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.

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

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.

Playing the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox, after spending the previous nine years with the Houston Astros, Bregman proved that he still possesses the pop in his bat that rivals want in their lineups. His leadership and experience from playing on two World Series championship clubs with Houston (2017 and 2022) are what will make a good team great.

After injuring his right quadriceps last May, Bregman was sidelined for the better part of two months, but was selected to the American League All-Star team.

Bregman also led Boston back into postseason play for the first time since 2021. Although he had signed a three-year deal this past February, the all-star third baseman chose to opt out of the contract.

As a free agent this off-season, Bregman found no shortage of clubs interested in his services. Ultimately, the Cubs’ offer wooed the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove infielder. According to MLB.com, Bregman’s deal, which will have an annual salary of $35 million, will be the largest offered in club history.

With Opening Day less than 75 days away, and spring training camps preparing to swing open their doors in less than one month, getting a deal done now with Bregman is important. Arriving on time in Mesa, Arizona next month for the start of the Cactus League schedule will give the former Silver Slugger ample time to acclimate himself to his new teammates, and perhaps most important, get his rhythm down based on where he is placed in the lineup.

For the past several seasons, the Cubs have been the “groomsmen” to the Brewers in the Central.  With two second place finishes, and a third place ending in 2024, the Cubs have been positioning themselves since November to take their game to the next level in 2026.

A recent trade with the Miami Marlins brings starting pitcher Edward Cabrera to Chicago’s rotation. The club also re-signed pitcher Shota Imanaga, who accepted the Cubs’ qualifying offer of $22 million.

Seven pitchers in total are being brought in to bolster Chicago’s staff. Phil Maton and Hoby Milner will be joining the Cubs bullpen. Caleb Thielbar, 38, who saw action in 67 games last season for the Cubs, also has been re-signed to a one-year deal. Addressing their bullpen needs going forward was top on Chicago’s “to do list” for 2026.

Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs reacts after striking out Jared Triolo of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sept. 4, 2024. Quinn Harris/Getty Images

First baseman Tyler Austin, who has starred for the last six years in Japan for the Yokohama Bay Stars, has also inked a one-year contract to play the 2026 season with the Cubs.

A projected infield for the Cubs this coming season has Bregman at third base, Dansby Swanson positioned at shortstop, and Nico Hoerner stationed at second base. While Bregman and Swanson are signed to lengthy deals with the Cubs, Hoerner will be eligible for free agency next year. An outfield, from left field to right, of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki is as formidable as any in the National League.

Chicago’s manager Craig Counsell, who signed with the club for five years back in November 2023, must feel a new level of optimism going forward. Finishing five games back of the Brewers last season, at 92–70, the National League Central promises to be a two-team race, once again.

As busy as the Cubs’ front office has been in hopes of improving their club, the competition within the Central hasn’t been nearly active. The St. Louis Cardinals signed two notable pitchers—starter Dustin May, from the Red Sox, and Ryne Stanek—to add strength to the bullpen. Both players received one-year contracts. As for the Cincinnati Reds, hurler Pierce Johnson and Garrett Hampson, who can play infield as well as outfield positions, are the top additions to the club. There have been no “big splashes” in Cincinnati or St. Louis in terms of deals, so far, and the same could be said about the lack of activity shown by the Brewers’ operation.

Milwaukee’s headliner so far this off-season is their re-signing pitcher Brandon Woodruff. Woodruff, who has eight years of MLB service with the Brewers, accepted the club’s qualifying offer to remain with them for at least one season.

Now, the Cubs should be keeping an eye on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finishing the past two seasons in the cellar of the Central, Pirates’ Ben Cherington has executed trades and free-agent signings that have improved his club. In his general manager’s role, Cherington has signed Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year contract, and traded with the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Jake Mangum, infielder Brandon Lowe, and relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.

Lefty reliever Gregory Soto has been welcomed to Pittsburgh, too, on a one-year deal for $7.75 million. As much as the Pirates have improved their roster, for now, the division still belongs to the Cubs and Brewers.

Bregman’s addition to the Cubs promises to be the difference between first and second place in the National League Central in 2026.