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 Sign Reed Johnson

Bruce Levine on ESPN1000 is reporting that the Cubs have come to terms with recently released Blue Jay Reed Johnson. Johnson was a 17th round pick of the Blue Jays in 1999, back when Tim Wilkin was running things over there and I'm sure the connection helped his cause with the Cubs. He's mostly played the corner outfield spots in his career, but has played 64 games in center in the majors. He had a great 2006, hitting 319/390/479, but has a career line of 281/342/410 with little ability to steal a base. He's also coming off a back injury that derailed his 2007 season. His scouting report on TSN.ca says:

Hustle is his strongest suit. He makes consistent contact and hits well with runners in scoring position--especially against lefties.

Hustle? Mix that with a little grit and you've got yourself a ballpayer.

BP projected him at 262/324/387 this year which certainly isn't encouraging. On the other hand, he's hit 308/371/462 versus lefties over his career, and that'll likely be his primary role with the Cubs. It's a low-risk, high reward deal for the Cubs to fill out the need for a right-handed hitting center field option. If he stinks up the joint, he'll be easy to cut, and if he hits and plays "good enough" center field defense, it'll be a wise, low-cost move that didn't cost us any trade chips.

Comments

it'll be interesting to see what this does for the Cubs bench...

Epat got sent down today, but will this cost Murton his job?

Blanco, Ward, Johnson seem set

Two spots for

Murton, Fontenot, Cedeno and Cintron 

Cedeno is out of options, so he seems like a no-brainer and that means one spot for Murton, Fontenot or Cintron. It'll depend if they want an extra infielder or outfielder. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Gotta think that Murton and Cedeno are the two there, unless Cedeno gets shipped out for Roberts. In that case, of course, the bench gets much better. Murton's of no value in the minors and the Cubs probably want him up in case Fuku has trouble with lefties. Cintron's had a few injuries - might he start the year on the DL?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

A Very Cubby comment -- but, right now, this is a fun team to root for. From an outsider's perspective (and having briefly met the players/coaches with my 10-year old son at a "meet the team" function at Wrigley last year): - Ward, Theriot, DeRosa and Dempster seem like very good guys who you enjoy rooting for - Kerry Wood represents everything Chicagoans want to see in themselves - talented, tough and resilient - It will be fun to watch Pie and Fukudome play the OF and gun down runners - Zambrano could be great - Lee and Ramirez bring stability to the lineup and have been fixtures for a while - Marmol coming into a game is an electric event - Rich Hill's curve can be a thing of beauty Never sure about the "chemistry" thing, but this would be a fun bunch to get behind.

Also, quote of the day, which I saw on Yahoo. "Apparently, J.D. Drew is in midseason form." Brilliant.

While I mocked the idea of Johnson losing his spot to Eckstein in the previous thread, I do like this deal. It does seem like a very low risk, moderate reward deal. And if he can just be decent against LHP, he will be able to fill his needed role.

but I kinda hope we don't just run Johnson out there to start the year. It's time that we give Pie a decent shot, and hurting his confidence by platooning him is not the way to go. Hopefully Johnson is a bench player that can become a platoon (or, ugh, regular) player if needed.

Unless Pie does some really bad playing in the next couple of games or gets hurt, I think he will be playing the majority of the games

Hey..until Pie can hit at leat .670 in ST, he has no business in the majors... After all, the Cubs have soured on him.....I bet we can get Juan Pierre for Pie, Murton, and Gallagher? (please note sarcasm)

Murton's OBP, nice average (even though ST), and the fact that he gets his uniform soiled often, should be the guy getting the gig. Fonty is...well, Fonty. With Ward, Dome, and Pie, its probably gonna be enough. DeRosa and Dumb-ass Ronny should be sufficient to cover IF replacement needs, I'd think.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

That wasn't the only oversight. There was this: Add Fuko to the mix, and the Cubs now have four .300 hitters capable of 40-45 home runs and 100-125 RBIs. I will tell you this... if the Cubs have 4 guys who hit 40+ homeruns, they will be in the World Series. And although Soriano will probably insist on leading off, with Barrett finally gone, this year he should get more chances to knock in hitters from the bottom of the order. Umm... what? I have no idea how Barrett being gone will have anything to do with Soriano have more to knock in. Oh yea... and they are going to "sign" Roberts?

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

the Cubs now have four .300 hitters capable of 40-45 home runs and 100-125 RBIs. I would be willing to bet we don't have one guy who hits 40 HR's, let alone bats .300 AND gets 100 RBI's. But we do have 3 that are capable (Alf, ARam and Lee), but there is no way in the world K-Fuk puts up those kind of numbers, not even close.

$1.3 MM? I mean, who were they bidding against? It's not a ton of money, but it looks like he's already getting 750K from the Jays. They couldn't have offered him league min or 500K?

Roster has really shaken itself out. Soto Lee DeRosa Theriot Ramirez Sori Pie KFuk Blanco Ward Reed Johnson Murton Cedeno With Fontenot in Iowa if an infielder goes down and Fuld/EPatt there if an outfielder goes down.

