The Boston Red Sox entered the offseason intent on re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman, but they now must shift their plans after the three-time All-Star agreed to a richer deal with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday—one that includes a full no-trade clause.
Sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that Bregman accepted a five-year, $175 million contract from the Cubs with no opt-outs. Boston’s offer reportedly maxed out at $165 million with significant deferrals and did not include a no-trade clause, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney and multiple reports.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow acknowledged the disappointment of losing out on Bregman, saying the organization’s competitive nature makes setbacks like this difficult. However, Breslow declined to speculate on how the no-trade clause influenced Bregman’s decision, emphasizing that Bregman and his family earned the right to choose where he would spend the next phase of his career.
Bregman, 31, opted out of a $40 million player option to re-enter free agency after his first stint on the market last year. He started strongly in Boston before a quad injury sidelined him from late May to mid-July. Despite the injury, he was widely praised for his leadership on a young Red Sox roster that was eliminated by the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series.
Breslow stressed that while Bregman’s impact was significant, the organization must balance short- and long-term goals. He added that although the roster will look different entering the 2026 season, the Red Sox remain committed to contending for the division and making a deep postseason run, vowing to continue working to strengthen the team for their fans.
