As Major League Baseball approaches the end of the regular season, speculation about offseason moves is heating up. The New York Yankees, a team always in the spotlight during free agency, are expected to be particularly active this winter. While their top priority remains retaining superstar slugger Juan Soto, who is seen as a generational talent, the Yankees may need to explore other options if Soto departs.
One area where New York could use reinforcements is at third base. This has led some to wonder if the Yankees might consider signing Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, who is set to become a free agent. However, reports suggest that the Yankees are unlikely to pursue Bregman, largely due to his association with the Astros’ infamous 2017 sign-stealing scandal.
According to Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report, Bregman’s history with the scandal could deter teams like the Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers from entering the bidding for the 30-year-old third baseman.
“There seemed to be a feeling prior to the 2024 season that this would probably be it for Alex Bregman in Houston, with the (Scott Boras) client likely to test free agency and go to the highest bidder,” Kelly noted. “However, his connection to the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal might cause some teams that would otherwise make sense as suitors—such as the Dodgers and Yankees—not to pursue him in free agency.”
In addition to the scandal, Bregman’s performance during his contract year has been underwhelming. He started the season in a slump, batting just .219 with a .652 OPS through the end of May, which could further impact his market value.
While the Yankees will certainly be looking to strengthen their roster this offseason, it appears unlikely that Bregman will be part of their plans for 2025. Instead, the team will likely focus on other avenues to address their needs at third base and elsewhere.
