Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry Faces New Challenge as Mets Emerge
The Boston Red Sox might not be the Yankees’ most heated rival anymore. It’s a fair question to ask, especially after Juan Soto’s move to the Mets and the subsequent $765 million deal that transformed this year’s Subway Series into one of the most electric regular-season matchups we’ve seen in years.
When the Sox and Yankees finally meet on June 6 for their first clash this season, we’ll be reminded why these franchises have despised each other for generations. If Boston continues climbing in the standings by then, expect that traditional hatred to reach a boiling point.
But here’s what would truly send Red Sox Nation into a frenzy: the Yankees poaching their newest star after just one season in Boston.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic just named the Yankees as a top landing spot for Alex Bregman if the third baseman opts out of his contract after this season. Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston but can walk away after year one.
“Bregman, who is making $40 million this year and signed for two more years at that rate, will likely opt out of his deal,” Bowden wrote. “His free-agent market should be even more robust than last offseason with the Red Sox joined by the Yankees, Tigers, Astros, Phillies and even the Dodgers; he would be an upgrade for all of them at the hot corner.”
The Yankees have a glaring hole at third base that Bregman could fill perfectly. What’s interesting is they had their shot at him last winter but never made a competitive offer. Now that he’s performing significantly better than he was a year ago, their interest might be rekindled.
The financial side is where things get complicated. The Yankees don’t have much money coming off the books this winter, so it’s worth watching how far they’re willing to push their payroll for 2026 and beyond. They’re already carrying several massive contracts, and adding Bregman would push them even deeper into luxury tax territory.
That said, nothing would pour gasoline on this historic rivalry quite like the Yankees stealing Boston’s prized free agent acquisition after just one season. The Mets might have the spotlight now, but a Bregman defection would remind everyone why Yankees-Red Sox remains baseball’s most storied feud.
