Report: Cubs have renewed interest in Bregman; Red Sox, Tigers in mix
The Chicago Cubs are preparing for a future without Kyle Tucker and are showing a renewed interest in signing Alex Bregman to address the loss, sources told The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma.
Chicago attempted to sign Bregman to a four-year, $115-million deal with opt-out clauses last spring, sources told Mooney and Sharma, but he agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer "identified Bregman as a great fit with this core group and a solid long-term investment" when pitching him to the Ricketts family last year, Mooney and Sharma report.
Chicago could give outfield playing time to youngsters Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros if Tucker departs in free agency, while rotating Matt Shaw through different positions to accommodate Bregman. Shaw played the outfield, as well as second base and shortstop, in college.
The Red Sox are also interested in bringing back the three-time All-Star, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Bregman had a solid season in Boston, posting an .821 OPS in 114 games before opting out of his deal to test free agency again. He was also valuable in the clubhouse and played a key role in helping the Red Sox make their first playoff appearance since 2021.
The Detroit Tigers are eyeing another crack at Bregman, Heyman also reports. The 31-year-old almost joined the club last offseason before the Red Sox swooped in at the last second.
Detroit reportedly offered Bregman a six-year deal worth more than $170 million. He ended up signing a three-year, $120-million pact with Boston.