Cubs Find Early Success in $175 Million Deal for Veteran Alex Bregman
Chicago’s five-year, $175 million contract with third-baseman Alex Bregman is gaining approval after his strong second-half surge and clutch performances.
After opting out of a three-year, $120 million pact with Boston, Alex Bregman entered free agency and agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract with Chicago that includes $70 million in deferred payments. The Cubs initially took a gamble given his age, but his second-half performance—marked by a.973 OPS and 12 of his 19 home runs—has shifted the narrative. Bregman sparked back-to-back walk-off victories over the White Sox and hit decisive homers against Seattle, including a ninth-inning blast off a star reliever.
Manager Craig Counsell defended the signing, emphasizing Bregman's consistent skill set, Gold-Glove-level defense, and 102 postseason games that bring veteran poise. While the long-term risk remains, the early return on the contract is helping the Cubs justify the sizable investment.
Why it matters
The story shows how a major contract can quickly become worthwhile when a veteran player delivers clutch results for a team.
In this story
