Alex Bregman has agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, opting out of his Boston Red Sox deal after one playoff season and rejecting their similar offer. The move leaves the Red Sox—still without a major free-agent signing this offseason—pursuing Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette and other options to rebuild their infield.
Alex Bregman, who signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox last spring, exercised his opt-out after a strong 2025 season that propelled the team to the playoffs, where they fell to the New York Yankees in the wild card round. On January 10, 2026, he finalized a five-year, $175 million pact with the Cubs—including $70 million in deferrals that pay out sooner and a full no-trade clause—surpassing Boston's five-year, $160-165 million proposal with longer deferrals and no such protections. The deal was announced Saturday evening, just after the Red Sox hosted Fenway Fest to hype the season.
Bregman's lone year in Boston featured highs and lows. He anchored the lineup alongside Rafael Devers at third base, but positional tensions led to Devers' mid-June trade to the San Francisco Giants, shedding the rest of his $300 million contract. Despite missing time with injury, Bregman provided leadership in the playoff push.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow voiced disappointment: "Any time you are active in trying to bring a player in, it’s disappointing to lose out. We do this job because we are competitive and we want to deliver a championship to our fans." He affirmed the team's resolve to add offense, pitching, and defense via free agency or trades, noting: "There will be no less resolve to compete for the division and make a deep postseason run."
Boston has made moves, including trades for first baseman Willson Contreras and starter Sonny Gray, plus an extension for left-hander Garrett Crochet—yet remains the only MLB team without a major-league free-agent addition this offseason. With Bregman gone, focus has shifted to free agent Bo Bichette, the 27-year-old ex-Blue Jays shortstop (.294 average, 111 homers, .806 OPS over seven seasons, two All-Star nods) seeking around $300 million. Open to second base alongside Trevor Story (contracted two more years), Bichette could pair with prospect Marcelo Mayer (2021 fourth overall pick, eyeing second or third after injury-shortened debut). Pursuit feels 'uncomfortable' per reports due to concerns over value, defense, and durability; MLB insider Ken Rosenthal pegs the Phillies as favorites after a Monday Zoom, with alternatives like third baseman Eugenio Suárez, catcher J.T. Realmuto, Brendan Donovan, or Nico Hoerner.
Manager Alex Cora urged patience, manager evoking past late splashes like J.D. Martinez in 2018: "The offseason is not over." President Sam Kennedy stressed October goals, while Breslow reiterated: "We’re going to do everything we can to improve our roster."
