Cubs Rumors: Astros third baseman Alex Bregman on the trade block?

Woo, boy, Talk about a rumor that turned things on its head. On Monday, Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio dropped some bombshell speculation, suggesting the Houston Astros could be listening to trade offers for third baseman Alex Bregman this offseason.

Bregman, 29, is entering the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract with the Astros and, as Duquette notes, there's concern within the organization over whether or not the team has a chance of re-signing him in free agency. Given the other needs on the roster, unloading Bregman could, ultimately, help create a more well-rounded roster.

Cubs, Alex Bregman would be a perfect fit if they could pull off a trade

Down from his peak years, Bregman is still one of the best third basemen in the league. In 2023, he appeared in all but 2 of Houston's regular season games and finished as the third-most valuable man at the hot corner in all of baseball, with 4.2 fWAR. That mark trailed only Jose Ramirez of the Guardians and Austin Riley of the Braves.

If the Cubs are moving on from Christopher Morel at third base - and assuming they know the Nick Madrigal-Patrick Wisdom combination isn't going to cut it, obviously Bregman would be a perfect fit via trade. The cost should be relatively palatable given he's a free agent at the end of the year - and pairing him with Dansby Swanson would give the Cubs a formidable left side of the infield.

The Houston Chronicle pushed back on suggestions Bregman could be traded by Opening Day - but it's worth keeping on our radar as Jed Hoyer looks to upgrade the offense and the hot corner.