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

Pre-Season Roundtable 2006, Part II

Cubs Roundtable Questions (Spring 2006) Yesterday we got the opinions of the TCR powers that be, we now pose the same 11 questions to some of the finest Cubs bloggers out there. Former TCR writers Scott Lange(Gonfalon Cubs at Baseball Think Factory) and Derek Smart(Cub Town) once again grace us wtth their fine written word. Bleed Cubbie Blueís Al Yellon, Ivy Chatís Chuck Gitles , The View From the Bleachersís Joe Aiello, and Baseball Prospectus & The Juice writer Will Carroll round out this whoís who of Cub fans and writers. Thanks for their time and see what they have to say about the 2006 CubsÖ --------------------- Rate the Cubs off-season acquisitions and maneuvers? Did Jim Hendry sufficiently address the teamís needs or was he left in the cold holding a bag of donuts? Mmmmm....donuts!!! [Scott] If everyone were healthy, the Cubs would have the cadre of top-level talent to contend for the playoffs. With Prior and especially Wood question marks, and the omnipresent possibility of injuries to Zambrano, Lee, or Ramirez, the Cubs desperately needed at least one more top guy. Instead, Hendry made the kind of moves that should be made by a team stacked with talent and needing only to plug one or two holes to wrap up a division title. Juan Pierre in center is a decent pickup, but not if he's expected to be one of the best hitters on the team. Likewise Jacque Jones, if he's slotted as a platoon outfielder and #7 hitter. As it stands, Hendry did not do enough unless every break goes the Cubs way. [Joe A.] I think Hendry did address the team needs. When you look at where we were at the end of the season, minus a leadoff hitter and no bullpen, we have improved in those areas. The loss of Furcal at the time looked like major egg in the face, but in hindsight, it may have been a blessing in disguise with the status of Furcal's injuries still fairly uncertain. I'm happy with the moves Hendry made. Some may complain about Jones in RF, but what market was there for RF this year? [Al] I'll give Hendry an incomplete here. He did address three glaring needs: centerfield, leadoff (the same player was acquired for both), and the bullpen. There have been some who say the bullpen isn't improved, but it clearly is, and one of the distinct improvements will come from a pitcher who was on the club last year, but didn't contribute much: Scott Williamson. Just as Ryan Dempster took a year to come back from his surgery, so will Williamson. [Chuck] The offseason can only be described as disappointing. With a ton of dollars clearing from the end of Sammy Sosaís contract and Jeromy Burnitzís contract, with close to $3 million in new revenue from expanded bleachers, with Dusty Baker and Jim Hendryís contract coming to an end, and with success on the other side of town, you figured the stars were aligned for a big splash. Instead, a small ìkerplunkî was heard. When your best offseason acquisition is a pending-free agent centerfielder coming off his worst season in 4 years, you havenít had a good offseason. Hendry seems to have tried the strategy that Larry Himes tried after Greg Maddux left: Spread the dollars around between several players. The problem with that strategy is that the team gets a few decent players but no difference makers. Jacque Jones and Juan Pierre instead of a Bobby Abreu. Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry instead of Billy Wagner. And no Rafael Furcal or Kevin Millwood, players who were clearly need players. Very, very frustrating. [Derek] This was, I think, an incredibly difficult offseason in which to have a substantial need for impact offensive players ñ clearly the spot the Cubs found themselves in. Beyond the couple of "Option A" folks out there, the pickings were incredibly slim, and that seemed to trickle down to the trade market, driving prices through the roof. That said, I would have liked to see the team be more aggressive in going after solutions in trade, particularly for the outfield. Brad Wilkerson in particular comes to mind. So, while I wouldn't say Hendry's holding a Haversack 'O Crullers, neither did he snare a Satchel 'O Gold. [Will] He missed on Furcal and that stunned them. Ned Colletti really nailed them there. Getting Pierre was fine, dropping Patterson for nothing bothers me, but such is life. If Walker isn't going to play, itís past time to have dealt him. They overpaid for certainty in the pen and I'm not sure they're any better there. I just don't see the runs. Jacque Jones is the one absolute bust. The one need that wasn't addressed was a power bat. That could have been Rafael Furcal, though his power isn't as important as his speed or glove. Jacque Jones is supposed to "fill" this hole, but this was not a good signing. I suppose that given the current status of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, a starting pitcher should have been on the shopping list. What is the one off-season move you wish the Cubs made? (Be specific) [Will] Fire Dusty? The team needs to consolidate itself rather than really "going for it" this year. I'd have really liked to see Grady Little as manager - give him a couple years to get the system working, integrate Pie and Murton, and then get the next Davey Johnson in to win. That's not how TribCo works though. [Joe A.] If it were me, I think I would have gone after a SP with a little more aggression. I would have targeted a guy like Kevin Millwood and brought him in to help solidify a rotation that appears to be in shambles. [Chuck] Clearly, the