Alex Bregman has agreed to a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, taking one of MLB’s top free agents off the market.
The deal contains a full no-trade clause and no-opt-outs, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
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Bregman, 31, is a three-time All-Star and former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. While he’s no longer at the peak of his Houston Astros-level powers, he remains a high-level player on both offense and defense and was one of the most coveted bats on the free-agent market. He ranked No. 2 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top free agents.
The deal is the Cubs’ second splashy move in the span of three days, having previously traded for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera. This moves lands them an impact talent at third base, despite already having a player in Matt Shaw who received Rookie of the Year votes in 2025.
The top of the Chicago lineup could now go Michael Busch, Bregman, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, an enviable collection of talent with depth behind it. The club now holds BetMGM’s top odds to win the NL Central at +150, ahead of the 2025 division champ Milwaukee Brewers at +190.
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When signed, the contract will be the third-largest in Cubs history by total value, behind only Jason Heyward’s eight year, $184 million deal and Dansby Swanson’s seven-year, $177 million deal. By average annual value, it blows both of those out of the water.
Alex Bregman’s free agent odyssey
Bregman joined the Boston Red Sox as a free agent last season after nine years with the Astros, with whom he was an anchor for two World Series-winning teams. He signed a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston that included a player option after each season.
After an All-Star campaign in Boston, Bregman exercised that option in order to try again for a long-term deal on the free-agent market.
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A quad injury in part limited Bregman to 114 games in 2025. But when active, he maintained one of baseball’s most effective bats. For the season, Bregman slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI. He was selected for his third career All-Star team despite being sidelined from May 23 through July 11.
Bregman took over at third base in Boston, which ultimately prompted the team to trade longtime third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. With Bregman batting third in the lineup and his Gold Glove defense at third base, the Red Sox rallied from a 41-44 start to an 89-73 finish that earned a wild-card bid in the playoffs. The Red Sox lost 2-1 to the Yankees in the wild-card round.
