Alex Bregman in Pinstripes – Overkill or Missing Piece? Should the Yankees Prioritize Him or their Outfield?

The New York Yankees have reportedly been shaking things around when it comes to their lineup. They hired quite a few minor-league prospects this month. They have their eyes set on some of the biggest free agency prospects in the MLB offseason market. The team is also in talks of trading in some sluggers from other teams. The latest that is rumored to join that list is none other than the Houston Astros’ third baseman, Alex Bregman.

Considering the market is full of other prospects and a special focus on the team’s outfield, does chasing Bregman seem like a good choice for the Yankees to make?

The sudden rise of Alex Bregman on the New York Yankees scouting radar

Alex Bregman has been playing with his current team, the Houston Astros, since 2019. They signed him in on a $100 million deal for five years. His projected salary for the upcoming season is all set to reach somewhere around $28.5 million. Now, with the recent news of the Astros’ interest in trading him off (as revealed by the MLB Network on X), teams and deals are being targeted to be shaken around.

Bregman’s record of hitting 25 homers this season ended with a .262 BA and .804 OPS. It seems like the Astros might be making the wrong decision by trading him. They have already traded off some of the other members of the core group in the past few years. Take Justin Verlander or Carlos Correa, for example. They won 90 games this season, their lowest since their 2016 stint of 84. Now, the Yanks are all set to take advantage of what seems like a mistake in the making in the Astros clubhouse.

One of the primary factors that the New York Yankees are focusing on is regulating their outfield obstructions. They have been on the lookout for sluggers like Juan Soto and Cody Bellinger to fix that issue. They want to get Jordan Montgomery or Yoshinobu Yamamoto for their rotational positions; both of them have high skills in their rights. Adding Bregman to the list sounds like a bit of an underhanded play, to be honest. Is there something that Bregman supposedly brings to the diamond that their other prospects don’t?

Odds for the end of the victory drought for the New York Yankees

Alex Bregman is currently 29 years old, which indicates he has a good six years to give to the field. That, with his ongoing price tag of $28.5 million a year, doesn’t seem too much to afford on the Yankees’ end. However, it might keep them from enrolling other players with a longer future ahead of them, like Yamamoto.

Bregman has fared well this season, with 98 RBIs in his bag. He was instrumental in the Astros’ fielding placement in the American Leagues this year. Bregman secured the fourth placement for his fielding percentage of .963.

Read More: Houston Astros Star’s 2019 Lucky Charm Proves Effective 4 Years Later as He Shines in Game 5 ALCS Win

If the Yankees deal does happen, Bregman will bring along his skills along with the plethora of experience he has gained over the years. The 2018 All-Star MVP is in perfect form as of now. Whether that will decline over the next few years in his supposed Yankee regime is an answer that only time can provide.

Is Alex Bregman a superfluous addition or the essential puzzle for the New York Yankees dugout?

The Pinstripes will make a wise move by trading in Bregman only if they also hire a few other prospective long-term players. The team could use some progress, given the resources they have and the name they’ve made for themselves over the course of a century. They can be expected to offer players like Spencer Jones or Jasson Domínguez if the trade does go through. The prospective trade might look like overkill as of now because the Bronx Bombers need to focus on their pitching lineup more than the bases. However, with a seasoned player like Bregman, things might just fall into place.

The Astros don’t seem to have enough cash to keep both Jose Altuve and Bregman on the team until 2024. So, they can also ask for some cash favors for the trade. However, sending Dominguez out means that the Yankees aren’t worried about coping with the finances at all.

Read More: “He Always Comes Through”: 2x Astros World Champion Left ‘In Awe’ by Jose Altuve’s Remarkable Clutch Performance

Their current batting lineup is being led by Captain Aaron Judge. Adding a select sect of new at-bats to the team will fill the void left behind by the decline in the form of plays like D.J. LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, or Anthony Rizzo. Anthony himself is set to get back in form by mid-2024.

The best move by the Yankees right now would be to sign Bregman on a year-long trial contract. If the player shows perfect form, then it’s well and good. They can then think about extending his contract from thereon out. That will shut down the rumors going on about his prospective decline in form. Let’s hope it brings out the best of both Alex Bregman and his impending Yankees fame. If you do think that the Yankees should go with any baseman other than him, do let us know in the comments below!

Watch This Story: Yankees’ Fans Offer Compassion For Former Ace Severino, Demonstrating Unconventionality