Astros' Alex Bregman 'loss' could be Yankees' gain after recent contract rumors

Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros
Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros | Tim Warner/GettyImages

This may be the final time we get to write about Alex Bregman with even an ounce of Yankees-related hope, so please, let us have this.

With just about a week to go before spring training opens to pitchers and catchers, Bregman and once-and-future Mets slugger Pete Alonso still remain unsigned. Until recently, it was assumed that Bregman would eventually be a Tiger, Red Sox, or Blue Jay, with the Yankees still patiently waiting for someone to pick up Marcus Stroman's cash so they could begin considering third base options. Boston reportedly has capped themselves at a four-year offer, and someone (or multiple someones) have longer-term offers still on the table, including the six-year, $156 million proposal from the Astros that was left on read at the Winter Meetings.

Unfortunately, Houston, as they're wont to do, came back from the dead by dealing Ryan Pressly's money and suddenly leaking that Jose Altuve could change positions in order to accommodate the move. The Astros were reportedly after Jorge Polanco as an alternative, but he signed with Seattle. It all appeared to be lining up for the 'Stros. Until Tuesday.

On Tuesday afternoon at Houston's media luncheon, GM Dana Brown waved a wand over the Astros' recent frenzy, silencing the room. Altuve jogged in from left field (probably) as Brown noted that the Astros had "lost Bregman," clarifying that any recent conversations have been internal and he has not been in touch with Scott Boras.

Astros have "lost" Alex Bregman, but Yankees and others can finally (?) make short-term contract offers

First of all, this is incredible news because it means the Astros could get arrested again; Brown technically fractured a CBA attachment here, making a prohibited comment about an unsigned player with finality. Oops!

Secondly, though, the Astros' apparent loss is the Yankees' gain — yes, even if Bregman does end up in Boston.

According to Sox podcaster, and the host of Baseball Isn't Boring, Rob Bradford, the tide has finally begun to turn in the Bregman sweepstakes towards a recent influx of high AAV offers with fewer guaranteed years. If, say, Bregman doesn't want to sign on for long-term security in Toronto or Detroit, teams like Boston and the Chicago Cubs can get involved this way. Bregman, quite obviously, does not want to lock himself down forever in the cities that would like him to agree to such contracts.

Maybe this is finally the "price drop" opportunity that Brian Cashman and the Yankees have been waiting for? Objectively, two years of a player who grew up idolizing Derek Jeter is a good idea.

Let Toronto remain the "outlier"; if it's a six- or seven-year deal Bregman would prefer, he's welcome to go freeze up north.

If the playing field is evening up, though, and both the Red Sox' and Cubs' front offices are still "split" on their Bregman interest, that seems like the perfect time for Cashman to eat $13 million of Stroman's money and incentivize his former rival to come hold down the hot corner in the Bronx. According to Jon Morosi, Boston and the Cardinals have had recent conversations about Nolan Arenado. All the better.

Again ... we know it's unlikely, but let us have this one. It's just an article. At the very least, Houston's loss keeps the Yankees at the forefront of the American League.

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