Why Alex Bregman sees the Cubs’ season as a ‘failure’

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman labeled the team's 2026 season a failure after they were swept by the San Diego Padres in the National League wild-card round. Despite playing through at least eight facial fractures suffered on September 20, Bregman offered no excuses for Chicago's postseason collapse, which saw the offense score just one run across two games.

Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million contract last winter and rebounded from an early slump to finish with 28 home runs and 93 RBIs. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer praised Bregman's toughness and overall production, while Bregman stressed the organization must improve across all areas next season.