The Chicago Cubs have locked in third baseman Alex Bregman on a long-term deal that will continue paying him well into his late forties.
The 32-year-old joined the club last offseason after nine seasons with the Houston Astros and one year in Boston, bringing a résumé that includes two World Series titles, three All-Star selections, and a pair of Gold Gloves.
In his first season with Chicago, Bregman posted a .265 average with 161 hits, 28 home runs, and 93 RBIs across 155 games.
Those numbers provided steady production from the left side of the infield as the Cubs finished 89-73 and second in the National League Central before falling to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series.
The club’s last World Series title remains the 2016 championship, and the front office has continued to invest in veteran talent while trying to close that gap.
The contract itself is a five-year, $175 million agreement.
Deferred money stretches the actual payouts from 2034 through 2041, meaning Bregman will still be collecting checks at age 47. That final installment is listed at $8.75 million, per Spotrac.
Such structures have become more common as teams manage luxury-tax implications while still offering large guarantees, yet the length of the deferral here stands out even by current standards.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the deal on January 10, writing, “Third baseman Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a five-year, $175 million contract, sources tell ESPN. One year after their failed pursuit of Bregman in free agency, the Cubs land one of the biggest bats of the winter.”
The previous winter’s unsuccessful chase made the eventual signing a notable turn for both sides. Bregman, originally a first-round pick in 2015, had established himself as a durable middle-of-the-order bat and above-average defender before free agency.
For the Cubs, the arrangement adds a proven performer who has already contributed in October with Houston and who delivered a solid first year on the North Side.
Whether the deferred payments prove a net positive for the organization will depend on how the roster develops around him over the next several seasons.
At present, the club has secured a veteran third baseman whose compensation will outlast most of the current core, extending a financial commitment well beyond the years Bregman is expected to play at an elite level.
The broader free-agent market continues to reward established hitters with creative payment timelines, and Bregman’s deal fits that pattern while giving Chicago a familiar face in the lineup as it looks to move past recent early playoff exits.
How the remaining years of the contract and the later deferred sums align with on-field results will shape the long-term evaluation of the move.
