Overview
- Bregman chose Chicago after opting out of his Red Sox deal following one season, a clause that allowed him to re-enter free agency.
- Reporting indicates roughly $70 million of the contract is deferred, lowering the deal’s present-day value compared with its headline total.
- The Red Sox were reportedly in the $160 million range but were outbid, ending expectations of a Boston return after Bregman’s 114 games there in 2025.
- By adding Bregman at third base, the Cubs gain a middle-of-the-order bat and create an infield surplus that could put Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw into trade discussions, per multiple reports.
- With Bregman off the board and Ketel Marte not available, league reporting points to Bo Bichette as the top infield target and raises the profile of trade options like Brendan Donovan.