The long, winding, often frustrating Alex Bregman free-agency saga is finally over. And if you’re a Chicago Cubs fan, let’s just say it did not end as you hoped.
After months of speculation, the two-time All-Star third baseman found a home, but it wasn’t in Wrigleyville. Instead, Bregman is heading to Fenway Park after agreeing to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Here’s the kicker—he’s got opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, giving him a whole lot of flexibility. Not bad for a guy who, for a while, seemed like he might not get the kind of deal he wanted this winter.
The Cubs’ Offer To Bregman Wasn’t Bad—But It Wasn’t Enough
Now, let’s talk about how close the Cubs really were. Chicago was in the mix, along with Detroit, Houston, and Toronto, but they just didn’t go big enough when push came to shove.
According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the Cubs put a four-year, $120 million offer on the table—the same total dollars as Boston, but stretched over an extra year.
That means Boston’s deal gave Bregman a much higher annual salary and those opt-outs that let him hit the market again if things don’t pan out in Boston.
That was the game-changer. The Cubs simply weren’t willing to match the structure Boston offered, and in the end, that was the difference. Sure, they weren’t the only team left disappointed.
The Tigers reportedly offered six years and $171.5 million, but that opt-out flexibility mattered more than extra years.
A Near-Perfect Cubs Offseason Falls Just Short
This is a tough pill for the Cubs to swallow. They had already made a big splash earlier in the offseason by trading for Bregman’s Astros teammate, Kyle Tucker.
Landing Bregman, too? That would have been the finishing touch on a near-perfect offseason. But instead, they came up short.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Both the Cubs and Red Sox had to weigh Bregman’s impact against blocking some of their top prospects. In Boston, that means Kristian Campbell might not crack the Opening Day lineup.
It clears the way for Matt Shaw to take over at third base in Chicago. So, in a way, this could work out just fine for the Cubs if Shaw steps up and delivers.
A Gamble the Cubs Hope Pays Off
But make no mistake—this is a gamble. The Cubs had the chance to lock in one of the best third basemen in the game and passed on it.
Whether that decision haunts them or becomes a blessing in disguise, that’s a story we’ll have to watch play out further.
Cubs fans are left wondering what might have been, while Red Sox fans are dreaming about what’s to come.
