(670 The Score) Two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman has passed on the Cubs in free agency, instead agreeing to a three-year, $120-million deal with the Red Sox, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Wednesday night.
Bregman's deal includes opt-out clauses after each of the next two seasons and includes deferred money. The $40 million that he'll earn annually is $10 million more than any other team was offering, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported.
The Cubs pursued the 30-year-old Bregman in free agency after he played his first nine MLB seasons for the Astros. He was an All-Star in 2018 and 2019 and earned Gold Glove honors last season. Bregman hit .260 with 26 homers, 75 RBIs and a .768 OPS in 145 games for Houston in 2024.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer declined to speak publicly about Bregman earlier this week as his team reported to spring training but did weigh in on how he felt about his team as constructed.
“We certainly have not ruled out adding anyone,” Hoyer said, speaking generally. “You people probably get bored talking about team depth, and starting today it's about shoring up depth and weaknesses. We try to be redundant in all areas as possible. So I wouldn't rule out anything. The attitude we have taken this offseason is the National League is a really good league right now, but for us, this is a really good moment.”
The Cubs made a major move in December by trading for All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker, Bregman's former teammate in Houston.
With Bregman off the table, the Cubs are set to turn to 23-year-old Matt Shaw, their top prospect, as their primary third baseman.