Cubs MLB Roster

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40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
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Cubs @ Giants: Arrieta vs Bumgarner (Game 165; NLDS Game 3)

Giants 6, Cubs 5 (F/13)
W: Blach (1-0); L: Montgomery (0-1)
Cubs lead series: 2-1
PREVIEW 
CHC (2-0): RHP Jake Arrieta (0-0, —-)
SF (0-2): LHP Madison Bumgarner (0-0, —-)
First pitch: 8:30pmCST
Cubs lead series: 2-0

Arrieta (18-8, 3.10 for the season) lost his last outing in Pittsburgh on September 28, giving up 7 ER in 5 innings. He went 2-3 with a 4.60 for the month, which included a loss to Bumgarner and the Giants on the 3rd (6 IP, 2 ER, 7 K, 2 BB). Arrieta went 11-3 with a 3.59 on the road this season, including 7 innings of one-run ball in San Francisco. The Giants are 22-110 (.200) against him. Pagan is 5-11.

Bumgarner (15-9, 2.74) did his complete game shutout thing to take down the Mets in the NL Wild Card game on Wednesday. He went 5-3 with a 4.02 for the last two months of the season. At AT&T Park he went 9-4 with a 2.14. In his two starts against the Cubs this year, he went 2-0 with a 1.32. For their careers, the Cubs are 34-161 (.211) against him. Zobrist is 6-12; Heyward has a HR.

Arrieta has three postseason appearances, all in 2015: the masterful complete Wild Card shutout against the Pirates and games in the NLDS and NLCS when he gave up 4 ER in 5 and 5.2 innings, respectively.

Bumgarner’s postseason prowess is already legendary, but he is mortal, especially if you look beyond 2014 (4-1, 1.03) to those other even-numbered years. For 2010 and 2012, he’s 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA.

Tomorrow would be Lackey (11-8, 3.35) versus Moore (13-12, 4.08)--as if!

Go Cubs!

Comments

Putting aside anything Bumgarner might do, I feel like Arrieta's going to come through tonight.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Kind of makes me wish Fowler had played some left at some point this year. Heyward is already a strong defender in RF, so putting Almora in seems to add little on defense. And I'm not a believer in Almora's bat, particularly against an ace he's never faced before.

I think Heyward's glove is more valuable in that RF than any bat they put in against Bumgarner especially with a righty on the mound. I guess it depends if they start Contreras or Montero behind the plate as well, as I wouldn't want 2 automatic outs in the lineup. If it's still a tight game and Heyward comes up in a big situation you can always pinch hit, early or late.

I'd vote: Fowler, Bryant, Rizzo, Zobrist, Contreras, Baez, Russell, Heyward, Arrieta

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

RF at ATT park is really short and you're talking about 2-3 chances per game making a play in RF anyway. that said, it's not like any alternative owns bum so whatever. heyward, soler, almora...assuming coghlan not being in the mix anyway...whatever. given that soler's never done much (small sample size, blah blah) heyward is probably the best fit anyway, bat + D + experience vs mad considered.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Didn't J-Hey make a spectacular catch at AT&T pretty early in the season, laying out full extension and robbing Span of a possible triple/inside the park HR? When he made that play I was worried he injured his head/neck which smacked the wall in deep right-center. I believe he came out of the game and didn't play a game or two afterwards. All that said, he's paid his dues in that park and probably gets the start.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

looked through the game logs since August 1st for Arrieta starts

Montero: 4

Ross: 1

Contreras: 5

It definitely appears Arrieta does a little better with Montero so I could totally understand that. If that were the case, then I'd probably like to see Bryant in RF and Soler in LF. Soler has pretty good AB's for the most part and certainly doesn't look like a guy that would be intimated by Bumgarner.

Fwiw, it was Arrieta vs. Bumgarner on 9/3 in Wrigley. Arrieta went 6 IP, 3 R, 2 ER and loss. Contreras started that one. They started Zobrist in RF on that one and Szcur in LF. Rizzo had the night off.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201609030.shtml

Heyward is hitting .278 vs MadBum in 20 PA, so say what you will about L/R matchups, but I think between a non-cruddy BA & the defense that he stays in the line-up. For a fun outside-of-the-box look... Rizzo is weak against MB (.188 over 20 PA), so I could see an alignment that starts with him on the bench & Almora in LF. C - Ross 1B - Zobrist 2B - Baez SS - Russell 3B - Bryant LF - Almora CF - Fowler RF - Heyward

Unless the split is overwhelming, my gut is to take the big-time player in a big-time situation. Mr. Burns: You! Strawberry! Good effort today. Take a lap and hit the showers. I'm putting in a right-handed batter. Darryl Strawberry: Pinch-hitting for me? MB: Yes. You're a left-hander and so is the pitcher. If I send up a right-handed batter it's called playing the percentages. It's what smart managers do to win ball games. DS: I've got nine home runs. MB: You should be very proud. Sit down.

