NEW TEAM IN ON ALEX BREGMAN. YANKEES STILL IN THE MIX

Baseball's hot stove season is something, isn't it? The rumors fly faster than a Giancarlo Stanton home run, and every team thinks they’ve got the inside track on the next big thing.

The latest chatter has centered around Alex Bregman who could soon be donning new pinstripes, but which ones? While the Cubs have been making noise and the Yanks are still "in" so to speak, the Red Sox seem to have snuck in like that one friend who always shows up late to the party.

Sure, the Yankees wouldn’t mind having Bregman. He’s like the shiny new toy that every kid on the block wants for Christmas. He could slide in at third base, giving their infield a nice little facelift, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. happily moving over to second. It’s the kind of infield alignment that would make even the most stoic Yankees fan grin.

But do the Yankees need Bregman and do Yankee fans want Bregman? Not really. They’re like that friend who has a perfectly good car but wouldn’t mind upgrading to the latest model, just because. The Yankees are already stacked, and while Bregman would be a nice-to-have, it’s not like they’re going to fall apart without him. Our team is great right now.

On the other hand, the Red Sox? They need a lot. According to Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports, Bregman is a perfect fit for the Sox. “Just like last year when everyone thought Juan Soto would thrive with Yankee Stadium’s short porch, Bregman and the Green Monster seem like a perfect match,” Kavner writes. "Boston’s lefty-heavy lineup could benefit from a powerful right-handed hitter, and Bregman’s ability to launch home runs over the Crawford Boxes should translate well at Fenway Park."

Now, let’s talk about the Cubs for a moment. Bruce Levine of Audacy reports that the Cubs have chatted with Bregman about a short-term deal. Imagine the Cubs finally landing Bregman—it would be like finding out the tooth fairy left you a hundred-dollar bill under your pillow. It might actually bring some sparkle back to Wrigley Field.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Yankees are still lurking in the background, keeping an eye on things. There’s talk they might trade Marcus Stroman, shedding his $18 million salary, which could open up room for Bregman. Of course, this is all speculation at this point. If you’re a Yankees fan, you’ve probably heard it all before: “Player X is coming to the Bronx, it’s happening!” only for Player X to end up anywhere but.

If we’re being realistic, though, the Yankees would survive without Bregman, my opinion. I really do not want the guy. The Red Sox, however, they could use this guy.

So, where will Bregman land? If I had to put my money on it, I’d say it’s a toss-up between the Cubs and the Red Sox and I am rooting for the Cubs. But hey, this is baseball, and stranger things have happened.

Stay tuned.