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

They're Fitchin' to Get Started

With Cubs pitchers & catchers scheduled to report to Fitch Park in Mesa this week, and with position players scheduled to report next week, let's take a quick look at the Cubs 2008 Spring Training roster: 2008 CUBS SPRING TRAINING ROSTER 59 players will be in camp 39 on MLB reserve list (40-MAN ROSTER) 20 Non-Roster Invitees (NRI) (40-MAN ROSTER/NRI in parenthesis): 31 Pitchers (23/8) 6 Catchers (2/4) 12 Infielders (7/5) 10 Outfielders (7/3) * bats or throws left # bats both ===================== PITCHERS (31) PITCHERS ON 40-MAN ROSTER (23): Jose Ascanio * Neal Cotts Ryan Dempster * Scott Eyre Sean Gallagher Angel Guzman Adam Harben Kevin Hart * Rich Hill Bob Howry Tim Lahey Jon Lieber * Ted Lilly Carlos Marmol * Sean Marshall Jason Marquis Juan Mateo Billy Petrick * Carmen Pignatiello Jeff Samardzija Kerry Wood Michael Wuertz Carlos Zambrano NON-ROSTER PITCHERS (8): * Edward Campusano Esmailin Caridad (ex-Hiroshima Toyo Carp Dominican Academy) Jose Ceda Chad Fox * Geoffrey Jones Mike Smith Shingo Takatsu * Les Walrond =============================== CATCHERS (6) CATCHERS ON 40-MAN ROSTER (2): Henry Blanco (also 1B) Geovany Soto (also 1B) NON-ROSTER CATCHERS (4): Welington Castillo # J. D. Closser Josh Donaldson # Koyie Hill (also 1B-3B) ===================== INFIELDERS (12) INFIELDERS ON 40-MAN ROSTER (7): Ronny Cedeno (SS-2B-CF) Mark DeRosa (2B-3B-1B-RF-LF) * Mike Fontenot (2B) Derrek Lee (1B) Aramis Ramirez (3B) Ryan Theriot (SS-2B-3B) Daryle Ward (1B-LF-RF) NON-ROSTER INFIELDERS (5): # Andres Blanco (SS-2B) # Luis Figueroa (2B-SS) * Micah Hoffpauir (1B-LF) Casey McGehee (3B-1B-C) # Bobby Scales (IF-OF) =========================== OUTFIELDERS (10) OUTFIELDERS ON 40-MAN ROSTER (7): Jake Fox (LF-RF, also C-1B) * Kosuke Fukudome (RF) * Sam Fuld (CF-RF-LF) Matt Murton (LF-RF) * Eric Patterson (CF-LF, also 2B) * Felix Pie (CF) Alfonso Soriano (LF) NON-ROSTER OUTFIELDERS (3) * Tyler Colvin (CF-LF) * Josh Kroeger (LF-RF) # Andres Torres (CF-RF-LF) ============================ PROJECTED 2008 PAYROLL (as of 2-10-2008) NOTE: $$$/$$$ = Major league salary/"minor league split" salary SIGNED FOR 2008: Henry Blanco - $2.8M Neal Cotts - $800K + $75K in performance bonuses Ryan Dempster - $5.5M + $800K in performance bonuses Mark DeRosa - $3.75M Scott Eyre - $3.8M + $300K in performance bonuses Kosuke Fukudome – $12M Bob Howry - $4M Derrek Lee - $13M Jon Lieber - $3.5M Ted Lilly - $7M Jason Marquis - $6.375M Aramis Ramirez - $14M Jeff Samardzija - $850K/$600K Alfonso Soriano - $13M Daryle Ward – $1.2M Kerry Wood - $4.2M + $3.45M in performance bonuses Michael Wuertz - $860K Carlos Zambrano - $15M TOTAL - $111.5M (plus $5.13M in potential performance bonuses) PAY-OFF Jacque Jones (traded to DET) - Cubs agreed to pay the $1M remaining from Jones' deferred signing bonus (due no later than January 2008), plus $2M of Jones' 2008 salary. AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION) FOR 2008 NOTE: Minor League "split" salary must be at least 60% of player's actual paid salary from previous season All of these salaries are "guesstimates" $$$/$$$ = Likely 2008 MLB salary/Likely 2008 “minor league split” salary Jose Ascanio – $392.5K/$62.5K Ronny Cedeno – $410K/$165K (out of minor league options) Mike Fontenot – $405K/$150K Jake Fox – $392.5K/$62.5K Sam Fuld – $392.5K/$62.5K Sean Gallagher – $392.5K/$62.5K Angel Guzman – $395K/$220K Adam Harben – $390K/$62.5K Kevin Hart – $392.5K/$62.5K Rich Hill – $430K/$220K Tim Lahey – $390K/$31,125 Carlos Marmol – $420K/$180K Sean Marshall – $415K/$215K Juan Mateo – $392.5K/$120K Matt Murton – $425K/$225K Eric Patterson – $390K/$62.5K Billy Petrick – $392.5K/$62.5K Felix Pie – $400K/$150K Carmen Pignatiello – 392.5/$62.5K Geovany Soto – $395K/$62.5K (out of minor league options) Ryan Theriot – $420K/$235K =================================== ELIGIBLE TO BE FREE-AGENT AFTER 2008: Henry Blanco (vesting option or else club option with buy-out for 2009) Ryan Dempster Scott Eyre (has limited “no trade” through 