offseason move I wanted the Cubs to make was to get Juan Pierre. Unfortunately, I wanted that move to be made in the winter of 2004. While getting Pierre is still an excellent move, sadly, the Cubs needed more moves that werenít made to push them over the top. Those moves would have included getting Billy Wagner (and making Ryan Dempster the primary setup man) and adding Kevin Millwood. At the time, it appeared that Millwood was going to be a luxury. Now, it seems pretty clear that the Cubs knew they were going to be two men short in the rotation (Wood and Prior). Not getting Millwood, or a similar starter, sure seems dumb now knowing the injury status of the rotation. Howry and Eyre seem to be decent acquisitions, but Iíd have rather seen the Cubs pass on those two decent pitchers and get the excellence of a Wagner. [Al] Signing Rafael Furcal. Now, we can (and have) discussed the dollar/year figures of the contract that Furcal supposedly was offered by the Cubs, and the one he eventually signed with the Dodgers. I think Hendry made his best offer and the Dodgers trumped it with a larger per-year amount. Furcal, for his part, seems to have been told by his agent to take a shorter deal and cash in again in three years. That's risky, but it might work for them. [Derek] Although, I think it's clear from events that it would have never come to pass, I truly wish the Cubs would have found a way to bring Brian Giles on board. [Scott] I'm not sure if it qualifies as a move, but it would have been nice if Prior and/or Hendry would have been honest with each other and themselves about his condition. The lack of honest, forthright communication within the organization is both intensely frustrating for fans and crippling to the team's well-being. An accurate appraisal of Prior's health may have led to differences in Prior/Tejeda trade negotiations or even a potential signing of or trade for another starting pitcher. As is, the rotation will be a patchwork on opening day and perhaps beyond, and the team only started to deal with that possibility two weeks ago. What is the one off-season move youíre glad the Cubs didnít make? [Joe A.] I am glad we did not make the move to re-sign Nomar. When we brought him in, he was the right man for the job, but it's time to move on. I'm excited about seeing what "Bones" Cedeno can do with the everyday job. If he can hit anywhere near the level he did in winter ball, we're in for a treat. [Scott] Signing Furcal for the money it would have taken. An upgrade at short would have been welcome, but $13M per year is simply far too much to pay for a .750 OPS shortstop. The contract would have been crippling for years to come. [Al] Despite the fact that the Cubs can now use a starter, I'm glad they didn't spend $60 million on Kevin Millwood. He's a league-average pitcher who led his league in ERA and thus, got a big-money deal out of it. There's a pretty good chance he'll wind up on the DL this year. [Will] Not signing AJ Burnett. Good move and one they flirted with more seriously than is generally known. [Chuck] Alfonso Soriano for second base. The only guy who lets more get past him is Jocelyn Thibault. [Derek] Any time a rumor surfaces implying that the Cubs might acquire Alfonso Soriano, I feel like I did that time I ate a whole jar of Moe's special pickled eggs. Hendry and Baker, brothers in arms, men with expiring contracts. Do they get automatic extensions or will their futures be tied into this teamís successes or failures? [Scott] I have this recurring nightmare. The NL Central starts slow. As summer approaches, the Cubs are four games over .500 and hanging near the division lead. Hendry and Baker are extended. Then the wheels come off- Prior and Wood go on the shelf. Todd Walker is benched. Our last outfielder slips below an .800 OPS. The lovable young Brewers win the division, the Cards take the wild card, and the Cubs are 79-83 again and saddled with the current regime for the forseeable future. [Joe A.] Hendry will get an extension. I believe the Cubs will take a wait and see approach to Baker for two reasons. 1) Failure generally leads to firing, so the Cubs want to see where Baker takes this team. 2) Baker has said before that he isn't sure he wants to be back after his contract is up. Obviously winning heals a lot of wounds, but I just don't see Dusty Baker coming back after this season. I think he sticks it out the whole year and then goes his own way at season's end. [Al] I had thought Hendry would have received his extension by now, and then he would have signed Baker. Having had this not happen, I believe upper management is now waiting to see what kind of start the team gets off to. If by Memorial Day, the Cubs appear to be contending, I believe the extensions will be granted. [Derek] I would hope there would be some form of accountability for the organization's failure to make good on the promise presented by team's core talent, but I'm dubious that such a thing will come to pass. Certainly, I'd think if the team manages to do well that extensions will be automatic, but I'm less optimistic that similar standards will be applied in reverse. [Will] Hendry should be extended. Baker should not. If not -- I do NOT think they'll be fired midseason. I think they're here for the balance of the 2006 season. [Chuck] Itís clear that Andy MacPhail wants to give Hendry an extension and Hendry wants to extend Baker. Thereís two issues here: 1) Do they deserve the extensions right now or later in the year; and 2) Why havenít they gotten extensions already? On the deserve mark, the