The Chicago Cubs are rekindling their interest in star infielder Alex Bregman, according to reports from Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of *The Athletic*. The Detroit Tigers and the incumbent Boston Red Sox are also back in the hunt for Bregman’s services, marking a repeat of last offseason’s competitive bidding.
During the previous offseason, the Tigers made a significant offer of $171.5 million over six years, which included deferred payments and an opt-out after the second season. The Cubs had proposed a four-year deal valued between $115 million and $120 million, featuring opt-out options after the second and third years. Ultimately, Bregman chose a three-year agreement with the Red Sox, which guaranteed him $40 million, half of which was deferred, along with opt-outs after the first two years. After one season, he activated the opt-out clause, and he is now eyeing a lucrative long-term deal as he approaches his 32nd birthday shortly after Opening Day.
Detroit’s continued interest in Bregman is not surprising, particularly as the team is still managed by A.J. Hinch, Bregman’s former skipper with the Houston Astros. Despite the presence of Zach McKinstry, who was an unexpected All-Star this season, the Tigers may benefit from shifting him to a utility role. This would allow him to share shortstop duties with Javier Báez until top prospect Kevin McGonigle is ready to arrive at the major league level. In addition, the Tigers could leverage Colt Keith as a left-handed complement to Spencer Torkelson and Gleyber Torres while utilizing him at designated hitter when Kerry Carpenter plays right field.
The Cubs face a more complex situation in their pursuit of Bregman. If he seeks a long-term deal, it could limit opportunities for former first-round pick Matt Shaw, who completed a reasonably successful rookie season. Shaw’s overall line of .226/.295/.394 may seem underwhelming, but he showed promise after struggling initially against big league pitching. Following his recall from Triple-A in mid-May, he managed a league-average performance and posted a notable .258/.317/.522 in the second half. Despite a dip in performance in the final month, Shaw’s defensive capabilities impressed, particularly as the season progressed.
While Shaw’s rookie season was commendable, it does not eliminate the Cubs from the running for Bregman. He ranked in the bottom ten percent of qualified hitters in average exit velocity and hard contact rate, raising concerns about his ability to replicate Bregman’s consistent production, which has historically included 20-25 home runs per season.
The Cubs are also prioritizing pitching in their offseason strategy. They reportedly made an attempt to acquire Dylan Cease and are involved in the bidding for Tatsuya Imai, a pitcher from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Targeting players like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez would also align with their goals. According to RosterResource, the Cubs’ luxury tax number hovers around $197 million, which leaves them approximately $35 million short of last season’s total. They are also nearly $50 million beneath the base tax threshold, making the financial implications of signing Bregman and a top-tier starter a matter of ownership approval.
The Cubs could also explore the trade market to strengthen their rotation, potentially utilizing Shaw as a valuable asset in negotiations if they pursue an upgrade at third base. If they decide to keep Shaw, he could serve in a utility capacity with the long-term plan to transition him to second base when Nico Hoerner reaches free agency next offseason.
As the offseason progresses, the interest surrounding Bregman highlights the ongoing strategic maneuvering of multiple teams in their quest for a competitive edge in the upcoming season.
