The New York Yankees, despite a dominant regular season marked by a league-leading 119 wRC+, have struggled offensively during the 2025 playoff run. The team’s performance has drastically declined, with only three hitters boasting an OPS above .800. The situation has reignited discussions regarding potential aggressive moves to bolster the offense, particularly as key players like Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger are set to become free agents.
Recent reports indicate that the Yankees revisited trade talks with the Houston Astros, potentially involving players like Ben Rice, in pursuit of free agent superstar Kyle Tucker. Sources confirm that the Yankees held trade discussions with the Astros, aiming for a blockbuster deal.
Following a failed attempt to acquire Tucker from the Cubs in the previous offseason – a deal that included Rice and Jasson Dominguez – the same equation has resurfaced as Tucker enters free agency.
According to MLB insider Jesse Rogers, the Cubs were “never going” to sign Tucker. Rogers noted that the Yankees “held trade talks with the Astros with players like Ben Rice on the table for a potential blockbuster,” as relayed to EssentiallySports.
While the Yankees ultimately deemed not trading for Tucker the better option, sources suggest they could benefit from signing him this winter. Rogers contends that Rice, who posted 26 home runs during the regular season, outperformed Tucker (22 home runs). The Yankees are now prioritizing signing Tucker to address their offensive slump alongside stars like Aaron Judge.
The team’s offensive issues are particularly concerning given that only three Yankees hitters – Paul Goldschmidt (1.142), Aaron Judge (1.024), and rookie Ben Rice (.846) – had an OPS above .800 heading into Game 3 of the ALDS. The team-wide slump, coupled with struggles from Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Trent Grisham, has significantly diminished the depth of the Yankees’ lineup.
With the Yankees facing a precarious 0-2 deficit against the Toronto Blue Jays, the team recognizes the urgency of addressing this offensive slump to avoid a repeat of this year’s struggles, and ensure a competitive position heading into future seasons.