answer is clearly no to right now. Baker should have been fired after the 2004 season when he allowed Steve Stone to distractions the team from actually focusing on the game. Baring a playoff appearance this year, Dusty needs to go. Hendryís been a decent GM, but has serious flaws. He allowed the team to go leadoff-less for three straight years and only got Kenny Lofton (and the associated playoff spot) by the shear good luck of Corey Pattersonís shredded knee. He failed to add to a weak bullpen for three straight years. He failed to add to the rotation this year. Why should a man who leaves obvious, gapping holes in a team be allowed to keep his job without having to prove himself during the final year of his contract? Both men should have to earn their contract extension through their 2006 performance. Now, the ìwhy havenít they both already been extendedî is a much more interesting question. As mentioned, clearly MacPhail wants to keep both Hendry and Baker as letting either go would signal that MacPhail is directionless. Therefore, thereís only one possible explanation. MacPhail is getting pressure from above not to extend the contracts. Now, why would he be getting pressure? There are a few logical answers. One would be the decline in attendance and TV ratings last September, an indication of a fan base ready to end the party of unquestioning support (and ticket buying). The Tribune doesnít need falling profits at another division. Another, more hopeful reason, could be this: The Trib is preparing to sell the team. In such a case, they would not want any long-term management contracts in place as a new owner will want his own GM and that GM will want his own manager. Watching how this plays out may be the most exciting part of the 2006 season. Derrek Lee put up MVP-type numbers last season in what will either be his career year or career turn-around. Does he repeat those lofty totals or was last year the peak? [Scott] I think it is very likely that last year was the best year Derrek Lee will ever have. I expect he'll retain some of last year's explosion, but as well-established as he was at the levels of 2000-2004 its hard to imagine this much of a leap being sustained entirely. [Joe A]. I think he puts up virtually the same numbers, which would actually be a letdown when you figure that this year we'll actually have guys on base for him to drive home. Last year he should have had somewhere in the neighborhood of 130-140 RBI, but instead barely cracked 100. I look for the same type of numbers with a drop in the batting average. [Al] Lee appears to be an unusual player in that he has taken an established level of play for several years, abolished it, and set a new level of performance. Will he hit 46 HR again? Probably not. But even if he declines 10% off BA and HR, with better hitters ahead of him, he should drive in more than 107 runs, which is one of the lowest totals in ML history for anyone who hit 46 or more HR. He may not get to 2005 levels again, but neither will he decline to pre-2005 norms. [Chuck] The answer is likely in the middle. I do not think Derrek Lee will conclude his days in baseball known as an average player. But to expect him to put up MVP like numbers going forward is not reasonable. I expect heíll revert to about .290 / 38 / 110. And, if Pierre gets on base at his historical .355 rate and Neifi doesnít bat second, that 110 could go to 125. [Derek] Neither. I think Lee settles in as a squarely above-average first baseman for the next few years, and while he won't be the same kind of dominant he was for much of last year, I think he'll split the difference and even be, say, 10-20% closer to that level over the next couple seasons than to where he was pre-2005. [Will] Peak. He's still very, very good, but how many people repeat that kind of year? Second base; what do you do or better yet; what should have been done? [Al] Two words: Todd Walker, with an occasional relief from Jerry Hairston, will be just fine. [Scott] Todd Walker is the only second baseman the Cubs have who can make the position a strength for the team. It would be all right to give Hairston or even Neifi the occasional spot start with Maddux (i.e. a non-strikeout pitcher) on the mound, but a healthy Walker should start 130 games at a minimum. [Chuck] Todd Walker should start at second given the options available. What SHOULD have been done is a free agent short stop should have been signed allowing Ronny Cedeno to play second. That short stop could have batted lead-off or in the two hole and probably lowered the cost of acquiring Juan Pierre. Anyone know a short stop that fits that bill? [Joe A.] Todd Walker is the better hitter. In my opinion, with the pitching the way it is, we need the offense. Walker has got to be the guy. I think he's caught a lot of flack for poor fielding that really isn't justified. He's not a great fielder, but he's not as bad as people make him out to be. What he lacks with the glove, he makes up for with the bat, and that is what we need this season. [Will] Use Walker when Prior, Zambrano and Wood pitch (assuming they pitch ...) because defense/fly balls don't count as much then. Use Hairston or even Neifi when Rusch, Williams, and Maddux are up. [Derek] What do I do? Or better yet, what should be done? Thunderdome. Three men enter, one man leaves. At the end, Walker triumphs (Waaaaaaaalker), and as the battle comes to a close, with Neifi! firmly in Walker's grasp, in that moment just before Todd snaps Neifi!'s neck, he looks up into the gathered horde of onlookers, finds the beady eyes