Cubs Rumors: Alex Bregman interest surfaces just in time for Winter Meetings

While the focus for the Chicago Cubs this offseason has been on pitching, there's been universal speculation that if the Cubs were to upgrade their offense, adding Alex Bregman at third base would likely be their preferred method. Still, the idea of the Cubs renewing their interest in the All-Star third baseman felt premature, considering most were just making connections back to last February.

The conversation has taken a more direct tone thanks to an update from The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (subscription required). The Cubs' beat reporters confirm that the North Siders are interested in Bregman this offseason, and as expected, it's based on the same reasons why they had interest last offseason--leader with a championship pedigree, impact bat, Gold Glove caliber fielder.

They also point to the number of players the Cubs have who will become free agents next winter as a reason why they have circled Bregman's name once again as a potential upgrade.

Alex Bregman pops back up on the Chicago Cubs' radar this offseason, and the fit still makes a ton of sense.

The only real difference between the interest from last February is that the Cubs now have data on what Matt Shaw looks like at the Major League level. While Shaw looked the part of a starting third baseman during various stretches toward the end of the season, there remains a large question mark regarding what type of offensive player he will be.

With Shaw having experience at shortstop and second base, one scenario could see the Cubs add Bregman and then move the young third baseman into a utility role on the bench next season. Given that Bregman posted a .821 OPS last season to go along with a 125 wRC+, his arrival would certainly help the Cubs' effort in replacing Kyle Tucker's impact, but Shaw's shift to a utility role would raise the level of production from the bench. An area that needs to be addressed by Jed Hoyer this winter.

Money will certainly be at the center of Bregman's sweepstakes this winter, considering he opted out of his three-year, $120-million deal with the Boston Red Sox after just the first season. Even with the Cubs' interest, the Red Sox remain the favorites for the 31-year-old third baseman, and their trade for Sonny Gray has left them with more than enough money to give him the long-term contract that alluded him the last time he was a free agent.

In a scenario where Michael King was how the Cubs addressed their need for a starting pitcher, or a trade for a cost-controlled ace, that would leave room in the Cubs' 2026 payroll plans to add Bregman without needing to go beyond their comfort zone like they did with their offer before he chose Boston last spring.