The Chicago Cubs have declared themselves to be “all in” when it comes to making postseason play this year.
To showcase that attitude, they’ve pushed through some major acquisitions, such as right fielder Kyle Tucker and closer Ryan Pressly, picked up in separate trades from the Houston Astros, as well as several free agent acquisitions, notably left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd.
According to internet buzz from trusted sources, they’re also in pursuit of Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.
The 30-year-old free agent has been shopping himself around this offseason, but hasn’t been much of a hot property until recently, as one of the few remaining high-profile free agents on the market. The Astros, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Cubs were thought to be the favorites to land the nine-year veteran.
Alex Bregman Narrows The Field
According to media reports, however, Bregman has now crossed the Tigers and Blue Jays off that list.
The Astros, who Bregman has played for his entire career, reportedly had a sitting offer of six years for $156 million which has already been rejected by the two-time all-star.
Meanwhile, at the Astros’ recent media luncheon, the team’s general manager Dana Brown sure seemed to be flat-out saying that Bregman would not be coming back when he told the assembled press corps, “We lost Tucker and Bregman but we added back Paredes and Walker.”
Chicago Cubs Emerge As a Favorite
As of right now, it appears as though the Cubs and the Red Sox are the favorites to land the big fish, although both teams are reportedly divided internally on whether to offer up a big multi-year five or six-year deal for a player just about a month-and-a-half shy of his thirsty-first birthday.
The topic was recently discussed on the Spiegel & Holmes Show on 670 The Score in Chicago.
“But there are factions within the Red Sox, and I believe within the Cubs as well…I believe there are factions within both those teams where it’s a split opinion about whether to make this happen or not,” Matt Spiegel said.
When the Cubs first appeared as possible Bregman suitors, it was following reports that Bregman was willing to take a deal for fewer years. The idea was to possibly grab him with a similar deal to which they re-signed Cody Bellinger. Those reports, however, were debunked by the player’s representatives. Bregman would NOT be taking a short-term deal.
It was then thought that Chicago was out of the running.
Now, though, the Cubs seem very much still IN the running.
Maybe the team acquiring Bregman’s good friend Pressly was a turning point. Maybe the Cubs front office reconsidered the idea of gambling on a longer contract for a player who brings so much to the table and who could be the cornerstone of a championship run.
Making Room For Bregman
Whatever the case, the Cubs appear to still be in the mix for the Gold Glove third baseman and, currently, one of the favorites to land him.
If he does come aboard, Bregman would take the third base spot currently reserved for rookie top prospect Matt Shaw.
The 23-year-old Shaw, in turn, could either be kept in Triple-A for one more year of seasoning or, perhaps, moved over to his more natural position, second base, if current second baseman Nico Hoerner is traded (as previously rumored) or is delayed in his return from offseason flexor tendon surgery.
All would be gladly settled when/if Bregman is signed.
For now, everyone will just have to wait and see how this all plays out.
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