While most Reds fans are focused on the start of spring training next week, one of Cincinnati's most hated division rivals is looking to make a splash in free agency. The Chicago Cubs are said to be in negotiations with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
Bregman had been linked to both the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros last week, but both teams now appear to be on the outside looking in while the Cubs have taken the lead in the latest round of contract talks.
Tigers and Astros fumble Alex Bregman's free agency, opening the door for hated Reds' NL Central rival
The Tigers signed free agent pitcher Jack Flaherty to a two-year, $35 million contract earlier this week. But securing another frontline starter to pair with Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal may have taken Detroit out of the Bregman sweepstakes.
The Tigers' projected payroll heading into the 2025 season is sitting at $128 million — quite the raise from Detroit's 2024 Opening Day payroll ($97 million). According to MLB insider Buster Olney, Detroit is still in the hunt for Bregman, but adding Flaherty's $25 million salary to the books could complicate matters.
After signing Jack Flaherty and augmenting their rotation, the Tigers are one of the teams pursuing Alex Bregman.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 3, 2025
Astros GM Dana Brown hasn't closed the door on a Bregman reunion, but twice during a recent press conference referred to the two-time All-Star in the past tense. Houston has already added Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes to man the corner infield spots, and a reunion with Bregman was always seen as a long shot after he declined their six-year, $156 million offer.
Cubs could be frontrunners for free agent infielder Alex Bregman
With Detroit and Houston seemingly out of the race, the Chicago's front office intensified their efforts on Tuesday. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Cubs have a four-year offer on the table; one that contains multiple opt outs. The Boston Red Sox are involved in talks for the third baseman as well, but those negotiations seemed to have stalled over the past few weeks.
The Cubs have already added All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker and have one of the top starting rotations in the National League. If the North Siders somehow figure out a way to snag Bregman, they'll unquestionably be odds-on favorites to win the NL Central next season.
If Chicago lands Bregman, will that prompt another move from Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall? Given the Reds' most recent transactions (trading for Taylor Rogers and signing Austin Hays), that seems unlikely.