2008) Bob Howry Jon Lieber (has automatic Type XX FA “no trade” rights through 6-15-2008) Daryle Ward Kerry Wood (has automatic Type XX FA “no trade” rights through 6-15-2008, but he will also get automatic 10/5 “no trade” rights beginning on the third day of the 2008 season) SIGNED BEYOND 2008: Mark DeRosa ($5.5M in 2009, then FA) Jason Marquis ($9.875M in 2009, then FA) Derrek Lee ($13M in 2009 and 2010, then FA – has full “no trade” through 2010) Ted Lilly ($12M in 2009 and 2010, then FA) Kosuke Fukudome ($12M in 2009, 2010, and 2011, then FA). Jeff Samardzija (thru 2011 + mutual options for 2012 & 2013 – has full “no trade” through 2011) 2009: $1.3M 2010: $2.5M 2011: $2.8M 2012: $3M (mutual option - player can opt out only if he is eligible for salary arbitration) 2013: $3.5M (mutual option - player can opt out only if he is eligible for salary-arbitration) Aramis Ramirez ($15.65M in 2009 and $15.75M in 2010, $14.6M 2011 player option, and $16M 2012 mutual option with $2M buy-out – has full “no trade” in contract through 2010, but he will also get automatic 10/5 “no trade” rights beginning in June 2009) Carlos Zambrano ($17.75M in 2009, $17.875 in 2010 and 2011, and $18M in 2012, plus $19.25M 2013 vesting-player option – has full “no trade” in contract through 2011, but he also will get automatic 10/5 “no trade” rights beginning in August 2010). Alfonso Soriano ($13M in 2008, $16M in 2009, and $18M 2010 through 2014, then FA – has full “no trade” through 2014) ======================================= PROJECTED ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY-ARBITRATION POST-2008: Ronny Cedeno Neal Cotts Rich Hill (projected 2+149 MLB ST post-2008 – almost certainly will qualify for salary arbitration as a “Super Two”) Sean Marshall (projected 2+132 MLB ST post-2008 – could qualify for salary arbitration as a “Super Two” - see COMMENT below) Matt Murton Michael Wuertz NOTE: Post-2008 salary arbitration projections are based on each player spending entire 2008 season in MLB. COMMENT: If Sean Marshall were to spend at least 20 days on Optional Assignment to the minors in 2008, he almost certainly would NOT be eligible for salary arbitration as a “Super Two” post-2008. (The threshold for “Super Two” status has never been less than 2+125 MLB ST). However, if Marshall spends 19 days or less on Optional Assignment in 2008, or if he spends at least 20 days on optional assignment but not more than ten days in succession, he will accrue a full season of MLB Service Time, and thus he could very possibly qualify for salary arbitration as a “Super Two” post-2008. So to avoid the possibility of Marshall qualifying as a “Super Two” post-2008, the Cubs would be smart to option Marshall to the minors for at least 20 days in succession, probably right at the start of the season coming out of Spring Training. ===================================== MINOR LEAGUE OPTION STATUS (SPRING TRAINING 2008): * Certain players must first clear Optional Assignment Waivers (see COMMENT below) RULE 5: Tim Lahey (see NOTE-1) NOTE-1: Tim Lahey can be sent to the minors by the Cubs only after clearing Rule 6 return waivers (which are irrevocable), and then Lahey’s original organization (MIN) also must decline to reclaim player (MLB Rule 6 outlines the method for removing a player selected in Rule 5 Draft from club’s 40-man roster). Look for Lahey to eventually be the PTBNL in the Craig Monroe deal (with the Twins satisfying their PTBNL obligations by declining to reclaim Lahey after he clears Rule 6 return waivers). NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT: Ronny Cedeno Geovany Soto ONE MINOR LEAGUE OPTION LEFT: * Neal Cotts (see COMMENT below) Mike Fontenot * Angel Guzman (see NOTE-2 and COMMENT below) Rich Hill Carlos Marmol Felix Pie * Michael Wuertz (see COMMENT below) NOTE-2: Angel Guzman has used three minor league options, but because he has not completed five “full seasons” on an active minor league or major league roster through the 2007 season, he gets a 4th minor league option, as long as it is used prior to