MLB rumor roundup: 3 things to watch at MLB Winter Meetings on Day 2
By Kevin Henry
MLB rumor: Chicago Cubs zeroing in on Xander Bogaerts?
After multiple rumors connecting the Chicago Cubs to all four top-tier free agent shortstops (Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, and Trea Turner), the latest rumor has the Cubs focusing on Bogaerts as their “top priority,” according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale.
While the Boston Red Sox were thought to be in the running to bring Bogaerts back into the fold after he opted out of the remainder of his contract, there are plenty of warning signs about the possibility of Bogaerts ever calling Fenway Park home again.
Bogaerts has only played for the Red Sox during his 10-year MLB career, but the Cubs could cause that to change, reportedly putting their offer on the table for the 30-year-old shortstop on Sunday.
Will it be enough to bring Bogaerts to the Windy City? If so, it will likely start a domino effect with the free-agent shortstop class and give the Cubs another offensive weapon as they look to climb the National League Central standings after last season’s 74-88 campaign.