Cubs' Alex Bregman Talks World Series Expectations, WBC, Chicago and More in B/R Interview

Alex Bregman knows what it takes to win a World Series as a two-time champion, and he isn't afraid to set the bar high on his new team.

"For the season to be a success, we have to win the whole thing," the Chicago Cubs third baseman told Bleacher Report.

Bregman decided to sign with the Cubs this offseason instead of returning to the Boston Red Sox or going elsewhere, which immediately elevated the National League Central team's ceiling after it reached the playoffs last season. 

After all, he is a veteran leader with a resume that includes two World Series titles, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and three All-Star selections. 

He will be yet another member of an excellent defensive infield that already featured two-time Gold Glover Nico Hoerner at second base and two-time Gold Glover Dansby Swanson at shortstop, but he also is focused on what it will take to be a dominant offensive contributor.

"Individually, I feel like I just have to trust the process of it every single day," Bregman said. "If I have good swing decisions and I swing a little bit less and make contact a little bit more out in front, we're going to be in good shape for having one of the best offensive seasons, if not the best, of my career."

That would be an incredible development for Chicago considering Bregman finished second in American League MVP voting with the Houston Astros during his best offensive season in 2019 when he finished with a .296/.423/.592 slash line to go with 41 home runs, 112 RBI and a league-best 8.9 wins above replacement, per Baseball Reference.

If Bregman replicates or builds on those numbers, the Cubs will have no trouble moving on from Kyle Tucker's departure from last year's team that advanced to the National League Division Series before losing a back-and-forth battle with the rival Milwaukee Brewers in five games.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Ian Happ, Hoerner and Swanson are back for an offense that now includes Bregman, and the front office also added Edward Cabrera to a promising starting rotation with Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga. Throw in closer Daniel Palencia anchoring the bullpen, and expectations are going to be high.

Bregman is no stranger to playing for teams facing those elevated expectations considering he reached the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons for Houston and Boston, so he can be a veteran leader and prepare the team for the proverbial target that will be on its back in the NL Central race.

"I think it's good. You want that, it's a healthy pressure," he said. "Those expectations are fun for all of us. It's a team that made the playoffs last year, it's a veteran group that has played together before. They know how to win, they're a cohesive group already. I'm just trying to come in and do my small part to add to that group.

"We have what it takes to be a damn good team this year, and I'm looking forward to it."

The pressure of playoff expectations also won't come as a shock for Bregman because he has already played in pressure-packed games this year before the 2026 MLB season even starts.

He was part of the United States' roster during the World Baseball Classic, which was the second time he participated in the event after he was also on the 2017 squad that won the tournament. The Americans fell a single win short of another championship, as they lost to Venezuela in a 3-2 thriller in this year's title game.

From an individual perspective, Bregman had a .364 on-base percentage, four RBI and scored three runs. But he surely would have traded any individual production for another title despite the team's impressive wins over Canada and the Dominican Republic in the elimination rounds before the loss to Venezuela.

Even with the loss, it was ideal preparation for the season considering players were thrown into the competitive fire in front of massive and enthusiastic crowds.

"It was great," Bregman said. "It was playoff atmosphere crowds in March, so it's a lot of fun. Every time you get an opportunity to represent the United States, you do it. We're all super proud of being American and where we come from, and we're already thinking about wanting to run it back and win. The final didn't go the way we wanted it to go, but we took great pride in representing our country."

Playing in events like the WBC and MLB playoffs throughout his career has given Bregman an even bigger profile and plenty of opportunities away from the field, and his latest venture is a partnership with Throne Sport Coffee.

Throne Sport Coffee, which already counts star athletes such as Patrick Mahomes and Breanna Stewart among its partners, was created by Michael Fedele and aims to provide healthier coffee drinks with natural caffeine, natural cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners, vitamins and protein that is NSF Certified for Sport and supports more active lifestyles.

"The partnership has been great," Bregman said. "The last two years, I've known Michael and he's been sending me coffee. I figured now with Chicago being a big market for them, it's natural that we evolve that partnership. For me, it's really important what I put in my body. I want to be able to play this game for a long time. I feel like Throne Sport Coffee gives me good caffeine, vitamins, protein and all of it that will keep me going for 162 games every year."

And that Chicago market is already embracing Bregman.

The reports of his signing with the Cubs just so happened to break on the same night the Chicago Bears eliminated the rival Green Bay Packers in the NFL playoffs, and Bregman celebrated with a little love for the city's football team:

That was just the start, as he attended Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls games and set the stage for him to be a fan favorite in the Windy City.

"They've welcomed me and my family with open arms," Bregman said of Chicago fans. "The first week right after we signed, we went up there and hit the medley of sports teams. It was a blast. Even here in Spring Training, the crowds are crazy. Spring Training games are selling out, everyone is super nice and everyone is getting ready for the season."

He explained earlier this offseason that playing in a "great place that I have a chance to win" was a major driving force in his decision to sign with Chicago, which was notable since he has been accustomed to competing his entire career.

Now that the season has arrived, he knows exactly what he is looking forward to as he looks to live up to those expectations and perform in front of the fans who have already embraced him.

"Playing October baseball in Wrigley," Bregman said. "That's the goal. I've been able to watch it, right after I first got drafted I got to go up to Wrigley and watch some playoff baseball. It's a special place to be in October, and I want to feel it."