The Yankees are looking for a bat this offseason and have been connected to former Astros 3B Alex Bregman, but talks between Houston and the All-Star infielder have apparently stalled.
Astros GM Dana Brown met with the media on Friday evening to talk about the trade they made with the Cubs that sent Kyle Tucker to Chicago. During this time, Brown was asked about Bregman’s status.
“Alex Bregman’s status is still the way it is,” Brown said via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. “Nothing has changed since the last time I talked to you guys. It’s pretty much the same (as) where we were on Tuesday.”
So far, the Astros’ offer to Bregman is the only one to leak out. According to multiple reports, Houston is looking to bring back their third baseman on a six-year, $156 million deal. If he accepts, it would be the largest contract in team history, beating the $151 million extension Jose Altuve signed in February.
The Tucker trade brought third baseman Isaac Paredes to Houston, making the position less of a need. Paredes did play 17 games at first base, so the Astros can technically bring back Bregman and move their newest infielder to that position. But if they were to move on from their longtime third baseman, this could be the time.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman spoke to the media Friday to talk about their acquisition of reliever Devin Williams and Bregman’s name was brought up.
“We’re going to vet every opportunity out there and see if that can match,” Cashman said. “[Bregman’s] been a thorn in our side for years, along with other people’s side. He’s now into free agency, I’m sure he has a boatload of choices. Good players like him make a lot of money. I have had a conversation or two with Scott Boras with a lot of his clients, including Alex Bregman. I respect the player and his ability, and how much winning he’s been a part of.”
The Yankees remain in the market for at least one infielder, as Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo are unlikely to return. Jazz Chisholm Jr. manned the hot corner for the Yanks last season but could switch to his original position at second base to facilitate a signing like Bregman’s. The Yankees are also interested in first basemen Christian Walker and Cody Bellinger.
Bregman had a slow start to his 2024 season but picked it up in the final months to give him numbers similar to what he’s accumulated over the past couple of years. He slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 30 doubles in 145 games but had an OPS of .768, the lowest since 2021, and his OBP (.315) was his lowest since his rookie season back in 2016.
