Veteran Major League Baseball third baseman Alex Bregman has come to terms with the Chicago Cubs on a substantial five-year contract valued at $175 million, according to sources familiar with the matter. The agreement, which awaits completion of a physical examination, includes a no-trade clause that grants Bregman the authority to veto any trade proposals requiring his transfer without his consent.
Approaching his 32nd birthday in March, Bregman re-entered the free agency market for the second offseason in a row. The Cubs had previously shown interest in acquiring him prior to his decision to sign a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox last February. That earlier deal featured opt-out options after each of the first two seasons.
Despite a respectable performance during his tenure with the Red Sox in 2023, Bregman sought new opportunities. He completed the season with a batting average of .273, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 62 runs over 114 games, the fewest appearances since 2021. Notably, Bregman missed the entire month of June due to a quadriceps injury.
In his single season with Boston, Bregman earned $40 million in total salary, of which $15 million was paid within the last calendar year. The Red Sox remain obligated to pay him $5 million by January 2028 and $2 million annually each June from 2035 through 2044.
Bregman's professional career spans nine seasons with the Houston Astros, during which he contributed to World Series championships in 2017 and 2022. It should be noted that the 2017 title was overshadowed by a sign-stealing controversy involving Bregman and his teammates, which attracted considerable criticism.
Upon joining the Red Sox, Bregman entered a roster already featuring All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers. This led to the team's request for Devers to transition to a designated hitter role, a shift that strained the relationship between Devers and the organization, culminating in Devers' mid-season trade to the San Francisco Giants in June.
While Boston led Major League Baseball in errors during the past season, the team secured a postseason berth for the first time in four years. Bregman's on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .822 marked his best output since 2019 and earned him his third career All-Star selection.
The Chicago Cubs concluded the previous season positioned second in the National League Central with a 92-70 record. They advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 but were ultimately defeated in a five-game Division Series by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Last season, the Cubs relied on rookie third baseman Matt Shaw, who showed defensive prowess while batting .226 with 13 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 17 steals across 126 games. Shaw also possesses the versatility to play second base, a position currently manned by Nico Hoerner, a two-time Gold Glove awardee.
Bregman's arrival raises questions about the infield configuration moving forward. The Cubs may pursue additional trades to realign their roster or potentially reposition Shaw into a super-utility role to accommodate the new addition.
This signing represents the Cubs' second significant roster move within a short span, following their acquisition of right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins earlier in the week.
These developments illustrate the Cubs' intent to fortify their team dynamics in pursuit of sustained postseason success.