Chicago (MLB Insider Journal) January 11, 2026 – Third baseman Alex Bregman has agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, sources confirmed to multiple outlets. The agreement, averaging $35 million annually, includes no opt-outs and a full no-trade clause, pending a physical examination. This marks Bregman’s departure from the Boston Red Sox after one season, following his opt-out from a prior agreement.
The deal represents one of the largest contracts in Chicago Cubs history, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. Insiders told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that the Cubs pursued Bregman aggressively after finishing second in the National League Central with 92 wins last season.
Bregman, a three-time All-Star selected second overall by the Houston Astros in 2015, brings veteran leadership and power hitting to Wrigley Field.
Zachary Parga of Blue42Sports quickly reported the development on social media, saying in an X post,
“The Chicago Cubs have signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a five year $175 million deal. Bregman slashed .273 batting average with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs, per @JeffPassan”
The Chicago Cubs have signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a five year $175 million deal.
— Zachary Parga (@Blue42Sports) January 11, 2026
Bregman slashed .273 batting average with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/9rv7EaekjT
What are the key details of Alex Bregman’s contract with the Cubs?
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Cubs offered Bregman a club-record $35 million per year to secure his services one year after failing to sign him in free agency. Sources informed The Associated Press that the contract features a no-trade clause allowing Bregman to veto any trades. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com noted the club has not yet officially confirmed the signing.
The five-year term runs through Bregman’s age-37 season, as he turns 32 on March 30. Unlike his previous Boston deal, this agreement contains no opt-out clauses, providing long-term stability for Chicago.
Boston will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round due to Bregman’s qualifying offer rejection last year. Because Bregman rejected the Red Sox’s qualifying offer in 2025, neither team exchanged draft pick compensation this time, enhancing his market appeal, according to CBS Sports reports.
How did Alex Bregman’s path from the Astros lead to free agency?
Alex Bregman spent nine seasons with the Houston Astros after his 2015 draft selection from Louisiana State University, contributing to two World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.
During his Astros tenure, he posted a .272 batting average, 191 home runs, and a 132 OPS+ in the regular season, plus 19 postseason homers. Bregman reached free agency for the first time last offseason, rejecting a reported six-year, $156 million Astros offer.
In February 2025, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, including opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. He exercised the first opt-out after the 2025 World Series, forgoing $80 million over the final two years.
Bregman had declined Boston’s $22.025 million qualifying offer, making him ineligible for one this offseason. The Cubs lost a bidding war to Boston last winter but succeeded this time, as detailed by SI.com.
How did Alex Bregman perform with the Boston Red Sox in 2025?
Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games for the Red Sox in 2025. He started strongly at .299/.385/.553 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs before a right quadriceps strain sidelined him from May 24 to July 11. Post-injury, his performance dipped to a .724 OPS over 63 games from a pre-injury .938 OPS in 52 games, yet Chicago views it as non-declining given his strong defense.
Overall, he achieved an .821 OPS and 128 OPS+, earning his third All-Star nod while helping Boston reach the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Off the field, Bregman provided veteran leadership to Boston’s young roster, which lost to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series. His arrival created positional tension, leading to Rafael Devers shifting to DH before a June trade to the San Francisco Giants.
What are Alex Bregman’s career highlights and statistical achievements?
Over 10 MLB seasons through 2025, Bregman maintained a .272/.365/.481 slash line with 209 home runs, 725 RBIs, and 43 stolen bases in 4,590 at-bats.
His peak came in 2019, slashing .296/.423/.592 with 41 homers, 112 RBIs, a 1.015 OPS, and a second-place AL MVP finish. Since 2016, only José Ramírez has accumulated more WAR than Bregman’s 43.1 among primary third basemen.
Bregman debuted on July 25, 2016, and anchored Houston’s eight straight postseasons from 2017-2024, including four AL pennants. In World Series play, he recorded a .198 average with six homers and 19 RBIs across 26 games. His postseason prowess included a Game 4 grand slam in the 2019 World Series. Defensively, he won the 2024 AL Gold Glove at third base.
Awards include two World Series rings, three All-Star selections (2018, 2019, 2025), 2018 All-Star Game MVP, 2019 Silver Slugger and All-MLB Second Team, and multiple Player of the Month honors. He led the AL in doubles (51) in 2018 and WAR in 2019, plus represented Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic gold medal win.
How will Alex Bregman’s signing reshape the Chicago Cubs’ infield?
The Cubs return all four infielders from their 92-win 2025 squad, finishing second in the NL Central. Chicago boasts elite defense with two-time Gold Glove winners Dansby Swanson at shortstop and Nico Hoerner at second base, and Alex Bregman’s addition further strengthens the infield.
Prospect Matt Shaw, who has six years of club control at third base, now faces uncertainty, including a possible move to second, a trade, or a utility role.
Bregman’s signing provides long-term commitment amid the upcoming free agencies of Hoerner (after 2026), Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon.
The news has sparked reactions across the league. Phillies Focus Pod noted potential ripple effects on other trades in an X post.
“BREAKING: @Cubs land 3B Alex Bregman on a 5 year/175 million dollar contract. Word now is that the @RedSox will turn their sights to Bo Bichette, potentially upping the asking price for the @Phillies to land the top remaining free agent.⏰”
BREAKING: @Cubs land 3B Alex Bregman on a 5 year/175 million dollar contract.
— Phillies Focus Pod (@PhilliesFocus) January 11, 2026
Word now is that the @RedSox will turn their sights to Bo Bichette, potentially upping the asking price for the @Phillies to land the top remaining free agent.⏰
