After All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso re-signed with the New York Mets, Alex Bregman was left standing as the best hitter available in MLB free agency. It was followed up by MLB rumors suggesting the Chicago Cubs emerged as the favorite to land the All-Star third baseman.
Chicago has been relatively quiet after trading for All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker and then sending Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees. While the team recently acquired relief pitcher Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, another move has been expected to strengthen the Cubs lineup in 2025.
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- Chicago Cubs payroll 2025 (FanGraphs): $191 million
The club also made it clear in January that it has more room to spend to improve the roster. A Bregman signing seemed to be the logical next move, with reports surfacing this week that Chicago is now even viewed by some as the favorite for the World Series champion. However, doubt is now being cast on those MLB rumors.
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According to Fansided MLB insider Robert Murray, “nothing has been, or is close” between the Cubs and Bregman. While the two sides have talked and there is mutual interest, a deal isn’t imminent with a very real chance that another club swoops in to land him.
- Alex Bregman stats (ESPN): .260/.315/.453, .768 OPS, 26 home runs, 75 RBI
Specifically, Morosi mentions the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox as two clubs that still have very real interest in landing the Gold Glove Award winner. Boston would play him at second base, signing him to a short-term deal with a higher average annual value, while Detroit could reunite him with his former manager A.J. Hinch as the Tigers’ third baseman.
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Chicago does have multiple factors working in its favor. First, Bregman does want to play for a contender next season and he’d have that opportunity. Furthermore, he could be part of a Cubs clubhouse that has Pressly and Tucker, longtime teammates with the Astros.
For now, the pursuit of Bregman is a four-team race between the Astros, Tigers, Cubs and Red Sox. With spring training fast approaching, it should only be a few more weeks until the All-Star infielder chooses his home.
