BREAKING: Yankees Pursuit of $120 Million Slugger May Be ‘Clouded’ by Scandal

Yankees GM Brian Cashman

GettyYankees GM Brian Cashman

Brian Cashman has been the Yankees general manager for the last 26 years, and considering the organization’s history of volatility in that role, he probably does not have to worry about job security much, even with the Yankees’ sitting on a 15-year World Series championship drought, one of the longest in franchise history.

That championship drought has been a point of contention for Cashman, who has long insisted that the 2017 Yankees could well have won the World Series if they were not “cheated” (as he says) by the Houston Astros‘ sign-stealing scandal. Cashman has been openly hostile to all things Astros in the years since.

But would that preclude him from pursuing one of the most important cogs in that Houston title team, especially if that cog could be a perfect fit for the Yankees roster? That is an important question this winter as the Yankees prepare to reconfigure their infield, with third base coming in as a top priority.

That’s because the biggest free-agent third baseman available is Alex Bregman, who has spent all of his nine-year career as an anchor in the Astros lineup.

Alex Bregman an Ideal Fit at 3B

Bregman makes sense for the Yankees, assuming the plan is to move Jazz Chisholm to his more natural second-base spot. Chisholm was acquired in July, ahead of the MLB trade deadline, from the Marlins, and though he had ample experience as a second baseman, had not played third before. But he held up at the position for the stretch run, even if only temporarily.

The Yankees are likely to let free-agent second baseman Gleyber Torres walk this winter and move Chisholm back to second base, leaving a gaping hole at third. Bregman, who hit 26 homers and batted .260 this season, could be ideal.

While Bregman won’t be cheap and the Yankees’ priority will be keeping outfielder Juan Soto in place, his projected contract at Spotrac–four years, $120 million–is not out of the Yankees’ range, especially if the team uses cost-effective prospects like Jasson Dominguez, Spencer Jones and/or Ben Rice going forward.

Yankees’ Brian Cashman Still Resents the Astros

But then, there is the whole Astros-cheating connection, and Cashman’s disdain for Houstonians.

Writes MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco

“Alex Bregman is the only star third baseman available in free agency. He’s a strong fit for the roster on paper, but a pursuit could be clouded by the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Cashman has continued to take shots at the 2017 Houston team that beat the Yankees in the ALCS, doing so as recently as last week. “I hate the 15-year (pennant drought) because it completely forgets and discounts that some other organization cheated us. … I think we would’ve been advancing,” the GM said in an appearance on MLB Network’s High Heat.

“It’s fair to assume a large portion of the fanbase feels similarly. While that doesn’t inherently mean the Yankees won’t consider Bregman, it’s a complicating factor.”

Related Posts

Juan Soto Rumors: MLB Insider Provides Massive Update on Dodgers’ Interest in Potential $700 Million Star

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the many teams checking in on superstar outfielder Juan Soto in free agency. Soto is expected to sign the largest contract…

SHOCKING NEWS: Dodgers Legend Fernando Valenzuela‘s Cause of Death Has Been Revealed

Sandy Hooper-USA TODAY via Imagn Images Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela died of septic shock, according to his death certificate. Valenzuela passed away last month at…

BREAKING: Dodgers Star Could Dump L.A. To Join Red Sox On Projected $71M Deal

Boston has the means to swing a deal for the Dodgers star slugger Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez…

Dodgers Making $100 Million Changes to Dodger Stadium Following 2024 Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on social media that they will conduct renovations on Level One of Dodger Stadium this offseason. These renovations will include renovating the clubhouse, and…

Yankees approaching another misstep after Aaron Boone’s recent comments

World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees – Game 5 / Alex Slitz/GettyImages Aaron Boone is returning as manager of the New York Yankees…

UPDATE: Yankees Have This Crucial Advantage in Juan Soto Sweepstakes

The Yankees have a rather unexpected and convenient advantage in their pursuit of Soto. Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto…