The most annoying Cubs rumor is already creeping back this winter

Pitching will be the focus of the offseason for the Chicago Cubs, but it can't be overstated that it seems inevitable that the Cubs will not have Kyle Tucker in their starting lineup next season. For as much as Cubs fans may have welcomed that idea during the playoffs, the fact is the Cubs aren't making the playoffs without the production Tucker had during the opening months of the season. That will need to be replaced.

The issue for the Cubs is that there isn't exactly a clear path to how they can upgrade their offseason. Their infield appears to be set, and despite his struggles in the playoffs, it would be entirely too early for the Cubs to give up on Matt Shaw. The starting outfield, even without Tucker, is already under contract for the 2026 season, and the Cubs also have top prospects Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara in the waiting.

There would be layers involved with any offensive upgrade the Cubs make this offseason, and The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma casually threw out one name that Cubs fans know all too well. While emphasizing that the Cubs will be focused on pitching this offseason, Sharma mentioned the Cubs potentially circling back to Alex Bregman after their failed pursuit of the All-Star third baseman last offseason.

The most exhausting Cubs rumor just won’t stay buried this offseason

Bregman almost certainly will opt out of his current three-year, $120MM contract with the Boston Red Sox with the hope of finding what escaped him last offseason: a lucrative long-term deal. Right there feels like the stopping point for the Cubs, who may be cautious about long-term deals this offseason, given the looming work stoppage after the 2026 season.

That said, if the Cubs were going to plan a major addition to their offense this offseason and it doesn't involve Tucker, Bregman may be the answer. Such a scenario would see Bregman as the starting third baseman for the Cubs next season, with Matt Shaw moving into a utility role.

While an extension candidate, it needs to be mentioned that Nico Hoerner is a free agent after next season. In theory, the Cubs could move Shaw to second base if Bregman were to occupy third base.

Again, it's a layered conversation, but one that might need to be had if the Cubs are going to change an offense that broke during the closing months of the season.