"Fire Brian Cashman now"; "I don't blame them" - Fans react as Yankees lose Kyle Tucker to Cubs over Luis Gil and George Lombard Jr.
The New York Yankees are under fire from fans after losing out on acquiring Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros. The outfielder could have replaced the void left in the right field by Juan Soto, who signed a mammoth $765 million deal with the New York Mets in free agency.
The Yankees, who were interested in acquiring Tucker, were caught sleeping as the Chicago Cubs acquired him on Friday in a blockbuster trade that sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith to the Astros.
MLB insider Jon Heyman shared what went wrong with the Yankees' offer for Kyle Tucker.
"Yankees did not want to part with both Luis Gil and George Lombard Jr. in package for Tucker. They view Gil as a potential No. 1. Never got especially close," Heyman wrote on X.
Reacting to the news, some fans were aggrieved.
"Fire cashman now," one fan commented, referring to Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
"Why not trade and extend like the Dodgers did with Mookie? They think Gil/Lombard will be more valuable than Tucker???" another asked.
"I don’t think the Yankees watched second half Luis Gil," another wrote.
Another fan shared their frustration at the Yankees' inability to make a big move.
"Why won’t the Yankees ever commit to making the absolute necessary moves to be a WS contender? They always get to good or very good, but never get over the line - make the deals happen!!" another exclaimed.
However, some fans understand that parting ways with AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil didn't make sense.
"I don't blame them," one fan wrote.
"This is a good move by the @Yankees. Gil is definitely too valuable for a one year rental. Lombard Jr. is going to be great too," another added.
Brian Cashman reacts to Kyle Tucker trade
Kyle Tucker was one of the best hitters in the majors last year before he hit the injured list due to a fractured right shin. In a limited sample, Tucker hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs in just 78 games. A full-season projection lands him with near about 48 home runs, even better than Juan Soto, who had 41.
After the trade went official, Brian Cashman revealed where they were in the potential Tucker trade.
“We certainly had many conversations with the Astros,” the Yankees general manager said. “At the end of the day I’m glad that Mr. Tucker is not in the American League East or the American League at all. But it’s a big get for the Chicago Cubs.”
This way the Yankees missed a potential opportunity that could have filled Soto's void seamlessly. Kyle Tucker will become a free agent after the 2025 season, where the Yankees will likely get into a bidding war like they did for Soto this year.