According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have signed free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a massive five-year contract worth $175 million. Bregman was one of the top free-agent infielders still available on the open market, alongside shortstop Bo Bichette. Bregman spent the 2025 campaign with Boston after playing with the Houston Astros for the first nine seasons of his MLB career. With Boston, Bregman remained a productive hitter, posting a strong .273/.360/.462 slash line with 28 doubles and 18 home runs across 114 contests. Under the hood, he generated a 71st-percentile .337 xwOBA and continued to show an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 10.3% rate and striking out at a 14.1% rate. With the Cubs, Bregman figures to serve as the everyday third baseman, which will likely shift former top prospect Matt Shaw into a utility role in the infield, as Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Michael Busch are expected to remain everyday players. Bregman carries top-10 upside at the third base position in all formats as he moves to Chicago.

Boston Red Sox infielder Marcelo Mayer is preparing to play both second and third base this upcoming season. In 2025, Mayer played mostly third base, but saw action at second and shortstop as well. The absence of Alex Bregman means that Mayer should be able to see regular time at third base now. The Red Sox also don't have an everyday option at second base, but Kristian Campbell figures to get a fair shot at earning the starting job. Mayer having the ability to play multiple positions should help him get in the lineup more frequently. Due to injuries, Mayer was limited to 44 games with the Red Sox last season. He slashed .228/.272/.402 with four home runs and 10 RBI during his time with the big league club.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger is unlikely to sign with the New York Yankees. The two sides have been linked together all offseason, but no deal has been finalized yet. The Yankees reportedly offered Bellinger a five-year deal for at least $30 million per season. Bellinger, who is represented by Scott Boras, is seeking a deal longer than five years, and that surpasses $30 million per season. In 2025, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI across 152 games with the Bronx Bombers. It's certainly going to be a challenge to replace that kind of production if Bellinger decides to head elsewhere. A potential deal could still happen, but it sounds like the Yankees are preparing to move on.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has decided to withdraw from the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Freeman has pulled out of the tourney due to personal reasons. He has played for Canada in each of the last two tournaments, but has decided to sit this one out. Freeman has played in back-to-back World Series with the Dodgers, so it makes sense that he'd want to spend as much time as possible with his family. Relief pitcher Jordan Romano has also dropped out of the WBC, which has opened a door for Jameson Taillon to join the roster. Also, catcher Liam Hicks and infielder Tyler Black will suit up for Canada in the upcoming tourney.