Tucker prioritizing another World Series run over contract talks

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros general manager Dana Brown has made it clear his goal is to sign as many of the team’s core players as possible, which is a growing challenge considering three cornerstone players are due to hit free agency by the end of 2025.

Brown locked up pitcher Cristian Javier a year ago and earlier this month extended star second baseman Jose Altuve for five years and $125 million. Brown said the club plans to offer a contract to third baseman Alex Bregman (a free agent after this year), with free agency for right fielder Kyle Tucker and left-hander Framber Valdez -- both All-Stars last year -- looming the year after that.

Tucker said Monday there’s been some talks of an extension with the Astros, but no offer yet.

“Like I’ve always said, we’re always open to have those conversations, whether it happens now or a little later or whatever it may be,” he said.

The sooner the better would be the case for Tucker, though the Astros are likely to prioritize Bregman because his contract expires a year earlier. Tucker and the Astros agreed on 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 prolong it forever, but it kind of depends on having those conversations and working 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’s been great. I’m looking forward to the season and looking forward to going on a World Series run.”

Tucker slashed .284/.369/.517 with 29 homers, 30 steals and an AL-leading 112 RBIs last year, finishing fifth in AL MVP voting. He was named the 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 “Top 10 Players Right Now” at each position. He was second to Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., who was the National League MVP last year. Tucker, who was one homer shy of a 30-30 season, said his focus this year is on being more consistent.

“The year is long and there’s a lot of games, but you’ve got to stay on top of it,” he said. “At times, you can get tired from playing however many games in a row, but that’s our job to go out there and perform. I try and do my best in making it a consistent process every single day.”

When it comes to specific areas in which 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 single pitch, every single ball that’s hit to me, or even the ones I’m just backing up on,” he said. “And then baserunning, on being aggressive with it and making smart choices. And just being consistent at the plate and not really chasing and trying to do damage up there.”

Tucker is a big reason why the Astros are favored to contend for yet another AL title in 2024 after falling one win shy of reaching the World Series again last year. There may not be a more formidable lineup foursome in baseball than Altuve, Bregman, Yordan Alvarez and Tucker.

“Personally, I think we’ve got the best team in the league,” Tucker said. “I know that’s the vibe around the clubhouse. You have to have that mindset and go out there and still go to earn it and play hard and grind through it. But you have to go out there with the mindset that you’re the best player or team out there and hopefully we can get back to that position and get the job done.”