The bullpen was reconstructed during the early part of the offseason, but the heavy lifting seemingly began once the calendar flipped to January. After missing out on other free agent starters the Cubs pivoted to the trade market and acquired Edward Cabrera. Now, free agent rumors are picking up across the league as several top players remain unsigned and the Cubs are right in the middle of it.
Free agent shortstop Bo Bichette reportedly wants a $300 million contract, but seeing as we're a month away from spring training it doesn't appear as though any team will grant his wish. We know the Cubs like to operate methodically when it comes to big free agents and sometimes it works in their favor if a player's market doesn't develop as they'd hoped. That could very well be the case for Bichette and the Cubs are reportedly in contact with the former Blue Jays infielder.
Jon Heyman first made a direct link between the Cubs and Bichette last week and just before the trade for Cabrera was revealed on Wednesday a new report came out from The Athletic that backed up Heyman's intel.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon wrote the following.
“The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are among the teams talking to both [Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman], according to people briefed on the conversations. The Blue Jays have been in touch with both, too, but now appear more focused on Tucker.
The Cubs’ interest in Bichette, first reported by Jon Heyman, stems from their desire to upgrade at third base – something the signing of Bregman also would accomplish.”
The Alex Bregman mention isn't anything new. The Cubs were interested in him last offseason, offered him $120 million over four years and they are once again one of the top teams in play for Bregman this year. Yet, the Bichette connection is certainly intriguing.
Obviously the Cubs don't want Bichette as their shortstop with Dansby Swanson already in place, but it's clear the organization isn't all too comfortable guaranteeing Matt Shaw the starting job at third base. That's why they tried signing Bregman last offseason, then went after Eugenio Suarez at the trade deadline and are have returned to the third base market in free agency this offseason.
Beyond 2026, it makes sense for the Cubs to acquire another infielder as there's no guarantee that Nico Hoerner will remain with the team as he prepares to enter free agency after the end of this year. Whether it's Bregman or Bichette, it would still be smart to hold on to Shaw and have him around if Hoerner does leave. If not, you have a great super utility guy or a pretty good trade chip.
That's getting a little ahead of ourselves though because as much as Cubs fans may be pounding the table for Bichette, there appears to be a new frontrunner emerging for the 27-year-old.
Phillies to meet with Bo Bichette
The Phillies were also a team that Jon Heyman linked along with the Cubs and on Thursday news broke that they're setting up a meeting with Bichette that will take place on Monday.
There seems to be more serious language in this report than your usual x team is interested in x player. Maybe it's one last push from the Phillies in regards to J. T. Realmuto, who is also on Philadelphia's wishlist and remains unsigned. Could be a tactic to make Realmuto give in to a lower deal, while giving the impression that the team will instead spend the money on Bichette or this could be a genuine step from the Phillies to bring in Bichette as they're not a team afraid to spend in free agency.
Meanwhile, Heyman is pushing the idea that while Bichette has several suitors, the Phillies may indeed be the new favorites to sign him.
While the Cubs may be involved with Bichette it still doesn't seem as though they're one of the strong teams in pursuit. Instead, at this point Bregman might be the name to pay close attention too and in recent days Cody Bellinger has actually popped up as a real free agent target for the Cubs.
