Cubs Rumors: Meetings with Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts

The Chicago Cubs may have missed out on free-agent shortstop Trea Turner as the Philadelphia Phillies finalized an 11-year deal with Turner on Monday for $300MM but the Cubs remain interested in the remaining top three free-agent shortstops in Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson. Major League Baseball insider for 670 The Score Bruce Levine shared details on Monday regarding the Cubs' meeting with Correa at the Winter Meetings.

"“We had conversations pre-lockout,” Correa told 670 The Score in July. “It was never at the point of being serious. There was never an offer. There were a couple of phone calls here and there. They wanted us to let them know what we wanted. I love Chicago. It’s one of my favorite cities to come visit. Down the line, maybe we will have conversations about those things again.” Such a conversation has happened in the past 24 hours, a source said, with Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, general manager Carter Hawkins and manager David Ross among those at the meeting."

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The fact that a meeting with Correa was among the first items that the Cubs accomplished at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings this week is an encouraging sign. Correa remains the perfect fit for the Cubs in regards to a potential face of the franchise while also being a significant upgrade to the team's offensive approach. While Correa likely will be looking to match the $300MM that Turner received from the Phillies, chances are he will look for a higher AAV than what the former Dodgers' shortstop is receiving in Philadelphia.

Levine also confirmed that the Cubs have met with Bogaerts and are receiving help in their recruiting pitch from former starting pitcher Jon Lester.

"The Cubs met with Bogaerts about 10 days ago, a source said. Ross, first-base coach Mike Napoli and former Cubs ace Jon Lester have all been selling Bogaerts on the idea of playing at Wrigley Field and in front of the fans there. Ross, Napoli and Lester were teammates of Bogaerts on the 2013 Red Sox, who won the World Series."

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If the money is right, it is hard to see Bogaerts turning down an opportunity play with the Cubs. With David Ross in place as the team's manager and Mike Napoli as the team's first base coach, the Cubs could provide Bogaerts with a sense of familiarity.