Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a five-year deal in January 2026, shortly after he parted ways with Boston. The third baseman locked in $175 million fully guaranteed — $35 million per season through 2030 — cementing his place among the highest-paid infielders in the game and giving Chicago a proven corner presence on both sides of the ball.
Contract at a glance
- Team: Chicago Cubs
- Signed: January 2026
- Length: 5 years (2026–2030)
- Total guaranteed value: $175 million
- Average annual value: $35 million
- 2026 salary: $35 million
How the deal is structured
The contract runs evenly at $35 million per year with no major escalators or back-loading. There are no opt-out clauses and no significant deferrals — Bregman gets the full $175 million regardless of performance, injury, or roster changes. In today’s MLB market, that kind of clean, fully guaranteed structure is standard for an established player in his prime.
Where Bregman ranks among MLB’s highest-paid players
At $35 million per year, Bregman sits 13th among all active contracts by average annual value in 2026. When looking strictly at 2026 salaries, his $35 million paycheck ranks 10th across the league. He’s firmly in the elite tier — just outside the mega-deal stratosphere of the past few years. Rankings are based on total guaranteed value without discounting deferred money, per Spotrac and Baseball-Reference data as of August 11, 2026.
His previous contracts
- Boston Red Sox (2025–2027): 3 years, $120 million — signed as a free agent
Bregman had signed with Boston as a free agent in 2025 on a three-year, $120 million deal after his years in Houston. When the Cubs came calling, he and the Red Sox mutually agreed to part ways, and he signed the new deal in Chicago. It’s a clear example of how a player who consistently delivers on both sides of the ball can reshape his market value even mid-career.
Career earnings
Adding up every MLB contract he’s signed, Bregman has earned $295 million in guaranteed money over his career. That figure covers base salary, signing bonuses, and earned bonuses — not endorsements or any income from outside the United States.