of his manager and says, "Who run Bakertown?" Who will be this yearís surprises, who will be this yearís disappointments? [Will] I think Pierre won't be as good as most expect, that Jones will suck raw eggs through straws, and that Murton will get jerked around enough to look worse. [Al] I could say that Matt Murton will be a surprise, but I think he's done well enough this spring that he can't sneak under anyone's radar. I believe that he "gets it" -- and I've been flamed for saying that -- and that "getting it", as far as playing major league baseball, is just as important as natural talent. Predicting who will "surprise" at this juncture is a crapshoot. A year ago, Nomar Garciaparra was hitting balls all over Arizona. Would anyone have guessed that he would hit .157 in the first three weeks and then get hurt? [Scott] I hate to be a pessimist, but I see precious few potential positive surprises. Most of the team is either well-established at their current levels and unlikely to break through (Jones, Barrett, Pierre), or playing at such a high-level that a dramatic fall is more likely than a surprise improvement (Zambrano, Ramirez, Lee.) [Joe A.] Sean Marshall will surprise some people this year if he can stay healthy. He has a good makeup and has always put up good numbers in the minors. If he can win a spot in the rotation this year, I think you'll see good things from him. Juan Pierre's stolen base numbers will be a disappointment. There is no way he breaks 50 like he did in Florida. Bakerball just doesn't allow for it. It never has in Chicago. I hope I'm wrong on this one, but I see JP stealing around 30-35 bases this season. [Derek] If there are any good surprises, I think they're likely to come out of whichever of the batch of young pitchers gets their shot in mid-April. Depending on how long it takes the Ambulance Buddies to get themselves ready, they at least have the most obvious chance to make a big impact. As far as disappointments go, I think those two new and expensive relievers aren't likely to be all the organization thinks they are. [Chuck] Beyond seeing a rookie like Felix Pie come up to replace an injured Pierre or Jacque Jones, or replace an injured or traded Matt Murton, I canít see a position player being a surprise. Perhaps expectations from Jones are so low that a .260 season out of him could be considered a surprise. Jacque Jones leads the likely disappointment list followed closely by Bobby Howry who had every bit the career year last year that Derrek Lee had. The Cubs come into the season relying on some young Cubs. How do you envision Murton and Cedenoís seasons will go? Beyond those two, which lilí Cubs do you expect to make the biggest impact on the team this year? [Al] I could make the "sexy" pick at this point and pick Sean Marshall. Marshall's thrown well in spring training and appears to have great mound presence and a fine curveball; he needs more innings and consistency. Here's an off-the-wall pick: Jae-Kuk Ryu. It appears, at this writing, that Ryu has a pretty good shot at making the club out of spring training in the bullpen. If not, he'll be the first callup and might, given all the rotation injuries, have a chance to slide into the starting rotation. [Scott] I think Murton will settle in with a league-average kind of season- no All-Star appearance, but a perfectly adaquate performance just the same. However, I fear too much is being asked of Cedeno too soon. In three seasons at three different levels from 2001-2003 his OPS was under .600. He looked better in 2004 and much better in 2005, but its easy to imagine a young player without a long resume of minor league success playing more like his old self than his new self. If he can sustain the improvement he's shown he could yet prove to be a star, but I'm not optimistic. Between Dusty's distaste for pushing youngsters and the lack of attractive candidates, the only spot I see for another rookie to make an impact is a potential fifth starter. At this point its little more than a shot in the dark, but I'll be bold and guess Sean Marshall gets fifteen starts and performs fairly well. [Chuck] Ronny Cedeno gives you hope for a breakout. Thereís no reason he canít and plenty of reasons to think he can. He looked good in spurts last year and his minor league track record suggests heís getting better as he ages. This is a marked difference in minor league performance from our dearly departed center fielder who gave you every indication on the way up that he had Fosbery written all over him. Murton, I expect, will have a fine season with the bat. In the field, ehÖ Heís a prime candidate for a trade this year. Given the long contract gifted to Jacque Jones, the presence of Juan Pierre, and the coming of Felix Pie, thereís not room for all of them. Jones is untradeable. That means that, unless Pierre goes away via free agency, either Pie or Murton is trade bait. Murtonís older and the weaker fielder. Heís most likely to go. [Derek] I have a, perhaps, unhealthy level of man-love for Murton, and I think he'll be a good approximation of what he was during his time with the club last year, if with a little less power. Cedeno, on the other hand, I can see having a bad enough time at the plate to lose his job. Beyond those gents, I'd think Marshall, Guzman and Ryu have the best chance to be the Little Bears That Could. [Will] I think we'll see a lot more Neifi! and Marquis! than anyone really wants to see. I think Angel Guzman will crack the rotation by the end of the year. [Joe A.] Murton just flat out knows how to hit the baseball. I