Red Sox finally struck back at Cubs' Alex Bregman signing in funniest way possible

Safe to say, the Cubs got the better end of the deal.

Jordan Campbell

Jan 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Catrina Connelly takes a picture of her husband Patrick Connelly and baby Declan outside of the Chicago Cubs marquee announcing the Cubs new player Alex Bregman. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox were caught off guard when the Chicago Cubs signed Alex Bregman. The Red Sox didn't exactly take Scott Boras at his word when he told them the Cubs' offer was on the table. Craig Breslow and Co. didn't want to be bidding against themselves, and when they called Boras' bluff, it was too late as the deal with the Cubs was finalized.

The Red Sox have been scrambling ever since. Their trade talks for Ketel Marte and Brendan Donovan didn't go anywhere. Marte was taken off the trade market by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Donovan was traded to the Seattle Mariners.

Boston's search for a Bregman replacement has also been intertwined with Cubs trade rumors, considering that, under the right circumstances, Matt Shaw might be available. If not Shaw, the Red Sox have also been engaged in trade talks with the Astros regarding a potential trade for Isaac Paredes.

The Red Sox have finally responded to the Cubs signing Alex Bregman.

It took nearly the rest of the offseason, but the Red Sox have finally identified Bregman's replacement. Boston has signed utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year deal worth $6 million. Safe to say, it wasn't exactly the addition Red Sox fans were hoping for.

After falling short in the bidding for Bregman, the Red Sox were believed to be pivoting toward an emphasis on pitching and defense. Honestly, it felt like a cop-out Cubs fans know all too well.

It seems that the Red Sox don't want to pony up what it would cost to get an impact bat, so the easier (and cheaper) option is to double down on run prevention. A strategy that has led the Cubs to the playoffs, but has its ceiling. Hence why the Cubs stepped out of their comfort zone to sign Bregman this winter.

It would be laughable to point to Kiner-Falefa being a suitable replacement for Bregman. The 30-year-old infielder has never registered a wRC+ over 100 throughout his 8-year-career, and only has two instances where his wRC+ was over 90. Kiner-Falefa is a good defender, but not to the point where the Red Sox should be willing to overlook the need they still have for an impact bat.

Honestly, it's just nice that the joke is finally not at the Cubs' expense.

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.