Cubs Favored To Replace Kyle Tucker With $182 Million Red Sox Superstar
The Chicago Cubs took a risk and acquired Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade last winter, but the superstar is now a free agent. It seems like he’s going to leave town in free agency, as he’s projected to sign for north of $400 million, so the Cubs will need to do their best to replace his production.
Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib recently suggested the Cubs could replace Tucker’s production by signing Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman. Bregman was recently projected to sign a massive $182 million contract in free agency, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
“The guess here is that the Cubs make a strong push for Alex Bregman. The Cubs identified Bregman as the piece last offseason that could transition them from being a good team into a great team,” Campbell wrote. “They weren’t wrong, but the problem was that the Cubs made a pursuit of Bregman a priority far too late in the offseason. The Boston Red Sox likely will make a strong push to bring Bregman back, but the Cubs being involved shouldn’t be that surprising.”
Bregman has been a solid fit for the Cubs for the last year, and they seemingly took a shot on him last free agency, but he opted to sign with the Red Sox.
This offseason, the Cubs need to prioritize landing an impact bat, whether it’s Tucker or a replacement. Bregman would fit that mold, especially considering the fact that he’s projected to sign for half the money.
It won’t be a cake walk for the Cubs to sign Bregman, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Bears Predicted to Replace Caleb Williams Before End of Season
The NFL is on the cusp of the dog days of November, and with the trade deadline just around the corner, several takes are heating up around the football-sphere.
One involving Chicago Bears quarterback and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams came out of left field last week and originated on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”
“Ben Johnson will bench Caleb Williams and start Tyson Bagent,” Simmons said on the October 22 edition of the show. “Tyson Bagent will be the starter in time for Week 13/Week 14.”
Simmons’ co-hosts asked him to elaborate on why he offered that prediction.
“I think the Bears are pretty good, and I think Caleb is holding them back, and Ben Johnson is just gonna be like [bleep] it. And he loves Tyson Bagent. Like, loves him,” Simmons responded. “They’re like a playoff team, and Caleb has not been good for them.”
“I don’t know what the impetus will be, but there were a lot of bread crumbs being dropped Tyson Bagent’s way before the year about what an unbelievable teammate he is,” Simmons continued. “I think, at some point, their team is pretty good. They just need somebody to drive the car and they could go like, 11-6.”
Caleb Williams’ Presence in Chicago Primary Factor in Ben Johnson Choosing to Coach Bears
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Simmons isn’t the only person in the NFL universe to float the notion of Bagent over Williams in Chicago at some point in the relatively near future. However, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network vehemently disagreed with that general take during a mailbag he authored on October 28.
“The Bears are not turning to Tyson Bagent right now. No way. Not even on the table,” Bair wrote. “They drafted Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. He has the mobility and arm talent and skill to be an excellent quarterback in this league, and I personally wouldn’t put him and Justin Fields in the same category. Not by a long shot.”
Bair continued his argument by noting that Johnson held out for the Chicago job and turned down a potential chance to join Tom Brady with the Las Vegas Raiders precisely because Williams is on the Bears’ roster.
“Ben Johnson came to Chicago, in part, because of Williams. He is committed to Williams’ development as a player in a complex scheme it’ll take a long time to master,” Bair wrote. “While Williams hasn’t been as impactful as many would like, he’s not playing poorly.”
Caleb Williams Has Clearly Made Strides in Second NFL Season
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Ben Solak of ESPN weighed in on the Williams debate this week in his column, agreeing with Bair that Williams hasn’t been bad, but has actually played well this season.
“By EPA per drop back, Williams is just about average for the season at 0.03. For perspective, Baker Mayfield — whom some were calling an MVP candidate through September — is at 0.05,” Solak wrote Tuesday. “[Jayden] Daniels is at 0.02, as is Jaxson Dart. Put another way: If Williams were performing
Solak acknowledged there is still a long path for Williams to tread, but there is also marked improvement in his game from his first season to the second.
“Williams has plenty to improve. He must be more accurate on layup throws, which he is obviously rushing and overthinking,” Solak continued. “His hurried releases stem from a rookie season in which he held the ball far too long and took too many bad sacks. But notice the growth from Year 1 to Year 2. He has halved his sack rate, from 10% in 2024 to below 5% this season. The more he’s able to trust his pass protection, the smoother these throws will become.”
