Latest Alex Bregman contract details from Cubs, Astros may hint at closure

Thursday did not bring much concrete movement on the Alex Bregman front.

The Chicago Cubs remain in the mix for Bregman, and there are strong indications that they may be sitting at the top of the sweepstakes. However, it would seem that one of the reasons there hasn't been a union between Bregman and the Cubs is that he is still holding out for a long-term contract.

Outside of the report from Bob Nightengale, there was also a tiny update from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman's update didn't tell us anything that we didn't already know with the gist being that Bregman may be holding out for a long-term deal.

However, Heyman mentioned passingly that the Astros may have upped their offer. Despite the Astros' indication that they were ready for life without Bregman, a local Houston reporter also confirmed that Bregman's former team has a new offer.

While not doubting the validity of the report, if there was a new offer from the Astros and one that is still considered long-term, it would be fair to wonder why Bregman hasn't signed on the dotted line yet. At this point in the offseason, Bregman isn't going to find an offer on the table that is better than the six-year deal the Astros offered worth $156MM.

As for the Cubs' side of things, Matthew Trueblood, as of Thursday morning, was hearing that the Cubs are "optimistic" about their chances of landing Bregman. Trueblood also had important details regarding the Cubs' offer to Bregman and the implications of the money deferred through player options. It's an important read to fully understand what exactly the Cubs may be signing up for if they are able to land Bregman.

At best guess, the Bregman sweepstakes are coming to a head. It's very possible that the Cubs are sitting in the driver's seat but a preference for long-term security and a return to the Astros could be what is keeping the Scott Boras charade continuing. Short of Bregman signing a long-term deal with the Astros or the Detroit Tigers. it would be hard to see him passing up on the creative offer from the Cubs.