👋 GOOD MORNING - Happy Thursday everyone, we’re getting close to the end of the week!

We’ve got an interesting rumor to take a look at today. It’s not exactly one I personally expected to see the D-backs involved in, but here we are. We’ll dive into that and more.

Onward!

— Alex D’Agostino, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

So, the Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly interested in three-time All-Star, long-time Houston Astros (and 2025 Red Sox) third baseman Alex Bregman. But how serious are they? Well, apparently more so than you might think.

The news was first put out there by Bob Nightengale that the D-backs were “kicking the tires” on Bregman. But then Jared Carrabis (who has plenty of sourcing in the Boston sports world) insisted it was more than just a preliminary look — Arizona might be serious about the veteran.

Meanwhile, our local insiders have confirmed that there is interest there. Both Nick Piecoro and John Gambadoro have reported the D-backs have taken a look at Bregman.

According to Piecoro, sources have called that marriage “unlikely” and seemed to suggest that the only way it would get done is if owner Ken Kendrick opened up the checkbook to increase Arizona’s spending power. Gambadoro called it a “long shot.”

Of course, with the Red Sox being one of the main teams linked to … I’m sorry, I have to bring it up again … a Ketel Marte trade, the idea of a Bregman signing becomes more intriguing on a national level.

Essentially, the D-backs could (in theory) free up a little payroll, bring in more pitching reinforcements, then sign Bregman to replenish some of the offensive firepower in their lineup. I get it, it still doesn’t sound ideal, and I agree.

Bregman’s numbers are certainly good, but he’s not Marte-good. He hit .273/.360/.462 for the Red Sox last year, and owns a .846 OPS and 132 OPS+ for his 10-year career.

But he’s also 31, and missed quite a few games due to injury last year. In terms of being a veteran leader with both on- and off-field impact, Bregman would be a positive addition. He’s been a good defender at third base and a consistently productive hitter.

But it seems a bit difficult to imagine spending well north of $100 million on a third baseman. That’s just not a position the D-backs were expected to target this offseason, considering how much they needed pitching, an outfielder, a first baseman and even potentially a DH option or two.

It doesn’t appear anything is imminent, and it may not amount to anything at all. Bregman is a Boras client, after all. But he does live in the Phoenix area (what baseball player doesn’t at this point?) and seems to be a logical fit for the D-backs in a vacuum — just not in this team’s current state.

My take: Bregman is a very good player and would absolutely provide value to the D-backs. I don’t see this being a need Arizona should pursue heavily, but it’s fair to show some interest.

Ultimately, the D-backs have a third baseman in Blaze Alexander, and another in Jordan Lawlar. Granted, neither of those two players have been the hitter Bregman is, but Alexander, at least, has become a very good defender.

I could (slightly) see the vision of leveraging a Bregman signing into a Marte trade with the Red Sox to bring back more pitching. I get the idea, and I don’t entirely hate it. But I’m not thrilled with the idea of signing a 31-year-old player to a massive contract (FanGraphs crowdsourcing estimates a $155 million deal over five years) just to ship out a much better hitter on a much better contract — unless Boston was willing to give up such an attractive haul of pitching Mike Hazen couldn’t say no.

Two things can be true: Bregman would be an added boost to this team, but swapping him for Marte would make the lineup weaker while further clogging a position that is not currently a need for Arizona.

Ultimately, I still would tend to lean towards both a Bregman signing and a Marte trade not happening this offseason, but the noise has only gotten louder, even with the Winter Meetings coming to an end.

Also, can the D-backs please add some (legitimate) relievers soon… like… seriously.

Devils Go Down: Arizona State men’s basketball fought hard, but UCLA pulled away late as the Sun Devils fell 90-77 to Mick Cronin and co. Anthony Johnson led the scoring for the Devils with 20 points (14 coming on free throws), as ASU was suffocated by the Bruins.

Waive Goodbye: The Cardinals, according to the NFL Transactions page, have waived veteran defensive lineman Justin Jones — who had been on Injured Reserve, anyway. Jones had signed a three-year deal worth north of $31 million ahead of the 2024 season, but has only played three total games (all in 2024) with Arizona.

Warriors Waiting: The Suns have hit a bit of a rough patch, losing three of their last four. This week, they’ll get two shots at the Golden State Warriors. Tonight’s matchup is at home, with a 6:30 p.m. tip-off at Mortgage Matchup Center as the Suns look to improve to 15-12.

For all you Wildcat fans out there… this should be a good one!