Levine: Alex Bregman Open to Short-Term Deals, Cubs Have Talked to Scott Boras About It

2 minutes ago, Stratos said:

The Red Sox payroll is the same is ours right now.   They have room to add.  But with Devers where would Bregman play?

3rd base with Devers moving to first. Same place if they traded for Arenado.

Had Boston even submitted an offer? I haven't heard any rumors of Boston even being interested, even though they should be. 

Just now, Randall Simon said:

Had Boston even submitted an offer? I haven't heard any rumors of Boston even being interested, even though they should be. 

I seen some chatter from the Sox local media (and heard from my Sox buddy) where they were in the 4 year range. They’ve didn’t want to go long term either and that’s why they’ve shifted to Arenado (3 years).

5 minutes ago, Stratos said:

What might show they're still in on Bregman is that Altuve has been working out in LF the last couple of weeks,  but that could just be for flexibility.  They have Paredes and Cam Smith.

IMO when they added Paredes and Cam Smith they were probably out on Bregman longterm.

Wait, the Astros are out on Bregman because of a guy with 20 PAs above high A but we should get him and send the guy with the AAA wRC of 142 back to Iowa again?

Serious teams don't make major league decisions based on a guy who just barely got to AA. He's the 59th ranked prospect in baseball, should we be keeping a spot warm for Triantos (73rd)?

5 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Just a note that after the Pressly trade with us (where they got a prospect in return) the Astros have dipped under the LT and are at 236m in LT payroll right now.  

They were at 262m and over the LT last year, but in the few years prior were under the tax.  It may be that they want to reset this year and are out on Bregman.

Dumping a good player like Pressly might be a sign they're trying to get under the tax and are done adding.  The only significant player they added this year was Walker at 1b.

What might show they're still in on Bregman is that Altuve has been working out in LF the last couple of weeks,  but that could just be for flexibility.  They have Paredes and Cam Smith.

IMO when they added Paredes and Cam Smith they were probably out on Bregman longterm.

Ownership has said it is fine going to the second line. They have said it several times when discussing Bregman. They also have made offers to him, even before trading Pressley. While it may be your opinion they are not in on Bregman there is a lot of stories suggesting they are very much in on him. I am sure they are a player in Bregman. 

6 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Wait, the Astros are out on Bregman because of a guy with 20 PAs above high A but we should get him and send the guy with the AAA wRC of 142 back to Iowa again?

Serious teams don't make major league decisions based on a guy who just barely got to AA. He's the 59th ranked prospect in baseball, should we be keeping a spot warm for Triantos (73rd)?

No the point is they acquired 2 different 3B in the Tucker trade, making a longterm deal for Bregman less likely.

Delete

13 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Ownership has said it is fine going to the second line. They have said it several times when discussing Bregman. They also have made offers to him, even before trading Pressley. While it may be your opinion they are not in on Bregman there is a lot of stories suggesting they are very much in on him. I am sure they are a player in Bregman. 

Ok you're right about the LT.  I found this from 2 days ago:

Quote

Owner Jim Crane has maintained that the club has the “wherewithal” to match last year’s spending (i.e. pay the luxury tax) in the right scenario and for the right player. Presumably, with Houston leaving its six-year, $156MM offer to Bregman on the table — even after acquiring Paredes and Walker and even as Bregman seeks lengthier/larger contracts elsewhere — Crane feels a Bregman reunion is such a scenario/player. However, general manager Dana Brown said yesterday that he hasn’t recently talked to agent Scott Boras and used the past tense when talking to the Astros beat about Bregman (video via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com). A reunion doesn’t seem likely..

In that same media availability, Brown continued to voice his hope to acquire a left-handed bat — ideally in the outfield:

“We’re trying to get a left-handed bat for the outfield,” said Brown. “Most of the options are slim to none, but we’re still working through it and grinding to get some left-handed at-bats in our outfield.”

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/astros-trade-rumors-left-handed-bat-luxury-tax.html

With this seemingly in the 11th hour, I guess this is ultimately my pros/cons list for the Bregman/Hoerner swap

Pros:

- The offense gets a big jolt

- Whatever uncertainty there is around Nico post injury goes away

- Bregman probably opts out after year 1, and if so there's plenty of money to re-sign Tucker and make complimentary moves next winter.  It also removes one guy from the post '26 cliff

- You presumably get back valuable player(s) for Nico Hoerner

- The FA market is getting dry.  Adding Bregman + the return for Nico is probably the most impactful set of moves left possible barring unless Preller starts playing ball

- 3B is kind of ass both organizationally and league-wide right now.  If Shaw's at 3B, it's easier to replace him with competence if he fails

Cons:

- It's debatable if Bregman's better than Hoerner, so is this just a lot of moving parts to get older and more expensive?

