The Chicago Cubs’ pursuit of a marquee bat hasn’t gone away, and new reporting suggests they’ve already done direct homework on free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray reported that the Cubs held a Zoom meeting with Bregman “a few weeks ago,” adding that the veteran has also met via Zoom with multiple other teams this winter.
That matters because it’s a tangible “signal” the Cubs are still involved, even as the top of the market has moved at a crawl late in December.
Key details
- Cubs held a Zoom meeting with Alex Bregman, per Robert Murray.
- Bregman is coming off a season with the Boston Red Sox and opted out of his deal.
- Chicago has been tied to “renewed interest” all month, while Boston is still widely viewed as a logical fit.
Cubs’ Alex Bregman interest looks real and it’s not new
The Cubs have been linked to Bregman multiple times this offseason, with reporting earlier in December indicating the organization circled him as a potential target.
The Zoom meeting report is the cleanest “proof-of-life” detail yet, the kind of step teams usually take when they’re at least exploring contract fit, roster fit, and role.
Bregman, 31, is also coming off a productive year in Boston before opting out. He played 114 games and finished with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and an .821 OPS.
What it could mean for the Cubs’ infield plan
If the Cubs got serious about Bregman, it wouldn’t just be “add a third baseman.”
As previously reported on Heavy, Bregman at third could allow Matt Shaw to move around the infield, with Nico Hoerner becoming a possible trade chip if Chicago wanted to reshape the roster after adding a premium bat.
That’s also why the Cubs being connected to a formal meeting is worth noting. It hints the front office is at least mapping out the hard questions:
- Where does Shaw play if Bregman arrives?
- Does a big signing force (or enable) a trade elsewhere?
- How far is ownership willing to go on dollars and years to win a bidding war?
The price tag and why the market feels like a standoff
Bregman’s market has also been colored by what happened last winter. MLB Trade Rumors noted the Detroit Tigers made a strong push for him a year ago with a six-year, $171.5 million offer (with deferrals and an opt-out structure).
That context is important because it frames the negotiation: Bregman (and agent Scott Boras) can point to that kind of number as a baseline for a long-term ask, while teams try to wait out the market, especially if multiple clubs (including Boston) are still circling.
The timing is also worth watching. Once one of the top bats signs, the rest of the market often follows quickly, and teams that were “checking in” suddenly have to decide whether they’re all-in or pivoting. The Cubs’ early meeting puts them in position if Bregman’s camp starts narrowing finalists.
What happens next
The Cubs don’t have to “win the winter” to make this story matter, but they do need clarity.
If Bregman’s camp starts narrowing the field to finalists (or if Boston pushes hard to close), Chicago’s next move becomes the headline: either ramp up, pivot to another bat, or re-route resources into pitching.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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