Cubs’ Alex Bregman signing raises red flags you wouldn’t expect

The Chicago Cubs landed third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million contract on Saturday night, a rather jarring signing considering the Cubs have not exactly spent a ton of money in recent offseasons.

But while most Chicago fans are celebrating the move, which followed the team’s trade for pitcher Edward Cabrera, there are some who are not so enamored with the Cubs’ decision.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield, for example, gave Chicago a C-plus grade for the Bregman addition and isn’t so sure the Cubs made the right move in giving him $35 million annually.

“There is an argument that Alex Bregman’s name recognition exceeds his actual on-field value,” Schoenfield wrote. “… He hasn’t been one of the top 10 players in the league in any single season across the past six campaigns. This deal gives a lot of money for a player of this level who is entering his age-32 season.”

Schoenfield went on to question how much better the Cubs have actually gotten by adding Bregman, even though he also qualified his entire assessment by saying that every major-league team would have to have Bregman on its roster.

My question is, what was Chicago supposed to do?

Chicago Cubs’ move for Alex Bregman was the right one

It’s true that Bregman isn’t quite as elite as he once was. He made back-to-back All-Star appearances with the Houston Astros in 2018 and 2019, finishing top five in AL MVP voting both years. He even finished second during the latter campaign.

But between 2020 and 2024, Bregman did not make a single trip to the midsummer classic. He finally earned a third All-Star selection with the Boston Red Sox last season, but even then, his numbers weren’t eye-popping, as he slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI over 495 plate appearances (he missed some time due to injury).

Regardless, the Cubs badly needed another bat after losing Kyle Tucker, and Bregman was one of the top position players available.

While Bregman may not be Tucker, he absolutely makes Chicago better. Without him, the Cubs would sorely be lacking in terms of offensive pop, which Bregman certainly brings to the table. It should also be noted that the 31-year-old remains a terrific defender at the hot corner.

It’s fair to criticize the AAV, but if Chicago didn’t sign Bregman, then everyone would be lambasting the Cubs for being cheap.

Hats off to Tom Ricketts and Jed Hoyer for pulling the trigger.

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