The Chicago Cubs have found a new third baseman.

Local media such as “ESPN” reported on the 11th (Korea Standard Time) that infielder Alex Bregman (31) agreed to sign a five-year, $175 million (KRW 255.48 billion) contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox last offseason, including an opt-out clause that would allow him to return to the market every season.

The Cubs agreed to a five-year contract with Bregman. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1 사진 확대 The Cubs agreed to a five-year contract with Bregman. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1

And after the 2025 season, the opt-out clause was implemented and entered the FA market. The average annual amount was smaller than before, but it succeeded in obtaining a long-term contract of more than $100 million.

The deal does not include an opt-out, and includes trade vetoes against the pro baseball team.

Bregman is the league’s top third baseman with three All-Stars, one Gold Glove and one Silver Slugger. He contributed to the Houston Astros winning the World Series twice, in 2017 and 2022.

He played in 1225 games in nine seasons in the Major League, with a batting average of 0.272 on-base percentage of 0.365, a slugging percentage of 0.481, 209 home runs, and 725 RBIs.

Last season, he played in 114 games for Boston and hit .273 on-base percentage .360 slugging percentage .462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. He was out due to a quadriceps injury in the middle of the season, but he helped the team advance to the postseason.

Bregman contributed to two World Series wins as a Houston Astros player. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1 사진 확대 Bregman contributed to two World Series wins as a Houston Astros player. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1

The Cubs, who entered the postseason as the second-ranked player in the National League Central with 92 wins last season, reinforced their vulnerable third base after recruiting starter Edward Cabrera in exchange for giving up Owen Casey, the top prospect of the club, to the Miami Marlins this offseason.

The Cubs completed the infield formation by recruiting first baseman Michael Bush, second baseman Nico Horner, shortstop Dansby Swanson, and Bregman. Of these, Horner will qualify as an FA after the 2026 season, while Swanson remains under contract until 2029. Bush is not yet eligible for a salary adjustment.

ESPN predicted that the Cubs could use Horner or Matt Shaw, who played as third baseman last season, as a trade card after this contract.

[KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Reporter]