Cubs deal for Alex Bregman sparks odd, pessimistic reaction from ESPN

Matt Sullivan

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Cubs deal for Alex Bregman sparks odd, pessimistic reaction from ESPN image

The Chicago Cubs stunned Major League Baseball Saturday night when they signed free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a huge $175 million, five-year contract.

With $70 million in deferrals, a no-trade clause, and no opt-outs, this contract is far from a simple $35 million per-year deal. Between the Bregman signing and the Chicago Bears' win, it was a big night for Chicago sports fans.

But, David Schoenfield of ESPN had a more pessimistic reaction to the Bregman deal. He gives out grades for each big offseason move, and this contract with Bregman got a "C+" grade and was met with some odd concerns.

Cubs receive odd C+ grade for Alex Bregman deal

"He hasn't been one of the top 10 players in the league in any single season across the past six campaigns," Schoenfield writes. "This deal gives a lot of money for a player of this level who is entering his age-32 season."

While he does follow that up by stating that "every team" would love to have Bregman on their roster, it's still a concern that Schoenfield has for this contract, and why the Cubs received only a C+ grade.

The point that Schoenfield began his analysis of the Bregman deal with was that the new Cubs third baseman has more name recognition than actual present-day talent.

His peak came in 2018 and 2019, which is over half a decade ago now. Schoenfield points out how Bregman, since 2022, is ranked 33rd in wRT+ (weighted runs created).

It's not a terrible number by any means, and it highlights how he's one of the top 33 players in Major League Baseball over the last four seasons.

More: Cubs' Alex Bregman contract details involve $175 million, five years

But spending $35 million per year over five seasons for Bregman, who is 32 years old, is a big risk. While the Cubs are getting an overall good player, the huge per-year total and the length of the deal make this a risky one.

Even then, it's still odd for the Cubs to receive just a C+ grade for landing one of the top remaining players available in free agency this winter.

They swiped him from the Boston Red Sox, and thanks to the $70 million deferral, it's not nearly as bad a deal as it might seem on the surface.

Schoenfield is pessimistic that this Bregman deal will work out. But, even if he doesn't improve and plays like he has the last four years, he'd still be worth it for the Cubs, as he, at the very minimum, has ignited hope in the team's World Series chances for 2026.

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