Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Trade Ruggiano

The Cubs cleared some 40-man roster space and made room for a "clubhouse dude" by sending OF Justin Ruggiano to the Seattle Mariners for 25-year old relief pitcher Matt Brazis. Ruggiano was acquired from the Marlins last offseason for Brian Bogusevic and put up an 111 OPS+ with an .846 OPS versus lefties in limited, albeit effective action. He can also handle all 3 OF positions which is a nice added benefit. For whatever reasons that do not particularly interest me, the Cubs seem to want a veteran "clubhouse dude" as Maddon calls them and Johnny Gomes or someone similar seems to be the target. Eh, whatever.

As for Brazis, his career minor league numbers look like this: 2.89 ERA in 158.2 IP, 1.109 WHIP, 7.1 H/9, 2.8 BB/9, 10.9 K/9, 0.5 HR/9...so quite spectacular across the board, although he's probably been a bit old for his leagues. I can't seem to find any worthy scouting reports, but guessing by those K totals, he features a good fastball/slider combo. He touched AA last season, so it's not inconceivable that he'll see the majors this year.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Does it have to be Gomes? Everyone assumes it's a clubhouse guy but could it be a Myers type? Are there any young good outfielders available? The Padres have about 2,000 outfielders. Are any of them worth taking a look at? Obviously, I'm not a fantasy baseball guy.

FROM BASEBALL AMERICA

Brazos can run his fastball up to 92-93 with a three-quarters slot that adds some deception, and he also uses a slider that he has a tendency to fall in love with and overuse, according to scouts. His delivery is clean but he reaches max velocity with some effort. He projects as a middle reliever. 

I saw him pitch once in the AFL and in my notes I wrote that he threw slider after slider.  

2014 AFL: 
10 G, 12.1 IP, 14 H, 8 R (7 ER), 0 HR, 5 BB, 11 K, 5.11 ERA, .298 OppBA,  

NEWPORT: Korean RHRP Chang-Yong Lim was the last true sidearmer the Cubs had, but he wasn't around very long. 

 

Rob Bradford @bradfo · David Ross' decision coming down to Red Sox, Cubs, Padres -- So what can Castillo fetch in a trade?

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

So what can Castillo fetch in a trade?

No less than Mike Trout!!!

Teams that could maybe use a catcher: Rays, Rockies, D'Backs, Rangers, maybe Marlins to platoon with Saltalamacchia

Phillies could get younger there, but Ruiz is still under contract through 2016, hasn't been many rumors about him.

Not sure how many teams could consider Welington a considerable upgrade though.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

What do they have now? Jaso, Vogt and Phegley? Maybe, Beane does love his platoons.

2 years ago Coco Crisp would be interesting, current Crisp you'd hope they'd throw in a few bucks. Not sure what else they have as a CF option either, Beane's not one to punt a season. Could go after Rasmus or Aokii I suppose.

Padres ain't 'effin around...

Marc Topkin ‏@TBTimes_Rays Either way, #Rays said to give up Myers, Hanigan and 2 low minor-lgrs, and get back Rivera, B.Smith, Bauers from #Padres. Then ....

Marc Topkin ‏@TBTimes_Rays  If #Nats are in, #Rays under these scenarios to get Souza and A-ball LHP. If #Nats out, #Rays said get J. Ross, Trea Turner from #Padres

Some rumor that Kemp trade not happening though because of physical

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Trea Turner was signed after being selected in the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft), so he can't be traded until the first anniversary of signing his contract (June 13, 2015). 

He could remain a PTBNL and continue to play in the minors with SD until then, but would either club risk him getting hurt in the meantime? Or would they just tell him to stay home and avoid dangerous activities until June 13th? 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Looks like we'll find out

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal has the breakdown of who's heading where: Padres shortstop prospect Trea Turner and pitching prospect Joe Ross will go to the Nationals. Myers, Ryan Hanigan, and minor league pitcher Jose Castillo will go to the Padres. Steven Souza, Travis Ott, Rene Rivera, Burch Smith, and Jake Bauers will go to the Rays (with Souza and Ott coming from the Nats). All the players involved need to pass physicals before the trade can be made official. Dec 17 - 5:33 PM

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

though they're both good, i still can't believe t.turner lasted so long in the draft (13th pick)...and somewhat that nick gordon went before t.turner (but i don't know a lot about nick gordon). turner's a rather special hitter with some nice D at SS to match. he doesn't have blazing speed like gordon, but he's not slow at all. turner is "baseball smart" as all hell. he's a guy you can really trust that he will do everything it takes to adjust if/when he becomes exposed. heck, his SB numbers are deceptive because it's more than speed that earns him his high SB numbers.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

With the approval of the MLB Commissioner, a club may assign (loan) a player signed to a minor league contract to the Active List of a minor league club in another organization. However, the player must be returned no later than September 30th. 

