The Chicago Cubs made two splash moves last week. One was the trade with the Miami Marlins for starting pitcher Edwin Cabrera, while the other was a blockbuster five-year, $175 million free agent deal with Alex Bregman.
Bregman has been a target for the Cubs since last offseason. Chicago badly wanted to sign him just one year ago, but came up short to the Boston Red Sox in free agency.
Jed Hoyer and the front office clearly weren’t going to be denied this time around and beat out all the other offers for Bregman. For a front office that hasn’t been known to spend big money in free agency, it was a breath of fresh air for Cubs fans.
Following the deal between Bregman and Chicago, his dad has taken to social media to share a heartwarming message to his son.
“I’ve watched Alex work tirelessly, chase his dream, and never forget where he came from,” Sam Bregman wrote on X. “Signing with the Chicago Cubs is a proud dad moment and it’s a reminder that every New Mexico kid deserves the same shot he had.”
Chicago Cubs Got Exactly What They Needed in Alex Bregman
Heading into the offseason, the Cubs knew that they would likely lose superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker. While he is still a free agent, it’s expected that he will sign elsewhere.
Assuming that does happen, Bregman’s bat will be part of replacing Tucker. However, the main area that needed upgrading from last season from a position player perspective was third base.
Matt Shaw played solid baseball last season, especially from a defensive standpoint. His bat was lacking.
Bregman played in 114 games for the Red Sox last season. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 62 RBI, while also producing a slash line of .273/.360/.462. In addition, he’s a quality defensive third baseman.
Chicago checked all of the boxes with the move for Bregman. Being able to lock him in long-term will help make the Cubs a contender in the NFC for years to come.
The Cubs Are Actually Looking Scary for 2026
With Bregman now in the fold, Chicago is looking like a formidable opponent for any team in baseball. In a league with the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s possible the team could make a run at denying them a three-peat.
FanGraphs has released a new projected lineup for the Cubs in 2026. From top to bottom, they look to be dangerous.
1. Michael Busch, 1B
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Seiya Suzuki, RF
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
6. Carson Kelly, C
7. Dansby Swanson, SS
8. Moises Ballesteros, DH
9. Nico Hoerner, 2B
On the outside looking in, there simply aren’t many weaknesses in that lineup. Chicago could end up being one of the top offensive teams in the league if the players play up to their full potential.
Bringing Bregman in seems like a move to put the icing on top of the cake. It’s possible that Hoyer and the Cubs still have more moves in mind. However, if Bregman was the final piece of the main puzzle, Chicago can exit the offseason feeling very good about things.
Alex Bregman’s Dad Shares Heartwarming Message After Cubs Deal