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Alex Bregman • 3B • Cubs

Alex Bregman Clobbers First Two Homers in Sunday's Loss at Wrigley

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in the team's 6-3 loss to the visiting Washington Nationals on Sunday in the series finale at Wrigley Field. It was a nice bounce-back game for Bregman, who had recorded just one single in his first two games with the Cubbies, but it was not enough to keep Chicago from losing two of the three games in the series against the Nats. Along with providing excellent defense at the hot corner, the 31-year-old veteran should have a good chance for a strong offensive season at the Friendly Confines at Wrigley in 2026. The three-time All-Star was an All-Star in 2025 in his lone season with the Boston Red Sox, slashing .273/.360/.462 with an .821 OPS, 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored in 495 plate appearances and 114 regular-season games. Bregman isn't getting any younger, but he still has enough power from the right side of the plate and great plate discipline that make him a starting fantasy third baseman in all formats.

Yesterday

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner's Six-Year Deal is Worth $141 Million

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner's six-year deal has been finalized on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN, and he'll make $141 million. It's the fourth-largest contract ever for a second baseman and will lock up the 28-year-old into the 2030s. Hoerner isn't a big power guy at the keystone, but he plays excellent defense, runs well, and makes plenty of contact at the plate in Chicago. Before Hoerner got his big deal, the Cubs also locked up young All-Star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year deal earlier this week. Hoerner, a former first-round pick in 2018 out of Stanford, had a career-high of 10 home runs back in 2022, and he has only 36 long balls over his eight big-league seasons. But since becoming a full-time starter at second base in 2022, he has hit .284/.339/.389 with 232 RBI, 333 runs scored, and 123 stolen bases in 592 regular-season games played. Fantasy managers can count on him to get on base, hit for a high average, and score plenty of runs.

3 days ago

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Cubs Agree to Six-Year Deal With Nico Hoerner

The Chicago Cubs agreed with second baseman Nico Hoerner on an undisclosed six-year deal on Thursday, pending a physical, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Hoerner went hitless in four at-bats in the Cubs' 10-4 Opening Day loss on Thursday to the Washington Nationals, but the Cubs will lock up his stellar defense and strong contact skills as a hitter for the foreseeable future. It comes just after the Cubs locked up All-Star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year contract. Hoerner, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of Stanford, has hit a strong .284/.339/.389 with a .728 OPS, 33 home runs, 231 RBI, 333 runs scored, and 123 stolen bases in four seasons in Chicago since becoming the team's full-time starter at the keystone in 2022. It's not the power you're chasing when it comes to Hoerner -- he has just 36 homers in seven seasons -- but he's a counting-stat compiler with strong on-base skills who can hit for a high average.

4 days ago

Matt Shaw • 3B • Cubs

Matt Shaw Makes Outfield Debut on Opening Day

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw will bat ninth and play right field during Thursday's Opening Day contest against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. Between the minors and majors, Shaw has never played the outfield in a regular-season contest. However, he did spend 50 innings in right field and 14 innings in center field during spring training, indicating that the Cubs were very interested in moving him around defensively. Indeed, they'll get his bat and glove into the lineup for Game 1 of the regular season. He slashed just .226/.295/.394 last year, but he still contributed 13 home runs, 17 steals, and 93 wRC+ across 126 games. Shaw was a rookie in 2025, so we wouldn't be surprised to see him take a step forward offensively in his second season. He'll get his first chance at making that leap on Thursday as the Cubs face Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli. Shaw has never faced Cavalli before, but he posted a mere .649 OPS with a 22.0% strikeout rate and 82 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers in 2025.

4 days ago

Pete Crow-Armstrong • CF • Cubs

Pete Crow-Armstrong Agrees to Six-Year, $115 Million Extension With the Cubs

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the Chicago Cubs extension agreement with outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is worth $115 million over six years and will start in 2027. Passan also notes that the deal does not include a club option, allowing Crow-Armstrong to hit free agency ahead of his age-31 season in 2033. The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, hitting .247/.287/.481 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases across 647 plate appearances. Crow-Armstrong's profile is not without flaws, as he walked at just a 4.9% rate in 2025 and owns a .591 OPS across 284 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Still, Crow-Armstrong's elite center field defense guarantees him playing time, and his combination of power and speed provides him plenty of fantasy upside. The Cubs' financial commitment to Crow-Armstrong should only strengthen his already stellar dynasty outlook.

