IT'S TIME TO POUR COLD WATER ON THE BREGMAN-YANKEES CONNECTION!

America's favorite pastime is baseball, and it's mine too. Exposing baseball cheaters is another and pouring cold water on cheating free agents tied to the Yankees is another. If the rumors I am reading are true....I might finally get to do the last one.

Ever since the Yankees lost the Juan Soto sweepstakes, they have been tied to Alex Bregman. The Yankees are tied to every free agent so that shouldn't be a surprise at all, but in the very small circle of free agents I don't want the Yankees tied to Bregman is at the top of that list. So, I gagged thinking about it. Now I may not have to, and I rejoice in that thought.

According to multiple sources like SI.com HERE the Yankees are not in on Bregman "right now." Jon Heyman explained "I'm not seeing Mets or Yankees for Bregman at this point," Heyman said. "Obviously he's a great player, he'd help anybody... Yankees, I don't think they're doing anything more big. They've done plenty big. I think they're one of the winter winners to this point," Heyman continued. "So I'm not seeing that for Bregman."

That comes after Jack Curry said the Yankees weren't in on Bregman the week of Christmas on an episode of Yankees Hot Stove. So, two different "insiders" giving us rumors a month apart giving us the scoop. Could they be wrong? Sure, but honestly the Yankees have done a lot (but maybe not done) so far. We've seen how crazy the market is with some of these players (Soto!) so maybe the Yankees are waiting to see if the market cools off.

And that would make sense. Honestly, I see the Yankees getting a left-handed reliever and PLEASE let that be Tim Hill! That's the guy I want coming back. As risky as I think this is, I also see the Yankees giving DJ LeMahieu another shot as a full time third baseman. If they do, I hope it works but that is a gamble that makes me uneasy.

At any rate, the Detroit Tigers and Red Sox have been in extensive talks with Bregman. Talks with the Tigers have "stalled" and the Red Sox are said to be close to an agreement. If the Red Sox sign him, that's a perfect match. A stinky team for the dirtiest of players. No matter if Bregman winds up in Boston or not that doesn't make me fear them more.

So, while nothing is official and can still change even though the Yankees and Bregman are a match on paper, there seems to be no connection. Thank goodness. I'll be happy to pour cold water on this rumor when it's all said and done.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj