MLB

Cubs Baseball Brighter for 2026 With Bregman Deal, NL Central Title in Play

The Chicago Cubs are signing Alex Bregman, the most sought-after free agent third baseman this MLB off-season. His five-year contract is valued at $175 million.
Cubs Baseball Brighter for 2026 With Bregman Deal, NL Central Title in Play
Alex Bregman of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a single during the 8th inning against the New York Yankees in game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City on Oct. 1, 2025. Al Bello/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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With the Chicago Cubs acquisition of free-agent Alex Bregman, 31, the chances of the Milwaukee Brewers winning a fourth consecutive National League Central championship in 2026 have been diminished.

Simply put, this off-season, the Cubs have strengthened their club, while the four other clubs in the Central Division haven’t moved the needle to seriously challenge for the title. A player of Bregman’s quality is “a game changer”—the difference between finishing in second place and finishing on top.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.