BREAKING: Cubs Sign Third Baseman Alex Bregman to Five-Year Deal

[Jason Ross]

9 minutes ago, Victor Reichman said:

My comment apparently isn't posting. IGNORANT SIGNING.

Shaw is actually a better fielder, far more speed, 10 Hr in 2nd half and inexpensive. Bregman is an excellent player, but 32, slowing down, and 5 yrs at $35 yr. is too long and too much, esp. with the possibility of a shutdown in 2027. 

Bregman was better in 2025 than he was in 2024 and his wRC+ was the same as it was in 2023. How is that slowing down? 

Also, it's 5/$30m with the deferrals. If there is a shutdown in 2027, he won't get paid. It's pretty unnecessary to worry about that aspect. 

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Cool. It is the few million that matter, if you believe they want to stay under. I honestly am not sure they care. Also, Bregman didn’t have a QO attached, right? Another small win. 

Yeah with the deferrals and no QO the contract doesn't really seem overpriced anymore.

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I could see a Rea trade as well. But if they are just under I can also see Assad traded instead of Rea. It isn’t a big salary relief, but it is something. Maybe they sit $3M under. They would be able to add something at the TDL, if they had to do something. Plus, if all pitchers are healthy, they would have 6 pitchers. Maybe they move Tailon then. 

I they'd be insane to trade Rea to save a small bit of LT hit.

[Hunter]

Pretty sure if we put every player under a microscope we would find something. Maybe put yourself under the microscope? Might find a lot you don't like either. A lot of players cheat on their WAGs, or they cheat on their taxes. Bet some even cheated on tests in school. Point is, don't put any of them on a pedestal as a role model. Baseball is just a game. Need to teach your kids there are more important things in life. 

[ToolDRT]

23 minutes ago, vance_the_cubs_fan said:

I have heard something that would confirm this. 

Oh come on, can’t just stop there!

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, Stratos said:

I they'd be insane to trade Rea to save a small bit of LT hit.

This is a bit of an overreaction. They would save $6M to be able to spend at the TDL if they traded their swing starter/multi inning relief pitcher. Basically JAG. I agree they don’t need to do this. But insane if they did? Nope. 

[KCCub]

10 minutes ago, Hunter said:

Pretty sure if we put every player under a microscope we would find something. Maybe put yourself under the microscope? Might find a lot you don't like either. A lot of players cheat on their WAGs, or they cheat on their taxes. Bet some even cheated on tests in school. Point is, don't put any of them on a pedestal as a role model. Baseball is just a game. Need to teach your kids there are more important things in life. 

Fully agree. I learned long ago athletes aren’t great role models. Some of them are fantastic humans, some of them you believe are and then years later find out they weren’t. I made a stance years ago that if the league allows said player to be in the league, then I’m fine with them being on my team. I’ll have my favorites, but they’re mostly just assets to me at this point (across all sports). 

Edited January 11 by KCCub

[Bull]

59 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Something to keep in mind with adding Bregman to an already full lineup.  The level of health the Cubs got on the position player side last year was extremely fortunate.  And of course health aside if the bench had been less terrible each of those guys probably sits an extra 5-10 games organically.

I really think they find a way to get Shaw 400-500 PAs and ^^^this^^^ is why.

I wonder if he could cover CF in a pinch. 

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

21 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Oh come on, can’t just stop there!

It's more of my daughter's roommate is related to someone who has access to people who work for the Cubs. My daughter said she heard something to that effect when I was discussing Tucker. So lots of heresay, and probably just noise, but I did offer it up. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

15 minutes ago, Bull said:

I really think they find a way to get Shaw 400-500 PAs and ^^^this^^^ is why.

I wonder if he could cover CF in a pinch. 

I kinda think he's gonna open up as the backup in CF. I have doubts that all 3 of Shaw, Ballesteros, and Alcantara will open the season on the MLB roster, barring injury to someone else. In theory, there's enough ABs but in reality the starters aren't the type who are going to get many days off unless they're injured, in which case depth ready to go in the minors is still helpful. Feels like one of the bench spots will go to a vet who they don't care if he gets like 4 ABs in April.

[Thurman Merman]

7 minutes ago, Illiterate Scholar said:

I kinda think he's gonna open up as the backup in CF. I have doubts that all 3 of Shaw, Ballesteros, and Alcantara will open the season on the MLB roster, barring injury to someone else. In theory, there's enough ABs but in reality the starters aren't the type who are going to get many days off unless they're injured, in which case depth ready to go in the minors is still helpful. Feels like one of the bench spots will go to a vet who they don't care if he gets like 4 ABs in April.

