CBS Sports: Yankees acquire Red Sox $120 million superstar following intense injuries.
Near the trade deadline, the New York Yankees could be searching for infielders. Following Oswaldo Cabrera’s injury, the organization intends to shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to third base and has been utilizing DJ LeMahieu and Jorbit Vivas at second base. But LeMahieu has a.640 OPS and is only hitting.239 in 15 games. The player who won three Silver Sluggers and two hitting crowns is no longer the same. LeMahieu might be sent to the bench by the Yankees adding an infielder.
One Boston Red Sox player who could unexpectedly be available is Alex Bregman. Although he is now on the disabled list, he inked a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox during the summer. The Red Sox, however, are having trouble and may be sellers by the time the deadline of July 31 arrives. Bregman was listed by CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder as a player the organization may deal away, and the Yankees might be open to doing so.
“I think the biggest and most intriguing name is Alex Bregman,” Snyder stated. “He just signed a unique three-year contract with the Red Sox following a protracted free agency, but it includes an opt-out clause after this season. Even though he finished second in the 2019 MVP vote, he was having his finest season in years before being hurt, according to metrics like batting average, OPS+, and WAR. Bregman may be the big name in trade season if things keep going in this direction.
The Red Sox are taking a chance on Bregman walking away for nothing since his contract contains an opt-out after this season. Prior to his injury, he was hitting.299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs, and he would probably get a better deal on the free market. Bregman would be able to fill in as the Yankees’ regular third baseman, freeing up Chisholm to open the season at second base. He will probably be rented, but he would be a definite improvement for their infield.
Bregman’s contract includes $60 million in deferred money, so even if he doesn’t opt out, his wage for this season will only be $25 million. The Yankees would already be losing a lot of prospect capital if they added him as a rental, but they would lose considerably more if they added him from the Red Sox. To increase their chances of winning a World Series this year, the Yankees could be prepared to pay this price. In the meanwhile, the Red Sox could have to accept the possibility that the Yankees would get the best return if they traded him. They will need to give dealing Bregman careful thought if their season falters.