Giants lineup

Span CF Belt 1B Posey C Pence RF Pagan LF Crawford SS Panik 2B Gillaspie 3B Bumgarner LHP

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

this works too...

@CarrieMuskat  #Cubs lineup: Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Riz 1B, Soler LF, Zobrist RF, Russell SS, Baez 2B, Montero C, Arrieta P

This. iss a whacked llinneup. While Soler *could hit a home run, he is so bad in the OF, I just dont get it w/Almora on this roster. And, Zobrist in RF??

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I imagine they don't think they'll get to many hard hit balls to LF off Arrieta. Zobrist can hold his own in RF imo. Ultimately Arrieta is a groundball pitcher (52.6% this year, 4th in the NL among qualified pitchers) so I'm sure that factors into it as well.

I don't know if there's really an obvious answer as you can tell by this thread...a lot of opinions on who should start and what to weigh more heavily, but the logic seems sounds to me. Doesn't mean Soler won't butcher one or they steal all day off Montero/Arrieta combo...shit happens.

After thinking about this, Maddon is playing offense-defense. If they get a lead early, I expect Zobrist, Montero and Soler are gone.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

you think he'll pull Montero if they're ahead and put in a new catcher for Arrieta or only if/when they take Arrieta out? Because the former is highly unlikely.  I mean, Soler, sure. Zobrist doesn't get subbed out of too many games from what I can tell. Although he should have in the top of 9th in Game 1. I think Almora could have made that play.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I agree--they go with Montero to try to optimize Arrieta's comfort, but Zobrist and Soler are in there in hopes they can put pressure on Bumgarner. If they can manage a lead, I expect Heyward and/or Almora to come in when Bumgarner exits. Plus the option to bring Contreras in when Arrieta exits if it's close and the running game is a concern. They seem to like having Contreras's young legs/reflexes in there to catch Chapman anyway.

If the Cubs get six quality innings out of Arrieta I'd be satisfied. Seems to really struggle from the fourth inning on the past month or so. Unless he's super aggressive Giants will definitely work the pitch count

Gordo never disappoints... @GDubCub $184 million defensive sub: Heyward sits vs. Bumgarner in Game 3

Pagan out, Blanco in (back spasms)

Pagan was 5/11 off Arrieta. Blanco will certainly go 4/4 now.

It's my birthday, and evidently I am spending it alone in Parachat.  Go Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by BobbyD

With Sling you end up paying $40 for the orange-blue combo. Yesterday I switched to a Playstation Vue package for $35 that looks better all around. You don't need a Playstation--it runs on Roku, Amazon Fire, etc. Also you get a one-week free trial, which takes care of all the FS1 games even if, I mean when, the Cubs advance.

Arrieta's spot is due up third in the sixth - good time to pull him for a pinch hitter. Take the five innings and go to the pen On the other hand, Jake hitting the ball better than LaStella since TLS came back from his sabbatical

Oof. If Willson doesn't drop it probably a called third strike. Got Pence to K anyways And then all hell breaks loose ... with five outs to go

Bryant with the heroics!!! Need Rizzo's bat to make an appearance at the NLDS at some point

What else can happen in this game? Maybe a parachutist drops in like in the Tyson Holyfield fight.

Would have loved to have seen Fowler come up to bat in the 13th - was not to be. Shame Montfomery gets stuck with an L - gutty performance

I was not impressed with Contreras last night and I'm very worried about what's going to happen with the catching corp after Ross leaves after this year. Contreras' game calling was odd (specifically, the slider he called for in the 8th during the full count to Buster Posey), he made some ill-advised throws, and didn't add much with his bat. Git off muh lawn.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I understand the frustration but two points: On the 3-2 pitch to Posey, even Smoltz was leaning slider - Rondon just didn't execute the pitch. I think the only good slider he had was strike one. He had his slider working effectively Saturday but lost it again last night - if he goes strictly fastball those tend get hit pretty far Willson went 1-2 yesterday with a walk and is hitting .600 for the series. Had what could have been a key single in the 13th had Grandpa Rossy not had trouble stutter stepping his way to first on the DP

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Ryno--I have nothing against Contreras but I happen to love the older catchers on this team, and there's a big difference in the way they interact with pitchers. For example, Chapman was fantastic last night. (I'm writing this the morning after the Cubs sprayed a lot of champagne.) Ross gave him a target, he hit the target. Also the target seemed to be right in Chapman's sweet spot, outside corner where the hitter sees the ball well but can't get the barrel to it fast enough. Ross seemed so much more in tandem with his pitcher than Contreras ever does. Often, Contreras doesn't even give him a target, but holds the glove low with the palm facing down. Without a target, Chapman throws the ball "anywhere," and Contreras lunges to catch it--and then people say, Look at his reflexes, that's why he catches Chapman. Give him a meaningful target and you might not have to lunge.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I think some of this is stuff you learn with time and Contreras will get better but I'm also more and more convinced Montero will be back next year as the backup. For all his hitting and throwing issues he knows this staff well and several of them obviously love throwing to him and Madden values that more than anything in a catcher. He's also a perfect guy to continue mentoring Contreras. I doubt they'd want to bring in another defensive C when they already have a guy who knows the staff so well and who the pitchers respect. Plus you have the Latino leadership aspect with all our young Latin players.

