With less than a month to go before spring training, the Chicago Cubs are still aiming to make changes to their roster.
At the winter meetings, the Cubs completed a major trade with the Houston Astros, acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes and two top prospects: 2024 first-round pick Cam Smith and pitcher Hayden Wesneski.
Following that, the Cubs traded former National League MVP Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees in a salary dump, receiving relief pitcher Cody Poteet in return. They also dealt Matt Mervis to the Tampa Bay Rays for Vidal Brujan, another swap of former prospects.
Additionally, the Cubs bolstered their rotation by signing left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $29 million deal.
Now, it seems the Cubs are still eyeing the addition of another star player.
As reported by New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Cubs are reportedly expressing “significant interest” in acquiring two-time All-Star Alex Bregman.
During his nine years with the Houston Astros, Bregman earned two World Series titles, a Gold Glove award, and hit 191 home runs. He posted a .272 batting average, .366 on-base percentage, .483 slugging percentage, a 132 OPS+, and accumulated 39.6 WAR.
Bregman is said to have declined a six-year, $156 million offer to stay with the Astros this offseason. If he joins the Cubs, he would be reunited with his former teammate Kyle Tucker and would immediately strengthen Chicago’s infield.
With Nico Hoerner expected to miss the start of the season, Bregman could shift to second base, allowing the Cubs to give up-and-coming prospect Matt Shaw a shot at third. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicts that Bregman could secure a six-year, $187 million deal in free agency.