Let’s be real for a second. The Chicago Cubs spent a good chunk of the last few years feeling like a team that was just "one piece away." You know the vibe. Great pitching, flashy defense, but a lineup that sometimes went colder than a January morning on Wacker Drive.
Then came the bombshell. Alex Bregman is a Chicago Cub.
That five-year, $175 million deal didn't just buy a third baseman; it fundamentally broke and rebuilt the batting order Chicago Cubs fans have been staring at for years. It’s a seismic shift. If you’re trying to figure out how Craig Counsell is going to scribble out his lineup card this spring, you have to look at the "Bregman Effect." He isn't just another bat. He is the glue.
The new look: Projecting the 2026 Chicago Cubs lineup
Craig Counsell loves to tinker. He’s not a "set it and forget it" kind of manager, which drives fantasy owners crazy but usually wins games. Honestly, the biggest question isn't who is in the lineup—it’s where they fit around the new $175 million man.
Based on the current roster and the way Bregman’s arrival shifts the gravity of the infield, here is how the primary batting order is likely to shake out.
1. Michael Busch, 1B (L)
Busch has basically forced his way into the leadoff spot. He was arguably the team’s best overall hitter last year, and his ability to see pitches is elite. You want a high OBP (On-Base Percentage) guy at the top, and Busch fits that better than anyone else right now.
2. Alex Bregman, 3B (R)
This is where it gets interesting. Bregman in the two-hole is a nightmare for pitchers. He rarely strikes out. Like, almost never. Putting him behind Busch means pitchers can’t breathe. If Busch walks, Bregman is going to make you work for every single out. It’s a "professional hitter" vibe that this team has lacked since… well, a long time.
3. Ian Happ, LF (S)
Happ is the survivor. He’s seen players come and go, but he remains the switch-hitting heart of the order. Putting him third allows Counsell to maintain that "left-right-switch" balance that makes life miserable for opposing managers trying to time their bullpen moves.
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4. Seiya Suzuki, RF (R)
Cleanup. It has to be Seiya. With Kyle Tucker and Owen Caissie no longer the primary focus for the right field spot (Tucker headed to LA, and Caissie is a trade/bench piece for now), Suzuki is the undisputed power source. When his rhythm is right, he’s one of the most dangerous hitters in the National League.
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF (L)
PCA is the wildcard. Last season was a breakout for his glove, but his bat started showing real teeth toward the end. He has elite speed. If he’s hitting fifth, he’s the bridge between the power hitters and the bottom of the order. If he gets on, he’s basically a triple the moment he steals second.
6. Nico Hoerner, 2B (R)
There were rumors about Nico being traded after the Bregman signing. Honestly? It would be a mistake. Hoerner is the ultimate safety net. Hitting him sixth or even ninth (more on that later) gives you a "second leadoff hitter" further down the line. He puts the ball in play. In a playoff game, you want Nico Hoerner at the plate with a runner on third.
7. Moises Ballesteros, DH (L)
The kid can flat-out rake. He proved it last September. He’s likely more of a DH than a catcher right now, but his left-handed power is the perfect "insulation" for the bottom third of the order.
8. Dansby Swanson, SS (R)
Dansby is what he is. You’re going to get 20 home runs and Gold Glove defense. Moving him down to the eight-spot isn't a demotion; it’s a luxury. Having a guy with his experience and power potential that low in the order is how you win divisions.
9. Carson Kelly / Miguel Amaya, C (R)
The "catchers' spot." It’s about defense here. Kelly has the veteran edge, but Amaya is the future. Whoever is behind the dish is there to manage the staff first and hit second.
Why the "Bregman Effect" matters for the rest of the team
You can't talk about the batting order Chicago Cubs managers will use without talking about the "too many infielders" problem. It’s a good problem to have, sure. But it’s still a problem.
The Bregman signing effectively blocks Matt Shaw at third base. Shaw is a massive talent, a former first-round pick who looks ready for the bigs. So, what happens to him?
- The Utility Route: Shaw starts seeing time in the outfield.
- The Trade Bait: He becomes the headliner for a deal to get a true "ace" pitcher.
- The Second Base Battle: He pushes Nico Hoerner for starts.
Most insiders, including Keith Law, have pointed out that the Cubs now have "one infielder too many." That tension is going to define the first half of the season. If Shaw stays, he’s the ultimate bench weapon. If he’s traded, the Cubs’ rotation gets the boost it needs to actually win a Pennant.
Craig Counsell’s philosophy: It’s not about the order
Counsell said something interesting recently. He basically told reporters that "it's more important who plays than the order."
That’s a very "Counsell" thing to say.
He likes to insulate his hitters. He loves to sandwich a lefty like PCA between righties like Swanson and Hoerner. Why? Because it makes it almost impossible for an opposing manager to bring in a lefty specialist to face PCA without getting burned by the right-handed bats around him.
The Cubs aren't building a "one through nine" lineup. They’re building "pods" of hitters.
- The OBP Pod: Busch and Bregman.
- The Power Pod: Suzuki and Happ.
- The Speed/Contact Pod: PCA and Hoerner.
If you look at the batting order Chicago Cubs through that lens, the logic starts to click. It’s about creating impossible choices for the pitcher.
What to watch for in April
Keep an eye on the leadoff spot. While I’ve got Michael Busch there, don’t be surprised if Nico Hoerner or even a resurgent PCA takes a crack at it if Busch hits a slump.
Also, watch the DH spot. Moises Ballesteros is the favorite, but the Cubs also signed veteran Tyler Austin to a one-year deal. Austin is a "lefty killer." If a southpaw is on the mound, expect Austin to slide in, likely pushing Ballesteros to the bench or into a pinch-hitting role.
Actionable insights for Cubs fans
If you're following the team this season, here’s how to judge if the lineup is actually working:
- Check the "First-Inning Runs": With Busch and Bregman at the top, the Cubs should be scoring early and often. If they aren't, the "professional hitter" strategy isn't clicking.
- Monitor PCA’s Strikeout Rate: If Pete Crow-Armstrong keeps his K-rate below 22%, he’s going to move up the order. His speed is too valuable to leave at the bottom if he's consistently on base.
- Look at the Trade Deadline: If Matt Shaw isn't getting 4+ starts a week by June, expect a trade. The Cubs need another front-line starter to pair with Shota Imanaga and a recovering Justin Steele.
The 2026 Cubs aren't just a "scary" lineup on paper—they're a deep one. For the first time in years, the batting order Chicago Cubs fans see on Opening Day will have zero "easy outs." That, more than any individual stat, is why this season feels different.