After the recent blockbuster trade for Edward Cabrera, the Chicago Cubs made a strategic move to save dollars on a front-end starting pitcher with the hopes of allocating the majority of the remaining offseason funds for an upgrade in the lineup. With the departure of top prospect Owen Caissie, Chicago has the luxury of sticking Seiya Suzuki in right field. With more options on the market, the Cubs could look for middle infield help. Alternatively, they can keep Suzuki at DH and subsequently sign a right fielder, which makes names like Cody Bellinger make infinitely more sense than they did a week ago.
Getting one of the core four remaining big bats, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, or Bellinger, won’t be easy. The Los Angeles Dodgers are always lurking, and the Phillies have entered the mix. Now is the time for the Cubs to go for it; however, if they wish to catapult to the top of the NL standings, they need to land an offensive weapon. Let’s dive into the latest rumors on where things stand for all those mentioned in recent Cubs rumors.
Bo Bichette: Cubs interested, Phillies meeting, Dodgers and Yankees lurking
The news that the Cubs want to add an infielder, whether it’s Bregman or Bichette, isn’t new. That being said, reports indicate the Cubs prefer Bregman if the market materializes a deal that can be structured to their liking. The Philadelphia Phillies are set to meet with Bichette as they weigh roster decisions. Still, they are also facing extensive luxury tax penalties that will force their front office to determine whether Bichette’s ultimate price after taxes is worth what he can bring to the table.
The Yankees are still prioritizing Bellinger and view Bichette as a potential backup. The Dodgers are also lurking in the background. They are interested in adding the star shortstop if he is willing to slide to second base and sign a short-term, high AAV deal.
Most teams view Bichette as a future third or second baseman, and the Cubs are no different. The Cubs also have the luxury of a safety net at 3B in Matt Shaw at the very least, who started to turn the corner at the end of the 2025 season. I’m personally on the mindset that if the Cubs get serious about a third baseman, it’s Bregman. However, the recent news on Bregman doesn’t leave much room for optimism on the north side.
Alex Bregman: Will the Cubs step up and match a Red Sox offer?
The Cubs are still being linked to Bregman, as the interest in an infield upgrade is real. As things stand, it’s challenging to envision Jed Hoyer and company going to the lengths required to obtain his services. Let’s remember that one year ago, the Red Sox inked Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal with multiple opt-outs. Bregman exercised his opt-outs after one year. The Cubs were unwilling to sign the superstar third baseman then. Now he’s a year older so it seems far-fetched that they would be willing to do much more.
Buster Olney mentioned the Red Sox are potentially interested in signing Bregman long-term, even in the six-year range that the Detroit Tigers offered last season. If that’s the case, the Cubs will be used as nothing more than leverage to move a deal along. The argument is two-fold: The Cubs need someone with Bregman’s talent and leadership ability now, but they don’t want to find themselves paying the premium it will cost three years from now.
The flip side of that coin is that the Cubs have $39,000,000 in funds on the books beyond 2026, leaving ample room to make it happen long-term. Still, don’t be surprised if the Cubs are nowhere in the same stratosphere by the time the deal is done.
Cody Bellinger: Cubs showing strong interest after Cabrera trade
After the Cubs sent Caissie to the Marlins in the deal for Cabrera, it opened a spot in right field. It makes a ton of sense for the Cubs to pursue Bellinger. In a perfect world, the Cubs see Shaw take strides forward toward his potential. That would mean the need to upgrade at third base vanishes. For the same financial reasons that make sense for Bregman, Bellinger offers the team a plan, given that both outfielders, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, are free agents after 2026.
If neither is extended, the Cubs will need two outfielders next season. The options next winter aren’t as appealing as this winter. That being said, the latest offer to Bellinger from the Yankees feels impossible for the Cubs to match:
Sources: Yankees’ latest multi-year offer to free agent Cody Bellinger was for more than $30M AAV as Bellinger’s side seeks seven years.
READ: https://t.co/u8LfMzrhnO
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) January 9, 2026
If Bellinger gets $30,000,000+ AAV and over five years, more power to him. The Cubs need a bat to bolster their lineup. A deal in the same range as Bregman’s potential deal with the Red Sox is implausible for the same reasons. Bellinger’s bat plays much better with the short porch in Yankee Stadium. The amount of home runs he hits in the Bronx vs. Wrigley Field speaks for itself.
Top Image Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images