The Chicago Cubs have officially signed Alex Bregman to a lucrative five-year contract worth $175 million. Bregman, an esteemed third baseman, will be formally introduced by the Cubs during a press conference at Wrigley Field on Thursday. In light of Nico Hoerner already donning the No. 2 jersey for the Cubs, Bregman will switch to No. 3 with his new team.
As part of the deal, Chicago has agreed to defer $70 million, which accounts for 40% of the total contract value. Bregman’s contract includes an annual salary of $35 million, with $15 million being deferred for this year and 2029, $10 million for each of 2027 and 2028, and $20 million for 2030. The deferred payments are scheduled to be made in eight installments every July 31 from 2034 to 2041, with varying amounts for each year.
In addition to his salary, Bregman is granted a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite during road trips. The 32-year-old player had previously entertained offers from Chicago before opting for a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston last February, which included opt-out clauses after the first two seasons. Bregman, who attended an NHL game in Chicago on Monday night, received a warm reception from fans as he sported the home team’s jersey.
During his stint with the Red Sox, Bregman posted a .273 batting average along with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in the previous season. Despite missing all of June due to a quadriceps injury, he appeared in 114 games, marking his lowest game count since 2021.
Bregman’s contract with the Cubs ensures he has veto power over any potential trades. Having earned $40 million during his time with Boston, he received $15 million last year, with the Red Sox owing him $5 million in January 2028 and $2 million annually from June 2035 to 2044.
Originally selected by the Houston Astros as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft from LSU, Bregman spent his first nine seasons with the Astros, winning World Series titles in 2017 and 2022, albeit tainted by a sign-stealing scandal in the former championship.
Transitioning to the Cubs, Bregman’s arrival may prompt changes to the team’s infield setup. The Cubs could explore trade options to address the infield situation, or Matt Shaw, who excelled at third base last season while also showcasing versatility at second base, could assume a super-utility role alongside Bregman. Chicago, which clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2020 but was eliminated in a Division Series by Milwaukee, finished second in the National League Central last year with a 92-70 record.