Team USA Bolsters Infield With Newest Cubs Star and Blue Jays Postseason Hero
Team USA has bolstered its infield depth in a hurry. Shortstop was set with Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson. Brice Turang was a lock for the second base spot. However, a few days ago, they did not have a primary third baseman nor an additional option at second base. While both Witt and Henderson have MLB experience at third base, it was evident that some roster announcements would be on the horizon.
Things are happening fast for 31-year-old third baseman Alex Bregman. During his first press conference as a member of the Chicago Cubs, it was also announced that he would be joining Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The newest Cubs star will make his second appearance at the WBC after a cup of coffee on the championship-winning 2017 team. He will be playing alongside his new teammate, Pete Crow-Armstrong, making them yet another set of teammates on the roster.
2025 was not an eye-popping season for Bregman. In his first and only season with the Boston Red Sox, he held a .273 batting average, smashed 18 home runs, and tallied 62 runs batted in through 114 games played. The 31-year-old third baseman will likely take on a leadership role among the infielders with the amount of experience he has playing in high-leverage games. With a new MLB team and Team USA duties to tend to, all eyes are on Bregman to perform.
During the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 magical season and run to the World Series, 29-year-old infielder Ernie Clement was one of the players who stepped up as an unlikely hero, constantly contributing to the Blue Jays' winning ways. During the regular season, Clement maintained a .277 batting average, hit nine home runs, and drove in 50 runs. After that, he took his game to another level. The 29-year-old infielder etched his name in the single-season MLB Postseason record books with 22 singles and 30 hits total. Though he spent most of his time at third base last season, Clement also appeared in 60 games at second base, making him a prime candidate to back Turang. He has proven himself to be a glue guy whose calling card is versatility and will do whatever it takes to win. With the introduction of Bregman and Clement, the Team USA infield seems mostly set.
