The Yankees bypassed previous pursuits of big-money free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Nolan Arenado and a host of others in prior offseasons. They acquired infielder Jazz Chisholm in a marquee trade this summer. Adding Bregman is possible, and even potentially sensible. I'd still deem it unlikely.

The third baseman isn't shy about offering tips, whether to a fellow infielder or a pitcher. But his free agency looms over this Astros postseason.

The Houston Astros prefer parades to post-mortems, but here they sat on Oct. 3, dissecting their earliest end to a season in seven years. Manager Joe Espada reflected on his first season in charge, commended his club’s resiliency and claimed he is “excited” for spring training.