Thu Feb 13 03:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Cubs Players Lobby for Bregman, but Front Office Remains Tight-Lipped
**MESA, Ariz.** – While the Chicago Cubs front office remains coy, several players are openly expressing their desire to team up with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Current Cubs pitchers Ryan Pressly and Jameson Taillon, both former Houston Astros teammates of Bregman, have voiced their strong support for signing the 30-year-old.
Pressly, speaking from spring training, emphasized that player discussions weren’t overt recruitment, stating, “It’s not, ‘Hey, come here, come here.’ Would I like to play with him? One thousand percent.” Taillon echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Bregman’s championship pedigree and the positive impact of adding more winning players to the clubhouse. The Cubs’ acquisition of Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker and Pressly himself this offseason further fuels speculation.
Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, described the current free-agent market as a “gold rush,” indicating high demand for his client’s services. While the Cubs haven’t historically pursued large, long-term contracts, a shorter-term deal could make a Bregman signing feasible. This strategy mirrors their approach last year with Cody Bellinger, who signed a deal just before spring training.
The Cubs currently have top prospect Matt Shaw slated for third base, a position where the team ranked 27th in fWAR last season. Bregman, who posted a 4.1 fWAR in 2024, would significantly upgrade the position.
Despite the players’ enthusiasm and Bregman’s potential impact, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer remained noncommittal regarding the team’s budget and any potential big additions. While he didn’t dismiss the possibility, he avoided directly addressing the Bregman situation. The team is prepared to start the season with Shaw, but the addition of Bregman would undoubtedly bolster their chances of ending their four-year postseason drought.
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