The New York Yankees are pivoting from one former Houston Astros star to another.
After failing to land star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade — New York was outbid by the Chicago Cubs — the Yankees reportedly have their sights set on third baseman Alex Bregman.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees are going hard after the two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner.
“Just like that, it signals the Astros have given up on their pursuit of re-signing Bregman. They offered him a six-year, $156 million contract but he’s seeking in excess of $200 million,” Nightengale wrote. “The New York Yankees now are expected to put on a full-court press to sign Bregman and move Jazz Chisholm to second base, in what would be their latest big move since losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency.”
While there is some baggage from the cheating scandal in Houston a few years ago, the Yankees could quickly forget all that if he’s going to be the future of the hot corner in The Bronx.
The organization may feel confident about Chisholm’s ability to hold down third base on a daily basis, but Bregman would give the Yankees a clear upgrade on both sides of the ball. It would allow Chisholm to move back to second base, which is considered his more natural position.
Bregman is coming off a bit of a down year by his standards (118 OPS+), but he’s still a strong addition to the Yankees lineup. He has a career 132 OPS+ and has averaged 25 home runs and 98 RBI per season over his last three.
Meanwhile, he could solve the Yankees’ leadoff question mark or hit in front of Aaron Judge in the No. 2 spot in the order.
After missing on Juan Soto and then a trade for Tucker, adding Bregman to the roster seems to be the next big move the Yankees could make.
MORE MLB: Yankees next moves after failing to land Kyle Tucker
