The Cubs have made their third-largest signing in franchise history official, announcing Wednesday that they’ve signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year contract that’ll reportedly guarantee him $175MM. Bregman, a client of the Boras Corporation, receives a full no-trade clause. Unlike his prior contract with the Red Sox, there are no opt-out opportunities. The deal reportedly includes $70MM of deferred money, dropping the net present value from a $35MM average annual value to something in the $30-31MM range. A full breakdown of the deferrals can be found at the bottom of this post. He’ll be introduced in a press conference tomorrow morning at 10:30am CT.
When last offseason’s proposals fell short of Bregman’s expectations, he pivoted to a heavily-deferred three-year, $120MM deal with the Red Sox. The quality of his 2025 season, plus his ineligibility for a qualifying offer this time around, led to this long-term deal.
MLBTR projected a six-year, $160MM contract for Bregman back in November. He ultimately landed a bit shy of that on a five-year term, when accounting for deferrals. It’s still the largest average annual value in Cubs franchise history, and the total guarantee trails only Jason Heyward ($184MM) and Dansby Swanson ($177MM). The inclusion of deferrals is a notable departure for the Ricketts family ownership group; just last offseason, they appeared staunchly against utilizing deferred money in free agent negotiations.
For the Cubs, the addition of Bregman is the biggest splash in an active offseason. The club acquired young starter Edward Cabrera from the Marlins three days ago, adding upside to the rotation at the expense of a top-50 prospect in Owen Caissie. The Cubs have largely rebuilt their bullpen with a quintet of free agent signings: Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar, Hoby Milner, and Jacob Webb. They also retained swingman Colin Rea and starter Shota Imanaga.
Bregman gives the Cubs a major offensive upgrade without the loss of a draft pick, as he rejected a qualifying offer from the Astros in 2024. His salary brings the team’s projected 2026 payroll to $231MM, a full $25MM over last year’s $206MM figure, according to RosterResource. Meanwhile, their CBT payroll stands around $243MM for 2026, putting the Cubs just shy of the first luxury tax threshold. The Cubs did not exceed the CBT in 2025, so they’ll reside in the lightest tax bracket if they go over in ’26.
Bregman, 31, played in 114 games with Boston this year, making 495 plate appearances. Although he missed a month and a half with a right quad strain, he continued to excel on offense, batting .273/.360/.462 and grading out 25% better than average by wRC+. After posting a career-low 6.9% walk rate in his final year with the Astros, Bregman bumped that up to 10.3% in 2025. He maintained his reputation as a high-contact hitter, with his 14.1% strikeout rate grading out in the 88th percentile. His 90.1 mph average exit velocity and 44.4% hard-hit rate were both career bests. He also continued to perform well defensively, earning 3 Outs Above Average for his work at third base. Overall, Bregman’s 2025 contributions were good for 3.5 fWAR and his third career All-Star nomination.
A lot of that came from his red-hot first two months. At the time of his injury, Bregman had a 156 wRC+ through 226 PA. His production following his return was more uneven. He posted a 128 wRC+ in July, followed by a 108 wRC+ in August and just a 76 wRC+ in September. In the first half, Bregman was 52% better than average by wRC+. In the second half, he was right around average.
Though he wasn’t his usual self in the last two months of the year, Bregman’s lengthy track record still made him one of the top free agents in this year’s class. Since debuting with the Astros in 2016, he has batted .272/.365/.481 with 209 home runs and a 133 wRC+. His first two All-Star appearances came in 2018-19. Bregman averaged 8.1 fWAR and finished in the Top 5 in AL MVP voting in both years, finishing as the runner-up in 2019.
While he hasn’t reached those heights in the years since, Bregman has still been a well-above-average hitter. He has posted a wRC+ between 117 and 137 in every year from 2020-25. Bregman’s defense has also held firm. Since the start of 2020, he has been worth 10 DRS and 17 OAA. He ranks eighth among qualified third basemen in that span by OAA.
That track record, Bregman’s excellent clubhouse reputation, and his still-excellent 2025 drew ample interest in free agency. The Red Sox were clearly keen on a reunion, with recent reports indicating they had made him an “aggressive” offer. Outside of them and the Cubs, his known suitors included the Tigers, Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays (before they signed Kazuma Okamoto). The Tigers and Cubs were interested in Bregman last offseason as well. Detroit reportedly offered him six years and $171.5MM, albeit with significant deferrals. Chicago’s offer was in the four-year, $115MM range. One year later, the Cubs put forth more than $40MM more to lock him up, even when considering the surprising deferred money.
Bregman likely sought a $200MM guarantee during the 2024-25 offseason. He got to $215MM on paper in total, though deferred money on both contracts probably puts him a little short of a true $200MM. Regardless, returning to the market after opting out of a short-term deal is a strategy we’ve seen Boras execute successfully with Bregman, Carlos Rodon, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, and Pete Alonso in recent years, with Cody Bellinger serving as the next test case.
With Bregman slotting in at third base, the most impacted player on the Cubs’ roster is incumbent third baseman Matt Shaw. As a rookie, Shaw posted a .226/.295/.394 line in 437 plate appearances, good for a 93 wRC+. Factoring in his serviceable defense (-1 DRS), Shaw was worth 1.5 fWAR in 2025. That was acceptable production for the rookie and former top prospect, though there are clear areas for improvement heading into his sophomore season. Shaw’s average exit velocity and hard-hit rate ranked in the third and seventh percentiles, respectively. He also struggled against fastballs, with a -6 run value against sinkers and a -1 value against four-seamers.
Shaw came up through the system as a middle infielder before shifting to third base in earnest in 2024. At present, Swanson and Nico Hoerner occupy the shortstop and second base spots on the big-league roster. Swanson is under contract through 2029 and won’t be moving off short any time soon. Hoerner has been an above-average hitter and excellent defender in the past four seasons, tallying 17.5 fWAR. Hoerner moved to second base in 2023 in deference to Swanson.
With the 28-year-old Hoerner eligible for free agency after 2026 – with earning power likely to get a boost from his ability to play shortstop – his name has surfaced in trade rumors this winter. The best 2026 Cubs team has Hoerner at second base and Shaw in a utility infield role, but it’s at least conceivable that either player could be dealt this offseason.
For Red Sox fans, the past seven months have provided a painful sequence of events at third base. Rafael Devers was dealt to the Giants in a surprise June blockbuster, and now Bregman has departed as well. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox “did not come close financially and were not willing to give Bregman a full no-trade clause.”
The Red Sox, the only team yet to have signed a Major League free agent this winter, could turn to Bo Bichette to play second base. Bichette will likely require a long-term deal of his own, however, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has yet to sign a free agent for more than Bregman’s three years (which only lasted one).
Jon Heyman of the New York Post first broke news of the signing, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan adding terms and Bob Nightengale of USA Today providing further details. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the deal includes deferred money.
The full details of the deferrals were reported by Jay Cohen of The Associated Press. $15MM is deferred in 2026 and 2029, $10MM in 2027 and 2028, then $20MM in 2030. He will be paid the deferred money via eight annual instalment each July 31st from 2034 to 2041.
Overpay
Haha 100%
Yes, an overpay. I hope they keep Hoerner for 2026 and make their best run at post-season success. Shaw can move to 2B or outfield in 2027.
This should put all that Bellinger is coming back to the Cubs talk to rest, no?
I hope they keep Hoerner around, too. This should push them really close to the CBT line, if not over. Maybe Ricketts will allow a small tax this year. They do need a utility infielder. So, maybe Shaw can be a super one this year.
Aloha MLB100, don’t like this move. Overpay and watch Jed trade away Nico or Shaw now. His excuse to trade Nico will be the budget having to go under the CBT threshold but he’s the one that overpay Bregman. Mahalo
Kgcubs
They will never trade Shaw unless they first sign Nico to an extension.
They might trade Nico now. Or they could keep him and let him be a free agent at the end of the year.
Good point. I really wanted to see both Shaw and Caissie in the field this year, now it’s not happening. Well, I hope for the best. Mahalo
Yes. Likely.
Agree KG. I have always been a fan of our GM. I think this is a huge mistake. Swanson and Bregman both aging Super Stars will hurt come 2027 or 28. But fans will be happy money was spent and more than likely wasted once again.
I wouldn’t mind if they traded Shaw now, for a young catcher.
I’m hoping that Bregman could be the type of hitter who fits well in Wrigley. Now they’ll have 3 decent RH bats in the daily lineup too – Hoerner, Suzuki and Bregman. To go with Busch, PCA and Ballesteros.
I’d hit Happ 7th against RHers and put him on the bench vs LHers.
It said in the article that it pushed them 3.6M over thr 244M first luxury tax number.
They better extend Nico. 90mil of that 175 should be Nico’s
Their next move needs to be to extend Nico Hoerner
I think this is an awesome move. A funny thing is Bregman wears #2 because he felt slighted going in the draft second behind Swanson, now he plays next to him.
Dogbone
I would like to keep Shaw at least until Hoerner is extended, which might not happen – which will be a huge loss
Wonder who will wear #2 next year..? That’s Nico’s number…
Bergman will change his number to # 175.
🤣🤣🤣
Bregman is gonna need to pick a new number
DavRoz
Now Belli will want Bregman money
Instead of Bregman on his jersey it’ll be 175 Million in Roman numberals $CLXXVM 😂
Cody Bellinger has every right to demand Bregman money or more. He had a better year last season, comes with more defensive versatility as a CF, RF, 1B and is also 16 months younger.
I like both players very much as an elder, more traditional MLB fan who prefers hitters with a more balanced profile than today’s three outcome sluggers. Bregman and Bellinger are very similar in their ability as high contact hitters who excel in BA and OBP while also producing solid pop along with their plus gloves. I’m glad the Cubs were able to secure one of them this offseason.
My hope is they also retain and extend 2B Nico Hoerner. The Cubs will have multiple starters in their walk year (Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Hoerner) and Nico is my top player to retain. As things stand now, the team will have significant money coming off their books following this season. Signing Bregman and extending Hoerner will important if the Cubs want to maintain their identity as MLB’s top defensive team going forward.
Ballesteros is going to be one of the better hitting catchers in MLB. Amaya is usually solid as well. I’d rather keep Shaw.
Over
35 for his yearly gross?
Huh? Bellinger was already looking for 300 million.
MLB – Remember how I said Boras will ALWAYS want to settle for a higher amount than what was previously earned or offered?
Well there ya go, nearly half of the contract is deferred. This is why I didn’t bother posting until now, I just knew the Cubs weren’t dumb enough to give him $175M without heavy deferrals.
It’s the usual smoke-n-mirrors BS with both Bregman and Boras saving face by being able to say “we got more than last year’s highest offer” ….. yeah, right.
No Jiggs… This is a win now move- One the Cubs have been afraid to make since the Theo days- One that other large market teams make that the Cubs haven’t made and needed to- Last year ring a bell? He traded for Tucker and did nothing to support it. They are a better team now than the one that won 92 games last year… And almost all deals are overpays now.
They should trade for Luis Robert. They’d be set. Grant Kipp and Jostin Florentino.
I’d much rather see Dominguez and Jones compete for that last outfield position.
They will probably hold off until the trade deadline to decide if they want to go over the tax threshold.
DavRoz he will going back to the Dodgers on a heavily deferred 6-7 year deal.
Nope Craig Counsell changed to #11 when Tucker was acquired. Unless Craig changes his number again 11 is not available. 1,3,5,12,17,19, 20, 24,30 are all available. There’s more but those are off the top of my head.
I think he(Nico) just got married. I hope he doesn’t change his number. I don’t want two Nico jerseys one with the wrong number
Reading the article would answer your question.
Feel better about this with the dodger dogs …err deferrals.
Trade Nico to the Giants . . . for Robbie Ray? (Both are free agents at the end of the year. Both will lift their clubs.)
Moisés Ballesteros is no better than a backup catcher and is third string on the Cubs anticipated 2026 opening day roster. His defense is lacking and doesn’t figure to improve enough for him to ever be in the mix as a starting MLB catcher.
Ballesteros hitting is his plus tool and can become elite once he taps into his full power potential. His true standing as an excellent MLB player figures to come primarily as a DH like former Cub outfielder and “emergency” catcher Kyle Schwarber.
Aloha Jiggs, I don’t understand this at all. They finally spend some money. I thought it would be on King or Imai-san. Then let the young players have an opportunity like Caissie and Moises, along with Shaw and Horton. Building up a new young core. Don’t get me wrong, I have always liked Cabrera. But as soon as Jed did that trade, I knew he was still upset not getting Bregman last year. So what does he do, instead of a 2-3yr deal at most, he gives him 5yrs and a salary like he’s a superstar?! They better not trade Nico or Shaw away. Well, Alex will need to really produce to justify the highest salary on the team now. Mahalo
175 million for Bregman is way better than 184 million for Heyward. Can’t we as Cub fans be happy with this move.
KG- Just read the Cubs are deferring 70 million of Bregmans deal which means they are now under the Tax for 2026. Mahalo!
Aloha boots, I hear you. Difference is that Heyward was 26yrs old, coming off a 7.0 WAR season out of St Louis and played in 154 games in 2015. Bregman hasn’t come close to that production since he was part of the cheating scandal in Houston. In 2025 his injury limited him to 114 games, he wasn’t good coming back from the injury and ended the season with a WAR of 3.5. I’m sorry but that doesn’t warrant $175nil over 5yrs. BTW in his rookie season, in a 126 games and he got better as the season progressed, Shaw had a WAR of 3.1. I’m hoping for the best and that the $35mil man is the highest producer on this year’s team. Take care now. Mahalo
Aloha Uncle, thank you. Isn’t that amazing? Jed wasn’t willing to sign Imai. But willing to trade Caissie away, don’t get me wrong I like Cabrera very much, so he could have a cheap starter in order to sign his “boyhood crush” that he lost last off season. Well, I hope the $35 $30-31 with deferral) man is the biggest producer on this year’s team cause it would be embarrassing if a PCA, Busch, Nico would be. Yeah, I’m ranting a little bit, lol. Mahalo!
Well 70 million divided by 5 =14 million a year which means 35 million is now 21 million a year and gives them 14 million a year to play with. It’s not a bad move if what I read is true on the Cubs MLB site. Jed has improved the team on the field, The starters and the bullpen. Health willing of course. Jed actually earned my respect a bit. Pus adds a RH bat without ruining the defense. Not a bad job.
Aloha Uncle, I’ll get over it, lol! I’m not a Bregman fan but will see how it goes. Mahalo!
For CBT, it will be more like $6-7 million. A little more space for in-season improvements and injury replacements.
Plus it’s supposed to say above . LOL
Happ-PCA-Suzuki——————–OF
Bregman-Swanson-Nico-Busch——IF
Kelley-Amaya————————-C
Shaw-Alcantara-Austin—————Util
Ballesteros—————————-DH
Horton-Boyd-Cabrera,Jamo-Shota—Starters
Palencia-Harvey-Hodge-Maton-Webb–RH pen
Thielbar-Minter————————-LH pen
Rea-Assad-Brown———————Long and short
As the guy said in Robo Cop I’d buy that for a dollar!
Make that $4-5 million.
Well they don’t HAVE TO trade anybody now is really the point. I still think they might. I still think going after a guy like Gore is a good idea. I’d like it more if Gore was RH but he’s good and a reasonable cost control. I think a package starting with Ballesteros, Rojas and Florentino would get the Ball started. Ballesteros has no position to play.
2027 rotation- Horton-Gore-Cabrera-Wiggins- ( Wicks,Brown,Assad) Is good and not expensive.
I like it.
The pitching is still mediocre, but there’s good depth. If there’s a couple injuries, it shouldn’t be a huge hole. They’ll probably dumpster dive for the last two places on the roster.
Perhaps just enough of Bregman’s money is deferred so that they are present under the tax threshold!
Yeah, I think they’ll be going over it a bit this year, but they have over $100 million coming off next off-season. Who knows what will happen with the lockout expected?
That’s not how it works. According to Roster Resource, it’s 35 million. Cubs have 243 million, more than us. Shocked.
They are the same age as Ohtani. So you would pass on him?
What looks like #2 on your jersey from a far place? Suggesting it cuz that’s what Tayler Scott did.
If Bregman ends up with #2, Dansby really oughta wear #1.
Maybe Nico can sport #24…
It appears his new number as a Cub will 3. Bregman was sporting that number on a Chicago Blackhawks jersey he wore at their hockey game Monday night. x.com/CubsZone/status/2010912422681514365
Jiggs, I never loved the Swanson signing. Nico probably would’ve played at least as good, if not a better SS, than Dansby gave us last year. Not to mention, ‘26 and beyond. Dansby is a winner and great to have on the ballclub, but a slugging OF or FoR starter would’ve suited the Cubs needs better. If someone needs to be traded, Id prefer to see Dansby go w the Cubs extending Nico to play SS and giving 2B to Shaw. However, until Shaw proves himself as an everyday MLer, trading anyone will only weaken the team right now. And I fully understand trading Dansby would not be easy to pull off, as I believe he has a full NTC as well.
Cubs have a lot of players potentially moving on after ‘26 so I don’t think moving anyone makes a ton of sense right now. Extend PCA and Steele, maybe Boyd and Nico unless they are looking for a big FA payday, which I couldn’t fault them for wanting.