6 days ago

Pete Crow-Armstrong • CF • Cubs

Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong Finalizing Long-Term Extension

The Chicago Cubs and star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are working to finalize a multi-year extension that would keep him in Chicago long-term, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Terms of the deal haven't been disclosed yet, and while the two sides are approaching an agreement, nothing has been finalized at this point. Still, it's a very encouraging development for all parties involved, including Cubs fans and fantasy baseball managers. Crow-Armstrong is coming off a spectacular 30-30 season in which he slashed .247/.287/.481 with 31 home runs, 35 stolen bases, and 109 wRC+. He was also highly productive defensively, posting 21 OAA and 21 FRV in center field. There are some holes in his game -- last year's 4.5% walk rate is far from optimal -- but overall, at just 23 years old, he has already blossomed into a superstar outfielder with a very bright future ahead of him.

7 days ago

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki to Start the Season on the Injured List

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday that outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) will start the season on the injured list, according to Marquee Sports Network. We already knew that Suzuki wouldn't be ready for Opening Day this week after suffering a sprained PCL in his right knee while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. The good news for fantasy managers is that the 31-year-old veteran isn't expected to be out long term, and he should make his 2026 season debut at some point in May. With Suzuki out to start the year, fantasy managers should expect some sort of platoon in right field between Michael Conforto and Matt Shaw. Suzuki becomes slightly more risky for those who have yet to draft before Opening Day this week. If his knee injury lingers, he could lose plenty of power at the plate after setting career-highs in homers (32) and RBI (103) in 151 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025.

7 days ago

Michael Conforto • LF • Cubs

Michael Conforto Makes Opening Day Roster

Chicago Cubs outfielder Michael Conforto has been informed that he will make the Opening Day roster. The Cubs will need to add Conforto to the 40-man roster after signing him to a minor-league deal this offseason. The veteran outfielder slashed .241/.290/.345 with one RBI in 11 games this spring. He hasn't been lighting it up with his bat, but the Cubs could use an extra outfielder with Seiya Suzuki (knee) expected to be placed on the injured list. He'll likely platoon with Mike Shaw in right field until Suzuki is ready to play. Conforto is coming off an ugly season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. There's little reason to believe he'll be a reliable contributor after slashing .199/.305/.333 in 138 games last season.

Mar 21

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Won't be Ready for Opening Day

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) won't be ready to play in time for Opening Day. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed the news on Saturday that shouldn't really shock anyone. Suzuki is currently recovering from a PCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs have until Wednesday to decide if they want to place Suzuki on the 15-day injured list or carry him on the bench to begin the season. The expectation is that Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto will split up the time in right field until Suzuki is ready to play. Once healthy, Suzuki should be a solid fantasy contributor after blasting a career-high 32 home runs with the Cubs last season. Fantasy managers should check back in a few days for another update on Suzuki.

Mar 21

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Resumes Light Baseball Activities

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) has resumed light throwing and hitting, according to the team's injury and transaction tracker on MLB.com. Suzuki is working his way back from a PCL sprain that he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs have directed Suzuki to begin these light baseball activities to determine whether he should be placed on the injured list. At this point, it seems probable that he'll miss Opening Day, even if he ends up avoiding an IL stint. That's tough news for the Cubs, who were expecting to pencil him into the No. 4 spot in their lineup as the everyday right fielder. Once he returns to action, the 31-year-old will look to build on a 2025 campaign in which he delivered a career-high 32 home runs and 103 RBI. Despite the injury blip, Suzuki still ranks as the #27 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

Mar 21

Moisés Ballesteros • C • Cubs

Moises Ballesteros Will be on the Opening Day Roster

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell informed catcher/designated hitter Moises Ballesteros on Friday that he will be on the team's Opening Day roster, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Most of Ballesteros' playing time is expected to come as the Cubbies' designated hitter as he heads into his first full major-league season, but he will also provide depth at catcher behind Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya. The 22-year-old Venezuelan left-handed hitter went 17-for-57 (.298) with two homers and 11 RBI in his first 20 major-league games at the end of last season and then went 11-for-31 (.355) with two homers, eight RBI, and four runs scored in 11 Cactus League games this spring to convince the powers that be that he should be on the Opening Day roster. Ballesteros can swing the bat, but his fantasy value will be limited if he cannot regain catcher eligibility in 2026.

