The Chicago Cubs could use another bat in their lineup to either plug in at the top of the order to give some protection to Kyle Tucker, or in the middle of the order to provide some more thump.
The two top free agents left on the market who could give the Cubs one or the other are third baseman Alex Bregman and first baseman Pete Alonso. Both would be great fits for the Cubs to have in their lineup, but with both still not budging from wanting long-term deals, the Cubs may have a hard time signing either.
However, according to one MLB insider, the Cubs remain a top team for one of them and are in ‘aggressive‘ pursuit of one of them.
MLB insider says the Chicago Cubs are one of the ‘most aggressive‘ for Bregman
The Cubs have been one of the teams along with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and the Detroit Tigers as being the other teams still ‘in’ on Bregman. According to MLB Analyst & Insider-CBS Sports; The Athletic Jim Bowden the Cubs along with the Blue Jays remain one of the more ‘aggressive‘ teams in the Bregman sweepstakes.
“There is no question who the most aggressive teams right now for Alonso and Bregman are and it’s the #BlueJays and #Cubs which could dampen the two from returning to their former teams.”
There is no question who the most aggressive teams right now for Alonso and Bregman are and its the #BlueJays and #Cubs which could dampen the two from returning to their former teams.
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) January 31, 2025
It was also reported by Bruce Levine of 670 The Score that the Cubs were still ‘hanging around‘ in the hopes that Bregman would cave and take a shorter deal than the six years he desires.
“The Cubs are hanging around in the Alex Bregman derby while also eyeing more bullpen help and another infielder for their bench, writes @MLBBruceLevine.“
The Cubs are hanging around in the Alex Bregman derby while also eyeing more bullpen help and another infielder for their bench, writes @MLBBruceLevine. https://t.co/QK7EMmsLd4 pic.twitter.com/iDJSsyWJuk
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) January 29, 2025
Bregman would bring some thump to the Cubs lineup with him proving to be capable of hitting 30 home runs in a season accomplishing the feat twice in his career (2018, 2019). The future Hall of Famer had a solid 2024 season for the Astros where he played in 145 games and won the Gold Glove award. Bregman also tallied 30 doubles, 2 triples, 26 HRs, 75 RBI, and a slash line of .260/.315/.453 for an OPS and OPS+ of .768 and 118.
Why adding Bregman would work out for the Cubs
Bregman is still in his prime and would be a valuable piece to have either batting second or fifth in the Cubs order. As I stated Bregman would bring more power to the Cubs lineup, but where he excels is getting the good part of the bat on the ball and putting the ball in play. That is represented when looking at his Baseball Savant with Bregman ranking in the 96th percentile for squared-up percentage (33.8%).
The New Mexico native has one of the better eyes at the plate showing he is capable of walking more than he struck out. Last season that wasn’t the case however with Bregman finishing with more strikeouts than walks for only the fifth time in his decade-long career. Bregman could also prove to be a valuable mentor to top prospect Matt Shaw who could emerge as the Cub’s future third baseman whether they sign Bregman or not.
The Bregman sweepstakes will end soon
With pitchers and catchers expected to report in nine days for all teams the Bregman sweepstakes should figure to come to a close soon.
Alex Bregman, nor his agent Scott Boras want a repeat of last year where Boras had three of his top guys not signed until it was almost Opening Day. That shouldn’t be the case this year with Bregman getting as much interest as he has.
The Cubs could be a realistic destination for Bregman given they currently have two of his ex-teammates in Tucker and Ryan Pressly and with Pressly being one of Bregmans best friends that could really help the Chicago Cub’s chances.
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