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Season 3 Begins: Cubs Offseason Moves, Alex Bregman Controversy & The Chicago Bears Stadium Debate

 

Season three of The Shawn Mackey Show is officially underway, and I wanted to kick things off by expanding the show into more of a traditional sports format. Instead of focusing on just one topic every episode, I’m going to start mixing in multiple sports discussions—from the Chicago Cubs and MLB to the Chicago Bears and the NFL.

So with that in mind, let’s dive into the first big topics of Season 3: the Chicago Cubs offseason moves and the ongoing Chicago Bears stadium saga.

Evaluating the Chicago Cubs Offseason

Now that we’re into March and spring training is underway, the big question is simple: Did the Cubs actually have a successful offseason?

That answer isn’t completely clear yet.

There were some moves that I absolutely loved, and others that left me scratching my head.

Phil Maton: A Bullpen Upgrade with a Local Connection

One of my favorite signings this offseason was relief pitcher Phil Maton.

What makes this move even more interesting to me is the local connection. Maton grew up in the same area where I now live and where I bring you The Shawn Mackey Show. Two of my daughters even took art classes from his mother when I occasionally substituted at the school.

So for people around here, Maton is definitely a hometown guy.

But beyond the local ties, he’s also just a solid pitcher. Since debuting in 2017, Maton has built a reputation as a high-strikeout reliever who can help stabilize a bullpen late in games. If he performs the way he’s capable of, he could be a major asset for the Cubs this season.

Of course, this is Major League Baseball. If the Cubs aren’t competing by the trade deadline, we all know what could happen. Even with a two-year deal, a guy like Maton could easily become a trade chip for a contender.

That’s just the reality of modern baseball.

Edwin Cabrera: A Potential Rotation Piece

Another big move was the acquisition of Edwin Cabrera, a pitcher who could become an important part of the Cubs rotation.

Cabrera is still only 27 years old and has already shown flashes of dominance in the majors. With a career ERA just over 4.00 and nearly 500 strikeouts, he has the type of stuff that can play in any rotation.

If he stays healthy, there’s a chance Cabrera could become a long-term piece for the Cubs pitching staff.

And honestly, that’s something this team desperately needs.

The Outfield Situation is Still a Mess

If there’s one area that still feels completely unresolved, it’s the Cubs outfield situation.

The team brought in several players on minor league deals including:

  • Chas McCormick

  • Dylan Carlson

  • Michael Conforto

At the same time, Matt Shaw—who originally looked like the future at third base—is now being tested in the outfield after the Cubs signed Alex Bregman.

So now you’ve got multiple players potentially fighting for limited roster spots, and it’s not clear who will actually break camp with the team.

It’s one of those situations where you’re watching spring training and wondering:

What exactly is the long-term plan here?

Alex Bregman: Talent with Controversy

Speaking of Bregman, this is easily the most interesting signing of the offseason.

There’s no denying his talent. He’s still in his prime and gives the Cubs a legitimate bat on the left side of the infield alongside Dansby Swanson.

But let’s be honest—Bregman also comes with baggage.

He was part of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, and while Major League Baseball handed out immunity to the players involved, that controversy hasn’t disappeared.

As a fan, it’s a weird place to be.

When Bregman was on another team, he was easy to dislike. Now that he’s wearing a Cubs uniform, you want him to succeed.

I’m not going to pretend the scandal never happened. But at the same time, if he’s hitting .300 and helping lead the Cubs to the playoffs, most fans will probably learn to live with it.

That’s just how sports work.

The Shelby Miller Signing

Then there’s the move that really lowered my offseason grade for the Cubs: signing Shelby Miller.

Miller is coming off Tommy John surgery, which means the Cubs are essentially paying him to rehabilitate throughout the 2026 season in hopes that he contributes in 2027.

This kind of move reminds me a lot of the old Theo Epstein strategy of signing pitchers recovering from injuries and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

Sometimes it works.

A lot of times it doesn’t.

When I look at the total offseason picture, the Cubs probably land somewhere around a C grade from me right now.

There’s potential, but a lot of uncertainty.

Early Spring Training Thoughts

Spring training results don’t mean everything, but they still give you something to watch.

The Cubs are already working through some early pitching performances:

  • Shota Imanaga picking up the first decision of the spring

  • Jameson Taillon giving up some home runs

  • Matt Boyd looking stronger in his second outing

It’s early, and things will change quickly.

But like every season, we’re hoping this group can come together and surprise people.

The Chicago Bears Stadium Situation

Now let’s switch gears to the Chicago Bears, because the stadium situation continues to get more complicated.

There’s serious talk about the Bears potentially moving operations to Indiana, and the whole thing just feels messy.

The Bears are already making massive amounts of money playing at Soldier Field. Even conservative estimates show they generate millions per game just in ticket revenue.

Yet somehow, the push for a new stadium keeps getting stronger.

If the Bears stay the Chicago Bears but simply play across the state line—similar to how the New York Giants and Jets play in New Jersey—I could probably live with that.

But if the move results in the team becoming something like the Indiana Bears, that’s a different story entirely.

At that point, they’re not the Chicago Bears anymore.

And for a lot of fans, that matters.

Final Thoughts

Season three of The Shawn Mackey Show is going to be about expanding the conversation.

We’re going to talk Cubs baseball, Bears football, MLB storylines, NFL drama, and everything in between.

Some of my takes will be passionate. Some will probably be controversial.

But at the end of the day, I’m just a fan like you—watching the games, questioning the decisions, and hoping my teams finally get it right.

And who knows?

Maybe this year the Cubs surprise everyone and make a deep playoff run.

If that happens, I’ll gladly admit I was wrong.
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