{"id":570023,"date":"2026-02-13T11:03:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/570023\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T11:03:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:03:49","slug":"alex-bregman-goes-public-with-big-expectations-for-pca-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/570023\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Bregman goes public with big expectations for PCA in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs have their team set for the coming season\u2013 a season where they are not only expected to win the NL Central Division, but also expected to make a deep playoff run.<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs\u2019 Shota Imanaga on 2025 struggles: \u201cI felt ashamed I let the fans down\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Barring some unforeseen injury or spectacular last-minute free agent signing (Zac Gallen), this is the team going to battle in 2026.<\/p>\n

And the Cubs are especially happy with the major piece added to their squad this offseason\u2013 Alex Bregman.<\/p>\n

The three-time All-Star third baseman was signed to an uncharacteristically bold (for the Cubs) 5-year, $175 million deal and positioned as a cornerstone of a Cubs team aimed at cinching in a culture of winning.<\/p>\n

What Alex Bregman brings to the Cubs
\n\"AlexFeb 11, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs Alex Bregman (3) gets ready to hit during spring training camp at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs: A look at farm system strengths amid dire assessments<\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from a plus-bat and Gold Glove-level defense, the 31-year-old Bregman brings a ton of intangibles revolving around his well-deserved reputation as a likable, approachable clubhouse leader. In a lot of ways, he brings to the Cubs what the colder and more reserved right fielder Kyle Tucker could not last season.<\/p>\n

While Tucker\u2019s bat is a tick above Bregman\u2019s, Chicago needs more of what Bregman brings to the table, especially with so many veterans (Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga) potentially heading off into free agency at the end of the 2026 season. That\u2019s why it\u2019s hard to find anyone lamenting the Bregman-for-Tucker free agent swap.<\/p>\n

But Bregman\u2019s influence could prove to be especially important when it comes to one specific piece of the Cubs\u2019 future plans.<\/p>\n

Bregman and PCA
\n\"ChicagoApr 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) after hitting an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong plays the game like a man running through a burning building. All fire, explosion, and adrenaline, \u201cPCA\u201d is beyond entertaining to watch.<\/p>\n

His all-out style, though, makes him a volatile, unpredictable offensive asset. Over the course of his short MLB career, it always seems to be feast or famine with the young mega-talent. Last season, for example, he had a first-half that screamed MVP (25 HR, 71 RBI, 27 SB, .265 BA) and a second half that had people wondering what happened (6 HR, 24 RBI, 8 SB, .216 BA).<\/p>\n

The soon-to-be 24-year-old needs stability and some boring, ol\u2019 predictability added to his game. He also needs a heaping helping of plate discipline. In other words, he needs someone like Alex Bregman in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell you\u2019re going to chase less,\u201d Bregman recently told Crow-Armstrong, after looking over the young star\u2019s mechanics and re-calibrated mindset.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s so good already,\u201d Bregman later told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic<\/a>. \u201cAnd he has so much potential. I think he\u2019s going to have the best year of his career this year, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

PCA, much to his credit, has never shied away from taking advice and guidance from veteran teammates. Just days after it was announced that the Cubs had signed Bregman, he was already talking about his eagerness to pick the brain of the two-time World Series champ.<\/p>\n

PCA as an eager student
\n\"MLB:MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs Sep 28, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (52) hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Now, side by side with Bregman in spring training, he\u2019s already speaking glowingly of the veteran\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s excited to see my OBP go up and my swing rate go down,\u201d Crow-Armstrong told media on Wednesday. \u201cIt\u2019s everything that everybody else probably wants to see. But the way he talks about it is really cool\u2026It\u2019s a nerdy approach to hitting, but it\u2019s never overcomplicated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can already kind of see it\u2019s going to be really easy to apply my conviction and competitiveness into a real thought-out approach,\u201d he added. \u201cThe guy has had .400 OBP years. He is probably someone you should listen to in terms of that. I just appreciate it when he can come in, and he\u2019s not just picking apart my swing.\u201d<\/p>\n

While noting that the two don\u2019t really have a similar playing style, PCA is still aware of how much of a learning opportunity is present when Bregman\u2019s around.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just wants to see a little less from me, I think,\u201d Crow-Armstrong said, referring to tighter mechanics and a more discerning eye when it comes to balls he swings at.<\/p>\n

This Bregman-PCA pairing is a bromance that needs to be encouraged by the Cubs. No matter what Bregman does at the plate or on the field, he\u2019ll be earning his money just by making those around him\u2013 especially Crow-Armstrong\u2013 better.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs\u2019 injury-prone under-the-radar asset gives big health update
\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\tFor More Great Chicago Sports Content<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News<\/a>, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.<\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23<\/a> for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE <\/a><\/p>\n