The Chicago Cubs, coming off an 83-79 record ready to reshape their roster. At the center of the team’s plans was Alex Bregman, a star third baseman. The Polar bear with his talent is seen to energize the lineup and solidify its infield. His availability sparked optimism within the team. Now, the Cubs are seeing a scope to pair their win-now mindset with the most consistent player.

However, as talks with Bregman unfolded, the Cubs found themselves facing a tough reality: financial roadblocks. Despite a disappointing year, veteran shortstop Dansby Swanson hinted that the team is far from giving up. Yet, the vital question remains: can the Cubs afford Bregman? Can the team’s plans withstand the weight of payroll restrictions?

The allure of Alex Bregman

Why are the Cubs eyeing Alex Bregman? Because he is not just another free agent, he is a certified game-transformer. Bregman’s bag has average 25 home runs, an .845 OPS as well as 5.2 WAR per year. The two-time All-Star is a World Series champion and can turn the table for any team. For the ranked “B” team, as marked by Zachary D. Rymer, landing Bregman would have symbolized the team’s readiness to transition.

But here’s the twist: the Cubs are not alone in their pursuit of Alex Bregman. Big-market teams, like the Astros, Red Sox and Blue Jays are also in the race. Houston, in specific, made a clear intention by offering Bregman a lucrative 6-year, $156 million deal. Other teams with a large pocket further enhancing the stakes. For the Cubs, the budget is stretched. Staying under the $241 million luxury tax threshold became a hard limit the team could not ignore. The sobering truth is: ambition alone could not overcome the constraints of the Cubs financial situation.

Other options available to the Cubs

The Cubs also know that the scop of signing Alex Bregman is very less. proved too expensive. So, the team is focusing on other players also. One standout option is Ryan Pressly. He is an All-Star closer with a powerful resume. Over 12 big-league seasons, Pressly has recorded 112 saves with 3.27 ERA. From 2021 to 2023, he racked up 90 saves. For instance, he served as the Astros’ closer at the period of their 2022 World Series championship run. Despite being demoted behind Josh Hader, Pressly still provided 25 holds, slightly dipped with a WHIP of 1.34. If he approves the trade to Chicago, Pressly would fill the Cubs’ glaring need. However, he has a no-trade clause because of his 10-and-5 rights. This giving him control over his next move.

Fan reactions at the period are a mix of frustration and disillusionment. One fan summed up the sentiment bluntly, saying, “These guys who run the Cubs are jokester“. Another added, “God, I hate this team, always crying poor. Same shit, distinctive year“. Fans believed signing Alex Bregman is vital to highlight the team’s commitment to winning. “I am surprised any player would want to talk to us for being so cheap“, one fan lamented. This time, the Cubs need to invest largely to win the championship award and resolve fans issues.

Whether it is the Cubs and any other team, they will need to provide more years and a larger budget to attract Alex Bregman. His agent, Scott Boras, has highlighted an interest in a long-period deal with a higher annual salary. To secure Bregman’s talent, the Cubs will need to step up with competitive offers. The question now is what approach the Cubs will unveil in the coming weeks to stay in the race. Provide your thought on this.