The Chicago Cubs are off to a surprisingly slow start this season. They were predicted by many to run away with the National League Central, and while they are within striking distance, they are 9-9 through their first 18 games and sit at the bottom of the division.
Granted, the NL Central has been tougher than expected this year, and the fact that the Cubs are only 1 1/2 games back is encouraging for the organization, especially with the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals playing better than expected and the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers remaining in the mix.
However, Alex Bregman is off to a slow start as well. The Cubs signed him to a five-year, $175 million contract last offseason, but Christopher Kline of FanSided listed that signing as one the Cubs may come to regret soon.
“With all due respect to Alex Bregman — and he has earned a ton of respect over the years — Chicago’s decision to sign him to a five-year, $175 million contract ahead of his age-32 season was a predictable misstep,” Kline wrote. “Bregman is known as a great teammate and the ultimate winner, but last season in Boston was a mixed bag, to say the least. The signs of imminent decline were there.
“$35 million annually to Bregman feels destined to become a sunk cost. He’s limping out of the gate with a .659 OPS in the heart of the Cubs’ order. ”
Cubs May Regret Alex Bregman Signing
It’s too early to say for sure, but the Cubs may end up regretting this signing. While Bregman performed well in Boston last year, he missed significant time due to an injury.
So far this season, he is hitting just .243/.321/.338 with two home runs and nine RBI. It’s possible that age is starting to catch up to him. He is 32 years old and was only given a three-year deal prior to the 2025 season, which he opted out of.
But injuries could be a problem for him, and if they are, then the Cubs will be stuck paying a hefty cost for a player that is declining. Sometimes, long-term contracts don’t pan out, and this could be one of those cases.
Bregman may not be the same player he was with the Houston Astros. He is a three-time All-Star, but has been in the league for several years now, and players do eventually start to decline after several years, regardless of their skill.
Is Bregman Washed?
There is still time for Bregman to turn things around. He is historically one of the game’s best players, and the potential is there for a bounceback.
However, it is fair to wonder if he potentially has taken a step back or lost a little bit of his edge. There were struggles last year in Boston, and some of those appear to have carried over into the 2026 season, and that certainly isn’t a good sign for Bregman or the Cubs.
We’ll see if he can fix things at some point, but this start is certainly concerning for the two-time World Series champion.
Cubs Put on Notice After Season-Defining Alex Bregman Decision