(670 The Score) The Cubs’ work this offseason isn’t done yet after their acquisition of reliever Ryan Pressly in a recent trade with the Astros.
The highest-profile name on the Cubs’ radar remains free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. The Cubs are hanging around in the Bregman derby, looming as a possible landing spot if he shifts his focus to a shorter-term deal. Bregman has five-year contract offers on the table, according to sources, but the Cubs have been cautious about offering long-term deals. Many MLB teams are mapping out their economic plans as a work stoppage may loom in MLB ahead of the 2027 season.
The 30-year-old Bregman’s landing spot might end up being back in Houston, where he has played his first nine MLB seasons. It’s unclear if the Astros’ original six-year, $156-million offer to Bregman remains on the table, but they trimmed some payroll by trading Pressly to the Cubs.
A deal similar to the one that outfielder Cody Bellinger signed with Chicago ahead of the 2024 season would be the blueprint for a potential union between Bregman and the Cubs. Bellinger signed a three-year, $80-million deal with the Cubs that included player opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. He opted in to his $27.5-million salary for the 2025 season, after which the Cubs traded him to the Yankees as they paved the way for the everyday right field job for star Kyle Tucker, whom they acquired in a trade with the Astros.
Bregman is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. He hit .260 with 26 homers, 75 RBIs and a .768 OPS in 145 games for Houston last season. Bregman has a career .858 OPS and 132 OPS+.
The Red Sox, Tigers and Blue Jays have all shown interest in Bregman, sources said.
Beyond Bregman, the Cubs have also been in contact with 39-year-old reliever David Robertson, who’s coming off a strong year in 2024 in which he posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 68 appearances for the Rangers. Robertson struck out 12.4 batters per nine innings. Robertson is a unicorn of sorts in that he has represented himself in contract negotiations for most of his career.
The Cubs also recently signed versatile infielder Jon Berti, who can provide depth as shortstop Dansby Swanson comes off core surgery and second baseman Nico Hoerner comes off forearm surgery. The club is still interested in adding another veteran infielder, with the likes of Jose Iglesias and Jorge Polanco looming as potential names who could help their bench.
Iglesias, 35, hit .337 with an .830 OPS in 85 games for the Mets in 2024. Polanco, 31, hit .213 with 16 homers and a .651 OPS in 118 games for the Mariners last season.
Adding a power arm to the rotation remains in play for the Cubs as well, but there’s been little connection between the club and right-hander Jack Flaherty as he remains a free agent. Flaherty has been rumored to potentially return to Detroit.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.