The Chicago Cubs fell short in their attempt to sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman after ownership approved stretching the budget to pursue him.

"Obviously disappointed," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday morning at the team's Arizona facility.

The Chicago Cubs missed out on another premier free agent Wednesday evening when Alex Bregman officially agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman’s free agency saga lasted until after teams began reporting to Spring Training and it was known that he would choose a team by the end of the week so he could report to camp on time.