I think the whole notion that the negotiations were botched because fans are unhappy with the outcome is my issue. They appeared to be fairly standard by what I’m hearing, but with some obvious embellishments.
Breslow and Boras (or any GM/CBO and any agent have clear and opposing goals in any negotiation. One wants to get as much money as possible; the other wants to spend as little as possible. That Boras came and said “we have a better offer” is far from uncommon, and in many cases untrue (see Bellinger, Cody). Boras is actually well known for fabricating interest and offers. Go read MLBTR commentary regarding the decade long running jokes about the omnipresent “mystery team.”
There are some fairly questionable additions to this beyond the shifting timelines. Like some versions say “by the time Breslow countered, it was too late.” No it wasn’t. I can guarantee there was no such deadline. The start of spring training is weeks away and we all know Bregman himself has no issues waiting until late February for the deal he wants.
The Cubs wanted Bregman more than Boston did, and that’s really it. And paid a ln awful lot for a players whose best days are clearly on the past. And now find themselves posturing on their infield overload, making nonsense statements like “Matt Shaw will play the outfield.” No he won’t, and we all know it. He’s not starting over either of the reigning Gold Glovers the Cubs already have out there, or even their perfectly capable right fielder who has openly expressed a distaste for being a DH. But gotta keep up some value with that top infield prospect…