Fwiw, Johnson is still 2 years from free agency, so the Cubs have his rights for next year if they want them. He'll be arbitration eligible of course, but relatively cheap.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I have a question...Johnson had a relatively large contract with the Blue Jays, no? And since he was released, they're on the hook for most of it, correct? So if the Cubs go to arbitration, are they responsible for offering him 80% of his Blue Jays salary at minimum? If so, then he wouldn't be that cheap. Or am I missing something?

[ ]

In reply to by djchi

you could be right on that one djchi, but I'll defer to AZ Phil if he wants to answer it. Not exactly sure what the rules are in this situation. He signed for $3.275 MM in January, $750K was guaranteed. But only signed for $1.3MM with the Cubs. It would seem a bit unfair to use the $3.275MM as a barometer for next year since the most he'll make is $2.05MM this year.

Plus he kind of looks like the Drowning Pool guitarist. So that's a good thing I suppose. ... just sayin'.

Like this pickup. And did anybody catch Mariotti's column today? Mindless snarkiness for snarkiness' sake.

While I am not expecting much out of Johnson until he can prove he is healthy, this move is fine IMO. Now paying him $1.3 million is a little much, but fairly low risk. Murton might be the odd man out, which should anger many Cubs fans but oh well, if things go well that spot should get like 200-250 AB's all year. Now Reed has barely played CF the past few years, so that along with his bat could be a problem, but shouldn't be a disaster.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Of course... that number is a bit distorted by his huge '06 outlier. 03: .313 .365 .475 .840 (198 PAs) 04: .277 .332 .397 .729 (357 PAs) 05: .267 .339 .443 .782 (233 PAs) 06: .365 .451 .507 .958 (235 PAs) 07: .244 .320 .378 .698 (51 PAs) Of course... also had a .409 BABIP in the first half of 06. So in other words... he was really lucky. Don't get me wrong - he has been in first half than the second half, but his numbers appear to be pretty distorted because of one very good half of a season. Again... I don't hate the signing, and believe he will be a solid RH bench player who will see playing time against RHP. But that is about it.

I wouldn't be so quick to punch Fontenot's ticket to Iowa. With Fukudome and Pie starting, the only LH bat on the bench is Ward. I'd be looking for a Cedeno waiver deal, or Murton goes to AAA instead of Fontenot.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

First, Felipe Lopez sucks, both offensively and defensively. His splits don't even show any kind of platoon advantage...forget him.
Second, I'd rather keep Murton, but keeping Fontenot gives Lou more flexibility and it's ultimately his decision. Let's say, I would understand the logic, even though I wouldn't necessarily approve. As long as it's not Cintron making the team...

Aaron B, Once again, you're love for all things Murton cloud your baseball talent judgement. My point is that Ward is the only LH bat on the bench when Pie/Fukudome start. As already pointed out, DeRosa can play RF when a RH bat is needed there a helluva lot better than Murton (an absolute butcher in the OF). Fontenot and Ward give Lou 2 LH bats for PH duties. Without another deal (which very likely will happen before Opening Day), the bench will likely be: Blanco, c Ward, 1b/LH PH Fontenot, 2b/LH PH (SS in absolute emergency) Cedeno, ss/2b R. Johnson, CF/RF/LF DeRosa is still the 'super-sub' for 3B and RF with capable options at 2B when he isn't playing there.

Submitted by djchi on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 5:14pm.

I have a question...Johnson had a relatively large contract with the Blue Jays, no? And since he was released, they're on the hook for most of it, correct?

So if the Cubs go to arbitration, are they responsible for offering him 80% of his Blue Jays salary at minimum? If so, then he wouldn't be that cheap. Or am I missing something?

 ================================

DJCHI: Because Reed Johnson's contract was not guaranteed and because the Blue Jays released him prior to March 28th, they only owed him 45 days pay (1/4 of his 2008 salary, or just a bit over $800K). So it's not surprising that Johnson wanted more than the MLB minumim to sign with the Cubs.

In fact, he PROBABLY thought he deserved $2.4M (the remainder left on the table from his $3.25M 2008 contract with TOR), but after considering his options, he apparently decided to settle for half a loaf.

As far as what the minimum the Cubs would have to offer Johnson after the season if they tender him a contract (with a salary arbitration option), it would be 80% of his Cubs salary from 2008. Once he was released by Toronto, that contract became incompetent, irrelevant, and immaterial for salary arbitration purposes post '08. He was a free-agent when he signed with the Cubs, and the fact that the Blue Jays had to pay him a severance when they released him doesn't apply to post-2008 . 

And the Cubs could non-tender him on 12/12 and then try to sign him for less money where the 20% maximum cut rule would not apply. 

haven't seen it mentioned in here so someone might as well say it... he's got a legit arm. he's not ichiro...he's definately not juan pierre... then again even as a late-inning replacement he's not replacing any arm in the OF that's weak (unless there's murton/d.ward out there). still...the cubs got their marlon byrd/jay payton/whatever and didn't have to give up anything anyone cares about except (maybe) a roster spot.

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).