“Baseball’s Hot Corner Shell Game: Inside the Whirlwind of Third Base Trades”
Title: Yankees Lineup: Where Did the Interest in Bregman and Arenado Go?
As the MLB offseason continues to unfold, the New York Yankees are reeling from a series of unexpected moves. Following the departure of star pitcher Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets, the Yankees are now left scrambling to fill the void in their starting rotation. To make matters more complicated, the team was previously linked to high-tier free agent third basemen Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado, but those pursuits seem to have fizzled out.
So, where did things go wrong? According to a report on YES Network’s “Yankees Hot Stove,” the team was never seriously interested in either Bregman or Arenado. This contradicts an earlier report that the Yankees had indeed sought to bring in one or both of these talented players. As with many seemingly contradictory offseason reports, the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Perhaps the Yankees’ interest in Arenado was limited to a specific trade package that included Stroman’s salary, which the team was eager to shed.
Regardless of the depth of the Yankees’ interest, it seems unlikely that Arenado would be willing to join the team if it means waiving his no-trade protection. The third baseman has already vetoed a proposed trade with the Houston Astros and may prefer to remain with the St. Louis Cardinals. Additionally, the Yankees are already positioned to make a strong run without Arenado, thanks to their recent signing of Paul Goldschmidt and the return of starting pitcher Nestor Cortés.
As demonstrated in the article, it’s possible that the Yankees could reduce their luxury tax bill by trading away contracts or free agents, but the current salary situation may not allow for such moves. Signing Bregman would require a significant investment beyond what the Yankees are willing to make, and the team may be hesitant to further deplete its draft and bonus pools.
So, where will Bregman end up? The Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mets, and Tigers are all rumored to be interested in his services this winter. The most likely destination appears to be Detroit, where Bregman could solidify the team’s weak infield and lead the charge for a repeat performance in the ALDS. The asking price of at least $200 has been a significant obstacle, but it remains unclear whether the Tigers are willing to meet Bregman’s demands or if their overall goals are lower.
FAQ:
Q: Why wasn’t Bregman interested in the Yankees’ offer?
A: The team’s willingness to trade away draft picks and the prospect of Bregman’s combination with other free agents made it difficult for him to consider the Yankees’ overture.
Q: Who else is interested in signing Bregman?
A: The Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mets, and Tigers are all rumored to be interested in signing Bregman to solidify their infield.
Q: What is the asking price for Bregman?
A: Bregman’s reported asking price is at least $200, which could be a barrier to sign with the Tigers or any other team.
Q: Why did the Astros re-sign Walker instead of Bregman?
A: The Astros believed a three-year, $60MM deal for Walker was more attractive than going after Bregman, who had already turned down a six-year, $156MM offer.
Conclusion:
The Yankees’ aggressive offseason has left a void in their starting rotation, but the team’s pursuit of high-tier free agents has come up empty. Bregman appears to be headed elsewhere, with the Tigers being the most likely destination. As the offseason continues to unfold, one thing is certain – the Yankees will need to find another solution to fill the hole in their infield.
