As the New York Yankees gear up for spring training, they still face the same issue they had at the end of the 2024 season—no clear starting third baseman. While their roster remains among the strongest in the American League, and their pivot after acquiring Juan Soto was commendable, the team lacks a true third-base solution. Technically, a viable option exists, but he’s currently slotted at second base.
With the Yankees leaning toward a mix of Oswaldo Cabrera, DJ LeMahieu, and Oswald Peraza to cover third, fans have been clamoring for a blockbuster move—such as landing Alex Bregman. However, given Hal Steinbrenner’s payroll restrictions, an aggressive pursuit of Bregman never seemed realistic, especially after acquiring Max Fried and absorbing part of Cody Bellinger’s contract.
But if there was one team positioned to make a splash for Bregman, it was Dave Dombrowski’s Philadelphia Phillies. Surprisingly, despite Dombrowski’s history of bold moves and his stated desire to shake up the lineup after a disappointing playoff exit against the Mets, there were no serious rumors linking the Phillies to Bregman.
The team’s core arguably lost ground to both the Yankees and Braves, while the Dodgers surged ahead in the league’s power rankings. Alec Bohm made the 2024 All-Star team, but Bregman’s talent and leadership would have made him a perfect fit for Philadelphia.
Dombrowski did attempt to trade Bohm, but negotiations ultimately stalled. At one point, the Phillies reportedly floated a Bohm-for-Mason Miller deal to the Athletics, catching Oakland’s front office off guard. As spring training nears, it’s puzzling that Philadelphia never made a serious push for Bregman—and equally surprising that the Yankees didn’t seize the chance to acquire Bohm.
> “Will the @Phillies trade Alec Bohm this winter? @Ken_Rosenthal thinks it will happen…”
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV), December 17, 2024
This situation follows a familiar pattern for the Yankees. Their self-imposed budget constraints often keep them from making high-end signings, but they typically benefit when other teams move players to accommodate star acquisitions—the Josh Donaldson-Carlos Correa scenario comes to mind.
Bohm, who once admitted to “f***ing hating” Philadelphia before settling in as a key RBI contributor, struggled post-Home Run Derby last season but still delivered 97 RBIs with a 117 OPS+. His offensive numbers have steadily improved (OPS+ of 101 to 107 to 117), making him a more reliable option than the Yankees’ current internal candidates. While he’s not a superstar, he would have been a solid addition to New York’s infield.
The Phillies’ failure to pursue Bregman is more surprising than the Yankees’ decision to stick with in-house options. However, Bohm seemed like a natural fit in the Bronx—one that was never seriously explored. Had the Yankees had the chance to negotiate with Dombrowski, they might have secured a much-needed upgrade without giving up too much in return.
