Cubs eyeing 2-time former All-Star if Bregman signs elsewhere (report)
MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest Cubs-related free agent and trade rumors right here.
Feb. 10: Cubs considering Turner if Bregman signs elsewhere (report)
The Cubs are one of the teams that remain in the running for free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Bregman is expected to sign "soon" with either the Cubs, Red Sox or Tigers.
But what if Chicago doesn't land the best player left on the open market? The leading candidate to fill the Cubs' vacancy at third base is Matt Shaw, MLB Pipeline's No. 19 prospect. And the Cubs could still make a move for another veteran infielder: Justin Turner
The Cubs are considering the 40-year-old Turner in case they don't sign Bregman, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal (subscription required). League sources told The Athletic that Turner and his wife, Kourtney -- who is from Indiana -- are intrigued by the idea of spending the summer in Chicago. The Red Sox and Tigers have reportedly expressed "varying levels of interest" in Turner and Bregman.
Turner, a two-time All-Star at third base with the Dodgers, is no longer an everyday player at the hot corner, but he could see time at first base or as a designated hitter. He recorded a .259/.364/.383 slash line and a 114 OPS+ last season split between the Blue Jays and the Mariners.
This season would be Turner's 17th in the big leagues. He has an .821 OPS in the regular season and an .830 OPS over 368 plate appearances in the postseason.
Jan. 30: Cubs a ¡®team to watch¡¯ in Cease trade market
According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, the Cubs have emerged as a ¡°team to watch¡± in the trade market for Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, who has been involved in trade rumblings for much of the offseason and remains a candidate to be dealt.
Per Morosi, the Padres are continuing to gauge interest in Cease and fellow pitcher Michael King, with the idea of adding younger, less expensive talent and also creating more payroll flexibility to perhaps add via free agency. The Cubs are one of the clubs that have spoken to San Diego about Cease.
To this point, the only free agent the Friars have landed on a Major League deal this offseason is catcher Elias D¨ªaz, who signed a one-year deal with San Diego on Thursday. Meanwhile, they¡¯ve watched left fielder Jurickson Profar (Braves), infielder Ha-Seong Kim (Rays), reliever Tanner Scott (Dodgers) and catcher Kyle Higashioka (Rangers) all depart in free agency.
Cease is more likely to be traded than King because he¡¯s set to make more money in 2025, with a $13.75 million salary. King hasn¡¯t come to an agreement on a 2025 contract with the Padres yet and could be headed for an arbitration hearing. He filed at $8.8 million and the team at $7.325 million prior to the filing deadline.
The Cubs have an MLB-leading seven prospects on MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100 list, even after trading Cam Smith (No. 59 overall) to the Astros to acquire outfielder Kyle Tucker back in December. All seven are expected to arrive in the Majors within the next year or two. As a result, they could make for an intriguing trade partner from the Padres¡¯ perspective.
Cease, who started his career in the Cubs organization before being traded to the White Sox in a package for Jos¨¦ Quintana during the 2017 campaign, would add a frontline arm to a Cubs rotation that FanGraphs projects as the 20th best in MLB at this juncture.
The Cubs have been active this offseason, acquiring pitchers Ryan Pressly, Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, Eli Morgan, Caleb Thielbar and Cody Poteet, catcher Carson Kelly and infielder Jon Berti in addition to their big move for Tucker. But there's arguably still a sizable gap between Chicago and the National League's elite clubs.
Jan. 28: Cubs finalize trade for RHP Pressly
The Cubs have added a significant piece to their bullpen via trade, finalizing a deal with the Astros on Tuesday for right-hander Ryan Pressly. A deal for Pressly began to materialize during the week, but a trade couldn't move forward until the 36-year-old Pressly decided to waive his no-trade clause.
The Cubs were runners-up to the Dodgers for the services of reliever Tanner Scott and have been tied to free-agent relievers such as Kyle Finnegan, David Robertson and others. Pressly is due $14 million this season, the final one of his current contract. He racked up 90 regular-season saves from 2021-23 and posted a 3.49 ERA over 56 2/3 innings in a setup role last season.
Jan. 24: Cubs showing 'significant interest' in Bregman (report)
The Cubs are believed to be showing "significant interest" in star free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Friday.
But they're not the only ones. Chicago has serious competition from the Astros, Bregman's team for his entire career. The Tigers and Red Sox are also interested in the two-time All-Star, per Heyman.
The Cubs have previously been floated as a potential fit for Bregman, and they've already swung a trade for Bregman's Houston teammate, All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker.