The Chicago Cubs didn’t waste time addressing their most glaring need this offseason. After a 2025 campaign that had its share of promise but ultimately ended in disappointment, the front office zeroed in on one spot in particular: third base. And they made a statement-signing two-time All-Star Alex Bregman to a five-year deal that immediately reshapes the infield and injects a proven winner into the heart of the lineup.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a marginal upgrade. This is a major swing.
Bregman enters Wrigley Field not only as a significant upgrade over last season’s rotating cast at the hot corner, but as one of the best third basemen in the game-full stop. According to MLB Network’s annual rankings, Bregman checks in at No. 3 on the list of top third basemen, trailing only Max Muncy and perennial MVP candidate José Ramírez.
That puts him ahead of names like Matt Chapman, Manny Machado, and rising star Junior Caminero. That’s elite company, and it speaks volumes about the kind of impact the Cubs are expecting from their newest addition.
Last year, third base in Chicago was more of a revolving door than a cornerstone. The Cubs tried a little bit of everything-Matt Shaw, Vidal Bruján, Justin Turner, Jon Berti, Nicky Lopez, Willi Castro.
It was Shaw, the former first-round pick, who eventually took the reins as the season progressed. He showed flashes, especially in the second half, but his bat cooled off when it mattered most in October.
That inconsistency left the Cubs exposed in big moments, and it became clear they needed more than just potential at third base-they needed production.
Enter Bregman.
The addition of Bregman does more than just solidify the starting lineup. It allows the Cubs to shift Shaw into a utility role, where his versatility becomes a strength rather than a stopgap.
That’s a big win for a bench that lacked depth in 2025 and often found itself stretched too thin. With Bregman anchoring third and Shaw moving into a more flexible role, the Cubs are better positioned to handle the grind of a full season.
And while the loss of Kyle Tucker-who signed a record-breaking deal with the defending champion Dodgers-certainly stings, Bregman’s all-around value helps soften the blow. Offensively, he brings a disciplined approach at the plate, gap-to-gap power, and a knack for coming through in big spots. Defensively, he’s steady and dependable, a guy you trust with the ball in his glove and the game on the line.
But what might matter most is what Bregman brings beyond the stat sheet.
He’s a leader. A tone-setter.
A guy who’s been through the wars and knows what it takes to win. That kind of presence in the clubhouse can be just as valuable as a clutch double in the eighth inning.
The Cubs are betting that Bregman’s championship pedigree and competitive fire will not only elevate the team’s performance on the field but also raise the standard behind closed doors.
This is a team that believes it’s ready to take the next step. With Bregman in the fold, they’ve taken a big one in the right direction.