Cubs Players Make Their Pitch to Free Agent Alex Bregman
MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of an intriguing offseason,one that has seen them make several notable moves. As spring training gets underway, the Cubs are making their pitch to free agent third baseman /name/hou/houston-astros”>Houston Astros teammate /id/32273/jon-berti”>Jon Berti to perhaps back up Shaw.Acquiring Bregman would complete an active offseason that saw the organization trade for Astros outfielder /id/31258/jameson-taillon”>Jameson Taillon. “I think just getting thes guys from Houston,that team went on a crazy run for a lot of years and these guys,guys like Ryan Pressly,have played in very big moments. So did Alex Bregman, so did Kyle Tucker. and I think that’s pretty cool to add to this room. Just winners and people who expect to win.”
The Cubs themselves expect to win in 2025 after missing out on the postseason the previous four years. they’re prepared to start the season with Shaw as their third baseman, but Bregman would represent a huge difference-maker at a position they ranked 27th in fWAR last season. bregman compiled a 4.1 fWAR in 2024, fourth among all third basemen.
“Among owners and teams it’s a gold rush,” Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, said Tuesday when asked for a status update. “The acquiring team immediatly … potentiates championship value.”
The Cubs haven’t been overly aggressive in signing huge, long-term deals over the past two winters, but if Bregman is willing to take a shorter-term contract, there could be a match. It’s the same scenario that played out last February when the team re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger to a three-year deal with opt-outs after the first two seasons.
Bellinger signed just before the calendar turned to March, so the team proved its willingness to wait.
Cubs president of baseball operations jed Hoyer was asked Sunday if there was room in the budget for a big addition.
“I probably wouldn’t answer that,” Hoyer replied. “Talking about exact budget numbers I think is always a risky thing, but I would just say we’ve been really focused this offseason on trying to optimize as much as we can within our budget to make sure that we are a really competitive team.”
Simply put, Hoyer isn’t tipping his hand. But while the front office has been mum on the subject of Bregman,it doesn’t mean players have to be. There’s little doubt they’d like to add yet another championship veteran to the clubhouse.
“I know those guys [Pressly and Tucker] speak very highly of him, and I’ve definitely heard them communicate that out loud,” Taillon said.
Pressly added: “Whatever happens with Breggy I’m going to support him. I just hope I can support him in the same clubhouse.”
Key Points Summary
| Player | Position | Status | Notable Achievements |
|—————–|—————–|————————-|————————————————|
| Alex Bregman | Third Baseman | Free Agent | 4.1 fWAR in 2024, fourth among all third basemen |
| Ryan Pressly | Pitcher | Cubs Player | Played in big moments with the Astros |
| Jameson Taillon | Pitcher | cubs Player | Former Astros teammate |
| Jon Berti | Utility Player | Signed by Cubs | Potential backup to Matt Shaw |
| Kyle Tucker | Outfielder | traded to Cubs | Part of the Astros’ championship runs |
| Cody Bellinger | Outfielder | Re-signed by Cubs | Signed a three-year deal with opt-outs |
| Scott Boras | Agent | Bregman’s Agent | Notable for his client’s contract negotiations |
The Cubs’ pursuit of Bregman is part of a broader strategy to bolster their roster with championship-caliber players. As the team continues to optimize its budget and make strategic moves, the addition of Bregman could considerably enhance their prospects for the 2025 season.
Interview with Cubs Pitcher Ryan Pressly on Alex bregman
MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of an intriguing offseason, one that has seen them make several notable moves. As spring training gets underway, the Cubs are making their pitch to free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, though they insist it’s not overt recruiting.
“I don’t think it’s recruiting,” said Cubs pitcher and Bregman’s former Houston Astros teammate Ryan Pressly. “It’s not, ‘Hey, come here, come here.’ Would I like to play with him? One thousand percent. I would love to play with him.”
Bregman, 30, remains unsigned as camps open across Florida and Arizona. The Cubs, who began spring training a couple of days earlier than other teams due to a March trip to Japan, are set to welcome position players later this week.
The Cubs have an opening at third base despite top prospect Matt Shaw currently getting reps there. The team jettisoned all their third basemen from last year and signed veteran Jon Berti to perhaps back up Shaw. Acquiring Bregman would complete an active offseason that saw the organization trade for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker and Pressly.
“Obviously he’s an remarkable player,” said Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon. “I think just getting these guys from Houston, that team went on a crazy run for a lot of years and these guys, guys like Ryan Pressly, have played in very big moments. So did Alex Bregman, so did Kyle Tucker. And I think that’s pretty cool to add to this room. just winners and people who expect to win.”
The Cubs themselves expect to win in 2025 after missing out on the postseason the previous four years. They’re prepared to start the season with Shaw as their third baseman, but Bregman would represent a huge difference-maker at a position they ranked 27th in fWAR last season. Bregman compiled a 4.1 fWAR in 2024,fourth among all third basemen.
“Among owners and teams it’s a gold rush,” Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, said Tuesday when asked for a status update. “The acquiring team immediatly … potentiates championship value.”
The Cubs haven’t been overly aggressive in signing huge, long-term deals over the past two winters, but if Bregman is willing to take a shorter-term contract, there could be a match. It’s the same scenario that played out last February when the team re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger to a three-year deal with opt-outs after the first two seasons.
Bellinger signed just before the calendar turned to March, so the team proved its willingness to wait.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was asked Sunday if there was room in the budget for a big addition.
“I probably wouldn’t answer that,” Hoyer replied. “Talking about exact budget numbers I think is always a risky thing, but I would just say we’ve been really focused this offseason on trying to optimize as much as we can within our budget to make sure that we are a really competitive team.”
Simply put, hoyer isn’t tipping his hand. But while the front office has been mum on the subject of Bregman, it doesn’t meen players have to be. There’s little doubt they’d like to add yet another championship veteran to the clubhouse.
“I know those guys [Pressly and Tucker] speak very highly of him, and I’ve definitely heard them communicate that out loud,” Taillon said.
Pressly added: “whatever happens with Breggy I’m going to support him. I just hope I can support him in the same clubhouse.”
