Tucker on arbitration process: 'It is what it is'

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The disappointment was clear on Kyle Tucker’s face and in his voice, which is to be expected after losing an arbitration case. The Astros’ All-Star right fielder had sought a $7.5 million salary for 2023 from the Astros, who countered with an offer of $5 million.

That’s a substantial difference and, not surprisingly, made for an “eye-opening” process for Tucker, who said he had been looking forward to his hearing earlier this month. Despite “a really good case” by Tucker’s agency, Excel, and the Major League Baseball Players’ Association, a panel of arbiters sided with the Astros and left Tucker ready to put the whole thing behind him as Spring Training started.

“The outcome wasn’t what we were hoping,” he said. “I don’t think it was the right one, but it is what it is at this point. I just wanted to go out there and fight for what my value was and what we kind of wanted to do. You’ve just got to respect it and move on and work on getting ready for the season.”

Tucker is coming off his best season as a big leaguer, one in which he hit .257 with 30 homers, 107 RBIs and 25 stolen bases while winning his first Gold Glove Award. He was named to the American League All-Star team for the first time and recorded the final out for the Astros in their World Series clincher over the Phillies on Nov. 5 at Minute Maid Park.

Tucker, unlike Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes earlier this week, said the process didn’t adversely affect his relationship with the Astros.

“I enjoy playing here and being around the guys and playing for the Astros,” he said. “There’s a little bit of a difference in a view as a player and the value of it, but it’s different opinions. I still enjoyed coming in here every day playing and putting on a show for the fans and the rest of the team.”

The hardest part, Tucker said, was listening to the Astros make points during the hearing that were meant to negatively impact his compensation.

“It is a little tough during that aspect,” he said. “You put in all that work and you value yourself a certain way, and the team values [you] a little different. It’s a part of the whole arbitration process and the business side of this, but you’ve just got to respect the outcome.”

Astros general manager Dana Brown said earlier this week that he spoke to Casey Close, Tucker’s agent, on Tuesday and there were “no hard feelings” either way.

“I’m used to dealing with Casey through the amateur Draft, so we have a good relationship,” Brown said. “We both understand that this is what arbitration is all about. We have to remain focused. I know he has to put his client first, and I’m putting both the client and organization first, if I could put it that way. But make no mistake, I don’t think there’s [any negative feelings] between Casey and I or the organization and Casey or Tucker and the organization.”

Still, that didn’t stop Astros manager Dusty Baker from calling Tucker into his office Friday to gauge his mood as he arrived at camp. Baker never went through the arbitration process, but he said he did hold himself out of Spring Training a couple of times as a player because he felt undervalued and subsequently had a bad attitude.

“I expressed to him that it is a business; you try not to let your attitude change or waver, or the way you play the game or the way that you are,” Baker said. “That was one of the first conversations I was going to have when I came to Spring Training. Most of these guys, whatever they’re going though, there’s a good chance I’ve gone through it at some point in time. And if not, maybe somebody else that I know.”

When Brown announced the signing of pitcher Cristian Javier to a five-year, $64 million contract extension Thursday, he said he’d had talks with Tucker’s agent about a long-term extension. Tucker said Saturday that the topic didn’t come up during the arbitration discussions, but he remains open to it.

“I don’t want to guarantee anything, but we’ll see how it goes,” Tucker said. “I’m here regardless this year and the next two, unless something changes. But as of right now I’m trying to focus on the season and get ready and try to run it back.”