Fifth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ new third baseman.
Alex Bregman should need no introduction. The Cubs wanted to sign him last year but were unable to close the deal. They made up for it this year, signing the free agent to a massive five-year, $175 million contract.
Bregman has won two World Sries championships with the Houston Astros and wears No. 3 with the Cubs, saying that he chose the number because he wants to win a third one. Bregman didn’t sign with the Cubs to get a haircut,
to paraphrase a famous former Cub.
He’s well-known for his leadership skills and says he lives for his family and to win baseball games. It already looks like he’s found a comfort zone with the team and his responsibilities, and he’s been seen around town — notably at a Blackhawks game where he wore a red jersey with his number and name on it.
Bregman may not be up to his 2018-19 peak, where he amassed 7.6 and 8.9 bWAR seasons, but he can be penciled in for somewhere around 30 HR/100 RBI/100 walks if he plays a full season. His lifetime slash of .272/.365/.481, with his four MVP nominations and three All-Star Game appearances, speak to his excellence. He also has a Gold Glove from his 2024 season in Houston and a Silver Slugger from his superlative 2019 campaign.
He is perhaps a step below former teammate Kyle Tucker as far as offensive production, but his defense, leadership, and more outgoing personality should serve him well in his Chicago tenure. He is also well-aware of how the power alleys at Wrigley work, and will be aiming at that left-center zone with regularity.
He is also social-media savvy, with his own YouTube Channel and activity on Instagram, and gives good interview.
Last year’s third baseman, Matt Shaw, is penciled in as a utility man and will back up Bregman and Nico Hoerner, and probably log some time in the outfield. Bregman will likely mentor Shaw some, but his primary job is to eye those fences, looking for the jewelry.
Fangraphs’ 2025 spray chart shows that Bregman hits the ball from line to line, and, as a right-handed hitter, favors the left side of the park — his home runs are mostly from center-left, which is ideal.
This should be fun. He’ll hit 2,3,or 4, depending on who’s pitching, leading off, etc. I’ve seen the Cubs ranked as high as #2 in the NL Power Rankings — they’re definitely a contending team, and Bregman’s work will go a long way toward determining how that goes.