‘27 will likely feature
Horton
Steele
Cabrera
Wiggins
?
1B Busch
2B Shaw
3B Bregman
SS Dansby
C Amaya/Ballesteros(?)
CF PCA
RF ?
LF Alcantara (?)
CL Palencia
RH SU Maton/Hodge/Brown
LH SU Theilbar/Little/Martin
Cant be too mad about that
If you had been here the last 5 years, Nobody, And I mean nobody has bashed Jed Hoyer more than me and I cried when he got his extension. But if you’re going to bash somebody you have to be willing to reel it in and admit when they do something fairly well. I’ve been against signing Bregman since the beginning but it does help the RH bat situation while not making the best defense in the league worse. Will it work? IDK. We’ll see I guess. Bet you’re one of those guys who bashes Ricketts for being heap. How about now?
Aloha Uncle, I can attest to you critiquing Jed all these years, LOL! I think some of the moves we’ll be able to elevate better in a year or two. I didn’t like the Tucker trade and giving away so much controllable talent for 1 year of Tucker. Let’s also not forget Jed’s trade for Presley and Morin last off season and giving Cody away for nothing. Not good. Some speculate that Jed did the Tucker trade to save his rear end and get his extension. It did being in more folks to games at Wrigley. Tucker was at least as advertised for the first few months of the season. But I do wonder if Paredes, Cam and Cody were not traded away and Boyd still signed, do they still win 90-92+ games. Certainly it’s a good possibility. So Jed created part of this mess so he had to overpay for Alex. Also, if he hadn’t traded away all those players from the previous off-season, now he can let Shota go into the free agent market with no QO, sign Imai-san and still have a lot to trade with to get a Gore or Cabrera. And still give Shaw and Cam time to develop if needed. We’ll never know but in the scenario I gave above, I extend Nico knowing that either Shaw or Cam will be at 3B. I take a chance on not bringing back Seiya and Happ if we still have Cam/Caissie and Alcantara to work with. Long story short, I’ll give this off season some time and hope for the best. Mahalo!
A bunch of people said they had to make a big signing before Cubsfest on here and a day later Bregman gets signed. Nice work MLBTR comment section.
No, Cubs will trade Nico so Bregman get’s #2!
200% Lol
Haha, there has to be a less embarrassing way to admit you wanted your team to sign him. “overpay” lol, same tired loser response every time a stud player signs with any other team. He got what the market projected and the Cubs are flush with cash.
The name of the game this offseason. Look at Cease
Maybe. But truly cannot compare position players to pitchers. Especially one as good as Cease. Now if we are talking position players, I’m a bigger fan of Bregman than Alonso as a player – but the Alonso signing made much more sense than this.
Curious if you think King was an overpay.
Cease was a below average pitcher last year and 2 of the last 3 seasons. Strikes out a lot of guys and is durable but that’s still a big overpay for those numbers
Aside from strikeouts, Cease is barely above average. He hasn’t been “that guy”, since 2022.
His ERA+ was 94 last year. 100 is league average. Thats his worst since becoming a full-time starter. In 2023 he was just behind that, at 97. In the sandwich hear he was over 110 so he was pretty decent.
Cease is a #2 at best, not an ace, but for paid like and ace. Both were overpays, but I find Cease to be the bigger overpay given his more recent track record. Bregman provides what many teams value more than analysts, consistency on both offense and defense. The problem is how will he age. Can he play above average 3B for 5 years? Big questions.
Folks keep talking about Cease. He has been just average in 2023
Then you take Pete Walker and he takes the mistakes that Cease has been making and put in his stuff…he is going to be lights out this year…the Jays pitching staff od looking alot better than the most..And paying Bregman that..Bo is gone..There is no way they are paying 30 million plus for a guy who cannot stay healthy and is verry poor on defense
And 2024.
I agree he’s a number #2 when he’s on, but aces tend to command more than $30m/year
Walker is overrated. Credit for guys already good (FA’s) like Ray, Gausman, Bassit, Berrios. Kikuchi better since he left. Failed young studs like Romero, Pearson, Sanchez, Manoah, etc. Can’t name one home grown Jay pitcher that has prospered under Walker. Hope Yesavage is not another. I just don’t get the Walker glaze.
He gets credited for helping established pitchers re work their mechanics for better results. This is tantalizing for any pitcher, young or old. His development of young pitchers has a lot to be desired but you could argue the trainers / strength and development coach are just as much to blame. Good thing we have good coaches in our system.
Walker who?
In line with the Alonso and Schwarber deals, that’s the going rate this winter.
In line with Schwarber deal for a drastically less talented player
Dramatically differently-talented player?
Absolutely. Can you imagine what Schwarber would have done at Wrigley in 81 games. Huge overpay on Bregman
Bregman plays 3B. If he puts up 4-5 WAR consistently it’s not a bad sign, but he could also be Jason Heyward.
This possibly means Hoerner gets traded and Shaw slides over to 2B, which I don’t think is a bad move if it brings back controllable pitching.
Agreed. At this price point knowing how Henry will limit Breslow’s hand in future moves, I’m glad Boston didn’t re-sign him. Bichette now has one less team but much more leverage on both years and AAV.
Ridiculous statement. Schwarber and Bregman are completely different players.
You have to overpay for the superstars. This is the first time the cubs have sacked up and done it. Way to go Jed!
Is Bregman a superstar?
Not at all lol
In the hall of cheaters he is a massive superstar.
Super Star, Star, difference maker whatever you want to call him. Those players come with a premium.
He thinks like he is.
No he is not. Good solid player but not for that price.
He’s valued big time but two leg injuries in three years worries me and is why in my book, this is a huge overpay.
Enjoy the solid first half. If you didn’t like tuckers 2nd half this year you’ll hate Bregman completely fading and seeing your tribune calling for Shaw to take over.
Let’s keep the white sux drivel out of this adult conversation.
The Astros bought all his prime years.
Superstars, sure. Bregman and Cease however don’t sell tickets; they are stars but lacking the super part. That saying from the Incredibles – when everyone is special, no one will be – has come true…
Bregman sells tickets. Just look at the increase in Boston after signing him.
While Bregman was good with the young players, I don’t recall him ever stepping into the ticket window to sell tickets…
Ricketts finally opening the checkbook will bring fans in. After passing on Imai on a reasonable deal fans were getting a bit fed up. Fans want winners and there’s another window here the next couple years to make a run at it.
People paid to see Bregman. Ticket sales increased after he was signed.
Wrigley was gonna sell out regardless if they overpaid for Bregman. Which unfortunately they did. This is the one move I absolutely did not want to see.
Roman and Crochet sold tickets, not Bregman.
Winning sells tickets.
They have the best infield in baseball right now! Maybe, the best outfield? They’ve improved their pitching. Maybe, not done there.
They are now legit WS contenders. Well worth it. Besides, when did it become your money? This is what every fan hopes their team does. Go Cubs! Go Bears!
Skip’s Fungo
People paid to see Bregman.
============================
People don’t pay to see guys like Bregman, not now, not ever, and it is not even close.
They’ll pay to see him at Wrigley, Joe. Fact.
I’m no Bosox fan but that organization has no trouble selling tickets.
Youre right – you do overpay superstars , but at this juncture in his career and going forward, Bregman isn’t one – unlike Soto or Shohei. He is a solid to good 3B for,normally, 2 seasons . It’s the year 3-5 ones which will be costly as he will have to shift off 3B to more than likely DH.
But it does give the Cubs a 2 year window to be a top tier competitor .
That might be true. Then why do you overpay for Bregman as he enters his decline phase?
Speechless
Concur
So you prefer owners not spending money?
No i prefer a GM spending 20m on a top notch starter and 15m on a bat
20 million for a top notch starter was 10 years ago. 20 million in today’s money gets you Yusei Kikuchi.
Won’t truly know till the contract is over. If he can get back to being a 4.5 WAR player then it’s a fair contract.
If he is a 4.0 WAR player, he is providing $5 million or more surplus value on a $35 million AAV.
Here we go with $/WAR nonsense…as if you could ever build a winner spending according to that absurd calculation.
Turns out that you do. Analytics is like gravity – it doesn’t require you to understand it, believe in it or approve of it in order to work.
@bronyaur1
Oh, I understand analytics quite well, but only condescending lemmings follow a metric that bears no resemblance to the reality most clubs face. Call it a “What Big Markets Have to Overpay in Order to Outbid Another Stupid Big Market Team in an Artificially Restricted Market” metric and I’ll have no problem with its use.
Give me the $$$/WAR metric in a market where ALL players are free agents at once and then I’ll listen to the number. Hint: it’s far, FAR less, resembling the actual contribution to a winning ballclub than the inflated number you insist is meaningful.
Andrew Friedman: “If you’re always rational about every free agent, you will finish third on every free agent.”
Which should tell you something. Maybe it’s not the best strategy to throw big money at good players set to decline?
red – Bregman isn’t set to decline, he’s already declining. He had a good 6 weeks to start the season, then he crashed badly …. and yes, the crash started weeks before the injury.
His last 6 seasons he has just a .799 OPS which is good but not great. He’s now getting paid as if he’s gonna put up the same numbers from 2017-2019 which is absurd.
Red Sox Nation is very glad Sox management didn’t give him that contract, even with the deferrals.
I no longer like the greedy cheater.
By definition, its what he is worth on the market. Or don’t you know how free agency works?
Andrew Friedman: “If you’re always rational about every free agent, you will finish third on every free agent.”
Did he say that when he ran the Rays or the Dodgers?
Big time player agents just love hearing nonsense like that.
Yea this is a terrible deal. Props to the agent.
As a Cubs fan I’m loving this!
It’s only money dip$***!
Added an all star and made themselves a better team. Only people who are jealous dis this.
Plus a 5 year no trade clause.
I’m so happy he didn’t go to Detroit on a similar deal. What an awful contract Chicago just gave him..
I would have bet my house on Boston re-signing Bregman. Boston now has to focus 100% of its attention on Bo Bichette. Pay him whatever he wants for as long as he wants. Breslow & John Henry thought they could wait out Bregman and get him for 5/$150M or less, only to see the ‘low spending’ Cubs absolutely embarrass them on a national stage. I’m disgusted by Boston’s leadership.
If the Red Sox lose out on Bichette, they’ll be forced to overpay Geno Suarez and his 35% K-rate, not to mention Suarez’s defense is worse than Devers at 3B. I find it hard to blame Breslow solely for this; he has been ‘hard-capped’ by Henry. Wait until John Henry sees the negative publicity this will bring the team over the next few days. He’ll be forced to either open his wallet for Bichette or be forced by his FSG partners to consider selling the franchise as he will become public enemy #1 here in Boston.
Congratulations to the Cubs on a great signing, and I guess I’m happy the Yankees or the Blue Jays didn’t sign him. Boston has one legitimate move left (Bichette) and they’d better not screw this one up either.
What do you think of trading Duran for Hoerner or Shaw?
I think the Cubs would not do that. Now Jac Caglione for Hoerner would be something else. lol
It really depends on what else is coming along with Hoerner or Shaw.
An optimistic look at Hoerner puts him on par with Duran, but he only has 1 year of control remaining, so it’s hard to see him as the centerpiece in a Duran deal (Duran has 3 years of control remaining). I like the idea of Shaw, but he’s a free swinger who’s power was lacking last year. I’d want to see the Red Sox acquire another player like Suarez if this was the move – then he’d be a part-time starter behind Mayer/Suarez.
Bichette isnt a legitimate move.
They need DEFENSE on the left side of the infield, not another DH who stands on the field.
The glove at third is not the problem as Bichette would take over second with Mayer installed at third. As for Dorothy’s comment, this is one time I agree with Boston’s management. Bregman’s leg is a long term concern and this is a huge over pay.
GaSox – In a perfect world defense would be nice, but how many good 3B gloves are out there that can actually hit? Corner infielder positions are expected to generate offense. CF, MI and Catcher are the positions where defense matters more than offense.
3B is not a position where defense is as critical, especially with the shortstop being able to cover much of the ground to the 3B’s left. Didn’t you always say Xander made Raffy look better than he was? ;O)
I’m not understanding this deal. It’s a huge overpay. I’m curious how it puts pressure on and moves the rest of the FA and trade markets? As a Mariner’s fan, I sure hope this means Nick Hoerner is more likely to be dealt. He’d for so well at the top of our lineup.
@tens aces
I think hoerner gets traded, shaw moves to 2nd. Shaw is too talented to ride the bench or be UT. Maybe in a couple yrs bregman is DH & shaw moves back to 3rd
Cubs also coulda had cam smith & caissie in the OF i cant comprehend these cubs moves
Thank you Cubs, for getting him off the table before Arte Moreno could offer 8 /$250M.
Big time overpay.
Maybe. Depends on the net present value incorporating the deferred money.
Fangraphs crowdsource median prediction was five year deal for $31 mill AAV. He got 5 yrs, $35 mill, but some of that is deferred. If the deferment is equivalent to a 12% loss in net present value, then Bregman got EXACTLY what was predicted.
Better than the pathetically cheap POS Red Sox. Red Sox fans gas lit again that the Sox would be aggressive. They “tried really hard” but signed nobody
Yup.
Congratulations to Boras Corp on this deal. Boras is expert in working the clubs. His strategy of ‘just wait around and wait for one to do something stupid’ has proven a winner. If you just wait long enough and give them enough rope, they can’t resist.
Especially for a guy who’s injury prone for an injury that keeps him out for a long while. As a sox fan I am ok with this miss. Good guy and I wish him well, but $30+million is a lot of cabbage for an aging player. Let’s see who they do sign and judge it then.
Yes, way too old and will only be older by end of year 5.
Way over pay.. just watch he will end up hurt before the year is out. I rather have Shaw
Overpay because $35M for a ballplayer is absurd BUT not an overpay given the current money being thrown around in baseball.
Cubs fans should be elated. They now have one of MLB’s best players and if they can add an ace to their rotation they should be considered favorites in the NL Central, even over the Brewers.
I’m not a Cubs fan but this is a great move!
Boras keeps winning.
What? Whoa
They will be regretting that contract by year 2. The Cubs need pitching more than anything.
I don’t disagree on the Cubs system needing pitching, in general, but their rotation is like 10 deep right now, and their bullpen is well stocked also. Not the arms I would’ve liked to see signed, but legit ML relievers who can get outs nonetheless.
5 yrs/ $175M is nothing to the Cubs. Especially when Happ, Suzuki, Nico, Imanaga, Boyd, and Taillon, etc may all be coming off the books in ‘27. Over $100M. They should go out and sign Tucker now to lockdown RF since they traded Caissie. Act like a big market team for once, Cubbies.
5/175 wow
Big strike, huge for the Cubbies
Huge if you’re a cubs fan that isn’t that interested in long term success
Money is coming off the books. Imanaga, Suzuki, Happ, Hoerner, Taillon, Boyd all likely gone next year. This is a win now move that replaces someone like Happ or Hoerner once they leave. Teams were obviously willing to get near $175M so it’s odd for us as fans to claim overpay. Seems the market is a bit inflated.
@frankroo
When 29 other teams refuse to go there, how is it not an over pay?
Look up the winners curse. This is the way in any auction.
stymee
“When 29 other teams refuse to go there, how is it not an over pay?”
Then, is nearly every free agent signing or trade an over pay?
I imagine the Red Sox offer was also ridiculous. Bregman had himself a bidding war!
A lot of those 29 other teams wouldn’t go halfway there. Be realistic and you have to admit the target teams are a half dozen tops.
Silly argument; 29 other teams have different needs and also payrolls. They paid Bergman the market value for a player with his past statistical success. The Cubs can afford it and they got him to defer salary. At minimum, he will continue to be a capable DH in years four and five—and by then he may waive his no-trade clause if he feels it wasn’t working out in Chicago anymore.
The idea of building a WS team requires paying maximum value to as many players as possible and to also hold on to low cost, high potential assets as trade chips and/or lineup fillers.
The Cubs cannot rely on Shaw’s bat to bloom—no matter how good he was in minors. This signing gives them the best flexibility of a proven All Star and a potential All Star.
So everyone who wins an auction “overpays” bc they outbid everyone else..?
Because teams were willing to go there. Cubs only outbid the Red Sox by slightly more. This is the market right now.
what does long term success even mean? so if they don’t sign him, they probably continue with long term unsuccess… no difference.
How about those Reds?
Sjwil1 the Reds surely wouldn’t make a frivolous move like this – but what’s crazy is that not even the Mets would touch an overpay like this. Hope it works out!
Heck the Reds wouldn’t make a move anyway. Tito isn’t going to win the WS by himself.
Big Red… A 92 win team just got better.
@Big Red, Hard to look at this as a negative for the Cubs, this is a nice topper to an aggressive offseason. It’s only 5 years till 36 so the downside is limited.
Hilarious, if the Red Sox would’ve retained him on similar deal it would’ve been acceptable as them being aggressive to keep him. When the Blue Jays over spend on a future DH they are applauded, also when they sign a mid rotation guy with great stuff for $200M, then some nobody from NPB.
When the Cubs are FINALLY aggressive and spend after being mocked by every baseball writer in the country, they get bashed for over-spending.
