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The Philadelphia Phillies were mentioned in the rumor mill surrounding former Houston Astros star Alex Bregman this offseason, but they ultimately didn't make a play for the two-time World Series champion before he signed with the Boston Red Sox.
But they may have another chance to land him much sooner than expected.
Bregman signed a huge three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox this past winter, a deal that came with an opt-out after this campaign.
With how things are trending, that definitely seems like it will be exercised.
Boston has been a bit disappointing in 2025, currently sitting with a 29-32 record. They are 8.5 games back in the AL East and 3.5 back from a Wild Card spot, with things trending down. May was tough for them as they went 11-17.
If things continue down this path, they could become sellers at the deadline, and Bregman is a prime candidate to be traded.
He will be headed back to free agency this upcoming offseason, and since he has been playing out of his mind this year, he is going to command a megadeal that he'll liley get this time around.
The Red Sox could probably get a nice return for him, even if he's a rental.
The 31-year-old has slashed .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI with an OPS+ of 160. He has also continued to play great defense at the hot corner.
The Phillies' need for Bregman has become painfully obvious.
Alec Bohm looked like he had finally arrived to the level of perennial All-Star that was hoped for early last season, but hasn't been able to keep it up.
Bohm had a slash line of .251/.299/.382 with just four home runs in the second half of last year before he struggled in the playoffs.
That's been about the level he has been able to muster up this season, too.
The former third overall pick has slashed .265/.300/.379 with five home runs, turning things around lately but still not providing the game-changing offense or defense that Philadelphia needs.
The Phillies are only growing more desperate for a World Series win as the players continue to age. Because of that, they can't risk this version of Bohm being what does all year long and in the playoffs.
Adding another third baseman at the deadline seems like a must, and Bregman, if he gets put on the market, would be the best one available.
This would also help them build a rapport with the former AL MVP runner-up for when it comes time to hand out another deal after this season.
He's on the same career timeline as their other stars and could be the piece needed to help them stay elite for the next few years.
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Yankees Unlikely to Sign Red Sox Star
After finding who they hope is their starting third baseman for the next few seasons in Ryan McMahon, who is under contract through 2027, the New York Yankees aren't expected to pursue one of the top infielders available in free agency this offseason. McMahon Could Prevent Bregman Pursuit With the outfield, starting rotation and bullpen all profiling as more pressing needs for the Yankees at the moment, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch stated that the club is unlikely to make an attempt to sign Alex Bregman over the next few months with McMahon already on their roster. "It seems a safe bet that they'll go into the season with Ryan McMahon at third base," Hoch wrote. "McMahon’s defense was a vast improvement over what they had at the hot corner previously, and even though his bat didn’t play up to expectations (.641 OPS in 54 games), he delivered a few clutch moments. McMahon is earning $32 million through 2027, which likely precludes a serious run at a free agent like Alex Bregman." Bregman's History as a Yankees Rival There's been just about no point throughout his big-league career where Bregman wasn't essentially viewed as a villain in some capacity by Yankees fans. The three-time All-Star was a member of the Houston Astros from 2016 to 2024, and he faced New York in the postseason on three occasions during that stretch. All of those meetings came in the American League Championship Series (2017, 2019, 2022), and Houston emerged victorious each time. The Astros' sign-stealing scandal, which came to light after the 2019 campaign, furthered the vitriol New York's fan base had already held towards Bregman and Houston as well. The Yankees were rumored to have interest in Bregman as a free agent last offseason, however, but they never made an all-out attempt to sign him. He instead joined the Boston Red Sox, New York's bitter AL East rival, on a three-year, $120 million deal that he is opting out of in order to reach the open market once again this winter. Bregman ended up posting an .821 OPS with 18 home runs in 114 games for Boston during the regular season before getting eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Yankees during the playoffs. Why Bregman Isn't a Fit for New York Unless the Yankees plan on trading McMahon or even Jazz Chisholm Jr., which could open up second base for Bregman if he were open to a position change, the latter wouldn't make sense as a target for the club. Sure, he's still a fantastic player who is one of the league's more consistent hitters (career .848 OPS) and a Gold Glove-level defender at third base, but New York 's financial resources should be used to upgrade other areas of its roster this offseason. It doesn't help that Bregman is entering his age-32 season either, which makes handing him a long-term deal all the more risky. Though he'd improve an already-potent Yankees lineup, adding Bregman simply isn't in the cards for the Yankees. