Alex Bregman. MLB.com
EL NUEVO DIARIO, CHICAGO — During the last two offseasons, the Cubs tried to add Alex Bregman via free agency, hoping to add his renowned leadership, his impact bat and his solid glove to a team that seeks to make the postseason a habit.
On Saturday night, the Cubs finally got their man, agreeing to a five-year, $175 million deal with Bregman, multiple sources told MLB.com. The deal, which is subject to a medical review and has not been confirmed by the club, does not include exit clauses and has a full no-trade clause, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Once finalized, the contract would be the third largest in Cubs history in terms of total value, trailing only the $184 million, eight-year deal that outfielder Jason Heyward signed in 2015 and the $177 million, seven-year deal that shortstop Dansby Swanson received in 2022. The deal with Bregman would have the largest average annual value ($35 million) in club history.
The addition of Bregman represents a strong statement for the Cubs who won 92 games last season and advanced as a wild card team, but lost in five games to the rival Brewers in the National League Division Series. After that elimination, two of the main objectives of the Chicago front office this offseason were to add an impact starter and, possibly, a star-caliber bat.
Earlier this week, the Cubs added that impact arm with a bombshell trade with the Marlins, acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera in exchange for three prospects, including Top 100 slugger Owen Caissie. By landing a more affordable starter in Cabrera (signed for $4.45 million this week in the first of three remaining years of arbitration eligibility), the Cubs were able to be more aggressive in pursuing one of the best hitters available in free agency.
That led the Cubs back to Bregman, a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and Gold Glove winner who was already among the club’s priorities last offseason.
A year ago, the Cubs saw Bregman’s free agency extend into spring training and the club offered him a four-year, $115 million contract (with the first opt-out clause after 2026). Bregman opted to sign with the Red Sox for three years and $120 million, with an exit clause after the 2025 season, which he used to return to the market this winter.
During the 2025 season with Boston, Alex Bregman, 31, hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 28 doubles and 62 RBIs, in addition to posting a 3.5 WAR according to Baseball-Reference and a 128 OPS+. The third baseman played in 114 games, limited by a right quadriceps injury that sidelined him. of action in May. Still, Bregman was called to his third All-Star Game and helped the Red Sox qualify for the postseason.
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