I’ll be honest, Bregman wouldn’t have been my choice, as I believe given the chance, Shaw could produce at a similar level next season. But I am happy to see the Cubs finally acting as though they want to win.
I didn’t like the Dansby signing as I think Nico could’ve handled SS and they could’ve found an offensive player to man 2B, but acquiring winners is never a bad thing. I expect the Cubs will look to trade someone or at minimum let Nico walk next offseason and have Shaw takeover at 2B. Id rather have Tucker in RF and let Seiya/Happ walk next offseason with Ballesteros at DH, but regardless the Cubs are better tomorrow than they were today.
@Robert-5
I’m constantly amazed by how many fans embrace teams who “act” like they want to win, whether they do or not.
It’s absurd. There’s no virtue in action for action’s sake. There’s only smart moves and dumb moves. And this one is decidedly on the dumb side of the ledger.
@Avory I’m constantly amazed by how “dumb” some of these comments are. But here we are…
I didn’t want the sox to keep him for that much and that long. Good guy though.
The difference with Toronto is they have to overpay or most players won’t consider going to Canada. The Cubs don’t have that problem.
Giving up on bringing back Tucker, then trading Caissie makes them thin in the OF.
Then they create a surplus in the infield.
The only way this makes sense is if Bregman stays healthy (a huge issue as each year ticks off a deal that ends with him being 36 years old with probably STILL the highest AAV contract on the team)
AND Matt Shaw becomes a full time LF in 2026.
It would be idiotic to pay Tucker what the market will end up paying him. Hard pass.
Avory…
A 92 win team just got better. And you can’t name one FA who’s signed this offseason who wasn’t said to have been “overpaid” by all the “GMs” commenting on here. Get a grip.
Is Bregman better than Tucker? That is essentially the replacement they made.
@Avory- And I’m constantly amazed at fans who whine about signing very good players. Bregman makes the Cubs better. Period. Could they have spent their money elsewhere? Sure. But this unequivocally makes them a better team than they were last week.
Good comment rondon. A year ago, I wasn’t very keen on getting Bregman, but I’m ok with this now that Cam Smith was traded.
But I want no part of Tucker being back in town. I do want Nico to stay. The Cubs lineup sets up nicely with them both.
I’d be ok with keeping Shaw, but if they could move him for a Good young catcher – that’s fine with me. That is no slight to Ballesteros, he fills a nice role as LH DH and 3rd catcher.
Amen.
Cubs would have signed Tucker already if they wanted to. Failed in the clubhouse
No. Bregman is as solid as anyone in MLB. Cubs paid a high price but Bregman is a winner.
If the Red Sox had given Bregman this contract a large number of the fans would have said it was an overpay. There were plenty of Sox fans that were not thrilled with a 5 year deal and would feel this salary was far too much. I had not realized the Cubs were all in on him and figured he would be back in Boston for the rumored $160 million contract. Good for the Cubs for going for it.
@rondon
You have no way of knowing anyone “got better.”
But you sure as heck can jump up and down and be excited that a team did something. And categorically reject the notion that the money might have been spent in a manner that could have made the team even better.
Hallelujah for all that, I guess!
Avory- I’m constantly amazed by fans who call out others assumed stupidity and make judgements on moves without any more information than the web surfers thry are. Assuming Bregman is a BAD move assumes you know they had OTHER available moves to make – and also denies the team building process over a segment of further moves.
Cubs have infield depth to potentially flip for another starter….which they need.
What are you even talking about? None of that makes sense. “Thin” at OF. lol
I suspect the full story of Tucker’s weirdness will eventually come out. What it looked like from the outside is that he alienated his teammates with his supercilious self-presentation, and then didn’t back it up on the field. He is a snotty guy.
I wonder what would have happened if he ever HAD gotten a walk-off hit at Wrigley Field. Would any of his teammates have had the nerve to give him a Gatorade shower? I doubt it. He would have stopped them with that how-dare-you look of his.
For $240M, 4 years?!!
Ha!
wow overpay honestly
That’s the way it’s going this offseason. Look at Cease
Cease got the reliable pay. With deferrals hits like $26 mil a season. Reasonable with the cost of pitching.
Maybe if cease was good… he’s just average, who might shine for a game or two.
He’s very good. The men running the front offices don’t care that much about the antiquated ERA stat.
@Draven Very reasonable with average starters getting nearly $20 million. The Phillies gave Taijuan Walker $17 million and that was 3 years ago.
And the Cubs spent 30 mill a year (with deferrals considered) on an everyday player considered a Top 5 FA. Be consistent with your rationale. Cease has had arm injuries in the past, just as Bregman has had injuries. Injuries are part of the gamble for any player—any player.
The only way a player with Bergman’s stats makes less than 25 mill in 2026 is that he’s on his rookie contract and outplaying it—like PCA did this past year. Baseball is a tough sport, and the only way to guarantee success is to accumulate talent, regardless of who gets paid what. Balancing out the overpaid and the underpaid is key—but so too is investing fully rather than holding back out of fear a player won’t perform to salary.
No fans ever complain when a player is making very little and underperforms. Fans were not like, well, PCA can regress because he’s only getting paid a million. Lmao. Fans and FO were both hoping he’d keep playing to MVPete level, frustrated when he slumped.
Did they spend that though? Maybe the Cubs have made an entrance into the ” Deferred Money” Field to stay under the tax and keep everybody? It doesn’t say now does it?
Mike
Bingo, you are right. Just enough was deferred to keep them under the tax threshold.
Space aliens did NOT kidnap Ricketts and replace him with a clone after all.
deferring money doesn’t affect the luxury tax.
Wow button..
👇👇👇
WOW
Good for him
Stay away from Bichette and Tucker Boston.
Saurez is your fit.
Pass
Suarez is returning to Seattle
Gawd,I hope not.Ms need someone who can hit over the Mendoza Line.Mastrobuoni has more potential,if given a chance.
Are you insane?
Mastrobuoni with his TWO career home runs, lol! And a 64 OPS+. What a hitter!
Looked awful two years ago and after the return. He simply does not see the ball in Seattle.
Red Sox will move Mayer to 3B and pray.
Boston Bo
Kodion- lord I hope not. Of all the available free agents for the infield, the one id want least on my team is bichette.
GASoxFan
Rest assured, I don’t want to see him in Boston. If he’s not going back to the Jays, I would rather see him go to the
Phillies … or even the Dodgers!!
@GASoxFan,
Hey, I’m on my way to the legal recreational weed store nearby in Redwood City, California. Can I pick anything up for you while I’m there?
Bart- LOL… unless they’ve got some sanity on the rack, or, some kind of Wiccan group next door that can channel Larry lucchino’s spirit to possess John Henry, im probably good!
This big ol’ country and it sounds like I’m only about four hours away from the bad boy of the Baby of the Year competition?
I can recommend the mango sativa gummies! It’s easier on the lungs than smoking a spliff.
GA, Bichette will hit a ton in Fenway. Unfortunately, I don’t see Sox ownership getting it done. Another trade or two is more likely. If the DH slot gets opened, Suarez becomes a fit but not at third. Mayer gets his shot.
GA- Why so negative on Bo? He should provide solid offense, is younger, and with a switch to 2nd should not be a defensive liability. He is an injury risk, but with Bregman gone they need to do something.
Strongly disagree GA. Bichette fits the sox as a 2B and their timeline much better than any of the free agents from this year. I’ll takme my chances on the younger guy who at least can find a defensive home over any of the aging players that were on the board.
Sox have a 2B already – his name is Trevor Story.
If the eye test didnt tell you that he needed to move back like he did when Xander was in town, the stats and metrics, everything from his range to his errors should.
Boston needs a legitimate defender for the left side of the infield. PERIOD.
really they need two, one to slot next to Mayer, then a decent backup for Mayer given the kid is 0-4 in making it through a year of pro baseball without a season ending injury.
Overpaying for Bo fixes neither problem, and Arias is still a way aways too
GA- I believe I read that Bo was open to trying both 2nd and 3rd which gives a bit more flexibility. The main thing he brings is the bat we desperately need. Story can manage short for another year even if it is not ideal. See how Mayer is after coming back from the injury. With Devers and Bregman gone our offense is weaker than last year and even that could not get it done. Contreras would give us about what we had with Bregman so we still have not replaced Devers who was our power bat until the trade.
I don’t think there is any chance they get Bo anyway because he is going to be well above their budget so it is all a moot point.
Arias is most likley two years out so not a ways away. Story can hold it down for a year if needed before turning it over to Mayer if he has to. I’d take my chances with Bichette he is younger, a better hitter and has way more upside and despite what you say Bichette woul easilty solve the problem at 2B or maybe third certainly more so than an aged Bregman.
@Bart- Are you in mourning Bob Weir passed?
Yes, it’s a sad day for American music and the Bay Area. I just read that he grew up nearby in Atherton (and was expelled from the Menlo School.😂)
Marcello has that no problem
That’s EXACTLY where we are headed. Then Trade & extend Skubal. Keep leading MLB the next 2 decades like the last 2.
@BetterMuppet – Suarez is a terrible fit in Boston. His strikeout rate is far too high, his contact rate is far too low and his defense at 3B is bottom 10 in MLB. The only ‘attractive’ side of Suarez is that he can be had for a 2-3 year deal and not 5+ years Bregman & Bichette require.
Bichette is a perfect fit in Boston. He’s a RHH with great strikeout rates (under 20% consistently), he’s an extra base hit machine and he will plug a huge hole at 2B defensively in Boston. He’s quite young too, so you’ll get 4-5 years of prime Bichette and if the contract is priced correctly, he’ll only be 35 or 36 years old by the time this contract expires. With his immediate move to 2B, there are no concerns over his defensive range at SS or possible arm strength at 3B. The Sox have those spots covered anyways by Mayer, Story and Arias / Soto.
Red Sox – Lock Bichette up immediately!!!
Dorothy – Story is actually better suited to 2B than SS already, and, Mayer is showing the same durability problems as his minor league career – season ending injuries in each fo his first 4 seasons.
Arias is something to hope for, but, left side of the infield remains a mess for boston.
Id rather not see Bichette come to town, but, also pray nobody from StL is looked at as the answer either. The irony is bichette is one of the very very few SS who played worse in a large sample than story from a defensive standpoint.
What does Story’s metrics look like if you remove September? I’m not a metrics’ person but from the eye, he looked different in September and perhaps it was fatigue given he hadn’t played a full season in years.
Dorothy- If they were not going to outbid the Cubs for Bregman, who was their top choice, I don’t think there is any way they will pay Bo what he is looking for. I really thought they would bring back Bregman, granted the contract he got was a major overpay.
As a jays fan…..I would love to see an over pay for a Suarez in Boston.
Why would the Red Sox pay someone nearly as much as Devers who is not as good? If they were smart enough to let Bregman sign with the Cubs for that amount, they aren’t dumb enough to sign Suarez.
Its starting to look like Mayer at 3B, Story at SS, Campbell/Romy at 2B, Contreras at 1B.
Which, is far preferable than adding Bichette or arenado to the mix.
I think Rafaela gets more infield time than expected. Not ideal, but keeps everyone’s bat in the lineup. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the starting 2B. Casas in AAA, Yoshida at DH. I’d like Bichette, but John Henry isn’t green lighting any contracts longer that 4 years imo.
Let me get this straight…. you are against signing 28 year old Bichette who is righty bat that led the league in Hits last year even with missing almost a month because of injury? He can also lead off and get Anthony out of being wasted in that spot. SMH
Cooper – that is correct.
It’ll require an albatross contract, and, make what was a bad defense much much worse. Our outfielders are good, but, they cant do the infield jobs for them.
Offense wins games. Defense and pitching wins championships.
GA: signing Bichette to play second or third would not make the defense appreciaable worse.
Offense does win games and without offense you aren’t getting to a championship level.
Acell, the only reason Bo doesnt make the defense drastically worse is because it was already HORRIBLE. Look at where they ranked with errors – granted, not the be all end all of measuring a defense, but, there were many blown plays that had trickle down effects, raising pitch counts, extending innings allowing scores, etc as well.
You might be *VERY* optimistic about the sides having a CBA in place. I don’t expect Arias to be ready this season. I expect a work stoppage which as we saw during the last CBA and the covid window, which did set back player development. You look at the whole situation, and the more likely it becomes arias isnt ready in 2027 or even possibly 2028
Acell10- I agree. I would not be overly concerned about the defense at this point. It was not great last year and if we had another bat who knows how far we could have gone.
I just can’t imagine the Sox are going to give Bichette the contract he is looking for. I assume he is going to get both a longer and more lucrative deal than Bregman so even with his age being considerably younger I don’t think the Sox are likely to give out the big contracts they used to anymore.
I know Bo was horrible at Short but I doubt he will be playing there if he signs the sox. At least not for an extended period of time.
Uncle: mostly yes but Bichette isn’t a 30 player. If what Cotillo said is true adding 3 more years at that AAV to sign Bichette shouldn’t be as much of a problem issue although it probably will.
Albatross of a contract? He is projected to get 8 years / 202 mill. That’s 25 per year through age 35 year. Alot better than declining Bregman 32+ Million through age 36 year season. 4 to 5 years of Bichette’s would be in his prime… none of Bregman are in his prime.
Defensively, Bichette would be fine at 2B or even 3B as his range at SS is his biggest issue. As far as Story, I agree moving him off SS is the correct move and Mayer should be the SS, and enough with the injury prone crap on Mayer… stuff happens, but it doesn’t mean it will continue to plague him. .
Cooper- I just don’t know if the Sox are willing to give that kind of contract. I think they may feel a bit desperate because they likely thought they had Bregman back. That may make them go out of their comfort zone especially if Bichette is good with a chunk of it being deferred. I do think they feel strongly that they want to add another piece to the offense and they are running out of players to go after.
If they were willing to go 5 for 165 for Bregman for years 32-36,,,,,, why not offer the same thing for Bichette for years 28-32?
Not as long… but higher $ per season. Maybe you give him an opt out after season 3 and 4.
Fenway, years and AAV.
Spoken by a true Yankees fan
Good move for cubs…
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
A 5 WAR third baseman? That’s a funny signing to you?
Prob more of a 3-4 fWAR guy these days but sure
Semantics but he hasn’t put up 5 WAR since 2022. Congrats, regardless. Cubs making moves.
3-4 WAR guy that also recently had injuries and is a small body which does not combine well with bat speed
Don’t get me wrong I love bregman as a player but he does not deserve to make more per year than guys like Jose Ramirez
Ramirez signed an incredibly team-friendly deal. There are many less deserving guys making more than him.
How many 4/5 WAR guys do the Cubs have?
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
He was a 3.5 WAR player through 114 games last year. If he had played a full season, he would have been around 5 WAR.
This is a good deal for Chicago. 3rd base is a thin position all over MLB so the overpay is justified for a clubhouse leader who is exceptional defensively and rock solid offensively.
Besides two seasons in his career he has been durable too. This contract goes through his age 36 season.
Age 37 if next season is cancelled due to lockout. Too long and too much money for a player on the wrong side of 30.
Pretty sure contracts aren’t extended if they lose time to a strike, they just don’t get paid if they are on strike but the rest stays the same.
It becomes a 4 year deal if the owners lockout the players in 2027.
Next season isn’t going to be cancelled, no matter how many of you are hoping it will be.
Your a Moron. He is 31 years old. Lockout, he’ll be 33 years old. He is a huge leader for younger players also. The influence with Matt Shaw, could turn Shaw into All Star.
A year’s lockout will take Bregman as a Cub to 2032, which is what the front office is concerned about.
Your ability to post emojis is not evidence that you understand the economics of baseball.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Wow
Good fit
Wow!
now the cub fans who say “the cubs never spend any money” can shut up
No, they will forget about this in about 2 days.
But they NEVER will. They will spread hate and poison because they don’t like the politics of some of the ownerships family.
I like ownership’s stance on not signing overpaid underperforming liability free agents and I’m pissed they’ve gone back on it. This signing will age like milk left on the counter.
You must be a White Sox fan who cares more about the Cubs than your own team
Is there any other kind of White Sox fan?
They’re the same ones who were complaining about Ebenezer Ricketts and Jed Cratchet as recently as an hour ago.
With good reason.
Woah. Nico Horner gets traded to SF
Not going anywhere. Shaw becomes utility until/if Nico leaves
I’d take Nico over Shaw any day, and I love Shaw.
Oh no, somebody went to their friends funeral and then talked about how Jesus loved his enemies. How dare he!
I feel exactly the same
I was responding to
“I would take Nico over Shaw every day, and I love Shaw”
Keep Nico. Trade Shaw
Nico is a free agent at the end of 2026. If they can extend Nico, then yes, trade Shaw. Otherwise, Shaw replaces Nico in 2027 as the 2B.
In your dreams Splinky. This signing in no way affects Hoerner.
Skip
Agree. Other than that it lessens their pressure to extend Nico past 2026.
Oh my God welcome to the offseason Jed Hoyer. But seriously, aren’t they all overpaid?
Every time people say these guys are overpaid think what that really means. All professional sports make money hand over fist. If the players aren’t getting big contracts that’s just more money for the owner to shove in his pocket. I applaud every player for getting what he can.
