The Chicago Cubs signed Alex Bregman to bring that veteran presence to their lineup. On Jan. 10, mlb.com/news/alex-bregman-cubs-contract”>MLB.com reported, citing multiple sources, that Chicago signed a five-year contract worth $175 million.
Despite the Cubs potentially losing Kyle Tucker, Chicago have made moves to bolster the team, including signing Bregman and trading for Edward Cabrera, among others. With the Cubs having an impressive offseason, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden made two strong takes about the Cubs heading into the 2026 season.
“Now we have an elite defensive team,” Bowden said on Jan. 11 during an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “Starting pitching is better. Bullpen has been rebuilt. I think they’re the team to beat. I think the Cubs are the team to beat right now in the NL Central.
“I think that Carter Hawkins and Jed Hoyer are now in the conversation for executive of the year. I think right now, they’ve got to be. I’m not saying they’re going to win, but right now, based on the moves they’ve made, they’ve got to start to be in that conversation legitimately. I love what they’ve done.”
Cubs Were Willing to Meet Alex Bregman’s Demands
Meanwhile, Bowden also believes the Cubs were willing to meet all of Bregman’s demands because, like the Boston Red Sox, the veteran checked off all the boxes for them. As a result, it’s the Red Sox this time around, missing out on Bregman after the Cubs whiffed on the veteran last offseason.
“When you and I were talking to Craig Counsell, the manager of the Cubs, on MLB Network Radio, live at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, this past year, he gave us the impression, without saying it, the importance of signing a player like Bregman because of the leadership qualities that the Cubs needed,” Bowden added.
“I heard that, and I looked him in the eyes. It was very clear to me that that was their guy. That’s what they wanted to get. That’s what they wanted to get, and I think when you put Bregman and [Dansby] Swanson leading your clubhouse, those intangibles are… It’s special because it’s going to help all the other guys develop around them. But now we have an elite defensive team. Starting pitching is better.”
MLB Insider Praises Cubs’ Offseason for 2026 Season
Additionally, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shared his take on the Cubs swinging for the fences to put together a roster that can win the NL Central and potentially be a contender in the NL to dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Well, good for the Cubs — they proved me wrong, continuing what now looks like a terrific offseason,“ Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic on Jan. 10. “Before signing Bregman, they spent more than $30 million on five-free agent relievers, traded for Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera and brought back first baseman Tyler Austin from Japan for $1.25 million…
“Going big for Bregman is more like it, and now the Cubs need to keep the rest of their club together, holding rather than trading second baseman Nico Hoerner and shifting Matt Shaw into a super-utility role.”