When Alex Bregman hit free agency this past offseason, he faced a choice that would define the next chapter of his career: return to the Boston Red Sox or take his talents to the Chicago Cubs. He chose the Cubs, signing a massive $140 million-plus deal—and just one month into the season, that decision looks nothing short of genius.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Bregman's move was the single best decision of the entire offseason. And the reasoning is crystal clear. While the Cubs are soaring with a 21-12 record—the best in their division—the Red Sox are in full-blown turmoil. Boston fired manager Alex Cora and five other coaches just three weeks into the season, and the team has stumbled to a 13-20 start, dead last in the AL East.
"He was spared the Red Sox soap opera," Nightengale noted, referencing the internal strife and coaching upheaval that has rocked Boston's clubhouse. Instead of being caught in that storm, Bregman is thriving in a positive, winning environment on a Cubs team that looks like a legitimate World Series contender.
On the field, Bregman has been solid, posting a .701 OPS and a 105 OPS+—slightly above league average. But his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He's brought veteran leadership and postseason pedigree to a young, hungry Cubs squad that now owns the best record in the NL Central.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are dealing with player unrest and a fractured clubhouse. It's a stark contrast that makes Bregman's choice look even smarter with each passing game.
In a winter full of big moves across baseball, no player made a better call than Alex Bregman. He didn't just sign a huge contract—he chose a team with momentum, stability, and championship aspirations. For a player at his stage of his career, that's the ultimate win.
