The Yankees haven’t had an impact third baseman since Alex Rodriguez.
New York has used the likes of DJ LeMahieu, Josh Donaldson, Gio Urshela, and Miguel Andujar since A-Rod’s final season in 2012, but no one has really owned the hot corner. Whether it was due to age or just not living up to the hype, third base has been an under-achieving position for the Yankees.
Even though they acquired Jazz Chisolm Jr. at the 2024 trade deadline to play third base, it was more out of necessity since the middle infield was already shored up. And while he played admirably at third base, a position he never played professionally before 2024, his natural spot is at second base, which is now open due to Gleyber Torres being a free agent.
Chisholm’s flexibility in the infield does give GM Brian Cashman some flexibility of his own. He can fill either second or third base and put Chisholm in the other spot. And this offseason, New York has a chance to acquire one of the premiere players at third base in Alex Bregman.
Bregman is a free agent for the first time and the 30-year-old could be just the perfect fit for the pinstripes. The two-time All-star is coming off an unbalanced season where he overcame a slow start to be one of the best second-half hitters in MLB.
So, should the Yankees pursue their former rival? Here are the pros and cons…
PROS
Forget the bad blood from his time with the Astros — Bregman is the best available third baseman in free agency. While there’s speculation that Willy Adames would change from shortstop to third for the right team, the Yankees would be better off getting a player who is comfortable at the hot corner. And to that point, Bregman is great defensively and was awarded for his efforts in 2024 with his first Gold Glove.
He led the AL in fielding percentage (.972), assists (22) and putouts (103). He was tied for first in outs above average (six) and tied for second in defensive runs saved (six).
The Yankees could use that defense in the infield, especially at third base if New York decides to go with a youngster like Ben Rice at first base. This would also allow Chisholm to go to second base to pair up with Anthony Volpe in the middle infield. With how the Yanks looked in the World Series, any defensive upgrade is a plus.
On the offensive side, Bregman has been as consistent as it comes. Although he hasn’t been able to reach his MVP-caliber 2019 season, when he hit 41 bombes while driving in 112 and batting .296, he’s been solid. He’s averaged hitting around .260 since 2021 and is good for 20-plus home runs. He also showed his potential in the second half of 2024.
Overall, Bregman slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers and 75 RBI last season, but had an .838 OPS from May 9 to the end of the season. The third baseman underwent surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow this offseason, so perhaps that hampered his overall offensive numbers. Now that he’ll be healthy to start 2025, the potential to build on his second half is there.
Bregman is also a proven winner and has plenty of postseason experience. In eight postseasons, Bregman has slashed .238/.346/.443 with 19 home runs and 54 RBI. If the Yankees want to grind through the playoffs, having a veteran who can help offset some of the inexperience could go a long way.
CONS
While Bregman’s second half was impressive, it’s hard to ignore the first couple of months where he seemed lost at the plate and lost his power stroke. Although it’s likely Bregman will come into the next season healthy, his OPS has dipped in recent years. He went from an .820 OPS in 2022 to .768 in 2024. His OBP also tanked, going from .366 two years ago to .315 in 2024. That’s largely due to his lack of walks, which were cut in half this season.
In 2023, Bregman walked 92 times. But he walked only 44 times in 2024. His strikeouts remained the same from the past two seasons, so it’s not necessarily that he lost the strike zone — he was just not getting as many hits when he got pitches to hit.
There’s also the fact that the Astros’ stadium is well-suited for right-handed hitters. The left-field wall is just 315 feet down the line. For comparison’s sake, the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium is 314 feet so it’s the reverse, which benefits righties like Bregman. But It’s 318 down the left-field line and curves quickly in the Bronx, so some of those bombs Bregman hit would be fly outs.
Bregman is also a pull hitter, with just one of his blasts in 2024 going the opposite way and three going to center. Yankee Stadium isn’t conducive to Bregman’s hitting unless he makes a drastic change to his approach.
There is also the cost aspect of Bregman, who could receive a seven-year deal. With the Yankees’ pursuit of Juan Soto taking precedence, there may not be enough in the coffer to pick up Bregman along with Soto.
VERDICT
If the Yankees bring back Soto, Bregman would not be a monetary fit for New York, but Bregman is perfect for a post-Soto Yankees squad. His defense and offensive prowess would go a long way, and although Yankee Stadium would cut into his power numbers, he’s a good enough hitter to find the grass with the right approach.
Bregman’s postseason experience is also invaluable, and at just 30 years old he would be the answer at third base the Yanks have been looking for a long time.
