kind of money Tucker will likely command.
Now, the question is whether the Astros should trade Tucker before he walks. They’ve lost big names like Gerrit Cole, George Springer, and Carlos Correa to free agency in the past—but back then, their farm system was stacked with talent. That’s not the case anymore. With their minor league pipeline looking pretty thin, flipping Tucker for a haul of prospects might be the smartest move, but it’ll all come down to the offers on the table.
Then there’s Alex Bregman. His future with the Astros is also uncertain, with his agent, Scott Boras, reportedly chasing offers that blow past Houston’s six-year, $156 million proposal. Word is Bregman’s camp is aiming for a deal worth over $200 million. Enter the Yankees, who now have cash to spend after missing out on Soto. The Bronx Bombers could be a real threat to snag Bregman, adding a twist to the ongoing saga.
As of now, the odds favor Bregman reuniting with his former manager, A.J. Hinch, in Detroit. Here’s a snapshot of the betting odds for his next team:
- Detroit Tigers: +175
- Philadelphia Phillies: +400
- Washington Nationals: +550
- Toronto Blue Jays: +600
- Boston Red Sox: +700
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +800
- New York Yankees: +850
The Tigers also loom as a contender for Justin Verlander, who’s reportedly considering a return to Detroit, where he played from 2006 to 2017. Verlander has plenty of suitors, with the Cubs, Dodgers, Orioles, and others in the mix. But the nostalgia factor of heading back to his old team could make the Tigers a strong possibility.
Here’s where Verlander’s odds stand:
- Chicago Cubs: +350
- Detroit Tigers: +350
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +400
- Baltimore Orioles: +600
- Cincinnati Reds: +700
- Arizona Diamondbacks: +800
- Cleveland Guardians: +800
- New York Yankees: +800
For Astros fans, the writing on the wall is hard to ignore. With Tucker potentially being traded, and Bregman and Verlander likely heading elsewhere, it’s starting to feel like the end of an era for Houston. The team’s golden days may officially be in the rearview mirror.
