Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman signing proves Cubs’ financial muscles are too much for rest of NL Central originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Following the signing of Alex Bregman, it’s hard not to view the Chicago Cubs as favorites to win the National League Central in 2026. The Milwaukee Brewers will certainly have something to say about that after they won the division by five games and took down the Cubs in the NLDS, but the Cubs have invested the most this offseason in the NL Central – and by a large margin after the nine figure deal handed over to Bregman
With the recent addition of Bregman, the Cubs have separated themselves as the premier spenders in the NL Central. In fact, the four biggest current free agent contracts for active NL Central players belong to the Cubs. That consists of Bregman’s $175 million deal, Dansby Swanson’s $177 million deal, Seiya Suzuki’s $85 million deal, and Jameson Taillon’s $68 million deal.
Other central teams have spent money whether through extensions or in the form of prospects on the trade market throughout the last couple of years, but the Cubs have put themselves in a good position by being willing to spend on the open market. That has proven to be an important factor in building a roster for success in other organizations as most big spenders find themselves in the mix come October.
Calling a massive market like Chicago home certainly helps and puts the Cubs at quite an advantage over the rest of the NL Central. Look at the rest of the division – Milwaukee, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. It’s not much of a competition and the Cubs have the ability to “flex their financial muscles” in a sense to try to get over the hump in the division when a team like the Brewers make hay by trading and developing talent at a high level due to their lack of finances.
The Cubs were the only NL Central team in the running to sign Alex Bregman which might further prove they have the financial advantage in the division. As long as that’s the case, they give themselves more than a fighting chance against teams like the Brewers and Cardinals that have a long track record of success through paying the right players as opposed to just paying any player.
Between Bregman and Dansby Swanson, the Cubs now have the highest paid left side of an infield on an annual average basis in baseball at $60 million per year, with the Giants and Padres both trailing closely behind. It’s rightfully so the highest paid infield duo as both are above-average defenders with their own strengths offensively as well.
Headed into the 2026 season, Cubs fans can feel confident that the front office is in fact putting their best foot forward in investing in the on-field product after acquiring Alex Bregman.