How can you not love the offseason baby! Rumors flying left and right. The Cubs named as favorites to sign Dansby Swanson one day and now according to the latest rumor the Cubs are expected to offer a contract to Xander Bogaerts in a few hours.

The winter meetings are set to kick off soon and the Cubs could be trying to strike first for one of the top free agent shortstops.

Cubs Expected to Submit Offer to Xander Bogaerts

According to Marino Pepén, who covers the Red Sox, the Cubs are not only strongly interested in Bogaerts, but they’re preparing to offer him a contract some time Sunday night.

Here’s the translation.

CONFIRMED: The #Cubs are very interested in Xander Bogaerts. TODAY: They have not yet submitted an offer, they are expected to do so in the next few hours… #MLB

On Sunday morning, Bob Nightengale wrote about the Cubs pursuit of the free agent shortstops. He brought up the Cubs still being interested in Carlos Correa, but more importantly claimed that Bogaerts is their top target right now.

Via USA Today.

The Chicago Cubs, who have boldly said they plan to build a contender, significantly raising their payroll, have Bogaerts as their top priority. Yet they are also exploring the market for Correa. The Cubs jumped into the Correa sweepstakes late in February before he signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Minnesota Twins, and opted out after the season. 

As for the Marino Pepén report, I want to believe it 100%. At the same time, I’ve never followed or have heard of him prior to today so I can’t tell you how reliable and credible his reporting is. However, it is no secret that the Cubs do like Bogaerts. Earlier this week ESPN’s Jeff Passan named the Cubs as one of Bogaerts’ suitors in free agency. In the past month, Jon Heyman has also written about the Cubs’ interest in the Red Sox shortstop and even Gordon Wittenmyer from NBC Sports Chicago, has talked about Bogaerts being a real free agent target for the Cubs. And I say “even” because Wittenmyer has been pretty pessimistic in prior years when it comes to the Cubs doing anything of significance in the offseason.

One other thing about Bogaerts. He’s spent his entire career with the Red Sox and you’d think Boston would have a good shot at re-signing him. Yet, that possibility seems to be dying quickly as we get further into the offseason.

Bogaerts turned 30-years-old in October. In 2022, he posted a 134 wRC+ ending the year with a .307/.377/.456 slash line in 150 games. He’s an ideal hitter to put into the Cubs lineup, as he posses the ability to make a lot of contact without sacrificing power in his bat. That’s a combo the Cubs covet after moving on from their previous core. He’s a capable defender at shortstop, but Bogaerts isn’t expected to remain there for the entirety of the deal he signs. However, that’s not as big of an issue for the Cubs, who can shift Nico Hoerner back over to his natural position, while Bogaerts could move around the infield as he ages.

In Fangraphs top-50 free agents, Bogaerts is ranked sixth, projected to get a six or seven year contract worth $28 million to $31 million per year. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Bogaerts will earn a seven-year deal for $189 million.

So Cubs fans, Xander Bogaerts to Wrigley Field?

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