No, no, no.
Teams, like any business, have a budget. If Bregman gets $35MM of it, then that leaves less.money for other players, and Nico leaves. Every signing effects the overall quality of the entire roster. Better at 3B, but don’t expect that big pitching move, or that OF move. The money going to the players doesn’t change, nor the money going to the owner.
Many just see it as owners vs players, when all of us are fans, and we know that a bad distribution of resources will limited our club, (with the deferrals, I think it will be a good move but market price) we will see.
Millionaires vs billionaires, but ticket prices go higher and higher.
RF
“ticket prices go higher and higher.”
Economics 101
A product will cost what people are willing to pay for it.
People are willing to pay billions to MLB
MLB employees, mostly the baseball players, get some portion of that. I think the players deserve as much as possible and the owners deserve less, relatively.
The only way ticket prices will come down is if fans are not willing to pay the high prices
Exactly this. The money is there. The issue is how it is allocated among the factors of production.
@Red. Have you ever seen a team lower ticket prices while putting a sub standard product on the field year after year?
Prices for everything go higher every time the government prints money. That is a non partisan statement as both sides have those printers running to our detriment.
Yes, the Federal Reserve rules, no matter which party is “in power.”
Doesn’t Boras negotiate directly with ownership?
Whomever can get the contract signed. That’s who you negotiate with.
Whoa
If Breslow whiffs on Bichette I’m gonna lose it.
Get ready to lose it
The Red Sox plan was to get Bregman on their terms or go with Mayer at 3B. Breslow and Sam Kennedy showed their cards on how they approached the offseason with WEEI recently. The only difference is they wised up and didn’t attack the fans.
I’m happy with Mayer at 3B. Need Bo at 2B. Absolutely have to have another RH bat with some pop.
Mayer is a good look on paper, but his durability hasn’t impressed me. I’m glad they shored up the 1B problem from last year (no every day 1B), but now if Mayer cant stay healthy they potentially have that same issue at 3B.
Bichette to the Red Sox would surprise me… He’s not going to be cheap.
100% he deserves more years at the same rate
Bo’s not worth $35 million a year. Bregman really isn’t either. But Tucker is.
Wait- If they are not going to match the Cubs offer to Bregman, there is no way they pay the asking price for Bo. My guess is another trade with the Cardinals.
slowcurve
If Bo goes to Boston, I’ll be forced to burn a Blue Jays jersey!
I don’t see Bo as good fit in BOS. He likes to hit the ball to the right field power alley so he won’t be tattooing the Monster.
I am a Jays fan. I will not miss Bo. He is getting thicker and slower every year. His 2024 was a warning. I think he will decline faster than most.
I think the probability of them giving Bo what he wants is very unlikely. I expected them to bring back Bregman, now I have my doubt that they are going to add another significant offensive piece. Unfortunately this puts us in the same position as last year where we likely don’t have the offense to go deep in the playoffs.
Woah. Horner goes to SF now?
Bets on Seattle for him.
Why does this have anything to do with Hoerner, who plays a different position?
Because this makes him superfluous?? They will rotate positions which leaves him without an everyday spot and he’s getting 12 mil this year. Have to ditch some money now that they’ve got to pay Bregman 35 mil average for the next 5 years. How DOESN’T that make sense?
The Cubs window is this year. They have a ton of FA after this year besides Hoerner: Happ, Suzuki, Taillon, Imanaga plus half the bullpen.
I would be stunned if they trade Hoerner this year and then try to find a halfway decent utility IF in case there is an injury.
No chance, Hoerner isn’t getting traded. Shaw becomes utility for at least one year then can go to second if Nico isn’t resigned.
I agree. Unless Hoerner and other pieces could be traded for Skubal or Duran, then I think he is staying out.
Hex
“Have to ditch some money now”
Why do you believe that this is true?
Because they are committing 35 million more than before. That’s a huge chunk of change. What part of that didn’t make sense to you?
How does signing Bregman to play 3B make a 6 WAR 2B superfluous? Literally the best 2B in baseball last year and you think that the Cubs will trade him because they signed a 3B? Why do they need to “ditch some money”? How does anything you said make any sense?
Hex, none of it makes any sense. The Cubs don’t have to cut payroll. They are a top 5 revenue team. They haven’t spent doesn’t = they can’t spend. Plus, they have $100 million coming off the books at the end of the 2026 season. Nico won’t be traded. Especially not to try to save money.
@skipsfungo
Why? Its called a budget. When over budget, you make cuts.
They have $100MM coming off the books. To keep those same players will cost more than $100MM. This is the last go round before the rebuild. Have fun Bregman!
If they are 10 games under .500 in July they will trade Hoerner. They are legit going for it this year.
stymee
“Why? Its called a budget. When over budget, you make cuts.”
What is the team’s budget for this year?
How do you know?
I guess people really want Shaw playing full time at one position, but I don’t think that’s wise given how streaky he was last year and they’re in a spot where they need consistency to keep on contending. For the most part Bregman has consistently been very good. Given that Bregman and Swanson are in their 30s, though, and that Hoerner is almost 30, maybe they plug Shaw in the lineup as the utility guy and they rotate him in while DHing the veterans to save their legs. He could get a lot of playing time in this role to further establish himself as a MLB player.
The Cubs have not said they are over budget. They have not shown they are over budget. In fact, after signing Bregman they said they have needs they want to fill and are still looking at other free agents as well as trade targets. What gives you the idea they have to cut payroll?
I hope they keep Nico, but honestly I can see them trading him now because the money would take them back under the luxury tax and they likely could get a pretty good package or prospects to re-stock the farm with Shaw moving over to 2nd. With the 2027 season in jeopardy you might also not want to make him the qualifying offer since he’d likely accept and then your paying him for a lost season and then eventually he walks with no draft pick attached the following year. Trading him now removes all the risk. I hope it doesn’t happen, but it makes a lot of business sense.
I don’t get it. Fans keep talking about the Cubs staying under the CBT threshold but Hoyer said that it was not a consideration. Who knows the Cubs plans better, Hoyer or fans?
I soooo hope it’s the Yankees. I like Hoerner and the Yankees need more guys like him.
Clip, after the season ended, Hoyer indicated the Cubs needed more hitters of Nico’s style. Put the ball in play, more often. Make productive outs.
Bregman fits that style. I don’t anticipate Nico getting traded this offseason.
Better yet, try not to make an out. That’s productive.
TBH we don’t need him this year, and I don’t want yet another guy on an expiring contract that’s going to cost us prospects and not stay.
I like the player, but that’s the reality of it.
No they don’t, yankees don’t need any winners , keep losing , keep the fundamentals of the game out of spring training every year, would be great.
Steve, I don’t think we agree on what great means….. lol.
Nico does not get traded. He’s too valuable to the team. He plays SS in a Dansby injury among many other things.
Again, you have to think about how much he’s getting paid when they could have a guy in his first two years of a rookie contract get reps while they now have to shell out a huge contract. He’s probably getting shipped out.
The only way he’s shipped out is if they’re out of contention at the trade deadline. Highly unlikely.
They won’t trade Hoerner. They’re all in for this year and Hoerner is a crucial piece of the up the middle defense. The most reliably clutch player on the team as well. I also don’t think the Cubs wanted to have both Shaw and Ballesteros starting for this season.
Obviously, the Cubs are going all in to win this year. They’re not trading Nico.
No more Matt Shaw!
No more Hoerner, most likely. Shaw can move to 2B.
But why? As good as nico is he’s not going to be very expensive
Matt Shaw is pre arb so he is making league minimum. Hoerner is getting 12 mil. Simple math even if Hoerner is overall better. Gotta ditch money somehow to pay for Bregman.
Why do you have to ditch money. The cubs can afford to go over the luxury tax.
Nico isn’t goin anywhere they’re trying to win in ‘26. If Nico isn’t resigned Shaw can play 2B next year.
16
This is my guess. Cubs keep Nico for 2026 and give him a QO knowing that he will decline.
Not much value in the QO if they are over the tax
Nah they aren’t moving Hoerner.
Fucj yeah
I hate Sox management. Since the Mookie trade this organization has destroyed an all time great franchise in sports
I understand my son is a diehard sox fans and I agree they been cheap. But thats a massive contract for breg and he does get hurt. I don’t blame them here
All-time great? Before 2004, they went 86 years without winning a chip….
Then won in 07, 13, and 18, so chill on that
They been fantastic since 04 as a franchise and they always were in it. So yeah definitely a great franchise.
They have the most titles this century, Jerry
But he said all-time great. They were an unsuccessful franchise for much of their history.
I’m not even a Red Sox guy and I have massive respect for them because they have the most WS wins this century. What are you even talking about?
Sorry not a millennial, and we have 75 years to go….
Forget History all. Just look at the Henry ownership period. U.S. fans were impressed and ecstatic at first but in recent years they run Fenway Group as a conglomerate taking Sox profits and spending more where they see future higher returns such as LIV golf, Liverpool and the Penguins. They now treat fans like sheep as they believe Fenway is a destination, which will get filled regardless of the on field production. Thus, while many other big market clubs spend and rebuild simultaneously, they act like the smaller valued clubs and ended up closer to last in more years since 2012 than they’ve been trying to win a championship.
*Us fans.
Chaim-I think Dewey’s point is that at one point they were 100% focused on the Red Sox and now they have expanded into other sports so the financial commitment is spread out among their investments. This is likely good business as many owners do it, but they have stopped handing out the huge questionable contracts to get who they want no matter what.
It is not to say they are not putting money into the team, but they are not spending like they used to which limits the free agents they are going to get and makes it more challenging to compete with teams like the Dodgers.
They had said the main goal this offseason was to get a #2 starter and a power bat and they did not really do either. That doesn’t mean they did not add some solid players through trade to remain competitive.
@Hex He’s talking about their entire history, from 1901 onward.
They may have tried here
I hate fans like you that cry when our 4x World Series winning management makes a great decision to not match an awful contract. Grow up.
Sam? Sam Kennedy is that you? I can tell the tone by attacking the fans.
Yeah I’m Sam Kennedy
How did your boy Mookie look this year? How about Xander? You still want Devers back too I’m guessing? Go out to the west coast you can have all of them in the NL west trash can.
Mookie had a higher bWAR than every starter in Boston in 2026. Bogaerts definitely not worth that contract though.
Mookie value at this point is his defensive flexibility. The numbers he puts up are acceptable for a middle infielder, but not an OF. He can’t steal bags or hit for power anymore. He will be slugging under 400 next year.
good thing he’s a middle infielder then
Soxfan1- I don’t know that any of the huge contracts given out to top talent end well, but they have had many years of Mookie providing outstanding speed, offense, and defense. He has been one of the most consistent players for the last 10 years, so you take the years of superior play with the understanding you are going to be having to pay for the years when his talent is waning. That is part of the game.
Chaim- Every team that signs players to massive long term contracts is going to deal with players on the roster who are declining. It is a matter of balancing it out and making sure you don’t have too many over the same period of time. Obviously some teams have not done well with this and end up with too many aging players who are eating up space. How often do players remain superstars at the end of their contracts? There are many players who are or will be aging much less gracefully than Mookie.
I agree the Dodgers are going to have to either buy out or find some way to use those aging contracts, but it was probably worth it with back to back championships. Much like the Yankees have dealt with on players like Stanton, etc. I think they will be good with Judge as he will be a solid DH when he is past his peak in the field, but they have been bogged down with aging players over the years while still remaining competitive.
Sam Kennedy stop using the alias.
They could still go for Bichette…
Bang bang!!!
I wonder how long it’ll take for his hamstring to snap this year
Incredible! Thought Boston for sure!
Absolutely so happy he went elsewhere
Wow. Cubs spend big!
Ooooh shiiiiite! That’s a surprise to me with the kids they got, all of which are good.
Still Holy cowsers!
5 X 37.5 ?
X35
I think it’s 35M AAV
Tough day for the Ricketts doesn’t spend crowd.
Holy overpay
Depends of the deferrals.
YES
babushka
Disastrous contract for the cubs!!! What an absolute joke!!!
Gotta do what you gotta do. Jays did the same with Cease
Don’t you think that the last season or two of every one of these huge contracts is a disaster?
I’d take a slight overpay of a productive player over their usual sign 7 crappyplayers equaling 35 million dollars
They have saved a lot of money the last four years. Time to spend it. The last I looked they still only have 13 position player spots to optimize.
As a frustrated Cubs fan it is nice to see them step up but I would’ve preferred Bichette. This contract won’t age well. He isn’t worth 30 a year let alone 35. Would’ve rather paid Suarez 2/44.
With his strikeout rate? Nah brah.
Yeah the SO rate is brutal but if he would take 2 years I would’ve preferred that over this. No way this contract ages well. Bregman can’t stay healthy now as it is.
He tied for 38th in games played over the past four seasons…
I would have preferred to extend Nico Hoerner.
I would take Bregman over Bichette rather easily though.
After this they still have less than $80m committed for 2027, they’ll be fine whatever happens. I do expect the end of it to be ugly but what can you do.
Suarez is asking for 3/60+
Starting pitching and hitting 3-run homers play big in the postseason. Geno Suarez hit 49 homeruns last year. That’s a lot.
@ skips fungo
What Suarez is asking for and getting are.two different things.
If I’m the Red Sox I’d rather have Suarez playing home games at Fenway for the next 3 years at $60M, versus Bregman at $175M/6. May not get quite as much production from 3B over those first 3 years, but that leaves them more money to allocate elsewhere, and they’re likely much better off in the out years.
Sty, this site predicted 3/63 for Geno. So far all the top FA position players have signed for more than anyone expected other than the Japanese players. What makes you think Geno will sign for less than expected?
OK, so this is happening.
Helps get cornerstone franchise third baseman traded then leaves after missing a substantial part of the year injured.
Devers was not a cornerstone nor a franchise anything, let alone a 3B. Devers own actions led to his being traded. He was not a team player. It was not an accident that the team started winning as soon as he was out of the clubhouse.
Bregman had nothing to do with the FO deciding they were better off with Devers gone. Bregman was signed to what could be a one year deal, so they knew that there was a chance they would lose him. Devers was traded because they felt they would be a better team without him and trading him would clear $200+ million off the books to sign other players that were team players.
Skip — HAHA skip oh skip, the world must be filled with one big coincidence after another, right?
Cleveland, what you are saying is that you have no idea what happened in Boston regarding Devers.
Skip: No matter how many times someone explains exactly what you just stated, people are going to complain about the FO getting rid of “The Cancer”.
Bregman was a big loss for the Sox, but trading Devers was a great move on their part.
Devers had a great bat for Fenway and a plus hitter overall. His defense was horrible.
The big problem this is the second year the management lied to the fans. They said they were going to get a big bat and a top pitcher. they went dumpster diving again for ok guys and not bigger quality.
Gray, Oviedo, and Contreras is not dumpster diving. That is a #2, a #4, and a top notch 1B with the bat and glove. I agree that they still need a RHB, but the offseason is not over and Bichette is still on the market.
That said that was the goal. It was never guaranteed. No team has that ability. Not even the dodgers.
0/3 on ex-Astros, trying for 0/4?
LMAO 🤣
Hoerner to Seattle now?
Yep, this would be a great move for Seattle.
The Cubs are in win now mode, so the Mariners would have to give up MLB players to get Hoerner who had a 6.2 WAR last season and 15.4 WAR the past 3 seasons.
To give you something to compare Hoerner’s value to, Woo had a 4.2 WAR last season. He was their top pitcher. No Mariners pitcher has had 15 WAR the past 3 seasons.
So what MLB players are the Mariners sending to Chicago?
What? Tucker was great.
cubs went nowhere in 2025, astros win the deal
Astros didn’t make the playoffs at all, Paredes got hurt, and Smith had a 1.9 WAR and 87 OPS+. Astros may have won the trade over time, but Tucker was well worth it for Cubs.
Skip
Agree. Paredes was not hitting with the Cubs. Shaw looks at least as good as Cam Smith to me.
If Smith gets better, maybe both teams will win the deal.
Cubs should have kept Paredes for third base.
What about W. Abreu?
Dumped Devers for Bregman now either one!
Bichette is worth 36 now…
Bichette doesn’t offer the defense that Bregman does. He should be less. (Which means nothing.)
Dumped Devers because of his bad behavior.
Funny, he signs and it’s overpay. If he goes somewhere else, Jed is an idiot.
Most free agents are overpays, and if their not they aren’t good! If you want a deal draft Tom Brady!
Guess the Red Sox didn’t value his leadership that much.
Guess bellinger just got a little closer to that rumoured $37m aav
Yeah that sort of validates why Bellinger isn’t backing down. If Bregman got that, so can he.
Im not a cubs fan but its really not that bad because its only 5 years so you dont have any of the obvious bad years at the end of a mega contract.
If they care about the CBT, the high AAV could influence them signing other high-priced players.
@dig
You forget that he’s older than most of those players that signed 7 year contracts. Cubs are getting years 3-7. Those obvious bad years are still included.
There was no way any deal he signed could be seen as good. Way too much for too long.
For that money, you could have 7 fine ladies every night for the next 60 years.
“ladies”? 🙂
I think it’s actually 8, but you may be allowing for more inflation than me.
You know what they say about village bicycles…. Everyone has had a ride.