expect him to compete for the batting title on numerous years in his career. I look for a .300+ average and OBP in the neighborhood of .380. He has a tremendous knowledge of the zone and a hunger for hitting knowledge. Those qualities will make him a great hitter. Cedeno will start off slow and then pick up his game. He won't have dazzling numbers, but he will be good enough to make a difference for this team. I just really hope people have patience and give him the benefit of the doubt in the beginning if he starts slow. You probably donít need reminding, but the Cubs last won a World Series in 1908. Whatís the biggest reason Cubs fans should be hopeful that this, at long last, is the year? [Al] If, if, if: the biggest word in the English language. IF Kerry Wood and Mark Prior come back to 2003 form, the starting rotation suddenly becomes the best in the division. Yes, I realize that's a longshot. But we're talking hope here, right? Further, Aramis Ramirez is hitting everything in sight in Arizona and appears to be in top physical condition. If I had to pick someone in baseball to be primed for a breakout season, it'd be Aramis. And you're going to say -- how can someone with three 30-HR, 10O-RBI years have a "breakout" season? This could be the year that Ramirez has the sort of year that Derrek Lee had in 2005. If he does, and if Lee even comes close to what he did last year, the Cub offense will be significantly improved. [Chuck] The curses are unwinding in reverse order: Red Sox, White Sox, now itís the Cubs turn. As to a real reason why fans should be hopeful? I canít think of one. The only reason to have hope is illogical. [Joe A.] We're improved from last year and the NL is wide open. All it takes is some extra offense and we'll be right back in the hunt. Have faith and believe that this is our year. [Will] Because stranger things have happened? Random chance demands it? No, I don't think this is the year. [Scott] Front-line talent. There might not be another team in baseball with a better core than Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Lee, and Ramirez. If only they were all healthy... [Derek] The season is unlikely to be interrupted by a civilization-ending meteor strike. And the biggest reason they should think that once again, come October, itíll be ìwait ëtil next yearî? [Derek] Everything else. [Scott] The mediocrity most everywhere else on the roster. Either by lack of options or a preference for inferior options, the Cubs will likely get league-average performance or worse from second base, shortstop, all three outfield slots. Among the starting pitchers, only Zambrano is both capable and healthy. [Joe A.] Injuries have and will continue to kill our pitching staff. It's too the point that we need to plan for 8-10 SP so that Dusty can break 4 or 5 of them and still leave us with able arms. [Al] Not enough pitching depth; again, poor lineup selection by Dusty Baker results in too few RBI opportunities for Lee and Aramis Ramirez; poor performances out of the bullpen; Ryan Dempster not continuing his save success from last year. If those things happen, it'll be a long summer on the North Side. [Chuck] Lack of quality starting pitching. With Mark Prior long tossing a distance shorter than the mound-to-plate distance, Kerry Wood on the DL for the 10th time, and Wade Miller a reclamation project, counting on Glendon Rusch, Greg Maddux, Sean Marshall, Angel Guzman and Jerome Williams is a level of faith that would make Jimmy Swaggart blush. [Will] Not. Enough. Runs. So, how many will the Cubs win this year? And how will it all end? [Scott] I think we were unlucky at turning hits into runs last year, so 79-83 was a bit unfortunate. I think Pierre will be an improvement in center, almost by default. Beyond that, barring a medical miracle with Prior and/or Wood, I don't see much reason for optimisim. I'll say 84-78, tied for third with Houston. We'll be eliminated from playoff contention on Sep 22, in Cincinnati, in the rain. [Joe A.] The Cubs will win 91 games and squeak into the Wild Card. They will get by the Braves in round one because, hey, it's the Braves. Then they will be matched up against the hated Cardinals who will out pitch, out hit and out manage the Cubs in a 4 game sweep. [Chuck] Iíve got them between 78 and 83 wins. How will it end? Badly. [Derek] This is a squarely mediocre club, and while I engaged in active pessimism in my last couple of responses, there are enough talented pieces in place that, should they hit on all cylinders, they could make a run at it. That said, the likelihood of such fortune befalling this group is remote, and I'd peg them at the moment as an 82-win squad, who will finish the season mid-division, wondering, once again, why they weren't better. [Will] 72-90, Maddux traded to a contender at the deadline, Ramirez continuing to decline, and drunk people in the stands trying to figure out why the bleachers look different. [Al] I'm not one of those people who think that the Cubs are consigned to no better than third place "because of the Cardinals and Astros". Both of those teams have significant holes they didn't have a year ago. Are the Cardinals still better than the Cubs? On paper, they appear to be. But that's why they play the games. I think the Cubs can win between 85 and 90 games, and that ought to, at the very least, put them in competition for the Wild Card. And after that... as the Astros showed last year, and the Red Sox the year before, if you just get in, you can get to the World Series. Yes, I'm a dreamer. Why be a fan if you're not?

