New Alex Bregman Contract Details Emerge After Red Sox Whiff

After months of being in the driver’s seat for Alex Bregman in free agency, the Boston Red Sox lost him to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.

The Cubs reportedly gave Bregman a five-year, $175 million deal. The Red Sox were willing to offer Bregman the five years he got from the Cubs, but they were outbid on the dollar figure, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

Bregman’s deal reportedly has some interesting wrinkles to it, however. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Bregman gets a no-trade clause, but his deal has no opt-outs. Additionally, the money in the deal is not as straightforward.

Bregman gets $175 million in total value, but the deal will have deferrals, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

“Per source, Bregman deal includes deferrals,” Rosenthal wrote on X on Sunday. “Full details not yet known. But present-day value will be less than $175M. And annual luxury-tax charge will be less than $35M.”

Rosenthal later reported that the deal has $70 million in deferred money. The deal helps the Cubs out in terms of the luxury tax, but hurts present value for Bregman. The Red Sox will now have to pivot. According to Nightengale, they will set their sights on Bo Bichette.

If the Red Sox do not land Bichette, they could try to swing another trade. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly taken Ketel Marte off the market, and he was probably the best option via trade.

Internally, the Red Sox will likely turn to Marcelo Mayer. Mayer played third base before his injury while he was filling in for Bregman. At second base, the Red Sox will need Kristian Campbell to play like the player they paid him to be after an inconsistent rookie season. He may still need more time in Triple-A, but considering they have already extended him, he figures to play a role.