Cashman: Yankees have had contract talks with Bregman
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged Friday that he's had contract talks with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
"He's been a thorn in our sides for years, along with a lot of other peoples' sides," Cashman said of the longtime Houston Astros star, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "He's now into free agency, and I'm sure he's got a whole boatload of choices. Really good players like him make a lot of money."
Cashman did not elaborate on the state of his talks with Bregman's camp or when those discussions may have occurred. Bregman is represented by Scott Boras.
Bregman is the top third-base option available in free agency this offseason after nine years in Houston as a pillar of the Astros' recent run of success. The 30-year-old hit the open market after winning his first Gold Glove in 2024 while also hitting 26 home runs, although his .768 OPS was a new career low.
On the field, he'd be a near-perfect fit for the Yankees. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is still slated to open next season at the hot corner, but Bregman's presence would allow the team to move Chisholm to his natural position of second base. Bregman would also bring plenty of championship pedigree to a team that hasn't won a championship in 15 years, having won two rings in Houston.
Bregman is, of course, no stranger to the Yankees and their fans thanks to their rivalry with Houston over the past decade. His presence on the 2017 World Series champion Astros, who beat the Yankees en route to the title and were later found to have illegally stolen signs, has turned him into something of a villain in the Bronx. All told, Bregman's Astros eliminated New York in the ALCS three times over the past eight seasons.
The Yankees face stiff competition for Bregman's services. There's reportedly mutual interest between the two-time All-Star and the Detroit Tigers, and Houston wants to bring him back. Boras said earlier this winter that Bregman would consider switching positions, which could open up even more suitors.
New York has wasted no time building its 2025 roster after losing Juan Soto to the crosstown rival Mets. The club traded for award-winning closer Devin Williams on Friday and reportedly inked star left-hander Max Fried to an eight-year, $218-million deal at the winter meetings.