Braves Rumors: Bitter division rival surprisingly enters mix for Alex Bregman

The NL East was one of the most competitive divisions in Major League Baseball during the 2024 season. After a hard-fought season, the Braves, Mets, and Phillies all made it into the playoffs. However, Atlanta and New York were forced to duke it out in a doubleheader the day after the season ended to make it in.

After a competitive season, it's easy for fans to expect all three teams to compete in the offseason. All three teams could easily make a case for any of the top free agents available. The determining factor in who can sign one of these high-profile free agents will depend on needs and who has the deepest pockets.

It seems one of Atlanta's division rivals already has their sights set on one of the top free agent sluggers available, and it would be an impact move to improve an already great team.

Prediction that Phillies will land Alex Bregman in free agency would pose real problems for the Braves

MLB insider Buster Olney recently shared on X that the Philadelphia Phillies are predicted to land Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.

He stated that the prediction came from a rival evaluator, so take that prediction with a grain of salt. Olney mentioned in his post that Bregman's swing would translate well at Citizens Bank Park. He also offers sound defense and plenty of playoff experience. It would be silly for the Phillies not to consider him.

However, this prediction could be credible, as the Phillies are considering trading away current third baseman Alec Bohm, who still hasn't touched home plate (no, we're still not over it, Philly fans).

This is despite Bohm earning a spot on the NL All-Star team in 2024. However, according to former Braves catcher and Foul Territory co-host AJ Pierzynski, there's a reason the Phillies want to move on from their current third baseman.

It appears that Bohm's maturity level isn't up to the Phillies' standards for their players. This is partly why he was benched in the 2024 playoffs, along with his poor performance. AJ's statement contradicts Bohm's statement that he'd grown "a lot" since his infamous incident in which he allegedly stated, "I f***ing hate this place" during a Phillies home game in 2022.

This leads to why Philly would be a great prediction for Alex Bregman. Bregman just completed his ninth season with Houston and it was a decent season for him, but nowhere near his All-Star level in 2018 and 2019.

Bregman earned a 4.1 WAR with a .260/.315/.453 line, including a .768 OPS, 30 doubles, 26 home runs, 75 RBI, 44 BB, and 86 K over 145 games played. Metrically, the former LSU standout maintained excellent offense with high ratings in the squared-up, whiff, chase, and strikeout percentage categories. However, one noticeable decline was his walk percentage, which dropped from 12.7% in 2023 to 6.9% in 2024.

However, his defensive range improved from a 2 OAA last season to a 6 in 2024. He seems like an excellent fit for the Phillies on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately for the Braves, Bregman has hit pretty well against them in limited action.

He has a .286 average over 13 games against Atlanta with five doubles, one triple, seven RBI, six strikeouts, and 10 walks. Braves fans may want to keep an eye on this development as it would be an impactful move for a rival that has wreaked havoc on them in recent years.

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