- The bench gets a lot worse.  We probably have to roll internally or with league minimum vet types for the last two bench spots, AND we've traded away our primo backup SS

- The team's options at the trade deadline are probably more limited because there'll likely be less cash to carry into July

- If Bregman doesn't opt out, next offseason gets messy if you want to keep Tucker

I ultimately think those negatives, most especially that last one, outweigh the positives.  Though I do think it's close enough that the specific return on Hoerner might ultimately sway me.

Two more Cons, though you address one indirectly:

1. Bregman costs you draft capital when the farm is at its heaviest at the upper levels.  You can in theory (more than) make up for that in the Nico return, but trading Nico to restock the farm you lost signing Bregman just seems like absurd deck chair shuffling to me.

2. They need the impact on the pitching staff much more than the offense, especially with a 2025 only lens, which you have to take given the odds of a Bregman opt out.  There's much greater chance in 2025 that Shaw, Ballesteros, or Alcantara(or a career year from Dansby or Amaya) give the lineup length than that Brown or Horton are able to be taking multiple starts in a playoff series.  Cutting off your avenues to making that rotation upgrade, whether now or at the deadline, isn't the best option towards improving your playoff/championship odds.

20 hours ago, Randall Simon said:

Thinking about filling out the bench on the cheap, how much would guys like Whit Merrifield, Connor Joe, Brendan Rodgers, Joey Wendle or Brian Anderson cost? 

I realize these aren't sexy names, but if we need an additional bench bat on the cheep...

They need a power bat on the bench, right now they have 4 guys with a combined total of 11 major league HRs last season. 

Why i also hope they do get Bregman,  adding him would give the lineup more power and as much as I like Hoerner, Shaw would give them more punch at 2B over Hoerner. 

Wish he would just make up his mind already

11 minutes ago, Bertz said:

With this seemingly in the 11th hour, I guess this is ultimately my pros/cons list for the Bregman/Hoerner swap

Pros:

- The offense gets a big jolt

- Whatever uncertainty there is around Nico post injury goes away

- Bregman probably opts out after year 1, and if so there's plenty of money to re-sign Tucker and make complimentary moves next winter.  It also removes one guy from the post '26 cliff

- You presumably get back valuable player(s) for Nico Hoerner

- The FA market is getting dry.  Adding Bregman + the return for Nico is probably the most impactful set of moves left possible barring unless Preller starts playing ball

- 3B is kind of ass both organizationally and league-wide right now.  If Shaw's at 3B, it's easier to replace him with competence if he fails

Cons:

- It's debatable if Bregman's better than Hoerner, so is this just a lot of moving parts to get older and more expensive?

- The bench gets a lot worse.  We probably have to roll internally or with league minimum vet types for the last two bench spots, AND we've traded away our primo backup SS

- The team's options at the trade deadline are probably more limited because there'll likely be less cash to carry into July

- If Bregman doesn't opt out, next offseason gets messy if you want to keep Tucker

I ultimately think those negatives, most especially that last one, outweigh the positives.  Though I do think it's close enough that the specific return on Hoerner might ultimately sway me.

Nicely done. I have tried doing this several times only to delete it. But, in your cons you suggest the bench would be weaker. Would it? If they don’t get Bregman but this goes on a little further, what is available still? They still might roll with what they have.  Plus, maybe a Hoerner trade brings a decent bench bat and a prospect. 🤷

My biggest issue with this Bregman debate is they miss chances in upgrading while waiting on a decision. If they never got into the Bregman talks maybe they already add to their bench. Maybe they aim higher in the pen. Maybe instead of Rea they sign a better starting pitcher. Now, we are getting close to the Bregman or bust. There are still some decent bench bats out there, but it is dwindling. Maybe had they never discussed Bregman they would already have Moncada and Grichik for the bench, instead of Berti and whoever else they have. 
If I had to guess I would think they will lose out on Bregman and sign one bat for the bench. Be about $25M under the first line and go to the season. Still a good off season. Still a division favorite. But it could have been so much better. 

20 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Nicely done. I have tried doing this several times only to delete it. But, in your cons you suggest the bench would be weaker. Would it? If they don’t get Bregman but this goes on a little further, what is available still? They still might roll with what they have.  Plus, maybe a Hoerner trade brings a decent bench bat and a prospect. 🤷

My biggest issue with this Bregman debate is they miss chances in upgrading while waiting on a decision. If they never got into the Bregman talks maybe they already add to their bench. Maybe they aim higher in the pen. Maybe instead of Rea they sign a better starting pitcher. Now, we are getting close to the Bregman or bust. There are still some decent bench bats out there, but it is dwindling. Maybe had they never discussed Bregman they would already have Moncada and Grichik for the bench, instead of Berti and whoever else they have. 
If I had to guess I would think they will lose out on Bregman and sign one bat for the bench. Be about $25M under the first line and go to the season. Still a good off season. Still a division favorite. But it could have been so much better. 

