The Chicago Cubs open the second half against the Minnesota Twins with more questions than momentum after a first 94-game stretch that saw several prominent acquisitions and veterans fall short of expectations.
Big-money signing struggles to spark lineup
Alex Bregman, the centerpiece of a five-year, $175 million free-agent contract, has not provided the middle-of-the-order production Chicago envisioned. Through the first half he is batting .241 with an on-base percentage of .336 and a slugging of .359, totals that combine to a career-worst .696 OPS. Bregman has nine home runs, 15 doubles and 41 RBIs in 94 games, and with runners in scoring position his current average sits at a troubling .200 with three homers.
There is historical context that tempers concern: Bregman’s past seasons show a tendency to perform better after the break. He finished the first half by homering in consecutive games, offering a glimmer of the turnaround Chicago hopes will arrive in the second half.
Young infielders, health and underlying numbers
Second baseman Nico Hoerner’s first half also fell short of expectations. Hoerner hit .233 with four home runs, 23 doubles, 38 RBIs and 14 stolen bases through the same 94-game window. A violent pitch to the head on April 29 coincides with a prolonged slide; since that incident, his line has been just .202/.270/.263 with 12 RBIs.
Despite the slump, some metrics suggest improvement is likely. Hoerner’s expected batting average (.284) ranks in the 90th percentile, and his underlying indicators resemble his 2025 profile — signs that positive regression could be coming.
Bullpen question marks
Relief pitching also emerged as an issue for Chicago, where signings expected to stabilize late innings have not consistently done so. The first half revealed gaps in the back end of the roster that will require adjustments, whether through internal shuffles or roster moves before the trade deadline.
- Alex Bregman: .241/.336/.359, 9 HR, 41 RBI, .696 OPS (94 games)
- Nico Hoerner: .233, 4 HR, 23 2B, 38 RBI, 14 SB (94 games); .202/.270/.263 since April 29
- Bullpen: Underperformance from key relievers has created late-inning instability
| Player | Games | AVG | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Bregman | 94 | .241 | 9 | 41 |
| Nico Hoerner | 94 | .233 | 4 | 38 |
With the trade deadline looming and the second half offering a fresh slate, the Cubs must decide whether to press forward with the current core or to alter the roster in search of consistency. For Bregman, Hoerner and Chicago’s bullpen arms, the coming weeks will determine whether the first-half headlines become a footnote or the start of a more serious slide.
Managerial decisions, health management and possible transactions will shape the outlook for a franchise that spent freely in the offseason and expected a different first half. The North Siders now enter the stretch with pressure to translate payroll and promise into wins.
