Did you know? Alex Bregman’s five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs signals a shift in MLB free agency, but plenty of big names remain on the market as we head into mid-January.
Chicago Cubs and Alex Bregman have agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract. Despite this significant move, three of the top four free agents and seven of the top 14 remain unsigned, indicating there’s still considerable activity ahead in the Major League Baseball offseason. Given it’s already mid-January, that’s a bit of a late start to the proceedings.
Yankees-Bellinger Talks at a Standstill
Negotiations between the New York Yankees and All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger have reportedly reached “an impasse,” according to ESPN. More notably, the Yankees, who initially believed acquiring Bellinger was feasible, are now reportedly planning for 2026 with the expectation that he won’t be joining the team.
The Yankees have offered Bellinger a five-year deal worth at least $150 million, but he is seeking a longer-term commitment.
Last season, Bellinger played in 152 games for the Yankees, posting a .272 batting average, a .334 on-base percentage, and a .480 slugging percentage (125 OPS+), with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and a 5.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement).
Red Sox Shift Focus to Bo Bichette
Throughout much of the offseason, the Boston Red Sox prioritized re-signing Alex Bregman. Now that he’s off the board, all eyes are on Boston. The Athletic points out that Bregman’s five-year deal with the Cubs “further highlighted the club’s aversion to long-term deals for players over the age of 30.”
Enter Bo Bichette. The 27-year-old infielder is “likely to be their primary target” following Bregman’s departure, according to The Athletic. The Boston Globe echoes this sentiment, also identifying Bichette as the Red Sox’s likely top priority.
Expect to hear plenty of Bichette-Red Sox rumors in the coming days. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Bregman is no longer available and the Arizona Diamondbacks are no longer expected to trade Ketel Marte. This leaves Bichette as one of the few remaining All-Star caliber infielders on the free-agent market.
In 139 regular-season games last year, Bichette hit .311/.357/.483 (129 OPS+) with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and a 3.5 WAR.
