The Chicago Cubs have landed one of many offseason’s prime free brokers. The Cubs and third baseman Alex Bregman have agreed to a five-year contract price $175 million, stories ESPN. The deal doesn’t embody any decide outs. Bregman opted out of the ultimate two years and $80 million remaining on his contract with the Boston Pink Sox to enter free company.
Bregman, 31, hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 residence runs in 114 video games round a quad damage in 2025. He didn’t carry out as properly after the damage, it ought to be famous. Bregman put up a .938 OPS in 52 video games earlier than the damage and a .724 OPS in 63 video games after the damage. Clearly, the Cubs do not see that as a worrisome signal of decline. Bregman performed his usually robust protection all yr.
We ranked Bregman because the second-best free agent obtainable this offseason, behind solely Kyle Tucker. This is the write-up:
Bregman, one of many final notable free brokers to signal final winter, confirmed no ailing results of being left within the chilly. He saved alive his streak of getting by no means completed worse than 15% above the league-average hitter, and for the primary time in his profession, he joined the 90-90 membership — that’s, a 90% in-zone contact price and a 90 mph common exit velocity. Bregman can nonetheless choose it at third base, too. It is honest to surprise how his pull-happy slugging would play in a much less favorable residence offensive atmosphere than those he is haunted so far, however he is an excellent participant who must land a greater contract than three years and $120 million this go round.
Rookie Matt Shaw was Chicago’s main third baseman final yr and he put collectively a league average-ish season on the plate whereas taking part in robust sufficient protection to be a Gold Glove finalist. With Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner entrenched because the double play mixture, the Cubs now have too many infielders. Hoerner, a free agent after 2026, has drawn important commerce curiosity.
The Bregman signing comes a number of days after the Cubs boosted their rotation by buying right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins for 3 prospects, together with touted outfielder Owen Caissie. Earlier this offseason, they supplemented the bullpen with decrease value free brokers Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, and Jacob Webb.
As for the Pink Sox, including an infielder was a precedence coming into the offseason and re-signing Bregman would have been essentially the most easy transfer. They will usher in a second or third baseman and play younger Marcelo Mayer on the different place. Boston traded for Willson Contreras final month to function a righty energy bat.
As a result of he obtained (and rejected) the qualifying supply final offseason, Bregman was not eligible to obtain it once more this offseason. The Pink Sox won’t obtain a compensation 2026 draft choose for dropping him and the Cubs won’t should forfeit any 2026 draft picks for signing him, which added to Bregman’s attraction.
The Cubs went 92-70 in 2026 and defeated the San Diego Padres within the Wild Card Collection. They have been eradicated by the division rival Milwaukee Brewers in 5 video games within the NLDS.