Comments

its nice to see different organizations working together on a piece. its not CNN/Fox/MSNBC getting together to do a piece, but its still a nice nod.

the white sox have signed contreras to an extension that gives him 9M next year, 10M in 2008 and 10M in 2009 in 2009, contreras will be approximately 53 years old. they do have their whole rotations signed through 2007 now however. which is nice for them. cubs on WGN in just over an hour, i'll likely be in Parachat for some of it at least. feel free to join me.

I was laughing my ass off from this comment... Todd snaps Neifi!'s neck, he looks up into the gathered horde of onlookers, finds the beady eyes of his manager and says, "Who run Bakertown?"

Ramirez continuing to decline? When did this decline start, and where was I when it happened?

Has anyone heard of the...yeah I know....mlbtraderumors rumor? It claims that Carlos Lee is going to be dealt to the Cubs today for Muron, Hill, and Guzman.

Nevermind, guess its being discussed on the other thread.

Chuck, This one has got me puzzled: 'He failed to add to a weak bullpen for three straight years.' Borowski Remlinger Hawkins Dempster Williamson Ohman Any of those names ring a bell? I guess if you replace 'bullpen' with 'established closer' your statement makes sense...

Borowski was pure luck and not a high profile addition at the time. Remlinger and Hawkins had some upside when sigend. Hawkins the most hype of the bunch. Willliamson injury project, Dempster injury project, and Ohman? What? I kinda see your point Neal but other than Hawkins and possibly Remlinger (what year did he join the Cubs?) I don't see that as a perticularly impressive list.

"Baker should have been fired after the 2004 season when he allowed Steve Stone to distractions the team from actually focusing on the game." Amen Chuck. That seems like the most obvious thing in the world to me and I said it then and still think this was the pivotal moment of contemporary Cubdom Hell. I was 100% sure that Hendry was TOTALLY dismayed that Cubs players and manager were getting in a petty war of words with a TV announcer when they are being paid millions of dollars (and are accountable to a fanbase that has been loyal beyond description) to perform their job on the field. But what happens, Hendry backs Baker when any level of integrity at all required at at least a pubilc apology to Cubs' fans for highly unprofessional behavior at a time when they could have won 1 or 2 games out of the last 6 and had a chance at the playoffs. From that moment on I have been absolutely stunned and embarassed by the Cubs management and front office. Dysfunctional does not even begin to describe the Baker/Hendry partnership at this point.

its a bit much to say it was that distracting. 2 angry guys (alou/mercker) dont make or break a season. the press cared a lot about it. btw, mercker and alou did better after all this crap. it sure didnt effect them.

Crunch, you are totally full of shit as usual. The manager was actually having a war of words with said announcer during the final week of the season in which the team lost ALL SIX games when they had a 1.5 game WC lead. What business is it of Baker's or anybody elses to be remotely conscious of what a television announcer says if he is being paid MILLIONS of dollars to win games. More to the piont: if it wasn't a distraction, tell us what was REALLY going on oh mighty Crunch while the rest of us mere fans were watching the games and reading the papers.

yeah, a bunch of grown men were shredded to tears over a meaningless "battle" with an announcer. it was a horrible time where the team asked "Why us?" and cried themselves to sleep. the only thing they had to look forward to was the coach took them to Pizza Hut after the game.

i'm coming to realization that i had with crunch in the Parachat at the end of the Cubs-Pads game this afternoon the cards lineup kinda sucks eckstein encarnacion pujols edmonds rolen taguchi molina miles ouch. miles had an OBP of 300 with no power in COORS last year. taguchi and miles we know, eck is OK, encarnacion is not an above average right fielder. pujols is pujols....but rolen is an injury question mark as is edmonds (right arm numbness?!) it's certainly a catchable team. marquis will likely crash while carpenter stays good, but mulder and suppan are just OK. they lost tavarez and king who were big to their bullpen. in all, this is a very catchable cards team. these cubs are very able to catch them. and i don't love this cubs team that much per se. the astros aren't great either, and if clemens doesn't come back they're 500. brewers are a year too early and don't have enough pitching. this is going to be a decidedly average division and is very winnable for the cubs. also, i learned today that rolen is under contract for the cards through 2011. oucha. time for optimism is now. rather than take optimism with this team that is the result of uninspired acquisitions, i will be pessimists for the cards. i am still extremely excited for opening day....cannot wait.

"He failed to add to a weak bullpen for three straight years." In 2003, Jim Hendry did not add bullpen help at the trade deadline. Wanna bet that Ugy Urbina woulda helped that year? In 2004, bullpen help was direly needed as I noted then (http://ivychat.blogspot.com/2004_07_01_ivychat_archive.html#10913333402…). To say another arm in the pen mid year would have helped given the meltdown in New York would be an undrestatement. In 2005, Hendry was fine with a pen of Rusch and LaTroy, holdovers from the year before. No additions of consequence were made mid year. Hendry did not add to his pens in any of the last three years when it was needed.

kevin "3rd baseman of the future" orie sent to AAA (HOU)

Chuck: Wanna bet that Ugy Urbina woulda helped that year? Speaking of... is he still in prison? I keep dreaming that Marquis Grissom's first task in retirement is to go break Urbina out of prison so the Cubs can sign him to replace Wuertz.

