New reports have revealed the strong offers the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs made to star third baseman. However, they fell well short of the Boston Red Sox’s winning big for one main reason.
The last big-name star that was still available in MLB free agency is finally off the board. Entering the offseason, Houston Astros great Alex Bregman was seen as one of the very best players in this year’s class. However, while other stars signed new contracts months ago, the third baseman remained on the open market in search of a huge pay raise.
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Various rumors suggested the 30-year-old and his agent were seeking a long-term deal worth around $200 million. However, teams around the league balked at that asking price. Heading into the week, the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox were the only teams still seriously pursuing Bregman. In the end, the AL East club won the sweepstakes.
Although Bregman did not get a pact anywhere close to $200 million, the Red Sox will pay him $40 million annually in a three-year contract totaling $120 million. Following the news, new reports revealed what Detroit and Chicago offered the infielder, and it makes it obvious why he took the deal from Boston.
- Alex Bregman stats (2024): .260 AVG, .315 OBP, .453 SLG, .768 OPS, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 79 R
Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs’ offers didn’t come close to Boston Red Sox winning bid
“Bregman had offers of 6 years/$171.5 million (opt-out after 2026) from Detroit, and 4 years/$120 million (opt-outs after 2026 & 2027) from the Cubs,” MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand reported on Wednesday night. “The higher AAV combined with the opt-outs after each of the next two years were the key to him taking the Boston deal.”
While the Detroit Tigers proposal was the number of years Bregman allegedly was looking for at the start of the offseason, and not far off from $200 million, the $28.5 million annual rate was well behind that of the Red Sox.
- Alex Bregman contract: Three years, $120 million
The Chicago Cubs were willing to match Boston in contract total, but adding another year to the deal brought the AAV down to $30 million. While he did not get the long-term pact he was aiming for, being by far the highest-paid third baseman of all time (per season) is still a huge accomplishment for Bregman and his agent Scott Boras.
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