The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have been headed in opposite directions over the last month or so. The Yankees have squandered their lead in the AL East and are hanging on by a thread to a wild card spot. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have played themselves into a wild card spot and sit in second place in the division.
The Yankees made numerous moves at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, but they haven't worked out as well as New York hoped, at least so far. However, the Yankees may add another big addition this offseason in former Houston Astros' third baseman Alex Bregman.
Bregman played the first nine years of his career with the Astros, earning three All-Star appearances, a gold glove, a silver slugger and won two World Series'. The standout third baseman signed a three year deal with the Red Sox this past offseason, but has an opt-out after this year.
The former Astro is having an incredible season, hitting a career-high .299 with a .921 OPS. Bregman has hit 16 home runs and collected 50 RBI this season and would be on pace to match his 2019 output in both categories if it weren't for his injuries this season. Bregman finished second in the MVP voting in 2019.
With the season Bregman is having, the Red Sox's rivals could swoop in and bring Bregman to New York. The Yankees' production at third base has not been there this year. Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza have combined to hit below .200 with a .541 OPS. New York did add Ryan McMahon at the trade deadline and have him under control for multiple years, but adding Bregman at third base would be a huge upgrade.
"Bregman, who is making $40 million this year and signed for two more years at that rate, will likely opt out of his contract and seek a longer-team deal," The Athletic's Jim Bowden wrote. "He missed time this season with a quad injury but has hit .299/.379/.542 in 327 plate appearances."
Bowden did mention that Boston would likely be Bregman's top option in free agency, but it would be a crowded field of buyers. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are among the teams that could compete with the price tag the Red Sox and Yankees would offer Bregman.