Yankees pay the price dancing around free agents as Alex Bregman lands with Red Sox

The Yankees were going to regret this is some way, shape or form, but the Alex Bregman sweepstakes have ended with the worst possible outcome for New York. The former hated Houston Astro just signed with the Boston Red Sox.

The months-long staredown finally ended Wednesday night when Bregman reportedly agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox. The deal is said to include opt outs after each season, giving Bregman flexibility in regard to another payday while ensuring him against injury or regression.

It was believed Bregman was holding out for a deal in the six- or seven-year range that approached $200 million, but it's evident nobody came close to offering that (unless, of course, it was the Blue Jays, where Bregman reportedly did not want to sign).

Or ... wait a second, somebody did! The Detroit Tigers reportedly offered Bregman six years in the $170 million range with deferrals, but the two-time All-Star chose Boston, likely due to the massive AAV and ability to opt out. Not to mention, he's reuniting with Alex Cora, who was the bench coach for the cheating 2017 Astros.

Right now, it's unclear what Bregman's role with the Sox will be since they have Rafael Devers at third base, but they're going to make it work with another talented player in the fold. Smart thinking, if you ask us!

Yankees News: Alex Bregman signs with Red Sox in unexpected turn of events

Instead of opting to get stronger by adding Bregman and throwing caution to the wind with their payroll, the Yankees just opened the door for the Red Sox to make a run at the AL East crown. This is what happens when you're living and dying by the payroll tax.

The Yankees have refused to add significantly to their payroll as they approach the $301 million "Cohen Tax" threshold, which means they will be taxed 110% on every dollar spent over that mark. They paid the penalties last year, but have opted to dial back to avoid them this time around.

But in doing so, they let one of the best free agents on the market linger for months and then sign in the division, which will make their path to a World Series that much more difficult. The Red Sox were wasting away this offseason, only making marginal additions after the Garrett Corchet trade. They didn't have enough to truly contend, but Yankees fans knew they'd remain a thorn in New York's side.

Now? They're a massive problem, and one the Yankees will not want to deal with given Bregman's history against them. One of these years, the Yankees will learn how to step on their opponents' throats and forget about a wasting a few extra million dollars.

But we may not be around by the time they finally figure it out.