It's likely that most of the moves the Cubs did, they did independent of Bregman. Bregman far more feels like a circumstance of opportunities, not a plan dating back months (for example, why they signed Rea). Remember, they were heavily involved, in say, Tanner Scott weeks ago - and move almost assuredly impossible to achieve added with Bregman under the Cubs supposed budget. It means that they've shifted *to* Bregman, and likely because they think they can now get him under budget and on a short opt-out heavy deal when prior, that was not possible. 

I dont think the Cubs have really "missed" out on anyone else for this.  They have have gone Braiser, over like, Robertson, but that's probably it. They can still cycle back and sign a Mark Canha as of today if they so wish. They already signed a 3b option in Berti, so it seems like they didn't miss on Moncada...more they went in another direction. This just feels more like a chance to get Bregman because it now fits and the market seems available to be opportunistic on it more than anything else. 

Yeah CF seems fairly cleared out after Bader, Grichuk, and Laureano all signed in pretty quick succession a few days ago.  There's quite a gap between them and like Manny Margo.

Otherwise the bench tier of FA is still sufficiently stocked. 

12 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Yeah CF seems fairly cleared out after Bader, Grichuk, and Laureano all signed in pretty quick succession a few days ago.  There's quite a gap between them and like Manny Margo.

Otherwise the bench tier of FA is still sufficiently stocked. 

If they come out of this with at least one solid bench bat then no harm no foul waiting on Bregman. Guess that would be Canha? 

Another scenario that could work out good IF they get Bregman is to keep Hoerner and use Shaw as a Zobrist type off the bench.

They can ease him in early into the season with getting ABs with starts around the IF here and there, and can give Hoerner multiple days off early on as he works his way back from the injury.

He has played some OF in College and Summer league 

3 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Another scenario that could work out good IF they get Bregman is to keep Hoerner and use Shaw as a Zobrist type off the bench.

They can ease him in early into the season with getting ABs with starts around the IF here and there, and can give Hoerner multiple days off early on as he works his way back from the injury.

He has played some OF in College and Summer league 

 

That’s the ideal scenario that everyone wants, but with the reporting that’s been out there, it sounds like a forgone conclusion that Nico would be moved. 

I understand the intention of the QO and losing draft picks, but it really hampers player movement via free agency

36 minutes ago, Derwood said:

I understand the intention of the QO and losing draft picks, but it really hampers player movement via free agency

I'm sure that will be a sticking point for the players in the next CBA

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

If they come out of this with at least one solid bench bat then no harm no foul waiting on Bregman. Guess that would be Canha? 

I would suspect that if Bregman doesn't happen the team will add three more players:

- A bench player of substance, someone like Mark Canha or Jose Iglesias

- Possibly a lesser bench player, someone like Ty France.  This guy would have a tenuous grasp on a roster spot, essentially a placeholder for the first prospect to be ready.  They could simply keep Brujan or Canario for this role

- A pitcher making some money.  I suspect a trade.  Someone like Jordan Montgomery or Robert Suarez, where we trade some pitching depth and they kick in some money.  It could be a free agent like David Robertson.  It could be someone like Kendall Gravemen or Brooks Raley who will open the year on the IL (and thus not contribute to the roster crunch)

That probably isn't $20M, but it is likely at least $15M.  

10 minutes ago, Randall Simon said:

I'm sure that will be a sticking point for the players in the next CBA

Kind of a double edge sword for owners too.

Yeah they get compensated for losing a FA if they offer it, but it also makes it hard to want to sign a QO FA if it going to cost them a bit of their future.

These small/mid market teams rely alot on the draft to try and stay somewhat competitive 

1 hour ago, KCCub said:

That’s the ideal scenario that everyone wants, but with the reporting that’s been out there, it sounds like a forgone conclusion that Nico would be moved. 

Yes but more assumptions and speculation i think.  Moving Nico for Bregman would be really stupid given how much more expensive Bregman would be.  Keep Nico and you can sign someone else for 10-15m

Shaw also has a lot more experience at 3b and says he's much more comfortable there because of it.

20 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Shaw also has a lot more experience at 3b and says he's much more comfortable there because of it.

Before the Cubs converted Shaw to 3b based on organizational needs and quickest path to the majors, he was a SS destined to be a MLB 2b. Now that doesn’t mean he’ll fail at 3b (obviously the Cubs think he can handle it) but the ideal playing position for Shaw is 2b.

4 minutes ago, KCCub said:

Before the Cubs converted Shaw to 3b based on organizational needs and quickest path to the majors, he was a SS destined to be a MLB 2b. Now that doesn’t mean he’ll fail at 3b (obviously the Cubs think he can handle it) but the ideal playing position for Shaw is 2b.

You're probably right, but as of right now he doesn't have much experience there compared to the other positions.