completing five full seasons. (Guzman will likely spend most or all of the 2008 season on the DL rehabbing from TJ surgery, so he will almost certainly have the 4th minor league option available again in 2009). TWO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT: Jose Ascanio (see NOTE-3) Jake Fox Sean Gallagher Adam Harben Sean Marshall Juan Mateo Matt Murton Eric Patterson Ryan Theriot NOTE-3: Jose Ascanio has used two minor league options, but because he has spent only three “full seasons” on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option, as long as it is used prior to completing five full seasons. THREE MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT: Sam Fuld Kevin Hart Billy Petrick (see NOTE-3) Carmen Pignatiello Jeff Samardzija (see NOTE-4) NOTE-3: Billy Petrick has used one minor league option, but because he has spent only two “full seasons” on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option as long as it is used prior to completing five full seasons. NOTE-4: Jeff Samardzija has used one minor league option, but because he has spent only one “full season” on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option as long as it is used prior to completing five full seasons. COMMENT: Players with at least three years of MLB service time or players who have been previously outrighted in their career can refuse an Outright Assignment to the minors, and players with at least five years of MLB service time can refuse an Optional Assignment to the minors. There are also certain players with less than five years of MLB service time who must first clear MLB Optional Assignment Waivers before they can be optioned to the minors. Players reach this point when they hit the third anniversary of being added to a regular season 25-man roster, or the two-year anniversary if the player spent one full season on optional assignment to the minors prior to being added to a 25-man regular season roster for the first time, or the one-year anniversary if the player spent two full seasons on optional assignment to the minors prior to being added to a 25-man regular season roster for the first time. Optional Assignment Waivers are revocable the first time they are requested in a given waiver period, and irrevocable the second time they are requested in the same waiver period. The waivers can be requested at any time, and the club does not necessarily have to option the player to the minors once the player clears waivers, because once a player clears Optional Assignment Waivers, the waivers are good for the entire waiver period. Because these waivers are revocable, getting a player through Optional Assignment Waivers is usually just a formality, but another GM could make a nuisance claim if he were so inclined. So a smart GM should place those players who require Optional Assignment Waivers before they can be optioned to the minors on waivers right at the beginning of each waiver period to avoid getting in a bind later in that waiver period, when the player’s spot on the 25-man roster might suddenly be needed (and that would probably the one time when a rival GM might consider putting in a “blocking” claim that wouldn’t be based on pure nuisance). As of Spring Training 2008, Neal Cotts, Angel Guzman, and Michael Wuertz are the only three players on the Cubs 40-man roster with less than five years of MLB service time who must first clear Optional Assignment Waivers before they can be optioned to the minors. However, Mike Fontenot will require Optional Assignment Waivers as of April 11 (and since that is during the waiver period that runs from February 16th through the 30th day of the regular season, Fontenot should be placed on Optional Assignment Waivers right along with Cotts, Guzman, and Wuertz on February 16), and then Rich Hill (June 15th) and Matt Murton (July 7th) will reach the point where they will require Optional Assignment Waivers during the waiver period that runs from the 31st day of the regular season through July 31st.

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).