Chicago Cubs not a “logical fit” for one of this winter’s top free-agent bats

I've felt a bit repetitive lately, regularly touching on this point, but given its impact on the Chicago Cubs' offseason, it bears repeating. The current roster construction could make Jed Hoyer's job especially challenging this winter, with multiple long-term pieces locked into positions heading into 2025.

In a new rundown of potential landing spots for Houston Astros third baseman, Alex Bregman, the Cubs popped up - but they fell well short of the top ranking, checking in at #6 on this list from Bleacher Report.

Out of the gate, I feel like the piece oversimplifies the defensive prowess of Bregman's fellow third baseman Matt Chapman, who just inked a six-year, $151 million extension with the San Francisco Giants, laying the groundwork on what Bregman may fetch in free agency. It says "the only thing Chapman really has on his fellow third baseman is Gold Gloves," but that doesn't paint an entirely accurate picture.

Chapman has been worth nearly two-and-a-half times the dWAR of Bregman (13.9 to 5.9) and there's no doubt his elite glovework at third played a big role in the Giants extending him. Offensively, Bregman has certainly been a more impactful offensive player and I'm not questioning that - but I want to set the stage for this discussion the best I can.

Cubs, Alex Bregman seem like an unlikely match in free agency

Back to Bregman and the Cubs. Assuming Chapman's contract sets the low-water mark for what Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, will be looking for, we're already knocking on the door of some of the largest free-agent contracts Chicago has ever handed out. Throw in the Isaac Paredes trade from this summer and a serious pursuit of Bregman seems less likely than ever before.

"It just feels like the Cubs need another hitter, doesn't it? ... Yet even if Cody Bellinger opens up a spot by opting out of his deal, the Cubs will still have Isaac Paredes at third base and Michael Busch at first base. One could move to accommodate Bregman, but it's clearly not the most natural fit."

Zach Rymer, Bleacher Report

No argument here. Given Paredes' presence and several quickly rising infield prospects who could factor into the big league team's plans sooner rather than later in Matt Shaw and Cam Smith, the fit is certainly less than ideal. It's hard to see how Hoyer avoids running back largely the same group in hopes of better results in 2025 - but that's what he's tasked with.

Pursuing Bregman, though, certainly shouldn't be a top priority given the organizational depth at the hot corner.