In a major coup for the National League, the Chicago Cubs have secured an agreement with star free agent Alex Bregman on a lucrative five-year contract worth $175 million. The deal, confirmed by sources to the Associated Press on Saturday night, is pending the completion of a routine physical examination.
A Lucrative Move for the Veteran Infielder
The contract includes a full no-trade clause, granting Bregman significant control over his future by allowing him to veto any potential trades. This move comes just a year after the two-time World Series champion signed a shorter-term deal with the Boston Red Sox, opting to test the free agent market again this offseason.
Bregman, who will turn 32 later in March, posted a solid .273 batting average for the Red Sox in 2024, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 62 runs. His season was curtailed to 114 games due to a quadriceps injury that sidelined him for the entire month of June. Despite the time missed, he earned his third All-Star selection and recorded an .822 OPS, his best mark since the 2019 season.
Shaking Up the Infield in Chicago and Boston
The Cubs' pursuit of Bregman addresses a key position after they relied on rookie Matt Shaw at third base for much of last season. Shaw provided excellent defence but hit .226; he is now expected to transition into a valuable super-utility role following Bregman's arrival.
Bregman's previous move to Boston last February, on a three-year, $120 million pact, created significant ripple effects. The Red Sox, who already had All-Star Rafael Devers at third base, asked Devers to move to the designated hitter spot. This decision reportedly soured the relationship between the club and the slugger, culminating in Devers being traded to the San Francisco Giants in June. Boston subsequently led Major League Baseball in errors, though they did end a four-year postseason drought.
Building a Contender at Wrigley Field
For the Cubs, the signing of Bregman represents a second major roster move in quick succession, following their trade for right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins earlier in the week. Chicago finished the 2024 season with a 92-70 record, placing second in the NL Central and making their first playoff appearance since 2020, where they were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in a five-game Division Series.
Bregman brings a wealth of championship experience to the Cubs' clubhouse, having won World Series titles with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2022. He spent the first nine seasons of his illustrious career in Houston, where he also won a Gold Glove award, before his one-year stint in Boston.
With the physical examination the final hurdle, the Cubs and their fans will be eagerly anticipating the official announcement that one of the game's premier infielders is bringing his talents to Wrigley Field for the long term.