And how many “course” ones?
It’s an overpay, but that defense just got even better.
Shaw was gold glove considerations. Bregman is slightly better… for now.
Shaw was at the bottom of the barrel in exit velocity, and pretty much every other hitting stat. His StatCast page is all blue under offense other than Whiff%. Even his defense was way below average. 36th percentile in OAA and a -1 FRV.
By way of comparison, Bregman was in 83rd percentile in OAA and a +3 FRV.
Bregman has much better range and a better glove.
Wow, kinda shocked he got a deal that big, it didn’t seem like there was a ton of interest in him, or at least not enough to get him to 5 years at $35 million a year.
It only takes two aggressive suitors for a bidding war. Just never guessed that Cubs would be one of them.
But it was done in time for fan fest. Haha!
Cubs Convention starts the 16th, right?
They are saying the Red Sox aggressive offer was 5/160 and that they were not the highest offer other than the Cubs.
Ended up it was 5/165 or 5/115 after $12 million per year in deferrals. What was aggressive about that? Red Sox were outbid by $60 million.
Exactly what I was thinking. For a player who will hit around .270 and hit around 18 homers. Super star money!
Overrated and now over paid.
Im glad the Tigers didn’t go there. Hopefully this opens the floodgates for signings.
Dangit! Reds better do something big now for sure
Reds dodged a bullet. Trade for Shaw and you win
Big for Cubbies. Other big name free agents loving that price point
The effing what? What are we doing with Shaw? I was good moving on from Tucker and not signing Bregman. Would’ve preferred Bichette, more contact guy although Bregman has been on a lot of winning Astros teams. I am conflicted about this signing…
Bichette can only play 2B, or SS if you close your eyes. Cubs cannot use him.
Bichette struggles on balls hit to the left side. 3B is not the best option for him.
Opposite
It’s a reaction time thing off righties to the pull side.
So just place Bichette on the foul line. Any thing to his left won’t matter.
My guess. Hoerner plays 2B in 2026, Shaw plays 2B in 2027. Shaw can play utility in 2026 or DH if they trade Ballesteros.
Signing Brean only makes sense to me if Hoerner was asking even MORE than than for an extension.
Trading a hitter with Ballesteros potential would be one of the dumbest moves they could make. I absolutely don’t care that he’s likely a DH – – because he’s also a likely third catcher.
I personally would like to see them keep all of Kevin Alcantara, Moises Ballesteros, Shaw and Wiggins.
The only “prospects” that I would be ok trading are Brown and Wicks.
If they must get below the tax, they can trade one of Taillon, Shota or Rea after Steele is back and they have a sense of how the rotation is doing.
My preference is that they stop now and go with what they have.
What’s the equivalent player comp on Ballesteros if he hits his 75th percentile full potential ?? Is he a Willson Contreras ?
I’m a bit conflicted about the Red Sox losing Bregman. This could turn out to be anywhere from a great deal to a horrible deal.
Hoerner is one of the best fielding 2B in baseball who might even have a better than league average bat. You preferred Bitchette who you dont know if he will be any good at the keystone instead?
While Shaw is also a fantastic fielding 3B, with Bregman you still keep the glove and get a bat upgrade. Shaw might be able to become a damn good utility. He has 2B and SS experience in the minors. I think thats less risky than moving baseballs worst starting SS to 2B.
Salary
Giving “Across1331” the benefit of the doubt that he was saying that he preferred Bichette to Bregman, not saying Bichette to Hoerner.
I rank them Hoerner then Bregman than Bichette last of the three.
Okay, I can see him meaning that. Move Bichette to third? That kind of seems even crazier to me. Bregman at third is absolutely the better option for third than Bichette but you probably have a good point.
Trading him. His appearance at TPUSA may have sealed that judging from the uproar in Chicago media.
Not for tpusa, but would gladly trade for Shaw to help him escape the fraud and hypocrisy. I know the Einsteins here will bring out the trash can jokes, but the dude wouldn’t have to put up with the bs in Houston, and he has a better chance to win
You are saying Houston is racist enough to accept Shaw while Chicago isn’t?
@Fungo. Just looked at what you are talking about. I also listened to some video concerning it. Council and Happ expressed support for him despite the back lash so I would yet be surprised to see him traded. Just to account for myself, I condemn what TPUSA actually stands for.
(Editors note. Nobody has to engage Fungo or I in a conversation about anything other than baseball. You can just let us have this dialog between two commenters.)
You could also take it elsewhere, and stick to baseball.
You responding is helping to continue this. Had you not said anything, I wouldnt be replying and this wouldnt continue. This can stop after this if you let it.
Color me threatened, lol.
What? Thats what you got out of that? You the kind of guy who feels threatened and swells up when you see puppies and kittens or something?
s/b “engage Fungo or me.” Use the object pronoun to replace a noun in the object position.
Excuse me sir. Sir? This is a Denny’s. 😂
Okay. Sorry. I’ve just wanted to use that line for a while. I’ll see myself out.
SCM, Counsell supported Shaw for attending the funeral of a friend when he left his team to go to Charlie Kirk’s funeral. Happ expressed support for Shaw’s message about Christianity at that time. They did not address that he appeared at TPUSA in December nor what it stands for.
There are planned protests at Cubs Convention this coming weekend because of his appearance at TPUSA. Its going to be interesting how strong the backlash is. Have you ever seen a protest by fans who paid $125 to attend what amounts to a fanfest?
fivepound, its germane to baseball.
I may have misunderstood what you said earlier. I thought his attendance at the memorial and him speaking was the same thing. I admit I was kind of equivicating the memorial service as if it was a TPUSA event because I thought that’s what you meant.
Good info. I’ll pay attention to the protests. It would be awesome if Cubs fans show in significant numbers. Be safe out there if you’re going yourself.
Nico is gonna be a Mariner now!!
Wouldn’t surprise me either although I’m hoping for bichette but will settle for Hoerner
Hoerner had a 6.2 WAR last season and 15.4 the last 3. Chicago is in win now mode so would want MLB players only. Starting pitching mostly. So what MLB players are the Mariners going to send to Chicago that are worth as much as Hoerner?
I noticed there was no answer to my question. So Nico will not be a Mariner this season.
For Nico, it’s probably something like Cole Young and a bottom pitching prospect,
I’d rather have Matt Shaw, that would take something like Tai Pete and Cole Young
Moderate overpay unless some of it is deferred.
Cubs refuse to defer money.
Looks like I was right about the deferrals and you read the Cubs minds incorrectly.
Heyward and Lester’s contracts contained deferrals.
Where does Shaw play now?
This was my line of thinking. Shaw was good at 3B and will only improve. No idea why they felt they needed Bregman.
Precisely my thinking.
Shaw was worth 3.1 WAR as a 23 yr old and had a 2nd half OPS+ of 127
Bregman was worth 3.4 WAR as a 31 yr old with an OPS+ of 128
Shaw had a 98 OPS+ for the season. Dont try to compare apples to oranges. Bregman had a 3.5 WAR.
He goes to the Giants to play DH and learn 1B.
You mean the two spots they are overloaded at already ?
I was making a joke about Devers, and how after the Red Sox signed Bregman, they manufactured a situation and got rid of Devers. Boy, 2025 just looks worse and worse for the Red Sox.
How is a terrible teammate outing himself as a terrible teammate manufacturing anything? The team started winning after trading the clubhouse cancer.
The team turnaround has much more to do with the starting pitching figuring things out, rather than trading away the teams best hitter.
But sure, whatever you need to tell yourself.
Weird how he wasn’t a terrible teammate in the many years he was with the organization prior.
When a narcissist get everything they want and its exactly their way, they seem normal and content.
Its when their every whim
Stops getting catered to where they show their true colors and become a problem.
I’m sorry what?
Devers was catered to?
That’s why around every trade deadline we saw articles like this:
nesn.com/2023/07/red-soxs-rafael-devers-has-strong…
“Everybody knows what we need,” Devers told Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe on Sunday. “Hopefully we can get that in the next few days. We can’t control that as players. All we can do is give 100 percent on the field. But we need pitching.”
“… I don’t need to talk to (the front office). Everybody knows what we need. There’s no reason to talk to them about it. This year is a much different story than last year. We weren’t in a position to compete last year but this year we are. We have shown we can compete with the best teams. That’s why this year is different. We have shown we can succeed.”
—
But sure. He was catered to, and the Sox bend over backwards for him.
Devers was a whining POS back in 2023. It didn’t start in 2025 spring training. Thanks for clearing that up.
Shaw and Ballasteros split DH and Shaw spells both Bregman and Nico in the field to keep them fresh. Gives you lots of lineup options now.
@swingandamiss – I just feel like it’s an unnecessary purchase. Is Bregman and his injury history + the price tag that big of an upgrade over Shaw at 3B? I just don’t see lineup flexibility worth that type of price.
On the surface you’re not wrong, but this is bigger than that. He’s the type of player the Cubs value. High contact, good defense. Whole team is built around it. Also… Hoerner, Happ, Suzuki all free agents. This is clubhouse stability, leadership with Dansby, etc. PCA mentorship. Yeah you’re paying him 7 million per year too much, but you can blow that on Stanek’s too.
On a different team.
2b in Houston
As a Sox fan I am conflicted. On one hand, it is an overpay and this contract will not age well. On the other hand, youre the Red Sox and can afford to overpay; sometimes it is necessary. Bregman was a great fit for the Sox and he was a perfect for their young clubhouse.
Red Sox have some great infield prospects. Bregman for one year is a perfect fit. Bregman for 5 years, not so much.
For sure, totally get why they wouldnt go there for him. Same with Bogaerts. He was my favorite Sox player at the time and even though it sucked to see him go, I didnt blame them one bit after seeing the contract SD gave him.
Yeah the Xander contract may actually be one of the worst in baseball.
I find it funny that Bregman asked for a no trade. That contract just made him untradeable. How much would the Cubs have to eat just to dump the payroll, in the future?
An overpay for Suarez on a short term deal would make the most sense. Covers the immediate need without blocking internal options or locking up dead money long term.
I also am scarred from them letting Beltre walk after his 1 year pillow deal.
Boras got Bregman 8 years and $210M in contracts.
He’s a Boras client obviously going to have to overpay
No, you don’t really have to
Then you don’t get his client he will wait to spring training I’ve seen it before that’s how Boras works
And the team missing out is fine in long run
35 million a year for what? So somebody is definitely going but who. Cubs are right at the Tax now then. What a waste.
@uncle: I fon’t think anyone’s going. I think they decided it’s OK to go over the first tier of the CBT.
You will lose that bet.
Lol. Of course the complaints will not stop.
Mike
They could trade Shota mid season?
Yeah. I think if you accept a QO you can’t be traded without your permission before 6/15. I asked in one of the chats.
See ya. So happy the Sox didn’t sign him. Defense is not worth $35M per year.
Not good news. He will be this season’s Tucker–a guy who is supposed to be a difference-maker, but isn’t.
Except he’s here for 5 years with another NTC. Atta boy Jed. Still not too smart.
I wanted to extend Nico and go with what we had.
But they keep Nico and Shaw for 2026, then I am not upset.
Maybe they move a pitcher after Steele returns.
How about if they move Shaw for a back of the rotation starter and extend Hoerner?
With what is going on with Skubal right now and the Cubs willingness to take chances on Tucker last year and Bregman this year, maybe the go all in and try to trade for him. Chicago is one of the few teams who has what the Tigers need in plug and play MLB ready players who could be long term pieces and keep Detroit competitive now. Shaw is one and the other is Horton. The Tigers ask for a Skubal trade is reportedly astronomical but Chicago offering those two is better than anything the Mets (unproven pitchers and hitters or minor leaguers), Dodgers (Sheehan + minor leaguers) or Seattle (Kirby + minor leaguers) can offer right now. I know it is EXTREMELY unlikely to happen but if you squint real hard I could see this coming together. That move makes the Cubs the World Series favorite, and keeps Detroit competitive this year and beyond. I still think the Tigers are going to agree to a long term contract with him but…
Solid move. Yeah it’s a lot but it’s free agency and for 5 years, it’s not something that’ll haunt them for too long if it doesn’t turn out well. Hope they can move Shaw+ for a solid RF.
They’re not gonna trade Shaw.
Not unless Nico signs an extension first, which is very unlikely
35 mill is a “solid” move?
I just deposited a “solid” in the…oh nevermind.
Hopefully they do not trade Hoerner and keep Shaw as the utility infielder and splitting the DH with Ballesteros. No guarantee that Ballesteros will hit off the start, he may need an adjustment period.
Cubs just became the biggest threat to the Dodgers in the NL
lol no. you replaced tuckers bat with bregman. you still have to try and win a division
No.
They replaced Tucker with Bregman. Not just their bats.
Huge upgrade for the Cubs big picture.
No.
Cubs are better today than a week ago but this is not a huge upgrade and it certainly isn’t enough to make them the definitive next-best NL team.
Agree to disagree.
Bregman is good for an extra 2-5 wins per year (depending on the team) without stepping on the field.
He is that valuable mentoring young hitters and PITCHERS and game planning.
Oh yeah. Without him Brown wouldn’t be a Cy Young finalist. Maybe can make Cade Horton one of the best. Arrighetti too.
He joins mound visits with the pitcher and catcher.
Kikuchi also stated his suggestions and video breakdowns as major factors in his success as an Astro.
Terrible overpay
So Shaw is getting traded just like Caissie?
No need. Hoerner is in his walk year and Shaw’s a fine 2B. So’s Bregman for that matter.
35 million a year? Hahahahaha
I don’t think the contract will age well, but it will help in 2026 so long as they also keep Hoerner
If they win the World Series in 2026, the rest of the contract is just dust in the wind.
Cubs are a good fit for him, seriously overpay unless a good amount is deferred
And THAT is why you trade for a cost controlled pitcher from the Marlins. So it’s Owen Caissie (and 2 prospects) for Cabrera and Bregman.
Caissie, 2 prospects, and $200m. You forgot that last part.
$175 + $4 doesn’t = $200.
You forgot about the $175,000,000, which is more than some teams yearly payroll.
Glad the Tigers didn’t sign him. Wish they would acquire someone significant, though.
Tucker now 10 years 400 mil?
Tucker was trash last year. His best bet will be the deal Bregman signed last year.
He was better than any sox player
Tucker could be a great LF in Fenway. At $35M AAV for 8 years could be reasonable win. But super unlikely for the money to be spent, and the Red Sox needs don’t line up.
Duran, Rafaela and Crochet were all better from a WAR perspective but I’m guessing you’re still wondering what WAR even means.
Hilarious that you atttack my valid point on Tuckers awful 2nd half with the most personal thing you can think of. I remember when I joined MLBTR at 12 years old, so I’m not hating.
Duran was better than Tucker. Only one on either Sox team.
Saying that Duran was better than Tucker is proof that WAR should not be trusted as a valid comparison tool. If Duran had a higher WAR, it’s because he played more mediocre innings in the OF last year. Tucker was better across the board on offense last year, even in fewer plate appearances. WAR is a counting stat for defensive metrics that different platforms don’t even agree on.
Losing Bregman is a mistake for Boston.
Didn’t like leadership of Bergman, nor the ‘problem’ of Devers.
Lot of pressure now on Roman Anthony…in Boston…good luck!
Nice strategic signing by the Cubs after the Bears loss lol
Oh looks like someone pre chalked a little early!
The Packers need to fire Lafleur
This didn’t age well…
Swing and a miss
Bruh. 😎
The Bears only need to show up in the 4th quarter.
The Bears won
Pretty good move here. His clubhouse impact is hard to quantify.
That’s because none of us can actually know. We rely on other people telling stories.
The hope is the haves keep overpaying and the have-nots can still be competitive with mid-tier players. Elite players are older and pricing themselves into a very small niche market. Younger and younger players are going to be regulars over the next few years.
Not gonna lie, I’m glad the Cubs are actually spending money.
So relieved you’re not going to lie.
$35 mil a year for 5 years? For a guy that will be 32 on opening day?
Thats just dumb. But have fun Cub fans.
5 instead of 7 is smart. The money doesn’t matter. 1st off, its not yours, 2nd the Cubs can afford it. They are still well under the CBT aren’t they?
Being under the CBT does not have anything to do with being able to afford it. Cleveland is under the CBT. So is Cincinnati, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, A’s, Seattle, Angels…
Also, never doubt Scott Boras
The Cubs get to hear the Cheater chant for the next 5 years!
Are there still idiots out there chanting that 8 years later? Especially when the Yankees started it and the Red Sox were also fined for it? Plus Dodgers and many other teams were named as doing it also. How stupid do you have to be to do that?
Wait the league was fining the teams for fans jeering with “Cheater”?
You can get away with cheating as long it’s on the ‘down low’ and not so obvious & obnoxious to where the mics pick it up on TV. That kind of stuff embarrasses the Manfreds of the world.
I only heard Royals fans booing when Carlos Correa would come up to bat. or maybe Jose Altuve. I don’t remember hearing that much with Alex Bregman.
I can definitely see Bergman averaging 4WAR per year over the next five years making the contract kinda sorta reasonable…
20 bWAR makes it worth about $200 million and provides the Cubs with surplus value. I am not so optimistic. I think he will end up somewhere between 16 and 17 WAR.