So I'm not sure the Padres would be able to loan Trea Turner to the Nationals next season if he isn't returned to SD prior to 9/30. I suppose the Padres could "loan" Turner to Washington's AA affiliate on minor league Opening Day 2015, and then the Nats could "return" (wink, wink) Turner to SD on 6/13, and then the Padres could immediately send Turner to Washington as the PTBNL, but the Commissioner might not permit that.  

NOTE: This is covered in MLB Rule 11 and it was changed a few years ago, requiring the player to be returned by 9/30. 

Loaning players was fairly common back in the day, but it almost never happens now. A club would sometimes "loan" a minor league player to another organization if (for example) two players played the same position and both needed regular playing time at the same classification level (like Dan Vogelbach and Rock Shoulders the last couple of seasons). Sometimes a club would loan a minor league player to another organization to give the other organization a chance to get a first-hand close-up look at a guy they might want to acquire in a trade. It also could be used to get a PTBNL to another organization when it wasn't possible to complete the trade.

It was also used back in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's for minor league players on the Military List, so that the player (usually a pitcher) could play for a minor league club close to his military base, even if the minor league club was in another organization. 

The most-common "loan" you see today is when a minor league player is loaned to a club in the Mexican League (which is the only "independent" league in Minor League Baseball) when the player needs playing time or a pitcher needs innings. The Cubs have loaned several minor league players to clubs in the Mexican League over the past few seasons, most recently RHP Frank Batista, RHP Yoanner Negrin, and catcher Sergio Burruel. 

Heh, Bears starting Jimmy Clausen on Sunday vs. Lions.

Option 1) Trestman in desperate attempt to save job, prays Clausen plays well and pins season on Cutler

Option 2) They've already decided that they'd cut Cutler

Option 3) Might as well play for the draft pick

I doubt it's #2 as you'd like to try and trade Cutler, even for a 5th or 6th round pick and not take the cap hit and benching doesn't help that in any way. I'm going with #1.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I would argue that no matter who the QB is out there, the offensive linemen will be running into each other at the line of scrimmage, the receivers will keep running bad routes and having false starts, the special teams coach still can't count, and the defense will give up points on most nearly every play. So good luck on number 1, although it is likely the reason. Can't blame Trestman for trying the hail mary pass but if it works and they keep Trestman I'll be doing something other than watching football next winter on Sundays. And Monday nights. And Thursday nights.

ex-Cub Aaron Kurcz traded from Red Sox to Braves, the other player Red Sox got for Theo Epstein besides Chris Carpenter.

Padres get Matt Kemp. Was hoping the Cubs could have pulled the trigger on that. Dogers get Grandal, et. al. + plus kick in $39mm

speaking of the Kemp deal, arthritic hips on Kemp, deal in jeopardy which would put Rollins deal in jeopardy and possibly the Wil Myers deal since Padres were getting Ryan Hanigan in that deal to replace Grandal, although it may not.

Dodgers seem annoyed info got leaked since it not only blows up deal but could affect them dealing Kemp to another team, but not like other team wouldn't fucking find out why deal blew up in the first place. Padres seem to still want to do deal, they're either trying to get a better insurance coverage on it or have Dodgers cover it.

Red Sox in talks with mystery team on Allen Craig....be nice if it was Craig instead of Gomes, but I doubt it.

@Adams_Steve Source: RHP Anthony Carter has agreed to terms with #Cubs on minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Think he pitched in Japan last year, previously with Red Sox and Padres

Peavy to SF. 2/24, backloaded. $4M signing bonus, $7M in 2015, $13M in 2016. bullet dodged fairly easily.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).