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Dodgers Can Learn From Yankees Dynasty Can Yankees Still Rely On Their Superstar Slugger? Will Yankees Lose Cody Bellinger to NL Contender? Yankees Chasing All-Star Reliever? Yankees Named Top Trade Partner for Four Players
Charles Barkley knows the real problem with LeBron James
LeBron James may be out due to sciatica, but Charles Barkley is not buying it. He thinks he knows what is really going on with the Los Angeles Lakers star. Barkley was goofing around during “Inside the NBA” on ESPN Wednesday and talked about the Lakers, who had several players out for their game at the Minnesota Timberwolves. James was listed as out due to sciatica, which is a nerve issue. Barkley thinks the sciatica injury is a cover for something else. “First of all, LeBron doesn’t have a sciatica. They just put ‘old.’ O-L-D, with an extra ‘D,’ too,” Barkley joked. An update on James’ condition came out this week, saying that the Lakers forward could return in a few weeks. The Lakers have seemed to suggest that there is no urgency to rush James into action. However, Luka Doncic also getting hurt recently may have changed things for the team. For now, the Lakers are 3-2 and have been relying on Austin Reaves to do plenty of scoring. He is averaging 34.2 points per game this season. James is 40 years old and entering his 23rd NBA season. He’s allowed to have “old” or sciatica as an injury issue. As Barkley knows and often says, Father Time is undefeated.
Logical trade targets if the Vikings decide to buy before the trade deadline
While a loss Sunday in Detroit could turn Minnesota into a seller before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, a win would get them to 4-4 and perhaps entice them to be a buyer. If they do wind up acquiring help before the trade deadline, who are some logical targets? For that, we need to look at the teams most likely to be selling and find out which players at positions of need — cornerback and perhaps edge rusher — Minnesota could target. We also need to keep in mind that draft capital is a premium. Here's what the Vikings have in the 2026 draft cupboard: 1st round 2nd round 3rd round 5th fround (from Philadelphia via the Sam Howell trade) 6th round (from Indianapolis via the Mekhi Blackmon trade) 7th round 7th round (from Houston via the 2024 Cam Akers trade) 7th round (from Carolina via the Adam Thielen trade) What are the Vikings most likely to do before the deadline? It doesn't sound like much. Alec Lewis, of The Athletic, says to "expect some tires to be kicked, but don’t bank on an addition or subtraction, barring a serious injury." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero doesn't "see them going out and making a massive type of acquisition," but he says he could "see them having interest" in the edge rusher market. SI's Albert Breer says the Vikings are "among a list of teams looking for corners." So, let's see what the likely sellers might have available at cornerback and edge. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett (not logical) All signs point to the Browns keeping Garrett, so this is probably a waste of time to even consider. If they did open the door for a trade, it would cost an ungodly amount, including multiple first-round picks and perhaps some talented players. Cleveland hasn't had any cornerbacks mentioned in the rumor mills. Las Vegas Raiders: Eric Stokes Stokes would be a massive upgrade at cornerback for the Vikings, who lack depth behind Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Stokes shouldn't cost a ton because he's on a one-year, $3.5 million contract. There's no guarantee that he re-signs with the Raiders, so Vegas might be smart to trade him now, rather than losing him for nothing in free agency. Stokes ranked No. 38 in PFF coverage grades for cornerbacks, having allowed 10 receptions on 19 targets for 123 yards. Quarterbacks have a 72.9 passer rating when throwing into Stokes' coverage, which puts him among the top 30 in the NFL this season. Maimi Dolphins: Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Matthew Judon Chubb, Phillips and Judon would could be upgrades over Dallas Turner on the edge. But does Minnesota really want to trade for an edge rusher when Andrew Van Ginkel is about to return to the lineup? It's only a need if Van Ginkel is expected to miss more time. Phillips: 3 sacks, 32 pressures, PFF's 15th-ranked pass rusher at EDGE Chubb: 3 sacks, 21 pressures, PFF's 101st-ranked pass rusher at EDGE Judon: 0 sacks, 5 pressures, PFF's 116th-ranked pass rusher at EDGE Breer is hearing that it could take a third-round pick to get Phillips. New Orleans Saints: Alontae Taylor Taylor would be an upgrade in the cornerback room, but Breer says the Saints are asking for a second or third-round pick for him. The 2022 second-round pick is due to become a free agent, so it would only make sense for Minnesota to give up a quality draft pick for him if they can sign him to an extension. According to PFF, Taylor has the 31st-best coverage grade among cornerbacks, putting him just ahead of Jets star Sauce Gardner. