Report: Cubs sign Bregman to 5-year, $175M contract
It's been a big week for the Chicago Cubs.
Three days after acquiring Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, the Cubs took another big swing Saturday, agreeing to a five-year, $175-million contract with third baseman Alex Bregman, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.
$70 million of the $175-million deal is deferred, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Bregman's deal doesn't include any opt-opts but does contain a full no-trade clause, sources told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
The three-time All-Star spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Astros before signing a three-year, $120-million contract with the Boston Red Sox last February. Bregman opted out of that deal in November to re-enter the market in hopes of securing a long-term deal.
Boston was open to a reunion with Bregman after a productive season and made what was reportedly a competitive offer. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that the ball was in Bregman's "court." Bregman also reportedly received interest from the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks before ultimately signing in Chicago.
Red Sox are said to have been willing to go to five years for Bregman. They were outbid by the Cubs at that $175M mark.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 11, 2026
The Cubs were in significant need of a major offensive addition with Kyle Tucker hitting free agency. Bregman gives them a middle-of-the-order bat with a strong glove. Chicago's infield defense of Bregman, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner projects to be one of the best in the majors.
Though Bregman's overall offense will likely take a hit leaving Fenway Park, he still remains a very productive player. The 31-year-old hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 28 doubles to go along with a .821 OPS, and 3.5 fWAR across 114 games, the fewest he's played in a season since 2021. He missed almost two months with a right quad strain.