MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs understand that signing a free agent always comes down to years and dollars, especially when that player is represented by Scott Boras, arguably one of the most powerful agents in the game. But with Alex Bregman still unsigned and spring training already underway, the Cubs are positioning themselves as a destination where the All-Star third baseman would immediately feel welcome.
Trading for Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly in separate deals with the Houston Astros not only boosted their win projections and odds to win the National League Central. Those acquisitions also opened different lines of communication with Bregman, a two-time World Series winner in Houston who has remained in frequent contact with Pressly.
“I don’t think it’s recruiting,” Pressly said Tuesday. “It’s just more of like: ‘Hey, how are you doing? What are you hearing?’ Stuff like that. I don’t want to be like: ‘Come here! Come here!’ Would I like to play with him? One thousand percent. I would love to play with him.”
Internally, team sources said, there is no divide on Bregman’s talents and obvious fit with the Cubs. A sense of familiarity also can’t hurt the club’s chances. Bregman and Tucker were both featured in Houston’s 2022 championship lineup — both received votes in American League MVP balloting that year — while Pressly notched the final out of that World Series.
If Bregman signs a six- or seven-year contract, it very likely won’t be with the Cubs. It’s also unclear how much room president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has to maneuver underneath the $241 million luxury tax threshold. But trading for a 36-year-old closer — after giving up a huge haul for Tucker’s last season before reaching free agency — shows the future is now.
“The moves we’ve made definitely let you know that there’s some urgency,” pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “That speaks pretty loudly.”
Standing at his locker in the team’s Arizona clubhouse, Taillon laughed and paused for almost five seconds when asked if the former Astros are making direct pitches to Bregman.
“I don’t know about recruiting,” Taillon said. “But I know those guys speak very highly of him. And I’ve definitely heard them communicate that out loud. (Bregman’s) an incredible player. Getting these guys from Houston — that team went on a crazy run for a lot of years. Ryan Pressly has played in very big moments. So has Alex Bregman. So has Kyle Tucker. That’s pretty cool to add to this room — winners.”
Taillon’s perspective is shaped by his time with the New York Yankees, a franchise that developed a bitter rivalry with Houston that got more heated after the Astros were exposed as cheaters in a sign-stealing scandal.
“It’s funny, I played against (Bregman) in New York and he got booed a lot there,” Taillon said. “I gave up a homer to him when he was getting booed really loudly. I remember just thinking that these guys seem to respond really well to these hostile environments. It seemed like any time they were getting booed really loudly, he always came through. He’s played in big moments. He’s a championship player.”
Bregman’s reputation for being intense and focused made one league source wonder if Bregman would push to sign soon rather than miss a chunk of spring training. While Cody Bellinger is also a Boras client — and his three-year, $80 million contract could be a kind of template for Bregman — Bellinger is a more laid-back personality who already had relationships with Cubs coaches and players as well as a home near the Mesa complex when he made his decision to return in late February last year.
The Astros, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays have also shown interest in Bregman, who will turn 31 next month and has already earned more than $100 million during his career, according to Baseball-Reference’s salary database.
“I would love to have him here,” Pressly said. “But he’s got to make decisions for his family.”
For the Cubs, it will not be Bregman or nothing. As an example, Cubs manager Craig Counsell did not rule out the idea of signing another reliever to a major-league contract, even though that would limit some of the roster flexibility within a rebuilt bullpen. The Cubs have also considered adding Justin Turner, who has remained a very productive infielder/designated hitter in his late 30s.
But until there’s a deal for the best remaining free agent, Bregman Watch will remain the biggest story around the Cubs.
“No, we’re not done,” Counsell said. “I don’t think you ever consider yourself done building a roster. Whether big or small (moves), I don’t think you should consider yourself done. Especially on Feb. 11. I would say still always looking at options out there. Absolutely.”
(Top photo: Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)
