The Philadelphia Phillies are at a critical point in their championship contention window.
After three straight playoff berths without a World Series title, the Phillies' core is starting to age. Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto will both be free agents this offseason, while Aaron Nola suddenly looks to be in danger of a full-on decline.
As they attempt to strengthen their roster around superstar Bryce Harper, the centerpiece of everything the Phillies have built, Philadelphia might go back to big-game hunting in free agency this winter, after largely focusing on keeping their own players locked up for the last couple of years.
To one Major League Baseball insider, that signals the pursuit of the biggest name headed to the market this winter, barring a surprise extension from the Chicago Cubs.
On Wednesday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic named the Phillies among the expected suitors for Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker, a three-time All-Star who will still be 28 when he becomes a free agent in November.
"Tucker has led the Cubs to a first-place start in the NL Central and is considered a top-five MVP candidate in the league. He is again on pace to hit close to 30 homers and steal close to 30 bases," Bowden wrote.
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"Following Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million deal in free agency and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, Tucker is expected to land a nine-figure contract that starts with a 6. Several big-market teams, including the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers, should be in play for him."
Tucker, who has a .912 OPS through 49 games this season, is a particularly good fit given the Phillies' questionable outfield depth chart. Nick Castellanos is another aging veteran, Max Kepler is on a one-year contract, and Brandon Marsh has struggled to lock down center field.
Installing Tucker as the everyday right fielder for the next half-decade would solve plenty of problems in Philadelphia, but it's unclear whether they'll be willing to outbid the field in such a high-stakes auction.
More MLB: Cubs could sign Mets 4-time All-Star if Kyle Tucker leaves Chicago, per insider