This week, one of the bigger names in the free agency cycle signed with the Chicago Cubs, and fantasy managers everywhere sighed. Usually, anyone heading to Wrigley Field is viewed as a positive, but for Alex Bregman, more information has emerged suggesting this move could spell trouble for his fantasy outlook. Bregman is a right-handed pull hitter who previously played in two of the more favorable home parks for that profile in Houston and Boston. Both parks feature short left-field dimensions that reward pulled fly balls and help inflate power numbers.
Those advantages disappear in Chicago. Wrigley Field’s left-field wall actually angles outward as it approaches the foul line, a unique characteristic that works against pull-heavy right-handed hitters. As a result, balls that may have cleared the fence elsewhere are more likely to die on the warning track. Add in the reality of Chicago’s weather, and the concerns grow. While the Windy City reputation suggests wind-aided homers, recent seasons have shown the wind often blows in rather than out, further suppressing power. For an aging slugger, that combination could lead to a noticeable dip in home run production.
None of this means fantasy managers should rush to sell Bregman at a discount. His plate discipline, run production, and overall consistency still provide value. However, his draft stock should take a clear hit, and expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.
Another ripple effect of the signing is the impact on Matt Shaw’s outlook. Shaw was projected to be the Cubs’ starting third baseman after earning Gold Glove honors at the position. With Bregman now in town, his role becomes less defined. The Cubs will find at-bats for the young infielder, but the uncertainty lowers his fantasy appeal as well.
For real-life baseball, Chicago’s signing of Bregman is a strong move. For fantasy players, though, it is a difficult pill to swallow indeed.