When the dust settled, though, not only did Bregman sign with the Boston Red Sox, but it was later revealed that the Cubs weren\u2019t finalists for his services at all<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Cubs\u2019 reported offer of four years for $115 million, with opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons, fell short of the Red Sox winning bid of $120 million for three years, with opt-outs after 2025 and 2026. It also fell short of the deals reportedly offered by the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros.<\/p>\n Fans walked away from the 2025 Bregman chase with the feeling that, maybe, Chicago wasn\u2019t chasing as aggressively as they had been led to believe.<\/p>\n Fast forward to 2026. Could everyone be in for the same kind of letdown and disillusionment?<\/p>\n Cubs fans headed for another Bregman letdown? More News: Chicago Cubs target is off the board; Imai signs cheapo deal with Houston Astros<\/a><\/p>\n With Bregman having exercised his opt-out clause with the Red Sox and once again peddling himself on the free agency market, reports have been hot and heavy regarding the Cubs and their pursuit of him. They\u2019ve also, again, been named as favorites to sign him.<\/p>\n Mark Feinsand of MLB.com<\/a>, however, recently let loose a tidbit of information that should get Cubs fans feeling like they\u2019ve just taken a gut punch.<\/p>\n According to Feinsand\u2019s sources, the Cubs may be in the mix of interested teams, but they\u2019re not the hungriest to acquire him:<\/p>\n \u201cSources believe the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks may be the two most aggressive clubs in the hunt for Bregman, though a Red Sox reunion remains a possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n The Red Sox, meanwhile, have said that the re-signing of Bregman is a \u201cplan A,\u201d according to sources talking to MassLive.com\u2019s Chris Cotillo.<\/p>\n Reality check Realistically, how far did anyone think this Bregman pursuit would go, anyway? The frugal Cubs ownership sees that they have a fine everyday third baseman in Matt Shaw on the roster right now making near league minimum.<\/p>\n The problem is that \u201cfine\u201d is not going to cut it if the goal is to field a better team in 2026.<\/p>\n Kyle Tucker will be gone and his absence from the lineup will be felt. It\u2019s no coincidence that the Cubs\u2019 prodigious 2025 offense cooled down considerably in the second half of the season as Tucker struggled with injury-related inconsistency. Tucker\u2019s right field replacement, rookie Owen Caissie, is by no means a guaranteed hit.<\/p>\n Shaw was surprisingly good defensively at the hot corner, but came up short with the bat. The rookie was only able to reach his .226 batting average because of an August were he approached being a league-average hitter. Take away that month, and his average goes down to .223. Plus, there was the 2-for-17 postseason run that accentuated doubts and question marks about Shaw.<\/p>\n As things stand now, there is no backup to Shaw on the Cubs roster.<\/p>\n Then, moving away from the offense, there\u2019s the fact that the Cubs have so far come up short in their pursuit of a high-end starting pitcher, losing bids for Dylan Cease and Japanese import Tatsuya Imai while seemingly keeping away from the rest of the deep end of the free agent talent pool.<\/p>\n No plan going forward? Bringing Bregman aboard made infinite sense as Shaw could\u2019ve then been packaged to a team okay with waiting on his progress in a deal for a quality starting pitcher. Or Shaw could\u2019ve been kept as a utility man and as insurance for the possible loss of a free agent Nico Hoerner after next season.<\/p>\n Right now it looks like the Cubs may be facing the worst of both worlds\u2013 No Bregman and not enough trade capital to pull off a big trade for pitching.<\/p>\n As is always the case, though, time will tell what\u2019s in store for the rest of the offseason.<\/p>\n Cubs facing backlash from fans after not signing Kazuma Okamoto \t\tFor More Great Chicago Sports Content<\/p>\n Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News<\/a>, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.<\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23<\/a> for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE <\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/USATSI_26830290_168419782_lowres-900x600.jpg\"\/)
Aug 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (2) hits a home run during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\n![\"MLB:](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26462596-900x600.jpg\"\/)
MLB: Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies Jun 10, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs third base Matt Shaw (6) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/USATSI_26722888_168419782_lowres-900x600.jpg\"\/)
Jul 21, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Red Sox third base Alex Bregman (2) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"Cubs](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/USATSI_25728677_168419782_lowres.jpg\"\/)
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