"The Cubs have completely rebuilt their bullpen after saying goodbye to 2025 stalwarts Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz, adding Maton, Hunter and Milner. But their biggest addition comes at third base, where Bregman takes over for Matt Shaw. Shaw showed promise in the second half as a rookie, but he's not Bregman, who brings leadership and championship experience to the mix to go along with his hitting prowess."
"The difference in offseason activity level in the National League Central has been stark. On one side of the division, the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates have been active in attempting to improve for the 2026 season. The St. Louis Cardinals have been busy in their own right, too, dealing away veterans as they enter a new chapter. On the other, the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds have been very quiet coming off of playoff berths a season ago."
The National League Central displayed starkly different offseason approaches, with the Cubs and Pirates actively upgrading while the Brewers and Reds stayed quiet after recent playoff runs. The Cardinals moved veterans as they enter a new phase. An urgency rating system (1–5) gauges how much each team still must do before camp. The Cubs rebuilt their bullpen, added top bullpen arms, acquired Bregman at third base and bolstered rotation depth by adding Cabrera. The infield now features surplus options, creating trade-decision pressure, and potential moves involving Nico Hoerner could materially affect contention.
Read at ESPN.com
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