Actual Cubs baseball is only two days away, even if it is just a glorified scrimmage. I'm still trying to find a way to get out to spring training this year, but a pesky jury duty summons is mucking up my plans. Maybe I'll just have to take a little extra PTO and go earlier than initially planned. For some reason, I find it difficult to make time for myself with stuff like this.
That sound. That is such a wonderful sound, and oh how I've missed it. Also, it's just great to see that Alex Bregman swing in a Cubs uniform. He knows what he's doing at the plate, and, hey, maybe he can give Jamo a couple tips to cut down on the HR/9 this year. Aren't pitchers supposed to be ahead of hitters this time of year?
This offseason, Bregman founded a performance hub for professional baseball players. He said he wanted to create a one-stop shop where players could improve their game. The facility includes batting cages, areas for defensive work, weight training, and physical therapy. MLB Network traveled to Arizona, where Nemesis is located, to talk with Bregman and his staff about this new hotbed for baseball athletes.
Oh yeah, we learned that Jon Lester will be the next inductee into the Cubs Hall of Fame. CI was first to report that Lester was getting a blue jacket, then, in a tweet that has since been deleted, Bob Nightengale had the scoop that Rizzo would be going in as well. That ended up being incorrect because Rizzo hasn't been retired long enough, but Nightengale later tweeted that Jody Davis was expected to join Lester.
There have been some conflicting reports about how Alex Bregman's contract structure impacts his average annual value, but I'm going with what the folks at Roster Resource calculated. As Bruce Levine may have reported, however, the deferrals in the deal will lower its net present value to $28 million for purposes of the team's competitive balance tax payroll. That's $2-3 million lower than initial estimates, and RR's recent update has the deal at nearly $30.9 million AAV.
The Cubs made a major splash over the weekend by landing star third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year deal. As a multi-time All-Star who reliably offers Gold Glove defense at third base and posts offense in the 125 wRC+ range, Bregman is sure to provide a major lift to the club headed into 2026. Strong as the signing is for the team, however, it also creates questions about the future of some of their other players.
The Phillies are reportedly scheduled to meet with infielder Bo Bichette today. The fit between Bichette and Philadelphia is a complicated one, however. Reporting has indicated that the club would need to not only forgo their pursuit of a reunion with J.T. Realmuto in order to land Bichette, but also trade third baseman . Perhaps that would all be worthwhile in order to land another impact player to join Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner in the middle of the team's lineup,
MLB's offseason weather is changing at a similar pace, with deals coming in fits and starts between periods of inactivity. Josh Naylor was the first big chip off the board, then came Dylan Cease about two weeks later. Kyle Schwarber and Edwin Diaz inked deals in quick succession about a week after Cease, after which Pete Alonso got paid. There have been other signings, to be sure, but the dam is far from breaking.