Cubs will trade him in 2 years and pay half the contract
I think that I read he has a no trade deal.
So did Correa. Trash always ends up back in trash can town.
Awesome. Now Hoerner gets traded to Yanks to play SS.
Yanks are now gonna make some noise in the next few days.
I also think Cubs will sign Bellinger or resign Tucker. They are all in.
Wow the delusion is strong in you padewan
Hoerner won’t be traded. Especially after Shaw is traded.
I’m still curious about why Shaw would get traded at all? There are many positions he can play in 2027 and beyond. In 2026 he can try out various positions as Mr. UTILITY. Hoerner seems more likely because it’s his walk-year.
they traded Cody Bellinger to the Yankees. Why would they sign him again?
Shaw at DH or traded by trade deadline during season now?
Traded before the season starts.
Congrats Cubs fans!
Don’t get me wrong, Bregman is good and I’m glad Hoyer is finally spending. It’s just I don’t want to lose Shaw or Hoerner lol
Spending is for stupid teams. Smart teams develop their own players and make trades for talented young players in other organizations. Free agency is for fools.
@JHoward The Mariners are trying that approach but teams don’t seem to want to give up major league players for any of our prospects. Teams seem to want major league ready pieces back.
There is nothing to be congratulated here. Now that Rendon is retired he will be in the running for the worst contract in baseball along with Marcus Semien. When will these owners learn to stop being fleeced by aging and declining free agent hitters?
So if they somehow re-sign Kyle Tucker, they will have four of the top nine players from the 2015 draft?
I can remember the doomers from last year saying Bregman and Alonso will never sign a long-term contract. Same for Bellinger and Tucker this offseason.
It’s Tucker’s turn to take the 3-year deal with opt-outs. Now it’s just a right of passage since Bregman, Alonso, and Belli had to do it.
The Red Sox gave up a draft pick to sign Bregman for one year. Craig Breslow is the gift that keeps on giving
They gave a draft pick to overpay him and use him to dump Devers and his contract that is starting to look really undermarket…
A true masterclass in decision making
Cubs had a similar logjam in 2016 with Baez and Soler and no DH in 2016. They’ll figure it out.
Reply meant forr left coaster below.
It only makes sense if you are comparing the salary savings. Otherwise it should be considered as negligence. Since Breslow wasn’t fired, the proof is in the pudding.
Apparently Shaw will be playing Left Out.
Wonder if this i creases Bo and Tucker’s value any.
Hopefully the Jays do something. Their answer to Bo and others leaving can’t be a middle of the rotation at best starter and a wildcard Japanese 3B
It creases it like taking $175M out the market.
Don’t want to see anymore Cub fans whining that they never spend money in these comment sections
What SP can you get for Shaw? With this signing it shows how little convince they have in Shaw.
Wow, so does this lead to a Nico Hoerner trade with Shaw moving over to 2B?
Shaw’s potential is much higher than Hoerner. A trade to the Mariners for a bullpen arm would be a great deal for them.
Put down the bong. Hoerner is a consistent performer who has averaged over 5 WAR the past 3 seasons, had a 6.2 WAR last year, and won’t be 29 until May 2026.
Shaw had a breakout season in 2025 but even then was only a 98 OPS+ or below average hitter. If they can get anything at all back in trade for Shaw, he will be traded. If the Cubs had confidence in his game they would not have signed Bregman at all.
SF
“If the Cubs had confidence in his game they would not have signed Bregman at all.”
This isn’t true, of course
FG projects Shaw to be a roughly league average player. That’s good. Most players that play in any given season are worse than average.
Bregman is projected to be a 4 WAR player. That’s better than Shaw.
The Cubs can absolutely have confidence in Shaw and still prefer Bergman.
No. They’ll keep both.
Makes no sense to keep them all though.
Sure it does. Championships are won by the best TEAM. Ask the Mets, they know all about how you can’t buy a title.
Having depth is underrated. Shaw can backup all three IF positions and he provides insurance for the inevitable injuries. He basically ensures that overall production does not fall off if one of Bregman/Hoerner/Swanson miss any extended time.
Aside from that he covers 2B if Hoerner doesn’t sign an extension when his contract is up after this season.
Unless there’s a trade scenario that demonstrably gives the team a better chance at winning the World Series, it makes perfect sense to keep all of them.
Hoerner won’t be traded.
Bichette or Suarez have to be a top priority for Boston. They need a bat, and it’s too bad it wasn’t Bregman.
They don’t need a bat at all.
Agree, and definitely not Bichette, but I’d be OK with 2 years of Suarez.
bsky.app/profile/rosenjordanblum.bsky.social/post/…
The Red Sox are projected to be below average by wRC+. That’s embarrassing. They absolutely need another bat., You can’t play half your games at Fenway with this offense.
Seam. at their fanfest, Cora and other Red Sox execs said a bat was their priority.
This. Marcelo will be a fine 3B for this year.
But can Mayer avoid yet another season ending injury?
He’s 0-4 so far in his first 4 pro seasons…
RE Joe:
Red Sox are projected, by FG, to be a top 10 team in baseball
*https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=3
Oopsy?
Full seasons by Anthony and Mayer should improve the offense (but that’s never a guarantee in a sophomore season, especially with both coming back from injury). Contreras is an improvement at first, but Bregman is a huge loss at third. Coming into this offseason, the Red Sox have missed out on Alonso, Schwarber, Okamoto, and now Bregman. They have not singed a major league free agent. This is unacceptable. They need to show they’re serious about improving this team to compete in this juggernaut of an AL East. Just my opinion, but the most straightforward move now would be sign Suarez at third and shift Mayer to second. They can also sign Bichette to play SS, move Story to second, and Mayer at third. But at the end of the day, Boston needs an infielder. Go get one Breslow, pay up.
DSC
“They need to show they’re serious about improving this team to compete in this juggernaut of an AL East”
Showing you’re serious about improving isn’t how you complete
Per Fangraphs projections, they have the 9th best roster in baseball
fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&t…
Sure, but still that’s only 9th best. There’s 4 AL teams ahead of them, including 3 AL East teams. And that’s thanks to a high ranking for pitching (projected 2nd in baseball). Their projected offensive WAR is 21st in baseball (behind teams like the Athletics, Twins, and Cardinals…).
They’re a playoff team right now. If they want to be a World Series team, they need to improve. And they said themselves, they need a power bat. They have a position in third base that isn’t clearly occupied (since Mayer can play second and eventually SS). Suarez makes so much sense…let’s them commit to the youngsters, but gives them a few years of home run power without breaking the bank.
DSC
“They’re a playoff team right now. If they want to be a World Series team, they need to improve”
Any team that makes the playoffs is a potential world series team.
“thanks to a high ranking for pitching”
Pitching counts. And helps win baseball games.
As is they have a good chance at the playoffs and a chance to win the world series
Again. Yes. If they improve, they will be better.
“If they improve, they will be better.”
Yes, and they should. That’s my argument. Thanks for agreeing!
They’re going all-in with Anthony, Mayer, and Casas which is exactly what you’re supposed to do with your premium prospects, isn’t it? When you have multiple IF prospects ready to go it makes no sense to dump money on an IF.
None of those guys are necessarily third basemen:
Mayer can play all over the infield, but has mostly played SS professionally. He was at 3rd base last year to cover during the Bregman injury, and would project as the starting 3rd basemen today due to no other options, but I think he should be playing 2B and be the heir apparent at SS.
Casas is a first basemen/DH, assuming he can stay healthy.
Anthony is a outfielder.
Signing someone like Suarez brings them much needed power and a third basemen, without taking away playing time from the kids.
That’s, going all-in.
Bottom line the Red Sox need more thump in their lineup and the most straight forward way to do that is to sign Good Vibes Geno for 2 or 3 years. Great clubhouse guy as well.
Ignorant
“Bottom line the Red Sox need more thump in their lineup”
They are a top 10 team right now
Yes. If they improve, they will be better
I was talking about power (home runs mainly) and the Red Sox lack of it. Full season of Anthony will help. If Casas comes out hot, yeah he could hit a few. You need at least one more power source though. I think that’s undeniable.
I
“I was talking about power”
Ok?
With the power they currently have, they are projected to be a top 10 team.
“You need at least one more power source though. I think that’s undeniable.”
So, I deny that they “need” anything
Again, yes, improving will make them better
You know who FanGraphs projects as their top home run hitter this season currently? Wilson Contreras, with 19 home runs. He would rank 101st in MLB with that number. So, yes. More power is needed. How do you propose they address that?
Sign Geno Suarez
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“More power is needed”
More power is not needed. As constructed at this moment they have the tenth best roster in MLB. They have a very good chance to make the playoffs and a chance to win the World Series
Again, yes, improving will make them better.
Juan
So you’re saying the Red Sox should roll with the 10th best roster, because they have a good chance of making the playoffs and a chance to win the World Series? If Red Sox management said that, they would be absolutely ridiculed.
The team is good, but unbalanced. You can say the same thing as many times as you want, but a balanced team wins championships. Power will make the team more balanced.
DSC
“So you’re saying the Red Sox should roll with the 10th best roster”
HAVE I said that?
Please read the words that I’m writing here.
” a balanced team wins championships”.
Citation requested
“You can say the same thing as many times as you want”
You too. You just say that the team “needs” power providing no evidence that that is true.
Juan, I told you why they need power, no one on the team is expected to hit more than 20 home runs. The Red Sox should want to address that mlb.com/amp/news/red-sox-options-with-alex-bregman…
As for balance: “ Teams can have varying strengths and find ultimate success. There doesn’t appear to be one way to win, and maybe not even a best way, apart from the obvious “score more runs that you allow, and in turn win baseball games.”
You need a level of balance, to be sure. A team can’t be completely inept offensively and rely solely on pitching and expect to have great success”
baseballmagazine.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/what-rec….
I just don’t understand the point you’re making, so tell me. Is the roster as constructed today, the one they should generally have on opening day?
DSC
“I told you why they need power”
No. You didn’t
“no one on the team is expected to hit more than 20 home runs. ”
So? It’s a top ten roster
“There doesn’t appear to be one way to win”
Correct. So the idea that they *need* more power is incorrect.
“I just don’t understand the point you’re making”
That they don’t *need* more power. This is one of the best baseball teams as is
“Is the roster as constructed today, the one they should generally have on opening day?”
Every team should always be looking ways to improve
What does a top ten roster mean to you? Is that the level at which they should want to be?
How should they improve?
What do they need to do to be a better team in 2026 than they were in 2025?
DSC
You are completely missing the point
They don’t *need* to do anything
They can try to get better
They can do this by getting better pitching
Or better defense
Or better base running
Or better hitting.
Better hitting can be better OBP. Or, yes, more power.
Sure, a team can improve in any department. But for the Red Sox, their weakest area is the infield, and as I said before, the lack of a home run threat. Should that not be the focal point of the remaining offseason? bosoxinjection.com/red-soxs-2026-war-projections-b….
The Red Sox could get another ace to pair with Crocehet, like trade for Skubal, but that won’t help them hit more home runs, which is one of their biggest issues right now. That would still make them a better team, but you would still have a situation where the infield offense is poor, and the ability to hit home runs has not improved.
If you were Breslow & Co., what would you do with the rest of the offseason?
DSC
“that won’t help them hit more home runs, which is one of their biggest issues right now”
It literally doesn’t matter.
Yes. They can improve it. Just like they can improve any other part of the team.
Skubal is almost certainly the player they could acquire that would improve their chances of winning the WS the most
Look for every opportunity to improve the team
About time they did something with all that extra money to spend. Hope it works out
Oh wow. Completely unexpected (at least by me).
Wonder where Chicago goes from here.
Nowhere – Jed is done.
Hopefully this helps and Cubs give Milwaukee a good run at the division this season.
Shaw, Rojas and Wing to Boston for Duran who says no?
Why would Boston do that? They have a better prospect than Shaw in Mayer to play 3rd. I imagine they’ll spend their money (or prospects) on another TOR pitcher. They have plenty of hitting.
Shaw also plays 2B and SS and Wing is one of the cubs best pitching prospects.
Shaw will now be a super-sub. That will give him more time for his other career.
Does he have a crush on Erika Kirk too??
32 years old. This is not a budding superstar.
Lots of players have performed well in years 32-36
How many were worth $35M for those years?
I think that depends on your definition of “lots” and “performed well”. Last year, there were 18 qualified hitters age 33 and over. That’s up from 12 and 10 the previous two seasons. Of those 18, 12 produced 2 WAR or better and 4 produced 3 WAR or better. So “ lots” is more like there are a few every year. Bregman is a good bet to age well skillset wise if health can keep him on the field. Bregman is a player I would be comfortable on a big money deal through age 36 if it also included his age 30 and 31 seasons. But starting at age 32 feels like a big bet on him to beat the odds.
Okay, I think there’s a decent probability he will average 4 bWAR over the 5 yr contract which will be worth 35 AAV. The analysis of players 33 and over leaves out the 32 yr olds: 2 had WAR over 5, 4 more WAR over 4, and 2 more WAR over 3. Lots was referring to an extended time period not a single year but in retrospect analyzing the previous year probably provides a more meaningful analysis.
Yes. 32 is still typically considered a prime year. I wouldn’t worry at all about that season. 33 is usually where you usually see the marked decline in the number of players contributing in regular roles. I was referencing fWAR which seems to be a bit more stingy too. Aging curves aren’t the same across the board. Bregman’s particular skillset tends to age fairly well. I’m sure that’s a factor in the Cubs’ evaluation.
I am surprised by their interest in Bregman though after moving on so quickly from other guys of this profile like Paredes, Bellinger, and Tucker who are all players who see major environmental effects on their performance. It just seems like soft fly ball guys haven’t fared particularly well in Wrigley.
His WAR and OPS numbers are higher than expected given his EV numbers. I hope he does well for the Cubs…will be interesting to see how things turn out over the 5 yr contract.
Haters gonna hate…
I’ll take an “overpay” over not signing a good player in the first place. Nice move.
Yeah “overpay” is the standard line for fans of teams who didn’t sign the player.
Tigers are going full-on Notre Dame this off-season.
Big overpay-now sign Suarez
If the Bears can hold on Chicago will be a happy town tomorrow
I stopped watching that game at 21-3. What a huge comeback by Da Bears. Its the first time the Bears have ever beaten the Packers in the playoffs?
Only surprise here is the money. It’s an overpay but for a premium position. Other than a bullpen arm their roster is set
This is just as bad as the Bogaerts deal.
hope the trash cans are loud enough. Damn now i hate the cubs too for hiring this cheating loser.
“MCF”
“trash cans”
The type of low intellect person I have no interest in interacting with
Muted
lol muted for pointing out a cheater cheated.. Seems consistent with the age we live in.. I’m guessing you wouldn’t contribute much to make me care anyways. And though you can’t see this, Enjoy your cheating hero.
Shocking!! Didn’t see this coming but I’m glad he’s out of the American League. Good luck with the Cubs Bregman. Cubs could be really good next season
Will be a bigger bust than Jason Heyward.
No chance
Present value
MLBTR’s prediction: $135 million
Actual contract:$152 million
*Assuming no deferrals, equal payments across seasons, 5% discount rate
Serious overpay
Arenado and cash for Hicks and Uberstine Eed Sox
Im definitely OK with this. I would have probably preferred Imai and Tucker or Bellinger, but once they traded Owen Caissie for Cabrera, we needed a good bat. So now, Bregman can play third for the foreseeable future and Shaw can be the Zobrist super utility position and keep Nico Hoerner and his gold glove D and elite avg w/RISP. OF is Happ, PCA and Suzuki. IF is Bregman, Swanson, Horner and Busch with Carson Kelly at C and Ballesteros or Shaw getting DH ABs. A starting rotation of Cabrera, Horton, Boyd, Taillon and Imanaga with a revamped bullpen that can miss bats and Justin Steele coming back in May/June off TJS. If Palencia can handle the 9th efficiently again, this is a deep run playoff team. Should have a chance to win the NL Central, even though the Brewers seem to have the magic lately. Gonna be a great race in the Central this year again. I love this roster. Nice work Jed. I was worried what he was doing, but the last week has been very good and he didn’t mortgage the farm. Will have a decision to make on Shaw and Hoerner next year but maybe Shaw will do so well in that role that they can keep them both around next year too. I love Shaw’s potential but I really love Nico’s approach at the plate and glove around the keystone. Tough decision. Go Cubs Go!!!!
Matt Shaw will shift to 2nd and Nico Hoerner (one year on contract) gets traded. Maybe Seattle or SF. Who else ?
I don’t think the Cubs are trading away 6 WAR Hoerner. Shaw will be super utility.
Hoerner provides no value besides batting average and defense. He doesn’t get on base enough, has zero power, doesn’t drive in runs and doesn’t steal enough bases. He should be traded immediately.
This coming from the guy who said Bregman will be a bigger bust than Heyward. Aka someone who had no clue about baseball
Sometimes people immediately show they are either too stupid or too bad of a troll to keep seeing their posts. JHoward in his first day and first thread has shown he is both.
