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On December 4, The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma reported , citing sources briefed on the club’s offseason planning, that the Chicago Cubs have shown renewed interest in All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.

Chicago tried and came up short in its pursuit of Alex Bregman during spring training. According to the report, the ownership group cleared Jed Hoyer to extend a four-year, $115 million proposal that featured opt-out clauses after the second and third seasons.

Bregman instead landed with the Boston Red Sox, agreeing to a three-year, $120 million contract. That deal also included opt-out provisions and a sizable portion of deferred money.

Amid the report that the Cubs are revisiting their Bregman interest, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden believes that this could lead to Chicago trading Nico Hoerner.

“If they can sign Alex Bregman to play third base, they could move Matt Shaw to second base,” Bowden said on the December 12 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.” “Trade Nico Hoerner for a starting pitcher or an impact reliever. So that’s kind of what their thinking is right now.”

Alex Bregman Would Allow the Cubs to Fill Other Needs

Bowden went into further detail about why Bregman’s profile fits the Cubs’ needs. Moreover, his arrival would allow for Chicago to fill other weaknesses on the squad as they prepare for life after Kyle Tucker.

“I think it feels like a foregone conclusion they are not going to be able to retain Kyle Tucker,“ Bowden added. “They would like to get another big name, another proven veteran bat, and more importantly, I think manager Craig Counsell, based on my conversations with him, would like to get another team leader, someone who can lead that clubhouse, and they feel like Bregman could do that, or Bo Bichette, for that matter.

“So the only reason they are talking about Hoerner is, okay, we only have one year of control left. If we can all of a sudden sign Bregman to a four or five year contract, we can move Shaw to second. We trade Hoerner for a starting pitcher. We are better. So that’s the thinking, at least, where the Cubs are coming from.”

Why Alex Bregman to the Cubs Makes Sense

Chicago’s search for impact talent often points to players like Bregman. A Gold Glove defender who will turn 32 shortly after next year’s Opening Day, Bregman brings value as a two-way presence.

Winning pedigree followed Bregman to Fenway Park after helping the Houston Astros capture two World Series titles. That experience translated in Boston, where Bregman established himself as a respected clubhouse leader and a positive influence on the Red Sox’s young hitters.

A quad injury limited Bregman to 114 games, but the offensive production remained steady. Bregman finished with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and an .821 OPS. That output closely mirrors Bregman’s postseason track record. Over 102 career playoff games, Bregman has totaled 19 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a .791 OPS.

It will be interesting to see if the Cubs land him in free agency, leading to a domino effect that leads Chicago to use Hoerner as a trade chip for another impact bat or pitcher.

Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. He previously covered the league for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has contributed as a freelance writer for The Sporting News. He also served as an editor for Athlon Sports and Heavy Sports focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo

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