My 2 Cents...

I was very confused about some of the moves Maddon made last night:

    • Putting Heyward in for defence was the right move. Taking him out? really don't understand. Putting Almora in left would have been much better. We'll never know if Heyward could have gotten to the ball that went over Almora's head.
    • Strop was very good and Wood, while he got his guy out, isn't particularly special pitching to lefties (IIRC).
    • Rondon looked really good the last time he was used, but he doesn't ever seem to do well when he comes in with men on base. I believe he would have done better starting the 8th. Confidence is so incredibly important, and I don't see how it was a good thing for Maddon to pull Rondon so quickly. I know he was struggling lately, but one more batter may have really helped him (Yes, and could have also hurt his confidence too).
    • IIRC, Chapman came in for more than a 3-out-save 3 times with the Cubs, and I only remember him not blowing the save in one of those games. No idea why Maddon didn't use Carl Jr in the 8th.
    • As already mentioned above, odd choice of Ross as the pinch hitter in that instance.

As for Contras, I really like him. He has incredible potential, but he needs to reign in that intensity a little. He reminds me of Baez last year (and early this year). I believe he will be awesome next year, both catching and hitting. 

[ ]

In reply to by michael2z

I generally don't like pulling so many strings with relief pitchers. With three innings for the bullpen to handle, I would've liked to see three pitchers going an inning each until and unless one of them really struggled. But the middle of the Giants lineup beat the Cubs best relief pitcher. It's on the Cubs offense to pick Moore apart tonight.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

you had Chapman vs. left-handers, couldn't have asked for a better match-up.

As for the non-catch, I was pretty shocked Almora was even near it to be honest but I guess we'll never know. Heyward would have had the advantage of the glove hand side being closer to the ball on that one. On the other hand, that catch Almora did make later was rather ridiculous. The double switch was because Chapman would have been due up 4th in the 9th and it was still a close game. I personally don't think you lose anything with Almora out there, and I'm guessing Maddon and Co. feel the same, but I imagine others have different feelings about it.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'm not complaining. I don't doubt that Maddon knows his players well and always does what he understands is best for the game, the club and the player. Guess I was just looking for insights others here, who are truly much more knowledgeable than me, might want to offer. At least I was able to elicite a response from a grammar Nazi. jk E-Man. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I more disliked Wood starting an inning to face a lefty who had reverse splits and hit sliders and sinkers well. I would have liked either Rondon or Chapman to come in with clean bases there as like it or not the closer mentality seems to prefer that. Also Madden should have known the reverse splits thing instead of just automatically assuming the lefty on lefty thing.

[ ]

In reply to by johann

Belt was also 0/6 against T. Wood with 5 K's before that PA. His reverse splits are really just no splits.

2016

vs RHP 273/395/466 .861 OPS in 443 PA

vs LHP 279/392/492 .883 OPS in 212 PA

Career

vs RHP 273/362/460 .822 OPS in 1946 PA

vs LHP 269/350/460 .810 OPS in 752 PA

~Shrug~ 

With both of those pieces of info it seems like a good gamble with 2 good righties coming up. Starting the inning off with Rondon or Chapman though wouldn't be a bad option either . Thought he hung on Montgomery a little long too, but can understand.

In the end, Conor Fucking Gillespie got around on a 102 mph, and hit it 400+ feet to right center. Baseball happens. The fact the Cubs offense couldn't get a whole lot going against their shit bullpen was more frustrating to me (Kris Bryant heroics not withstanding).

[ ]

In reply to by michael2z

I don't think closers or ex-closers are comfortable coming into the game in the middle of an inning. I would have preferred Rondon for the 8th and Chapman for the 9th -- it's what they expect to do, and gives them a little wiggle room. But, hey, I didn't really expect them to go 11-0 in the playoffs.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Spent several years in the UK while in the military and was required to use the 'Queens English' for the reports I submitted. Had a very late night, got up early, and I didn't take the time to check for the proper spelling of the player's name. We both know what happens when one assumes. 

Please don't piss me off, unless you want every post you make here to display in pig latin. ;)

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    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...