Cubs sign Bregman to 5-year deal reportedly worth $175M

It's been a big week for the Chicago Cubs.

Just a few days after acquiring Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, the Cubs took another big swing Saturday, agreeing to a five-year contract with third baseman Alex Bregman.

Bregman's deal is worth $175 million, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Of that total, $70 million is deferred, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Bregman's deal doesn't include any opt-opts but contains 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 reportedly extended a five-year, $165-million offer that included significant deferrals, according to MassLive's Sean McAdam. 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.

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.