REDSOX Dodged a Boras Bullet there…32-37 seasons for a guy who lost 2 months at 31 and no opt outs, no trade clause,had ok numbers and defense, What was Hoyer thinking!??? 35AAV no thank you!! Good Job Breslow, go get Bichette. Trade for and extend Skubal and lets go add to our MLB leading championships the last 21 years. The youth and those 2 guys…we will take off!!
It’s years 32-36 and he’s ranked 38th in games played the past four years…
The end comes fast, when it comes, and he missed a third of the season last year. (And the Sox did just fine without him.)
Good for you AB, cost you rings & the HOF but money is king to some, especially when older..
After I read this, I had a stroke. And not in the medical way.
Ewww
Good for the Cub.
Red Sox still haven’t signed a free agent this offseason! 🤷🏼♂️
Bummed, Bregman was a favorite since he was drafted, why’d he have to go to the Cubs..
at least we got his prime and the Cubs are overpaying
for declining years.
Rest easy, this is a disaster signing your team avoided a catastrophe.
Terrible
Does WAR inflation outpace age decline?
Well here we go. The Cards will trade Arenado and 20 million to the Red Sox for David Sandlin.
I hope not. Don’t want to touch arenado with a 10 foot pole.
Well… maybe Arenado plus $20m from StL if they take back Hicks and Yoshida with their full contracts.
That’d make it worth suffering through arenado’s uselessness.
Cubs are better today than they were yesterday …but Bregman plays a gritty game and that can be hard on availability.
He was the guy – Bellinger is next – I least wanted to see the Jays sign so this is “good” news!
Cheating?
I see DH in his future. And I’m ok with that. He fits.
God bless Boras – he got him the contract – a ridiculous overpay
Some say (or think) its an overpay but he is an above average player who signed at 40mil per last year on 3 years with opt outs.
This deal gives the Cubs 5 years (at a lower AAV) with no opt outs on a guy who plays a great 3rd base and will be still in his prime for most of the contract.
Wow. Maybe Bo will get close to 300 million if he gets an 8 year deal. It would be around the same AAV as this deal. Teams seem to be viewing them similarly. I still think it’ll probably come in lower than that, but not by as much as I thought.
Disappointing but I’m glad it’s finally over. Sox should just pivot to Suarez for a year or two and give Campbell more time to develop and let Mayer cover 2B.
Of course i will not be surprised if Contreras is the only bat added and Mayer and Campbell are both in the Sox lineup on opening day
If you’re a Red Sox fan you should rejoice that you aren’t the sucker team stuck with a declining 32 year old hitter for the next 5 years at 30 million plus annually.
What, he was injured and is 31. That’s the going rate these days for above average players that play a strong defense. And contract only runs through his age 36 season.
A lot worse contracts than this one
The smart move is to move Duran to second where he played in college and the minors and start Mayer at third. But then Alex “I’m a baseball genius just ask me” Cora won’t go for it because he didn’t think of it.
Don’t forget, Red Sox signed Campbell long term, so they need to play him somewhere.
They should steer clear of Suarez. Overall he is quite a step down from Bregman. He was very ordinary when he came over to the Mariners last summer
Shaw isn’t going anywhere. Bregman isn’t that big of an upgrade at $30M+. They will work him in. Who would they trade Shaw for anyway. They are settled everywhere else, so it only makes sense to bring in a plus player, and you won’t get that for Shaw.
I think we might see a Nico Hoerner trade.
Bregman is a superstar, hence the $35 million AAV. Shaw will be playing in another uniform in 2026. Hoerner will be at 2B in Wrigley.
Pathetic and disgusting
Well as critical as I’ve been on Jed Hoyer I have to give him his flowers. I know that this deal won’t age well but for the next couple of seasons the Cubs have a gold glove 3rd baseman who exudes leadership badly needed in that Cubs clubhouse with the sleepy manager they have. I’m excited. Bears beat the Packers and now my Cubs sign Bregman. Unreal day!
You won’t be happy for long. This is a terrible signing and he’s not a gold glove third baseman.
He’s a good player, that the Cubs don’t need. Shaw was his equal in 2H last year and is ascendant and cheap. Bregman looks to be getting a little brittle as he ages (age 29, 161 games, age 30, 145 games, age 31, games). The upgrade from Shaw to Bregman, assuming it is an upgrade, certainly is not worth $30 million annually. They would have been better off with Edwin Diaz and Sonny Gray and some change left over.
Ho hum….another big market team with stupid money to spend of course gets stupid spending it. That’s Kyle Tucker money for a player not in his league.
Tucker is not worth this kind of money either.
Now Extend Nico Hoerner for 5 years and keep this infield together the entire time.
This is a horrible signing. Ricketts said he was done with signing monster free agent contracts to players from other teams. This contract will be an albatross on the payroll for the next five years for an underperforming player who will not contribute anything positive. Free agent hitters in their 30s are the absolute worst investment any major league club can make. Bregman is not a 300 hitter or a 30 home run hitter doesn’t steal bases and isn’t even a gold glove defender. In the history of free agency no one has done worse than the Chicago Cubs. They are the heavyweight champion of Major League Baseball when it comes to signing huge money long-term contracts to players who don’t produce. This will be another in a long line of those type of contracts. They already have one on the books currently in Dansby Swanson who also never should have been signed. Fire Jed Hoyer he has proven to be an imbecile. After Ricketts get screwed once again on huge money free agent contract maybe he will stick to his vow of not getting involved in free agency with huge money contracts.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Bregman has had a wRC+ of 114 or better EVERY season he’s been in the league including 125 last year. That means he was 25% better than the average player. Maybe you should learn a little about baseball before going on such a rant.
A .300 average is something 99% of players don’t achieve. Only ONE Natl League player who qualified achieved that last year. This is a quote about Leo Durocher, when he was a SS, from an opposing manager: “He can’t run, He can’t hit. He can’t throw. All he can do is beat you.”. Some players are like that. Usually, they are not the ones making the big bucks, but Chicago is hoping Bregman is one of them.
Better to spend that money on intangibles and above average hitter and solid glove than someone who is more just a bat (Tucker). Red Sox clubhouse could not rave enough about him throughout the season. I think the radio play by play guys may be most devastated about this.
I guess we’ll see the Sox backup plan in near future. Hopefully it’s not banking on Mayer – not a bad player, just doesn’t seem durable even throughout his minor league career.
Tucker is a great fielder and steals bases. Way better than Bregman over the last few years. Also, I’m sure clubhouse guys are great but I’d rather have a better player on the field any day.
He’s a very nice player, but that’s a lot of cash for this guy
@gr81t2
It’s only cash. If they sit on it, it just burns away due to inflation.
Thank you, Yogi.
Red Sox trying to get 3B Devers back now . . .
Jed Hoyer is feeling the heat. If these moves don’t work out, he is out. If they work out, he is looking for an extension. Wow! Just wow!
Nice infield cubbies!
This is a Chris Dreary of the NYR-ish type of overpay!
A bit surprised.
I was hoping for Bichette, but am happy with Bregs! If the Cubs will overpay who gives a poo poo. Their revenue should cover it. Why stop now! You’re over the threshold, might as well go LA and sign !
Bregman is in no way a superstar and he never has been. They “sacked up” for Alfonso Soriano, Jason Heyward and Yu Darvish and they were all disaster signings just like this one will be. Investing 30 plus million a year for five years for a 32 year old hitter is as dumb as it gets. Fire Jed Hoyer.
… The Red Sox are going to trade for Donovan now, aren’t we.
M. Mayer can be as good as B. Donovan and the Red Sox won’t have to give up anything…
I think the implication was Donovan playing 2B and Mayer 3B. Otherwise it’s Rafaela at 2B (when he should be in CF) or Romy Gonzalez at 2B (when he should be utility). But I could be wrong…
This year is going to be pivotal for Mayer.
Remember Alberto Mondesi? Tons of talent. Couldn’t stay on the field.
Mayer has had a season ending injury for 4 seasons straight.
All the potential in the world has no value if you cant stay on the field.
Overpay.
But the Cups will be VERY formidable the next couple seasons.
Sure it’s an overpay and the last 2 years could get ugly. But he’s a solid player and I think they’ll get 10-12 Bwar over the next 3 years, so a solid signing for the medium term.
He makes the Cubs better and that’s all you can do if you’re willing to part with the cash.
I’m sorry, what?!?
Just splashed cold water on my face, spit out the coffee I wasn’t drinking, and still can’t believe it.
Too much.
So,if the r Sox made an aggressive offer to him then would this be considered an overly aggressive offer?
I wouldn’t put it past the Red Sox if Bregman came to them with Chicago’s offer and said match or surpass it. Then of course Mr PR Henry had to put the aggressive offer out there already knowing he was gone.
Wonder how Shaw feels about being replaced by a guy named Bregman.
Maybe he’ll try to convert him.
For a team that was a) unwilling to pay Schwarber 15mil a year so instead signed Joc Pederson for 12mil b) unwilling to make a play on a top of the rotation pitcher c) salary dumped Bellinger for mop up reliever d) unwilling to make any legit effort to resign Tucker.. 35mil a year for a guy that hits 20-23 HR’s a year is a shocking decision and a severe overpay. But we shouldn’t be surprised. Remember when they passed on the opportunity to sign Trea Turner only to shell out a gazillion dollars to Dansby Swanson? Sadly, this ties up $$ they will need to resign Nico or to go after Skubal next season.
They were never going after SKubal. The guy wants 400MM and they’ve never even given out a 200MM contract.
I hated seeing Schwarber non tendered but hindsight is 20-20. There was no DH yet, no real position for him.
Totally agree on the Bellinger and Tucker thing. Would have preferred Bellinger stayed last year over the Tucker trade.
Butters
“would this be considered an overly aggressive offer?”
Logically, not necessarily. It could, for example, just be another aggressive offer. Or a more aggressive offer.
This is such a fantastic time to be a popcorn lover.
I hate the Cubs but it’s a move you have to like. Pushing the chips in, so-to-speak. The big question is will this prevent them from adding payroll at the deadline?
🤮🤮🤮
There’s gonna be a couple years at the end that this sucks, but they have done such a great job of building an affordable winner that they can splurge here on a guy who knows how to put a team on his back in September and October. Perfect fit for the skillset he brings and the needs of the Cubs.
Define affordable
Affordable in this case refers to the fact that even after this deal the Cubs still have less than $75m committed to contracts after this season. With the deferrals, it isnt even that much of an overpay and an overpay is only a problem if it hamstrings you.
At the end? The whole contract is going to be bad. So glad he didn’t sign with Boston.
The contract is bad now. I’d rather they spent it on Bo. At least he’s a likeable guy and doesn’t have a very punchable face like Bregman.
Bo’s a solid 2B. Bregman is a September/October difference maker who people hate because as a rookie he was the scapegoat for Hall of Famer Carlos Beltran, manager Alex Cora, the men who sign his paycheck, and dozens of other veteran ballplayers.
Losing Bergman is not a loss. He will be just above league average for the first four years of the contract (generous) and absolutely terrible the last year or two. Good riddance. He was dead weight and over hyped from the start. Oooo he played for championship teams… years ago. He is average in every sense of the word, and I would not be surprised if he is still hurt. Hurt = zero leg strength = no XBH. He’s done.
FF
“He is average in every sense of the word”
Last year:
Walked 25% more than average
Struck out 37% less than average
Got on base 15% more than average
Hit for power 17% more than average
He was 25% better than average in total with the bat
*https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=23&season=2025&month=0&season1=2025&ind=0&players=17678
He was in the 72nd percentile in fielding
*https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/alex-bregman-608324?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb
Why do you think he’s “average in every sense of the word”?
Seems to me that the Bregman of years prior is “decent”. He’s not a star. Hes not a slugger . He’s an available player. That’s it.
FF
You said that he was “average in every sense of the word”. Are you retracting that statement?
Seems to me you don’t know what you are talking about.
Check this out. Compare Bregman to Ketel Marte from 2021-2025.
Marte signing 7 years at 116mil is an absolute STEAL when you see that he outperforms Bregman in every single stat line.
That’s why they had a high asking price
Does he really ? or are you just making stuff up now ?
Bregman
HR 92 RBI 339 K 12.5% OPS 803 WAR 17.5 OAA 15
Marte
HR 101 RBI 342 K 16.5% OPS 849 WAR 17 OAA 5
Also, Bregman doesn’t decide he needs a break and fail to turn up to scheduled games.
So, they will sit Shaw for Bergman, and Tucker signs elsewhere, it does look a bit like the Cubs are trending water in these deals and will look like the Arenado deal the cards are stuck with.
Bregman will provide more value to the Cubs than Tucker.
Shaw can be the super utility player and a failsafe if Nico doesn’t resign.
Maybe Shaw and Bregman can share 3B/DH.
Momma always said…
Fans pay the salaries. Owners will never risk their own money.
It’s not a sweepstakes if you go to the highest bidder, I’m so tired or this term…
There are exceptions, but it is THE RULE.
Too high AAV and five years is a long time after 30+ plus a huge mistake giving a no trade clause. No way to move him. At least no-opt outs that kill the ability to trade, but a no trade clause makes that moot. Like the guy, but not at that price and not with those contract constraints.
I’d rather he would have an opt out after at least 2 years.
That contract will be bad in two years.
Would have been nice for Boston to have re-signed him, but this is appears to be massive overpay based on AAV., Only time will tell if this is worth it, personally I don’t think so.
This isn’t a bad signing for a team that makes and spends a lot of money, he’ll help them for a few years and then be so so or not great but so what. The reds are being left behind by everyone but the rebuilding teams, and even the cardinals might be better next year..
Cheaters always win. Sucks.
These goofs saying “overpay” are the same clowns that were hoping their team would sign him. A 5 WAR player at a premium position for a contending team that is FLUSH with cash… this is a huge W. Would we prefer the owners pocket all the money and not spend it on elite talent?
Great move. They’ll go into the first luxury threshold but it won’t hurt them as the new CBA/lockout will reset energy thing anyway.
Not worth it but the market is so out of control that this is not surprising…
red sox will pick up bohm from the pihllies
Not thrilled with this Dansby 2.0 signing. Rather have Schwarber or got a good starter. Or Tucker. Or Bellinger. Or any number of other options. The Cubs are now better but not significantly better with this. Long term it will only hurt them. Also have to live the Cubs saying they are so surprised everyone is talking about them getting a 3B and having so much confidence in Shaw. Should be politicians given how much they lie.
One plus, they will have 3 golden glovers in the infield and 2 in the outfield. Should help their pitchers quite a bit.
Excellent signing for the Cubs. Their fans should be very happy.
The negative commenters on here are just showing why they could never have the skills required to be a GM in baseball.
Bregman offers 4 benefits to the Cubs;
1.Gold glove fielder.
2. Reliable and consistent hitter.
3. Unlike Tucker, doesn’t go missing in the post season.
4. Great team man off the field. While at the Astros, took Hunter Brown aside and coached him on some of his pitching issues, providing feedback from a batter’s perspective.
Spot on. Any team would want a guy like this. Also, it’s not my money.
Might they now trade Nico? Maybe. I will wait to see the return before commenting on something that hasn’t happened yet.
They are now a better team than the one last year. That’s kind of the off-season goal, yes?
not really an overpay .. but it’s over years .. could head south in three .. four years .. can’t blame the cubs for taking this swing .. pretty much paid market
hopefully that clears the logjam allowing Tucker to sign with the Jays and Bichette to the Phillies
It would be cool if at some point you added in what percentage of readers correctly guessed the signing team in their entry.
Red Sox should be going all out.
Trade a package of Wilyer Abreu, Connelly Early, David Sandlin + for Ketel Marte. Sign Kyle Tucker to replace Wilyer. Sign Framber Valdez.
C: Carlos Narvaez
1B: Willson Contreras
2B: Ketel Marte
3B: Marcelo Mayer
SS: Trevor Story
LF: Roman Anthony
CF: Ceddane Rafaela
RF: Kyle Tucker
DH: Jarren Duran
1. Crochet
2. Valdez
3. Gray
4. Bello
5. Oviedo
But they won’t. As a Yankees fan, I don’t mind. They have so much talent and it seems like now is the time to go over the top. My Yanks are lethargic. The Orioles are a question mark. Tampa is taking a step back. It could be them and Toronto battling it out the next 2-3 years for not only the East, but the AL, if they wanted to. They have the resources.
As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I could not agree more. Their window is now if they were just willing to get a bit uncomfortable. But they won’t. They will continue to operate like a small market team while raking in untold millions from their loyal fanbase that refuses to hold this front office accountable. We will keep paying the highest ticket prices in sports while they spit in our face. I’ve always respected the yankees for that. Their ownership at least goes for it when they have a window, and because of their outlandish spending, they are in the AL mix EVERY year. John Henry must sell the Red Sox.
We saw this just before Liverpool. We saw it just before the Penguins. We saw it leading up to the PGA program. Now, coming to FSG will be the Corners project.
The red sox face access to a smaller chunk of their usable operating income than most any franchise in baseball.
They are the atm machine for Henry’s pet projects.
I can’t stop laughing dude…. put the bong down.
