The Chicago Cubs have secured Alex Bregman with a new five-year contract worth $175 million. Bregman, an esteemed third baseman, will be officially welcomed by the Cubs at a press conference on Thursday at Wrigley Field, where he will sport the No. 3 jersey. This agreement includes a deferred payment of $70 million, which amounts to 40% of the total contract.
Under the terms of the deal, Bregman will receive $35 million annually, with $15 million deferred for this year and 2029, $10 million each for 2027 and 2028, and $20 million in 2030. The deferred funds will be disbursed in eight installments every July 31 from 2034 to 2041.
Additionally, Bregman has been granted a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite during team road trips. The 32-year-old player was previously pursued by Chicago before signing a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston last February, which included opt-out clauses after the first two seasons. Bregman, who had a brief stint with the Red Sox, garnered attention during an NHL game in Chicago, where he received a warm reception from fans.
During his time with the Red Sox, Bregman achieved a batting average of .273, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 62 runs. His contract with the Cubs guarantees him the authority to veto any trade deals without his consent. Having earned $40 million in his single season with Boston, Bregman is set to receive further payments from the Red Sox in the coming years.
Originally chosen as the No. 2 overall pick by the Houston Astros in the 2015 amateur draft from LSU, Bregman played nine seasons with the Astros, winning World Series championships in 2017 and 2022. Despite his successes, the Astros were embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal during their 2017 victory, tarnishing their reputation.
Notably, upon joining the Red Sox, Bregman’s presence led to a position shift for Rafael Devers, resulting in Devers eventually being traded to San Francisco due to strained relations with the team. The Chicago Cubs, who finished as runners-up in the National League Central last season with a 92-70 record, are looking to enhance their roster by adding Bregman to the mix, potentially reshaping their infield configuration.