Chicago Cubs Rumors: Red Sox making push for Xander Bogaerts

With free-agent outfielder Aaron Judge finalizing his return to the New York Yankees on Wednesday morning, the free-agent market has exploded with activity and all eyes are on the Chicago Cubs and the shortstop market that includes Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson. Depending on which reporter you follow, there have been varying levels of interest being reported in the Cubs' interest in each of the shortstops. The latest rumor seems to suggest Correa is the primary focus of the Cubs at the Major League Winter Meetings.

Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox appear to be making an aggressive push toward bringing Bogaerts back.

There have been differing reports this offseason regarding the status of the relationship between the Red Sox and Bogaerts. During his media scrum at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday, Bogarts' agent, Scott Boras, did not confirm whether or not the Red Sox would have an opportunity to match an offer that the shortstop receives from another team.

Not only does it seem like the Red Sox will have an opportunity to match, but it appears the team has made some progress in their efforts to bring back their superstar shortstop.

Bogaerts returning to the Red Sox would leave Correa and Swanson on the table as the remaining big four of the free-agent shortstops that were available this season. There appears to be some unison among all reporters that Swanson is the Cubs' fallback option but it was unclear whether Correa or Bogaerts was the team's primary focus.

Depending on where things stand between the Bogaerts and the Red Sox, the Cubs will need to be prepared to act fast in regard to Correa. The San Francisco Giants are rumored to be pivoting to Correa after losing out on Judge and the Minnesota Twins remain interested in bringing the free-agent shortstop back.