Should the Cubs Be Concerned About Their New Third Baseman After His Disappointing WBC Showing?

This January, the Chicago Cubs signed veteran third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency, giving him a five-year contract worth 175 million dollars. The 31-year-old spent eight seasons with the Houston Astros, winning two World Series championships during that time, before playing the 2025 season for the Boston Red Sox. Chicago brought Bregman into their dugout in the wake of outfielder Kyle Tucker’s departure to the Los Angeles Dodgers, hoping it would return some spark to their offense. However, while playing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the Cubs’ new addition gave an underwhelming performance.

While Bregman did post some strong numbers during the pool stage of the WBC, including a two-RBI showing in Team USA’s 9-1 rout of Great Britain on March 7th, his performance in the tournament stage was quite disheartening. Bregman played in two of the team’s three games: the quarterfinal against Canada and the final against Venezuela. Batting fifth in the lineup in both games, the infielder went a combined 1-7 for a batting average of .143, and was pinch-hit for by Gunnar Henderson in what would have been his final plate appearance in a crucial moment of the final, which was lost 3-2 to Venezuela. The discouraging showing raises questions about whether the Cubs will truly be getting what they paid for with Bregman’s contract.

However, Cubs fans should not take the third baseman’s lackluster performance in the WBC too seriously. After all, it is a competition featuring super teams of the world’s best players. Bregman remains a highly valuable piece for an MLB lineup in 2026. In 2025, his first season away from Houston in a nearly decade-long career, the infielder still posted strong numbers, batting .273 with a WAR of 3.5 while earning his third career all-star selection. Bregman is a seasoned veteran, one of the most experienced players on the team, who brings not only impactful on-field results but a powerful presence of leadership to the dugout. While those rooting for Team USA might be frustrated with Bregman’s underwhelming showing in the WBC, Cubs fans should hold out hope for their new third baseman.