This Houston Astros star should be Dana Brown's next extension target

Brown took part in negotiations for more than a half-dozen major contract extensions during his previous stint in Atlanta's front office. His strategy for locking up key players long term could soon take root in Houston. 

So which player could Brown look to add to his extension tally before the start of the 2023 season? There are no shortage of potential candidates. Javier's rotation mate and Houston's projected Opening Day starter, Framber Valdez, has already been tabbed as a potential extension candidate. The same applies to 2023 Rookie of the Year candidate Hunter Brown. But there is one position player in particular who should warrant extra consideration regarding a potential contract extension. Enter Kyle Tucker. 

Tucker's production in recent seasons speaks for itself. The 26-year-old right fielder was baseball's only player to tally at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 2022, and it was more than just his simple counting stats that made him one of the sport's emerging stars. Tucker paired his prodigious offensive season with a Gold Glove and 5.2 wins above replacement, a figure higher than all but four fellow AL outfielders. With Yordan Alvarez secured in Houston with a contract extension through 2028, Brown and team owner Jim Crane could act fast to secure their other corner outfielder on a long-term deal sooner than later. Brown even hinted as much last week. 

"Tucker, we've been in conversation," Brown told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "We had some talks with Tucker, of course, because it's coming up on the arbitration hearing, and [Cristian] Javier, he's also coming up on the [arbitration] hearing."

Houston has plenty of impressive bats in what projects to be the AL's most potent lineup in 2023. And while Tucker doesn't sport the same profile as Alvarez, Jose Altuve or Alex Bregman in fans' consciousness, he could quickly become the Astros star with the most value on the open market. Consider the factors at play. Altuve will turn 33 in May. Bregman is soon to be 29 with previous injury history. Tucker, on the other hand is a pre-prime player with little injury history, with advanced metrics that paint the picture of an impressive two-way force still on the rise. 

Tucker recently lost his arbitration hearing earlier this month, and is now slated to make $5 million in 2023 rather than his requested $7.5 million mark. Houston could very well go through the next two seasons of Tucker's arbitration years, pay him a salary likely below $15 million each season, then see if they can match an offer in the winter after the 2025 season in free agency. Such a recipe doesn't seem like the soundest strategy. As Tucker inches closer to free agency, his odds of seeking a near-$300 million offer on the open market continues to grow. Brown and Co. would be well inclined to act sooner than later with Houston's rising outfield star.