Third baseman Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract Saturday, sources told ESPN, as the three-time All-Star joins the club one year after its failed pursuit of him in free agency.
Bregman, 31, opted out of a $40 million player option with the Boston Red Sox to hit free agency again after his first foray as a free agent last year. And though the Cubs fell short in landing him in 2025, they offered Bregman a club-record $35 million a year to secure his services in 2026, sources told ESPN.
The deal, which has no opt-outs, includes a full no-trade clause, sources said.
Bregman got off to a fast start in Boston last season, hitting .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs before suffering a quad injury that sidelined him from May 24 to July 11. He was praised for his veteran leadership on a young Red Sox team that lost in three games to the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series.
Despite the Cubs returning all four infielders from a team that won 92 games and finished second in the National League Central, they stepped up their pursuit of Bregman in recent weeks and awarded him one of the largest contracts in franchise history.
Chicago probably will consider trading either Gold Glove-winning second baseman Nico Hoerner or third baseman Matt Shaw to make room for Bregman. Hoerner is a free agent after this season, but Shaw probably would bring a larger return package because of his six years of club control. The Cubs also could keep both, in addition to Bregman.
The Cubs’ pursuit of Bregman was because of his leadership traits and pull-happy offensive approach that should fit well at Wrigley Field. As the Cubs try to remain competitive in a loaded National League this season and beyond, they’ll turn to Bregman, who is renowned for his baseball IQ, interpersonal skills and work ethic, to help shepherd them.
This week, the Cubs traded for right-hander Edward Cabrera, giving up top outfield prospect Owen Caissie to solidify a rotation that lacks an ace but has plenty of hard throwers. With Hoerner, outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ, and starters Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon all set to reach free agency after this season, Bregman and shortstop Dansby Swanson (signed through 2029) represent the only long-term commitments on Chicago’s payroll.
Though Bregman’s offensive abilities peaked when he finished as runner-up for American League MVP in 2019, he remains a consistent presence with plenty of power in the middle of a lineup.
After declining Boston’s $22.025 million qualifying offer, Bregman hit free agency, hoping to secure a long-term deal that he did not receive last winter. Boston, which had spent much of the winter prioritizing Bregman, will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round because of his deal with Chicago.
After nine years with the Houston Astros, who drafted Bregman with the second pick in 2015, he was a late arrival to Red Sox camp last year but made an immediate impact on the field and among the young, talented players being promoted from the minor leagues. By the end of the season, Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games.
Over his 10-year career, Bregman has slashed .272/.365/.481 with 209 home runs and 725 RBIs, winning two World Series titles and making seven straight AL Championship Series appearances. During his time with the Astros, Bregman compiled 34.2 FanGraphs wins above replacement, the eighth most among position players.