The jaguar can't hit in April anyway so I think we will all be fine if he's on the team and gets 4 abs.

[ToolDRT]

 

[Rcal10]

10 minutes ago, Illiterate Scholar said:

I kinda think he's gonna open up as the backup in CF. I have doubts that all 3 of Shaw, Ballesteros, and Alcantara will open the season on the MLB roster, barring injury to someone else. In theory, there's enough ABs but in reality the starters aren't the type who are going to get many days off unless they're injured, in which case depth ready to go in the minors is still helpful. Feels like one of the bench spots will go to a vet who they don't care if he gets like 4 ABs in April.

I think the only one who might not be here in April is Alcantara, assuming no trades. No chance Shaw isn’t here and I really think Ballesteros is the DH. Maybe they add a lefty outfielder, (Tauchman) but I doubt it. 

[ToolDRT]

 

[UMFan83]

5 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

I don't think that will be the case. I cannot see a trade that would make any sense.

I just worry that the Cubs sit like $1m away from the tax, Nico is making $11m next year, and is a FA after the season. If they were looking to give themselves some wiggle room for additional moves now or at the deadline what other moves are out there or would they actually dare to go over the tax?

Seiya is in a similar boat but OF is a lot thinner. Maybe a SP but doubt they will want to reduce depth there. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

3 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

If they were looking to give themselves some wiggle room for additional moves now or at the deadline what other moves are out there or would they actually dare to go over the tax?

Trading Taillon

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Trading Taillon

I don’t think they do that now. He is 1 or 5 rotation pieces. And they don’t need that much money for the deadline. But Rea makes sense. He is a spot starter/multi inning guy. Assad can take that role. They already have Webb, Harvey, Maton, Palencia, Milner, Theilbar and then guys like Assad, Brown, Wicks, Little, Hodge and probably a few I am forgetting. They can spare Rea. 

[Bertz]

19 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Trading Taillon

Even setting aside finances his feels like something the team should consider.  The lineup has this really nice blend of promising youth and veteran production that does a fantastic job of balancing 2026 and beyond.  The pitching staff very much does not.  Sure you can moreso count on injury opening up playing time on that side of the ball, but even so it feels like a bad idea to have Wicks/Brown/Wiggins so far down the depth chart.  Especially since it's not a super tough argument to make that they're likely better than Jamo outright.

Maybe wait until mid March to make sure the baseball gods didn't decide to go on a Mesa UCL shredding spree?  Has the bonus of maybe being able to find a motivated buyer after injuries strike another camp.

[Gjfificifjdej]

47 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

 

Getting outbid by Hoyer is crazy work

[Bull]

33 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I don’t think they do that now. He is 1 or 5 rotation pieces. And they don’t need that much money for the deadline. But Rea makes sense. He is a spot starter/multi inning guy. Assad can take that role. They already have Webb, Harvey, Maton, Palencia, Milner, Theilbar and then guys like Assad, Brown, Wicks, Little, Hodge and probably a few I am forgetting. They can spare Rea. 

Counsell is not letting go of Rea.

[JHBulls]

I have been out of the loop for two days and only just found out about this. My jaw dropped when I read the front page of this forum just now. Wow. 

[CubUgly]

8 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Wow. First the Cubs act like a major market by targeting a guy and getting him. And now we learn they also did it using deferred money. What a great turn of events. Not sure what was more unexpected. This deal or the Bears comeback. 

ICGAF the reason.  Glad tbey did it. 

[chopsx9]

I don't really get the $ to WAR thing.  Are we saying Nico is going to get between $30-$50 million a year wherever he signs?  Someone educate me.

[ILMindState]

The offseason was looking kinda bleak after the Imai signing. What a difference a week makes !

[Victor Reichman]

I like Bregman, fine player, but not for 5 yrs and $35/yr. Shaw is a better fielder, came in 2nd to Hayes, far faster, hit 10 HR in 2nd half, and is inexpensive. We had a Gold Glove IF last year. IMO, they offered Nico an extension which he refused and he wants to play for SF or LA. Clearly, best position player on team last year. Seems they might trade either him or Swanson. They must keep Shaw.