Mar 20

Moisés Ballesteros • C • Cubs

Moises Ballesteros Poised for Large Early-Season Role?

Chicago Cubs catching prospect Moises Ballesteros was expected to have a role on the team's Opening Day roster, but could have even a larger role in the early part of the campaign following Seiya Suzuki's knee injury. While his timeline has yet to be revealed, Ballesteros could quickly claim the everyday DH spot and face even less competition for at-bats. The young backstop looked quite comfortable in his MLB debut last summer, posting a 298/.394/.474 slash line with two doubles and two home runs. Earlier in the campaign, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the system posted a stellar .316/.385/.473 line with 13 long balls over a 114-game stint. Managers should also closely monitor Ballesteros' usage behind the dish, as he could see his fantasy value soar if he were to gain catcher eligibility in standard leagues. For now, he projects to remain a primary DH for the early part of the season and has high-end streaming value in 12+ team formats.

Mar 20

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Remains a High-Floor Second Base Option Heading into 2026

Across 649 plate appearances in 2025, Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner hit .297/.345/.394 with seven home runs, 61 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. The 28-year-old's lack of power limits his fantasy upside, and it's a feature of his profile that appears extremely unlikely to change in 2026. Hoerner owns a minuscule career barrel rate of 1.9%, and he's hit just 36 total home runs across nearly 2,900 career MLB plate appearances. However, Hoerner has logged 123 stolen bases over the past four seasons, making him one of the more reliable sources of speed in fantasy baseball. He's also a lifetime .282 hitter whose strong defense keeps him in the Cubs lineup on an everyday basis and allows him to rack up counting stats. Hoerner is not a perfect fit on all rosters, but he still profiles as a top-five fantasy second baseman heading into 2026.

Mar 19

Michael Busch • 1B • Cubs

Can Michael Busch Build on Last Year's Success?

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch broke through as a regular in 2024 and emerged as a solid fantasy starter in 2025. He posted a .261/.343/.523 slash line with 34 home runs, 90 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four stolen bases. He was able to reduce his strikeout rate from 28.6% in 2024 to 23.5% in 2025 while increasing his barrel rate from 11.2% to 17.1% and his hard-hit rate from 39.9% to 47.3%. While he had lopsided platoon splits last year, struggling against southpaws, manager Craig Counsell said earlier in spring training that Busch has earned the right to play full-time and is not expected to be platooned to start the year. Busch's power production is excellent at his current ADP, and he is a legitimate bat to add once the elite options are gone at 1B. He's the No. 12 1B in RotoBaller's rankings, and his ADP is climbing based on the expectation that he'll be in a full-time role to start the season.

Mar 19

Alex Bregman • 3B • Cubs

Alex Bregman Remains a Steady Third Base Option Heading into 2026

The Chicago Cubs made one of the bigger splashes of the offseason by signing veteran third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract. The soon-to-be 32-year-old was limited to 495 plate appearances by a quad injury in 2025 while playing for the Boston Red Sox. Still, Bregman posted quality numbers when healthy, slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs scored, and one stolen base. With a career 6.1% barrel rate, Bregman does not own high-end underlying power metrics. It's fair to wonder if he may struggle to hit for power while playing his home games at Wrigley Field, which does not offer the same hitter-friendly dimensions as his previous home parks in Boston and Houston. However, Bregman actually owns a better slugging percentage in his career on the road (.490) than at home (.470). He should also be a counting stats machine while hitting in the heart of the excellent Cubs lineup. Bregman remains a solid starting third base option for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

Mar 18

Pete Crow-Armstrong • CF • Cubs

Can Pete Crow-Armstrong Shake Off 2025 Second-Half Struggles?