Rob: "Pre Season Roundtable 2006, Part II" is filled with old news now! It seems like you transcribed this before the squad was named? Maybe you sound do a "1st Week of the Season Roundtable". By then, the Cubs will only have won a game or two.

urbina is out of jail...he was there for months and denied bail on his attempted murder charges. i dunno if his trial has begun or not. he was supposed to remain in jail until his trial began.

This is kind of neat. Some sort of computer simulation for this coming season: http://www.diamond-mind.com/articles/proj2006.htm It also gives a little commentary on each team. The Cub's is about 3/4 the way down the page. I thought it was interesting. Gives the Cubbies a good shot at the wildcard.

Not to detract from the fine comentary of many of blogdom's finest, but cruise on over to ESPNland for a gander at the predictions of 10 staff members to where the Cubs will finish in 2006. Introducing the team: Stark, Karabell, Crasnick, Kurkjan, Phillips, Neyer, Neel, Klapsich, Schwarz, and Gomez Their average divisional standing prediction for the Cubs in 2006, these illustrious 10? 4th Since I refuse to allow myself this level of pessimism right now, I can't wait for the Cubs to make these idiots eat their words. Of course this new hopeful me is sure the old rational me will be doing some dining on that offseason smack talk as well...but please. Right now spare me the expectation of failure. It's April! Allow me to have a moment of unadulterated optimism. All the coins will come up heads and every preseason question will be answered in the afirmative: this WILL be the year the Cubs win it all! Please stay tuned. Our regularly scheduled "feh!" will return shortly.

There is no way in hell the Cubs finish 4th. The Brewers, Cards, and Cubs are almost guarnteed of finishing in the top 3.

If you look at the predictions for each team in the division for the NL Central at ESPN this is what you come up with: Cardinals Astros Brewers Cubs Pirates Reds I wonder where these aspiring Nostradamus's got these finishing standings from... Oh wait a sec'! The 2005 Final Standings. They did go out on a big limb though and pick the Pirates over the Red's to finish in 5th. Neyer and Stark, who along with Kurkjian, are the only ones on the list who know what they're talking about like the Cubs for 2nd. I won't be suprised if they finish anywhere from 1-4th though.

Chuck, 'In 2003, Jim Hendry did not add bullpen help at the trade deadline. Wanna bet that Ugy Urbina woulda helped that year?' Maybe I am gettting my years mixed up in my dotage. Which game in 2003 would having Urbina won for us in the 2003 playoffs? His ERA at the time of the trade was 4.19 - and the Marlins gave up Adrian Gonzalez to get him. Not to mention Farnsworth was in the middle of one of his 'on' years. So yeah, I wanna bet.

Cardinals Astros Brewers Cubs Pirates Reds Forget the players on the field, that's a pretty good ranking of the quality of these six organizations right now.

"The start of last year wasn't easy because we had Sammy Sosa stuff and Steve Stone stuff, and that stuff was bad, and I'm here to tell you it was b.s.,'' Baker said. "All of it. Then the thing where I went to Yale to give a talk. That was b.s., too. "I was like 'What's going on here? Do I do anything right?' I got to do something right sooner or later. My whole thing is to be happy and not get caught up in stuff. Sometimes you get wound up in the turmoil and lose focus on what's happening and what's real. Sometimes when you answer anger with anger, that's what you get back. That's not what I'm about. That's not me.'' Every year Baker starts the season with this same promise (of not getting involved in name calling and petty bullshit). Yet it takes about two seconds to read into what he is really saying which is I DUSTY BAKER AM NOT ACCOUNTABLE, I AM A VICTIM. I love how the Suntimes article is about him changing his attitude and he starts it off blaming Sammy and Steve Stone and New York Post and injuries. Does anybody buy his BS? Here's more excuses from the I AM NOT ACCOUNTABLE machine: "In '04, we got tired and just ran out of gas. Last year, it was one thing after another. It was a tough-impact year on me. Things weren't right. Probably one of the top three or four toughest years I have had. It's made me stronger when I've had them before. "I just knew last year without Sammy and Moises [Alou] and different changes, it was one of those years where everything had to go right. But we lost top players from spring training on. Nobody wants to hear it, but it happened.'' Whatever Dusty. Ran out of gas in 2004? you were making shit decisions by the second month of the season and as Steve Stone said that WC should have been clinched in August BEFORE you ran out of gas from getting run in circles by LaRussa and from trotting Hawkins out every day to fail, and mismanaging your lineup and middle relief daily. I think I and a lot of other people would take this guy more seriously and cut him a little slack if he JUST ONCE took responsibility for something. Anything. In the same article Barrett says "The only way we can prove to the fans and everybody that Dusty is the right man for the job here is to win''. Once again missing the point. The only way we see Dusty as the right man for the job is if he joins the human race and owns his decisions and shortcomings and learns he is not the center of the universe. that his job is to LEARN something just once, make adjustments and take responsibility for his decisions. Not to blame Sammy or Stone or injuries or NY Post stories. Then he might have a long term job and might win a game or two that matters.

