5 Biggest Offseason Moves in NL Central

Key additions and departures that will shape the division race

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The National League Central was one of the most competitive divisions in 2025, with three teams making the playoffs. This offseason saw several major moves that could shift the balance of power, including the Reds re-signing slugger Eugenio Suárez, the Brewers trading away ace Freddy Peralta, the Cubs signing star third baseman Alex Bregman, and the Pirates making a flurry of moves to upgrade their lineup.

Why it matters

The NL Central is shaping up to be a dogfight again in 2026, with the Reds, Cubs, Brewers, and even the Pirates all looking to make noise. These key offseason transactions could be the difference between making the playoffs or going home early.

The details

The Reds re-signed Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million deal, giving them a proven power bat to slot into the middle of their lineup. The Brewers traded away ace Freddy Peralta but got back a top pitching prospect in Brandon Sproat. The Cubs made a big splash by signing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a $175 million contract. And the Pirates were the most aggressive team in the division, adding several big bats like Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O'Hearn, and Brandon Lowe to try and boost their anemic offense.

  • The offseason moves were made in advance of the 2026 MLB season, which begins in April.

The players

Eugenio Suárez

A power-hitting third baseman who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Reds before re-signing with them this offseason on a one-year, $15 million deal.

Freddy Peralta

An All-Star pitcher who was traded by the Brewers this offseason after going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 2025.

Alex Bregman

A Gold Glove-winning, All-Star third baseman who signed a $175 million contract with the Cubs this offseason, bolstering their lineup and playoff hopes.

Marcell Ozuna

A veteran slugger who was one of several big bats added by the Pirates this offseason to try and improve their anemic offense.

Nick Krall

The president of the Cincinnati Reds, who discussed the competitiveness of the NL Central division.

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What they’re saying

“I think our division is a lot tougher than people give it credit for. I know that the Pirates have made some moves. They're going to be a solid team. The Brewers are always a solid team. The Cubs are a solid team. The Cardinals, you might say they took a step back, but they're going to be pretty good soon.”

— Nick Krall, President, Cincinnati Reds (dispatch.com)

“We've certainly moved some big pieces off our team. But we've done that in the past. But our core is by and large intact, and we have a really good culture that we lean on.”

— Matt Arnold, President, Milwaukee Brewers (dispatch.com)

“It's a combination of getting a really good player and kind of the force multiplier in the clubhouse. The player I've been around that probably is the most like him is (Dustin) Pedroia, in the sense of he just loves the game and is a dirt-bag type of player – but also if he goes 3-for-4 and the team loses, he's annoyed, and if he goes 0-for-4 and the team wins, he's good.”

— Jed Hoyer, President, Chicago Cubs (dispatch.com)

“The excitement is real. It's high. Looking at the moves we've made, it's real.”

— Don Kelly, Manager, Pittsburgh Pirates (dispatch.com)

What’s next

Spring training is underway, and the 2026 MLB season will begin in April. Fans will be eager to see how these offseason moves impact the competitive NL Central race.

The takeaway

The NL Central is shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball again in 2026, with several teams making major moves to try and gain an edge. The Reds, Cubs, Brewers, and even the Pirates all look poised to make a run at the playoffs, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.