A new team has entered the chat in the Alex Bregman free agency sweepstakes

For weeks, the Chicago Cubs have been connected to All-Star infielder Alex Bregman, who they missed out on last winter, as Jed Hoyer looks to chart a course in this post-Kyle Tucker landscape. They're far from the only team with interest in the 31-year-old Bregman, joining the likes of Detroit, Boston and Arizona - and, now, according to Ken Rosenthal, Toronto.

The Blue Jays got the offseason started with a bang, signing former Cubs farmhand Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal - immediately re-setting the market for this winter's crop of free-agent starting pitchers. They've been connected to Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker, two other huge position players available, but Rosenthal suggests Bregman might be 'more than' a backup plan if the Jays miss there.

Alex Bregman remains a perfect fit for the Chicago Cubs in 2026

As would be the case if Bregman signed with Chicago, he'd likely play third in Toronto. Payroll doesn't seem to be a concern for ownership, either. The Jays are already estimated at $272 million - nearly $15 million north of where they finished 2025 - but it seems like after coming tantalizingly close to winning it all this fall, they're ready to go all-in in their pursuit of a championship.

As a refresher, Bregman wound up signing a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox last winter - and after a strong showing, he opted out of the final two years of the pact. In 114 games, he put up 3.5 bWAR, slashing .273/.360/.462 and cementing his reputation as a major veteran clubhouse presence, something the Cubs (and other teams) love.

A Bregman signing would push Matt Shaw, who was a Gold Glove finalist at third this year, into a super utility role (assuming he's not traded in a deal for a starting pitcher). That would immediately add impact to a bench that wildly underwhelmed in 2025. As is often the case, this will come down to money - and Hoyer stepping up and landing a major free agent could finally put some longstanding criticisms to bed.

Will that big name be Bregman? Not if the Blue Jays have anything to say about it.