When the Chicago Cubs inked Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal this offseason, they weren’t just signing a bat-they were betting on a presence. And if his one-year stint in Boston is any indication, that bet might pay off in more ways than one.
Bregman’s time with the Red Sox was brief-just a single season after arriving from Houston-but the impact he made went far beyond the box score. Teammates, coaches, and front office voices around the league have all echoed a similar sentiment: Bregman is a tone-setter. A guy who doesn’t just show up and play-he shows up and changes the room.
Now he brings that same energy to Wrigley Field, where the Cubs are looking to build on a 2025 campaign that saw them fall short of the NL Central crown and land in the postseason via the Wild Card. With Bregman in the fold, they’re hoping the ceiling just got a whole lot higher.
It’s not just about what he does between the lines-though that part certainly matters. Despite being limited to 114 games last season, Bregman still posted a 3.5 fWAR, a mark that placed him 19th among position players across the league from 2022 to 2025.
That’s elite-level production, even with missed time. He’s still getting it done at the plate and in the field, and his ability to lengthen the lineup has already had ripple effects.
Matt Shaw, a promising young talent, now moves into a utility role where he can thrive without the pressure of carrying too much weight too soon.
But again, the Cubs didn’t just bring Bregman in for his numbers-they brought him in for his presence.
One member of the Cubs’ front office called him “a transformative presence” and said his impact is “impossibly widespread.” That’s not just lip service. That’s the kind of language you reserve for franchise anchors-the players who shift culture, not just standings.
Inside the organization, there’s a buzz about what Bregman brings to the clubhouse. His leadership, his preparation, his ability to hold teammates accountable while still lifting them up-those are the intangibles that don’t show up on a stat sheet but win games in October.
And don’t think Boston isn’t feeling his absence. By all accounts, the Red Sox were gutted to lose him-not just because of what he did on the field, but because of what he brought to the team’s identity. That kind of loss doesn’t go unnoticed.
For the Cubs, though, it’s a major gain. They’ve got a core that’s ready to compete, and now they’ve added a player who’s been there, done that, and still has plenty left in the tank.
Bregman isn’t just another name on the roster. He’s a catalyst.
And if things go according to plan, he might just be the guy who helps push Chicago from playoff hopeful to serious contender.
The Cubs didn’t win the division last year. But with Bregman in the building, they’re not just thinking about the NL Central-they’re thinking about October. And maybe, just maybe, something even bigger.