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong broke out in a major way in 2025, hitting .247/.287/.481 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases across 647 plate appearances. However, the vast majority of the 23-year-old's production was front-loaded in the first half of the season. After the All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong hit .216/.262/.372 and struck out in 25.6% of his plate appearances. He also struggled against left-handed pitching throughout the year, logging a .594 OPS with a 29.3% strikeout rate against southpaws. As a result of his second-half troubles, Crow-Amstrong enters 2026 with some question marks in his fantasy outlook. Still, Crow-Armstrong's 13% barrel rate in 2025 backs up his power surge, and his 62 stolen bases over the past two seasons leave little doubt about his ability to provide fantasy value with his legs. Crow-Armstrong is also considered to be one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball, which should keep his playing time in Chicago secure even if he struggles with the bat. Crow-Armstrong profiles as a high-risk, high-reward outfield option for fantasy managers in 2026.

Mar 17

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki has Sprained Knee, Opening Day Availability Unclear

Updating a previous report, the Chicago Cubs have clarified that outfielder Seiya Suzuki's right-knee injury involves a sprained posterior cruciate ligament, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Suzuki can still do baseball activities while receiving treatment for his knee, but it's "unclear when he will be able to start the season." Although it's probably more likely than not that the 31-year-old veteran opens the 2026 regular season on the injured list, it's ultimately good news for the Cubs. The fact that Suzuki even still has a chance to play on Opening Day in late March is a positive for Chicago and fantasy managers. Until Suzuki is able to return to the Cubbies' lineup, Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto are expected to share playing time in right field. The No. 27-ranked fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller injured his knee trying to steal second base on Saturday in the World Baseball Classic contest against Venezuela while playing for Team Japan.

Mar 17

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Diagnosed With Strained PCL

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) has been diagnosed with a strained PCL in his knee, according to Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network. As of now, it's unclear if Suzuki will go on the injured list to begin the 2026 regular season. Suzuki underwent an MRI exam after injuring his knee while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday against Venezuela, and the 31-year-old has been shut down from baseball activities since. Thankfully, Suzuki isn't dealing with any torn ligaments in his knee, which could have ended his 2026 season. However, with Opening Day coming up in less than two weeks, we'd bet on the Cubs putting Suzuki on the injured list to begin the year. In the meantime, Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto will likely platoon for Chicago in right field. The injury makes Suzuki a bit riskier in fantasy baseball drafts for managers looking for power. Suzuki had a career-best 32 home runs and 103 RBI in 151 regular-season games for the Cubbies last year in his fourth year in the big leagues.

Mar 17

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Undergoing MRI Exam on Monday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) will undergo an MRI exam on his injured right knee on Monday, according to Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network. Suzuki is walking with an obvious limp, although manager Craig Counsell would not speculate on the exact nature of Suzuki's injury. The 31-year-old injured himself playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic versus Venezuela on Saturday, and now the Cubbies are just hoping he won't need an extended absence going into the start of the 2026 regular season. A stint on the injured list to begin the year would mean that Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto would most likely platoon in right field for the Cubs. Obviously, this makes Suzuki a pretty risky fantasy selection in upcoming drafts until we have a clear diagnosis and timetable on when he might be back. He had a career-high 32 home runs in 151 regular-season games in 2025 and also drove in a career-best 103 runs as he sold out for power at the expense of batting average (career-low .245).

Mar 16

Jonathon Long • 1B • Cubs

Jonathon Long Tallies Hit in Return to Action

Chicago Cubs first base prospect Jonathon Long (elbow) went 1-for-3 with an RBI during his return on Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. The first base prospect has been on the shelf for all of March due to this minor elbow sprain. However, seeing that he has already returned to action suggests he will not face many restrictions by the start of the regular season. Per MLB.com, Long is considered the team's No. 7-ranked prospect. In 2025, Long spent his entire campaign with Triple-A Iowa and appears destined to begin his 2026 season there as well. Over his first 140 games with the Iowa Cubs, Long held a .325/.404/.479 line with an .883 OPS and 20 home runs. Given that Michael Busch holds the everyday role at first base on the MLB roster, Long will likely have to wait for an injury to earn his first call to the big leagues.

Mar 16

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