Predicting the Cubs record this season... If the Cubs were starting the year with their expected rotation of Zambrano, Prior, Maddux, Wood, and Miller intact I would expect them to be a lock to post a winning percentage of .580 (94-68) and actually contend for first place with the Cardinals. But we don't have an intact rotation. We have Z, M and three prayers instead. And this is a .450 (72-90) team as presently constructed. Anything better than that would be a pleasant surprise. If the Cubs ptb's can be believed, Wood, Prior and Miller(a week behind Wood in rehab) will all be ready in six weeks (about 40 games into the season). And if the Cubs play .450 baseball the first 40 games, and .580 baseball the rest of the way, they will go 18-22 and then 71-51 for a record of 89-73. That should put them within a game or two of the wildcard this year.

from Will Carroll's Cub team health report 3/21: Fun Glendon Rusch fact: His nickname is ìTits.î

WC's concluding paragraph...I can't wait to see Manny's take on this one: The Cubs want to win, but are now ill-suited to doing it Dustyís way. Brought in to handle a superstar and a losing attitude, Bakerís poor handling of pitchers and the media is well on its way to being counterproductive. Few teams have three legitimate aces, and that one great run in 2003 sucked the life out of two of them. This isnít the same type of team Dusty was brought in to run; itís one that needs a steadier hand and a developmental spirit. As the injuries pile up this season, that fact will become clearer and clearer.

"Which game in 2003 would having Urbina won for us in the 2003 playoffs?" God, I'd love to play poker with you. The Cubs having Ugy in 2003 PREVENTS FLORIDA from getting him. That means he doesn't go 1-0 with a save over 7 innings allowing 2 hits, 2 runs, no walks and 10 Ks. Methinks the Cubs would have fared better against someone else. Also, where is Florida without his 3-0, 6 saves, and 1.41 ERA? I'd bet they don't make the playoffs. So, by taking that bet, there's only 1 conclusion: You, like the Cubs, lost.

Sosa homered off of Urbina to tie the game in the ninth of game 1.

Strong logic there, Chuck. The Cubs should trade for players at the deadline - not because they need them, but to keep them away from the team that's 4th in the NL East. At least think things through a bit. Maybe you'd like to play poker, but I wouldn't suggest Tic-Tac-Toe.

Hindsight is wicked awesome. That Uggy wouldn't have showed up in Chicago. We'd probably have received the machete-weilding, gas-can version of Uggy.

I was referring to the hindsight involved in keeping Uggy away from the 4th place Marlins in 2003. I'll take your word that you liked Urbina, but I highly doubt you were warning everyone about keeping him away from the Marlins.

Chuck, So what your saying is at the trade deadline in 2003 you said, 'I can't believe Hendry let Urbina go to another team. The Marlins are now the team beat in the NL (I think at the time they were 6th in the Wild Card hunt), and we just let them have the closer who will get a win and a save against the Cubs in the NL Championship Series. I mean, sure, he traded for Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez and we're going to go to the Championship Series for the first time since the playoffs expanded, but Hendry is just a bonehead for not trading prospects we don't have for a 7th inning pitcher who has a $4.5 million contract' I am going to have to start reading your Blog, you're freaking omniscient! I just hope there's a link to some bridges I can buy in the side colums.

Let's just say that I believe Chuck is a well known troll from another site.

"I can't believe Hendry let Urbina go to another team. The Marlins are now the team beat in the NL" More like, "I can't believe Hendry let a quality bullpen guy get away when he clearly needed that given that the rental of Lofton and trade for Ramirez means Hendry thinks he can win this year. That was a guy this team needed and not getting him is going to eventually hurt them."

Chuck, Let's suppose what you say is true, 'That was a guy this team needed and not getting him is going to eventually hurt them.' Let's carry out this logic a bit further. Which of these ballplayers can you not say the same thing about? Alex Rodriguez Chris Carpenter Roger Clemens Randy Johnson Carlos Beltran It's nice to live in a fantasy world where you get to evaluate trades 4 months after the fact (In the link you provided it's pretty obvious you had to change pants after the Cubs traded for Nomar - which led to a less succesful season than when we passed on Urbina) and the Cubs have unlimited financial and minor league talent resources, but here on Planet Earth, the rest of us know better. I think you better go hit the ATM machine, you seem to be out of chips.

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).