Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Alex Bregman Makes Unexpected Revelation About Turning Down Cubs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 11:23 AM ET

For a brief period this past offseason, All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman believed he’d wind up in a Chicago Cubs uniform.

In fact, Bregman looked forward to potentially joining a Cubs team that had already added longtime Houston Astros teammate Kyle Tucker. It helped that the Cubs had a vacancy at third base, ensuring Bregman wouldn’t need to switch positions.

However, Bregman eventually signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox in February. Bregman can opt out of his contract after each of the next two seasons.

The issue wasn’t money so much as it was commitment. Bregman said the Cubs only offered him a one-year deal and refused to budge, citing budgetary concerns.

“There was just no way I could take the Cubs’ one-year deal, just for protection purposes,” Bregman told The Athletic.

Bregman said he was “definitely considering” joining the Cubs. However, the club’s insistence on not altering their terms drove him away, subsequently costing the Cubs a top free agent.

“Even if it was two [years] with an opt-out after the first year, I would have really had to take a look at it,” Bregman explained.

“But they said with the way their money was, they could only do a one-year,” the two-time World Series champion continued. “I was just like, ‘That’s just too risky.’”

Alex Bregman's first home run with the @RedSox! pic.twitter.com/nbBI57ZAID
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2025

Bregman’s comments contradict a February report from Major League Baseball’s official website that the Cubs offered him a four-year, $120 million deal. That proposed contract featured opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

USA Today reported earlier this week that the Cubs’ $196 million Opening Day payroll ranked 10th among the league’s 30 teams. The Red Sox’s $193.6 million payroll placed 12th.

Bregman entered play Friday hitting .290 with a home run, three RBI, and a .764 OPS over his first seven games for the Red Sox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: