Report: Cubs showing renewed interest in Bregman

The Chicago Cubs are preparing for a future without Kyle Tucker and are showing a renewed interest in signing Alex Bregman to address the loss, sources told The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma.

Chicago attempted to sign Bregman to a four-year, $115-million deal with opt-out clauses last spring, but he agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox, according to Mooney's and Sharma's sources.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer identified Bregman as "a great fit with this core group and a solid long-term investment" when they tried to acquire him last year, and the same thinking still applies, Mooney and Sharma add.

Bregman went on to have a solid season in Boston, posting an .821 OPS in 114 games, before opting out of his deal to test free agency again. He was also valuable in the clubhouse and played a key role in helping the Red Sox make their first playoff appearance since 2021.

The Cubs could give outfield playing time to youngsters Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros if Tucker departs in free agency, while rotating Matt Shaw through different positions to accommodate Bregman. Shaw played the outfield, as well as second base and shortstop, in college.