“Yankees Left Hanging: Phillies’ Shocking Failure to Make a Blockbuster Move Leaves Bombers’ Third Base Hole Wide Open!”

As the New York Yankees gear up for spring training, they find themselves facing the same glaring issue that plagued them at the end of the 2024 season: the absence of a true starting-caliber third baseman. While the roster remains one of the strongest in the American League—arguably the best—and has successfully pivoted post-Juan Soto, the hot corner remains a question mark. Technically, they have options, but they’re currently slotted elsewhere, leaving fans clamoring for a big splash like Alex Bregman. However, given Hal Steinbrenner’s payroll constraints, a Bregman acquisition always seemed unlikely, especially after adding Max Fried and addressing Cody Bellinger’s contract.

Enter the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that could have gone all-in on Bregman but surprisingly didn’t. Despite Dave Dombrowski’s reputation for bold moves and his stated desire for a lineup shakeup after a disappointing playoff exit, the Phillies never seriously pursued Bregman. This is particularly puzzling given that their core slipped behind the Yankees and Braves this offseason, while the Dodgers soared to new heights. Alec Bohm, a 2024 All-Star, is solid, but Bregman would have been a perfect fit for Philadelphia’s mold, both on and off the field. Rumors swirled that the Phillies attempted to trade Bohm—even floating a “Bohm for Mason Miller” deal to the A’s—but nothing materialized. As spring training looms, it’s surprising that Philadelphia didn’t make a stronger push for Bregman, and that the Yankees didn’t capitalize by acquiring Bohm as a fallback option.

This scenario feels familiar for the Yankees, who often miss out on top-tier targets due to budget constraints but typically scoop up players displaced by other teams’ big moves—a pattern reminiscent of the Josh Donaldson-Carlos Correa situation. Bohm, who once famously “f***ing hated” Philadelphia but evolved into a reliable RBI machine, had a solid 2024 despite a second-half slump, finishing with 97 RBIs and a 117 OPS+. While not a superstar, his consistent offensive improvement (101 to 107 to 117 OPS+) makes him a safer bet than the Yankees’ current internal options. It’s a missed opportunity that the Yankees never seriously engaged with the Phillies to bring Bohm to the Bronx, especially as prices could drop in the coming weeks. Ultimately, the Phillies’ lack of aggression for Bregman is more shocking than the Yankees’ decision to roll the dice with their in-house choices.