Because thats how markets work. The top sets the market, then it trickles down. Bregman got 40m/year, which feels like a sharp increase. I dont think that happens without soto/vladdy contracts. ALso because I feel like Alonso and Tucker are the premiere bats so Im comparing them to recent premiere bats.
Its hard to think of a better comp than vlad. Power-hitting first baseman. Granted Alonso is 4 years older. Granted Toronto has to overpay because its an inconvenience living in canada and high tax rate (no offense to any Canadians here). So Im adjusting down from vlad. But Vlad got a contract that took him to (maybe through) age 40. Bregman who got hurt, is a couple years removed from a full dominant season and is more likely than not to opt out. From a 40m AAV, with a player option for 40m following. Thats equiv to 45m at least for 1 (the option is valuable) and hes about to leave it in the dust. And he doesnt look particularly healthy to me.
My best guess: Tucker gets close to 400m, Alonso gets close to 300m, Bregman gets 160m, we sit here laughing at all these "overpaying" GMs. But also the elephant in the room will be "are we locked out from elite free-agents?" (Nervous look around the room)