The New York Yankees have been dead silent outside of a few minor moves, which has fans getting antsy. There are a lot of talented players available in free agency — and ones the Yankees could definitely use — but it appears as if Marcus Stroman's contract is prohibiting them from acting.
As of right now, depending on where you look, the Yankees' payroll sits at somewhere in between $273 million and $284 million. For the 2025 season, the final luxury tax threshold, dubbed "The Cohen Tax", sits at $301 million. Why does that matter? Because New York is in danger of exceeding that number, which means they will be taxed 110% on every dollar spent after surpassing it. For example, if the Yankees spend $1 million over and have a $302 million payroll, they will owe an additional $1.1 million, bringing it up to $303.1 million.
Perhaps that's why they've remained outside of luxury acquisitions like Alex Bregman, who reportedly wants a contract in excess of $175 million. If that's the case, there's almost no way the Yankees can dip under the threshold, unless they get rid of other salaries. Stroman's is the No. 1 culprit at $18 million, and he has an $18 million vesting option for 2026 if he pitches 140 or more innings in 2025.
Until that money is moved, the Yankees probably aren't making a high-dollar signing. Instead, they'll let Bregman ... go to the Boston Red Sox or back to the Houston Astros?!
Yankees Free Agency Update: Jurickson Profar, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso and more
Earlier this week, speculation ran rampant concerning Bregman and the Red Sox. Rumors suggested they were as close as ever to a deal. Others suggested Bregman agreed to play second base. Alex Cora tweeted a checkmark and fans lost their mind. Jon Heyman said the Red Sox looked like the "most likely" destination for the slugger.
But some of that was refuted, and it all came to a head on Thursday when it was reported Bregman had re-engaged with the Astros, with the $156 million offer remaining on the table from way earlier in the offseason. Bregman opted to explore free agency further rather than accept the deal at the time.
Ever since, his market has lagged. Nobody's stepped up to blow him away, so there's now a chance he goes back to where it all started so he can terrorize the Yankees for a few more years.
As for done deals, Jurickson Profar inked a three-year, $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The 2024 All-Star departed the San Diego Padres for a payday, and the Braves waited it out long enough before they felt offering him $14 million per season would seal the deal.
Yankees fans had been on board with the front office targeting Profar, given their need for a leadoff hitter and potential left fielder, but it became clear that's not where Brian Cashman was going to exert his energy. Such an expensive move would've done more to displace Jasson Dominguez and further convolute the imperfect outfield picture, making things more unnecessarily complicated.
Within the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays have been active ever since signing Anthony Santander. They deferred a majority of his contract and are reportedly eyeing Pete Alonso and Max Scherzer. They were also rumored to be in on Profar before he landed in Atlanta.
Rumors from earlier on Thursday suggested the Jays were in "advanced" discussions with Alonso and Scherzer, but a couple of trusted Toronto insiders squashed that rather quickly. It's been said they remain in "regular" discussions, however, so that much appears to be true. It's just much farther off than initially believed.
If those talks accelerate, life won't be easy for the Yankees. Adding Alonso to that lineup and Scherzer to that rotation upgrades the Blue Jays significantly, in more ways than one, even if Alonso had a down 2024 and Scherzer appears to be on the outs. But are major presences, accomplished major leaguers, and clubhouse influences.
Being a spectator in free agency, as a fan, no matter the clientele, is always difficult. When you're watching your rivals make headway on major moves? That's when you gotta close the apps for a bit.