Even though the New York Yankees hope to make the playoffs in 2024 following a busy offseason that included the deal for star hitter Juan Soto. it’s always too early to project what the upcoming class of free agents might have to offer.
Joel Sherman anticipated the market for two-time All-Star and two-time World Series winner Alex Bregman in an article for the New York Post. Bregman is expected to sign a nine-year, $286 million contract when he becomes a free agent at the end of the current campaign. In an attempt to land him for 2025, Sherman hinted that the Yankees and their crosstown opponent may engage in a bidding war.
Sherman wrote, “I observed there will be more financial altercations between the Mets and Yankees.” “And Alex Bregman is involved in one (possible bidding war) that I think could be very interesting.”
New York Yankees Will Get an Upgrade With Alex BregmanÂ
When describing the Yankees’ possible interest in Bregman, Sherman mentioned that the third baseman would address one of the team’s most pressing roster requirements. D.J. LeMahieu. The team’s anticipated starter at that position in 2024, is 35 years old, while Oswald Peraza, their next-best prospect, is still an unknown big-league player.
“No one in the minors is even prepared to pretend to contend for the position, and they don’t really believe in Oswald Peraza as a starting player,” Sherman wrote. “There’s also this: LeMahieu could have a fantastic season, move back to second base, and push the Yankees to third when Gleyber Torres hits free agency.”
LeMahieu is anticipated to bat first for the Yankees in the opening games of 2024. But if he hopes to hold that position, he will need to improve upon his career-low.243 batting average from the previous campaign. Although Peraza is only 23 years old, his slash line from the previous season was.191/.267/.272, which suggests the Yankees may not consider him a long-term third baseman.
Over the course of his eight-year MLB career, Bregman has slashed.274/.373/.487, including 25 home runs and 98 RBI in the last campaign. In addition to his 2018 and 2019 All-Star seasons, he received votes for MVP in 2022 and 2023. In 2019, he also won his only Silver Slugger award with 41 home runs and 112 RBI.
While the Astros may extend Bregman’s contract, like they did for Jose Altuve, which was worth $151 million for five years, the anticipated expense might be too high.
For CBS Sports, Mike Axisa stated, “Bregman is still in his prime, and he and (agent Scott) Boras will expect to be paid accordingly.” “And to be honest, they probably want the same kind of contract that Jim Crane, the owner of the Astros, has avoided.”
Projecting Agent Auction Wars by 2025
Along with drawing attention to the Yankees’ connection to Bregman, Sherman hinted that following the 2024 season, the organization and the Mets would engage in bidding wars for a few more elite free agents.
“There have been rumors that the New York teams will face off against each other for Juan Soto in the upcoming offseason,” he continued.
The right-hander is expected to pique the interest of both New York teams, barring any lingering resentment over a contentious arbitration in February 2023 that led to public criticism by Corbin Burnes against the Milwaukee Brewers during a period when David Stearns. The president of the Mets, was only an advisor and no longer in charge of baseball operations.
