ESPN’s Winter Meetings preview quietly hints at surprise Cubs free-agent move

Alex Bregman has always felt like a logical free-agent position player that the Chicago Cubs would have interest in this offseason, so there wasn't much of a surprise when the direct connection was made late last week. Bregman fits the mold of the position player the Cubs have preferred in recent seasons, and his arrival would open some roster flexibility with Matt Shaw moving into a utility role.

ESPN's Jeff Passan seemed to expand upon the Cubs' interest in Bregman ahead of the Winter Meetings, suggesting that they are considering multiple options. Passan didn't put the Cubs among the group of teams expected to add an impact bat this offseason, but did lump them with the New York Yankees and New York Mets as teams "surveying multiple options".

Alex Bregman may not be the only position player the Chicago Cubs are pursuing this offseason.

One of the reasons why it was so clear that pitching would be the focus for the Cubs this offseason is that, beyond the need they have, there were simply more options. In terms of position-player free agents, it's hard to circle the Cubs as an interested party in anyone other than Bregman.

Sure, Kyle Tucker should be one of those players. It's possible that he is an option the Cubs are surveying, but only in the event that his market bottoms out. The same logic can likely be applied to Cody Bellinger. Neither scenario appears all that likely, considering both have received a healthy amount of interest during the weeks leading up to the Winter Meetings.

This current version of Kyle Schwarber is exactly what the Cubs need in their starting lineup, but it's hard to see Chicago being willing to spend more than the Philadelphia Phillies or Cincinnati Reds for someone who lacks the two-way factor that Bregman has.

On a surface level, the Cubs could be among the teams that have an interest in Bo Bichette as a third baseman, but he's expected to command a deal larger than Bregman's. With pitching being the priority for the Cubs, it's hard to see them making that deal for the former Blue Jays' All-Star.

Once the Cubs add their primary upgrade to their starting rotation, that may give a better sense of the position player they are targeting. For example, if they sign Michael King on a short-term deal, Jed Hoyer turning around and spending his available resources on Bregman would make sense.