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux Mike Garafolo reported this week that the Giants are telling interested teams no, but Thibodeaux appears to be the odd man out in New York with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter starting on the edges. He's under contract through 2026, so it might take a Day 2 pick to get him. Should the Vikings offer a third-rounder next year to shore up the edge? Thibodeaux has 2.5 sacks and 25 pressures this season, while ranking 49th among edge rushers via PFF's grades. He had just 5.5 sacks last year, but he posted an 11.5-sack season in 2023, which is what the Giants thought they were getting when they drafted him fifth overall in 2022. Washington Commanders: Noah Igbinoghene Igbinoghene might be the player that makes the most sense for Minnesota because he'd only cost them a late-round draft pick. He's a player who was on the field for 75% of Washington's snaps last season, but roster changes have led to him spending most of this season on the bench, having played a total of 40 defense snaps in 2025. The issue here is that he's best-suited for the slot, and the Vikings need someone who can fill the void of Jeff Okudah (concussions) on the outside. More from Vikings On SI
Latest news prove Minnesota Vikings aren't content with the status quo, and it could elevate the team to the playoffs
This Sunday against the Detroit Lions is going to be huge when it comes to setting the expectations for the rest of the season. A loss will make a run toward the playoffs significantly less likely for the Vikings, and it could impact how they approach the trade deadline. The conventional wisdom would be that the Vikings wouldn't make a move to add at the trade deadline due to their record, especially when you look at the majority of players being acquired are on expiring contracts. Three years ago, the Vikings and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a big splash to acquire T.J. Hockenson at the deadline, and it was a big addition both for the 2022 season and beyond. Even if the Vikings lose, they could make an addition with the long-term in mind. Vikings trade history with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah The Vikings traded second and third round picks for T.J. Hockenson and two fourth-round picks at the trade deadline in 2022 Ahead of the 2022 season, the Vikings made low-risk trades for both Jalen Reagor and Ross Blacklock At the 2024 trade deadline, the Vikings acquired LT Cam Robinson for a 2026 fourth-round pick Minnesota Vikings eyeing a cornerback at the trade deadline One of the positions the Vikings need to find a long-term solution for is cornerback. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Friday that the Vikings are looking for a cornerback. "As for buyers, the Vikings and Colts are among a list of teams looking for corners. That market isn’t rich with options, which could make the Rams (McCreary), Browns (Tyson Campbell) and Eagles (Michael Carter II) look smart for striking a little earlier." It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the Vikings are looking for a cornerback to help them out, especially with Jeff Okudah being both ineffective and injured. They haven't shown a willingness to trust Dwight McGlothern as of yet, and finding a player at the position to fortify with Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr. should make a difference, especially when it comes to playing man coverage. The key here is finding a cornerback whom the Vikings can trade for. There aren't a lot of options, especially with four cornerbacks having already been traded. Two that come to mind are Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks and Alontae Taylor of the New Orleans Saints. Woolen has fallen out of favor with the Seahawks over the last couple of seasons with Mike Macdonald at the helm. He is currently starting for the Seahawks, but he doesn't seem to be in their long-term plans. He would provide the necessary size and speed the Vikings need at the cornerback position. Taylor is more of a slot cornerback, which the Vikings have been hesitant to add with wanting to slide Murphy on the inside. Even so, he's a versatile piece that could end up being a huge benefit for the Vikings. The deadline is going to be huge for the Vikings, and it could give them a necessary piece to help the defense both short-term and long-term. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-383').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-383').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
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