I’m seeing a lot of concern about the dollar figure and age m, but to me, the question would be more about fit. Does Bregman work at Wrigley? He’s right handed Bellinger or Tucker. Pulls fly balls without much raw power and hits a lot of fly balls. It’s a very environment dependent profile. Bellinger and Tucker had the Wrigley effect work against them. Are winds more often S than W in Chicago? I’ve heard cold NE winds in the spring that are brutal for any flyball hitter. Especially ones like Bregman, Bellinger, and Tucker who don’t hit the ball particularly hard.
As a Cubs fan, they’re getting a solid ballplayer. Good on them. Now the Red Sox seem more likely to make another trade? I guess they think Contreras replaces Bregman in their lineup but I’d still think they would want one more RH batter.
I’m glad the Red Sox didn’t overspend because that’s what Boras demands. So I’m ok with him going to another of my 29 favorite teams.
The Cubs are trying to contend, and it makes sense that a contending team isn’t feeling like starting Matt Shaw. I just don’t see it with him. Pretty bad Statcast numbers: mid swing decisions and super limited power. He looks a lot more like a decent UTL infielder than a starting 3B in the short term
Sooo Boston signed Alex Bregman without telling our power hitting cornerstone 3rd baseman amd best hitter, rightfully pissing him off and shipped him out of town for basically no return, just for Bregman to leave after one season leaving us with neither? My confidence in this front office was already low, but holy hell. As long as Henry is the owner this team will never sign another marquee free agent, nor win another championship. Absolutely pathetic.
“Cancer” free though !
Thanks for Devers, sorry about the new curse of 3B the Sox seem to have created.
Cheap- but wait, we got Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and Willson Contreras….
Gross!
Contreras will be better than you think and could even become a fan favorite
Slider- his offensive numbers were below Bregman’s. One step forward, two steps back
35 million a year hahahaha. He already plays old
$30-31 mill AAV net present value. Exactly what was predicted.
Here come all the Sox fans calling this a huge overpay. Is it an overpay? Probably will be but as a Red Sox fan I wish he resigned here for that. This ownership is terrible and I hope more and more Sox fans let them know. Cubs fans are going to love Bregman.
Everyone hates the Astros but loves to tales their players lol for the number one postseason third baseman he’ll live up to that money but I don’t see him getting another ring
Yeah the players are greedy not the owners lol.
Huge overpay for a player just starting the back 9… very interesting tho. Boras got him 5/175 bellinger turned down 5/150 wondering if that is bellingers number as well
Dmac- let’s be honest, Boras used Breslow like a cheap hooker and got Bregman 6yrs for $215m. In the same way he used the Mets to get Alonso 6 for $195m.
When are these POBOs going to learn….by being cheap youre actually costing yourself time and money.
So the Red Sox move Deavors off of third base to accommodate Bregman, then they trade Devers and let Bregman walk. I get it might’ve been an overpay for Bregman by the Cubs, but that’s a horrendous look for the Boston front office
Devers*
Chuckyboy- you mean you dont like the Devers for Hicks and Harrison trade?
Absolutely horrendous look for Breslow. The guy has no plan, its all very haphazard
Breslow/Henry are pathetic. While the Cubs are overpaying for Bregman which whoever signed him would have this is just another low for this owner ship. As a Sox fan I have just watched them dismantle this team since 2021. I guess as fans we should really accept they will only shop in the bargain bin (if they even sign someone, only team to not sign a FA still) and improve through trades. Not saying everyone has to be the Dodgers but Jesus. This owner ship has the keys to a Ferrari and it’s like they choose to have it worked on by Meineke. With these morons in place they will waste this youth movement.
Used by Boras. Good Riddance
Well, as a Sox/Pirates fan, i for one am glad this is over. While i wish he had stayed, Boston had a number and stuck to it, in the end tho, this could all have been prevented during the season when Alex reached out several times for an extension and was denied.
The price then only goes up in the offseason, lesson learned, don’t run your team like the Dallas Cowboys, the longer you wait, the higher the price.
Time to turn Ketel Marte and see if a deal can get done.
Marte would be great if the price is right. They’re going to miss Bregman’s defense.
D’backs said he’s not traded. Also, he would likely cost both Early and Tolle.
@Astros71
I seriously doubt it costs Tolle and Early, the Sox could get it done with one and some other things, maybe Duran,and Early and a lesser prospect.
Odds are the Sox go after Bichette now, but if they spend the same or more on him, there will be heavy criticism about why not just keep Bregman in the first place?
You have no top 100 prospects or a starting pitcher other than Early. It’s not enough. I hate to say it, but if Marte is on the table, it’s Seattle that’s winning the sweepstakes. Either way, he’s not being traded.
So, im asking, does this mean Boston might turn to an arenado trade to fill 3b? I can see it making sense if the cards eat a ton of salary
I think Boston prefers Paredes.
Arenado had such a bad 2025 that his salary combined with what is now beyond a doubt a very real and very serious decline make him have no value worth acquiring.
He needs a monster first half to entice someone at the deadline
But hear me out.. hes owed about 32 mil. What id cards eat ssy 30 mil and also habe jo jo Romero in the mix. Boston is looking for left handed relief and jo jo is very good. Cards cant keep arenado. Might as well eat his salary and do a trade package for prospects
Eat 30 million. What is this? They’d rather trade for Donovan.
Arenado will be traded before spring training. Cardinals dont really have a choice at this point
Finally! A big free agent down. I think that this is a wonderful move for the Cubs but really 29 million is something more like it.
Enjoy your time with the Cubs. Is there going to be Breggy Bomb sauce? Is Paredes the Red Sox No. 1 target now?
Bichette or Marte are the primary targets, Paredes is a distant third and if the Sox acquire him, it is only because the price of the other two is completely unreasonable.
Which, could actually be the case, but i expect the team to go hard after Bo and Marte now. Paredes is going to cost more than hes worth tbh, if im going to overpay, id rather do it for Bichette.
Marte is not going to be traded. Also, Bichette sweepstakes are going to be competitive. Phillies are meeting with him too.
Congratulations!
That’s a lot of money.
And as a bonus, you won’t have to suffer masses of confused catsup and ketchup eaters……
You typically have to overpay in free agency to land top tier players. Bregman is right on the fringe of that “top tier” – not quite elite, but no slouch either. I’d rather the Cubs go all in on one of the elite guys, and this seems like a half-measure. I do like the culture fit, since he’s a “baseball rat” like Swanson, Hoerner, PCA, Busch, etc. I sincerely hope they extend Nico rather than trade him, to maximize this infield core. It would’ve made more sense to leverage Shaw for a frontline starter, but maybe they use him as a super utility ala Chris Taylor. Depth is important, and the roster is looking stronger overall.
2 years is the over under mark before the Cubs try to get out from under this contract
I was going to set at 2.5 or 3.5
Okay. 13 position players.
C – Kelly, Amaya
IF – Busch, Hoerner, Swanson, Bregman
OF – Happ, PCA, Suzuki
Four left.
#10 – Ballesteros is the primary DH, the backup 1B (don’t see Tyler Austin making the team), and the rarely-used 3rd C.
#11 – Shaw becomes the primary backup at 2B, SS, 3B, and LF.
#12 – Alcantara backs up CF, RF, and DH.
#13 – I don’t know. There’s no gain in using a rookie here because of playing time. Maybe Austin *does* make the team. Forget it…I’ll go full Out of the Park and vote for a speedy utility player who can’t hit but can pinch run, double switch, and be perfectly happy with 100 AB.
Alcantara is not a back up dh and Mo sees no time at first.
I’m willing to bet he does. Even if the thought of it is ugly, you gotta give him a chance if only to increase his value as a player. He can play 1st, he can catch a ball. Those 3 GG infielders should make that job much easier
I agree other than why?
Why, for the same reason a position player pitches during the regular season.
I don’t really want to see Mo at first in meaningful games, but it’s going to happen.
Okay
Good. 3B has been a black hole for a while now. Also, Hoerner is not going anywhere.
Go get Makenzie Gore and really rattle the cage
The Cubs had to make this move, in order to counter the Reds signing Toglia to a minor league deal.
Funny thing is that Baseball Reference doesn’t see Bregman as much of an improvement over Shaw at third base. Bregman last year had 3.5 bWAR, Shaw had 3.1. Fangraphs sees it a little differently. As usual, the difference is in the defensive evaluation.
Sure, the Cubs are thinking about their big free agent class after the 2026 season, especially Hoerner. They want to have Bregman around to provide some offense if a lot of guys leave.
The deferrals are no surprise. A little Dodgers influence, you might say. So the present value of the deal is more like $150 million, which tracks pretty well with estimates of what Bregman would get.
Agree that 5/150 after deferrals makes this far less of an overpay than originally seemed to be the case, if indeed it is an overpay at all. And it means the Red Sox supposedly “aggressive” offer wasn’t even 5/150. Total BS as per usual for Sox mgmt.
Good luck to Bregman (and the Cubs’ training staff). Thanks for the healthy part of last year.
Now Sox front office needs to get serious about who’s playing where in 2026.
Gotta admit, didn’t see coming. I don’t know what to think at this point. But now the big question is, what to do with Shaw? I would have rather seen the Cubbies resigned Bellinger but this deal adds a whole new wrinkle to things.
Shaw is the utility guy.
There are a lot of commenters criticizing this contract. I get it. Its a lot of money and it is an overpay to us because to us it looks like a contract signed in a vacuum but it isnt. The price tag didnt get this high because the Cubs just decided they should blow away the competition with an offer dramatically different from the field.
RS have a couple options. Suárez or Paredes. Paredes is younger, cheaper and better defensively but he will cost Tolle. They could have gotten him for less earlier but the Astros have gotten enough arms and would only move him for a top outfield or LH pitching prospect. The can move Walker now and put Paredes at 1B.
I don’t see tolle for parades really matching up for either side..focus on suarez
Lrtexasman
The can move Walker now and put Paredes at 1B.
=================================
A move to 1st will hurt Paredes value a little.
And good luck moving Walker.
Cubs are ruining baseball.
Wow he got more than Alonso, I know defensively he’s better but Damn. Now can the Cubs move Shaw to 1b and trade Busch to the Mets lol.
wouldn’t you rather trade Busch to a team with a stadium with the name of Busch? 😝
No lol
I’m trying to think of the last time a long term contract that expired when a player was mid to late 30’s that ended well? As opposed to ended terribly?
Surplus value in the first half, deficit in the latter half. I thought that this long-standing MLB business concept was well-understood. It’s why teams sign them.
Everybody understands it now…. well almost everyone.
Huge overpay … they will be sorry in two years, when he declines like Javy Baez and Trevor Story did after signing long term deals.
You really can’t compare javy and bregman. One is high swing and miss profile, if bregman even hits around average he’s still a highly valuable player. Baez led the league in strikeouts the year before he signed with Detroit.
One is consistent the other was highly volatile, even though I loved baez the player. I don’t think they are comparable at all
Scott Boras playing Jedi mind tricks again with some owners who seem to overpay for some of his clients.
His defense got worse, and small-ish infielders tend to lose it quickly when they lose it.
His 2025 is :
– March/ April– .985
– May– .857
– July– .848
– August– .735
– September/ October– .640
At least this year he should be fine and maybe that’s all that matters for now.
They’ve been trying to find a 3b since the Bryant years.
What was Boston thinking hahaha
hey, this wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card!
“Bregman gives the Cubs a major offensive upgrade”. 2025 bWAR:
Nico Hoerner 6.2
Dansby Swanson 4.5
Matt Shaw 3.1
Alex Bregman 3.5
Even acknowledging that a fair amount of Shaw’s bWAR came from his defense, please explain how this is a major upgrade, much less worth $175 million.
Probably because Shaw wasn’t playing in the first half. They went half the season using Jon Berti level players at third
Not only that, makes bench stronger. There are also things that aren’t easily quantified if shaw still plays albeit in a different spot.
You mean the half where they resided in first place and appeared to be strong enough to take the division?
Bronx
“Bregman gives the Cubs a major offensive upgrade”
“Matt Shaw 3.1
Alex Bregman 3.5
Even acknowledging that a fair amount of Shaw’s bWAR came from his defense”
The article says “offensive”
2025 wRC+
Bergman 125
Shaw 93
3.5 WAR was just over 117 games…If he plays 150+ games that total is easily 5 or 6 WAR. Then you aren’t even adding in the kind of clubhouse guy he is. Roman Anthony wouldn’t of had the start he did if Bregman didn’t take him under his wing. 5 or 6 million per win AAV isn’t really a overpay. You got players with much lower WARS making more per win. Years 4 and 5 will sting some but it’s worth it if ya get a title now.
Its 4.49 war for 150 games
I wonder if the cubs would be willing to move shaw for a young controllable sp. Could potentially match up well w the Mets for someone like Sproat. Mets could shift baty to 1b which I’m sure he could handle well.
Hopefully Cubs fans get Breggy sauce. I’ve never tried it but it looks like barbecue sauce. There’s just a hole in the next to the mustard, relish, ketchup or whatever where the Breggy Bomb sauce was.
Maybe if there’s a new sauce it helps with value.
So 30 to 31 million is better than 40? This writer is an idiot, so are the Cubs. This guy isn’t worth 20 million a year. If he was the dodgers would have signed him or at the least made him an offer. Open your eyes MLB, yall slopping up scraps. This why baseball will shut down after this year. Paying trash!!
B_rett
Don’t seem like the kind of poster who is likely to make many comments that it will benefit me to read
Muted
That is a bad contract for the Cubs. I don’t think he is an improvement over Shaw even this year.
6 million per WAR AAV and he only played in 117 games. Suddenly this doesn’t feel like an overpay when I think about it on those terms, at least short term. Boston missed the mark, especially when ya hear players like Roman Anthony say how much he helped them grow as professionals, while still producing as a player. This one hurts some as a Sox fan, Cubs got a good one. Breggy got every dollar he’s worth.
How did you get to 6mm per WAR AAV? He made 36.6mm last year, and he was worth 3.5 war. Doesn’t that come to 10.45mm/WAR?
He only played 117 games last season. He was averaging 1.5 WAR every 50 games he missed 45 games so I added 1.5 to his total. He would of gotten 5 if he was healthy and consistent.
Ah. But, he wasn’t healthy all year. WAR isn’t a what-if stat, it’s a what-you-did stat.
darn oh well
How long before the Cubs are regretting that contract?
The hope is not as much as the Cardinals regret the Arenado contract.
Everybody but the Cubs avoided the Anthony Rendon 2 contract. Can’t say I feel bad for them. Nolan Arenado will produce more over the length of either contract.
For me, this is kind of sad because the Cubs have always been a team that I want to see be successful
Now, every time this cheater’s mug is flashed on the screen, it will make my head hurt.
Maybe the Cubs can have a “special trash can bobblehead” day in his honor.
Ughhh good job Red Sox
I really hope it works out. That’s all.
The Red Sox aren’t signing anybody. They’re going with what they got and hoping to be competitive . The over under on wins is 87.5.
$30 million a year for 3.5 war for so many years seems like a lot. If they feel it helps them beat the dodgers for the national league crown then perhaps worth it as the final piece of a championship team. But would you rather have Kyle Tucker or Alex bregman? Unless they plan to sign both
75 million is deferred. I’m shocked Bregman agreed it that he seems like a very greedy person and would want all 175mil over 5 years.
The “so called ” writer mentioned the cardiac bears. DA BEARS, just might be footballs next powerhouse. And I’m a steeler fan.
Go bears.
Well I was partly right… Bregman signed over this weekend just with a team approximately 1000 miles to the west….
Boston’s treatment of Dever’s will make free agents wary of signing with the Red Soxes. I don’t see Boston signing Bo.
How about those Giantses.
Now that the cubs are one outfielder short, I’d like them to still go after bellinger shower don’t know if still financially possible.
This is call karma, 2026 is going to be a better year for Devers
Good signing. Couple this signing with the Cabrera trade and cubs had a good offseason.
Ugh the Chicago Deferrals strike again. If only they could quit cheating and sign legitimate contracts like those Dodgers
They signed someone to help them win? THE CUBS ARE RUINING BASEBALL!
Good! did not want the Sox to sign him.
Go bang trash cans, Bregman.
Matt Shaw loses his job after bailing on his team to memorialize a naht-zee.
I love it. Reap what you sow.
Not sure if Suzuki capable patrolling right field the majority of time solely by himself with no competition!
But only the Dodgers do deferrals. This can’t be right 😕
No trade, no opt outs? Breg got the Cubs by the nuts!
MLBTR reposting to try to reach 1,000 comments.
Again?
I hope the next big move that the Cubs make isn’t extend for Nico Hoerner 5/92 and 6th grade social media ruined 6/110
Ear regardless, I don’t know what to say.
Meanwhile in another part of the country the Red Sox sign an excellent pitcher. I would still like another righty bat.
Wow.
That’s a LOT of money.
I’m so old, I won’t say, probably can’t throw a ball more than 30 feet anymore….
but I’m thinking about hiring Boras to be my agent.
Great signing. He may miss 50 to 60 games, but 265, 20 hrs., good defense, and 80 Rbi’s at 3rd. We have not had that there in forever! Please keep Shaw for 3rd and 2nd this year. People miss games, he’ll see plenty of Ab’s and field time. Next year if Nico walks we have a controllable good player already. He would be phenomenal at 2nd. Trading him would be shooting own foot.
How foes this deal look now?