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

Looking Ahead

For those of you who might be interested in looking ahead a little bit, he are projections for the Cubs 2009 payroll, potential Cubs free-agents, Cubs players eligible for salary arbitration, 2009 minor league option status for Cubs players presently on the 40-man roster, potential post-2008 Cubs minor league free-agents, and Cubs minor league players who will be eligible for the December 2008 Rule 5 Draft.   

Remember, these are projections based on the way things stand right now, and are very much subject to change.  

 

ELIGIBLE TO BE FREE-AGENT AFTER 2008 SEASON:
Henry Blanco (mutual option with buy-out for 2009)
Ryan Dempster
Scott Eyre (has limited "no trade")  
Bob Howry
Jon Lieber (has automatic "no trade" through June 15th)
Daryle Ward
Kerry Wood (has 10/5 "no trade" rights)

==================================

SIGNED FOR 2009:
Henry Blanco - $3M club option or $300K buy-out
Mark DeRosa - $5.5M
Kosuke Fukudome - $11.5M
Derrek Lee - $13M
Ted Lilly - $12M
Jason Marquis - $9.875M
Aramis Ramirez - $15.65M
Jeff Samardzija - $1.3M (no minor league split)
Alfonso Soriano - $16M
Carlos Zambrano - $17.75M

TOTAL GUARANTEED SO FAR - $102.875M (includes expected $300K buy-out for Blanco)

NOTE: Most signing bonuses are paid up-front when a player signs a contract (which is why it's called a SIGNING BONUS), so I did not include signing bonuses in projected 2009 payroll unless the bonus is known to be spread-out over the length of contract.
What confuses some people is that per the CBA, signing bonuses (even when they are paid in a lump sum when the contract is signed) are automatically averaged over the length of a player's contract when computing club payroll for the purpose of determining whether a club must pay a luxury tax and for revenue sharing purposes.

===========================

PROJECTED ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY-ARBITRATION POST-2008:

NOTE: Projection based on player spending the rest of the 2008 season in MLB

Ronny Cedeno
Neal Cotts
Rich Hill (projected 2+149 MLB Service Time post-2008 – almost certainly will qualify for salary arbitration as a “Super Two”)
Reed Johnson
Sean Marshall (projected 2+132 MLB Service Time post-2008 – possibly could qualify for salary arbitration as a “Super Two”)
Matt Murton
Michael Wuertz

====================================

AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION) PLAYERS FOR 2009:

NOTE: 2009 MLB minimum salary will be $400K with $65K minimum minor league split salary

Jose Ascanio
Mike Fontenot
Jake Fox
Sam Fuld
Sean Gallagher
Angel Guzman
Adam Harben
Kevin Hart
Rich Hill
(likely to be eligible for salary arbitration as “Super Two”)
Carlos Marmol
Sean Marshall
(could be eligible for salary arbitration as “Super Two”)
Juan Mateo
Eric Patterson
Billy Petrick
Felix Pie
Carmen Pignatiello
Geovany Soto
Ryan Theriot

============================

PLAYERS SIGNED BEYOND 2009:

Derrek Lee ($13M in 2010, then FA – has full “no trade”)

Ted Lilly ($12M in 2010, then FA - has full "no trade")

Aramis Ramirez ($15.75M in 2010, $14.6M 2011 player option, and $16M 2012 mutual option with $2M buy-out – has full “no trade”)

Kosuke Fukudome ($13M in 2010 and $13.5M in 2011, then FA - has full :"no trade")

Jeff Samardzija (thru 2011 + mutual options for 2012 & 2013 – has full “no trade” through 2011):
2010: $2.5M (no minor league split)
2011: $2.8M (no minor league split)
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)
NOTE: Samardzija still must accrue six years of MLB Service Time before he can be a Free-Agent

Carlos Zambrano ($17.875 in 2010 and 2011, and $18M in 2012, plus $19.25M 2013 vesting-player option – has full “no trade”)

Alfonso Soriano ($18M 2010 through 2014, then FA – has full “no trade”)

================================

PROJECTED SPRING TRAINING 2009 MINOR LEAGUE OPTION STATUS FOR PLAYERS WITH LESS THAN FIVE YEARS MLB SERVICE TIME:

* To be optioned to minors, player must first clear Optional Assignment Waivers 

NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT:
Ronny Cedeno 
Neal Cotts
Angel Guzman
Geovany Soto

ONE MINOR LEAGUE OPTION LEFT:
Jose Ascanio (see NOTE)
* Mike Fontenot
Jake Fox
Sean Gallagher 
Adam Harben
* Rich Hill
Carlos Marmol
Juan Mateo
* Matt Murton
Felix Pie
Eric Patterson
* Michael Wuertz
NOTE: Jose Ascanio will have used three minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he will have spent only four “full seasons” on an active minor league or major league roster through the 2008 season, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2009. 

ONE OR TWO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT (TBD):
Sean Marshall (see NOTE)
NOTE: Sean Marshall has spent ten days on optional assignment to the minors so far in 2008. If he spends at least another ten days on optional assignment to the minors sometime later in the 2008 season, he will have one minor league option left as of Spring Training 2009. If he spends less than ten more days on optional assignment to the minors in 2008, he will have two minor league options left as of Spring Training 2009.

TWO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT
Sam Fuld
Billy Petrick (see NOTE)
Carmen Pignatiello
Jeff Samardzija (see NOTE)
NOTE: Billy Petrick will have used two minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he will have spent only three “full seasons” on an active minor league or major league roster through the 2008 season, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option as long as it is used prior to completing five full seasons.
Jeff Samardzija will have used two minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he will have spent only two “full seasons” on an active minor league or major league roster through the 2008 season, 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:
Kevin Hart

==========================

ELIGIBLE TO BE MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENT POST-2008:

Andres Blanco, SS
Mike Burns, RHP 
Andy Cavazos, RHP
Robinson Chirinos, INF
Rafael Cova, RHP  
Matt Craig, 1B
Doug Deeds, OF-1B
Danny Fatheree, C (serving as a coach with Boise-Mesa)
Luis Figueroa, INF
Chad Fox, RHP
Dumas Garcia, RHP
Jesse Garcia, INF
Koyie Hill, C
Randy Keisler, LHP
Micah Hoffpauir, 1B
Geoffrey Jones, LHP
Josh Kroeger, OF
Leonel Perez, C
Issmael Salas, IF-OF
Cesar Salazar, OF
Bobby Scales, IF-OF
Andres Torres, OF
Les Walrond, LHP
Tanner Watson, RHP
Randy Wells, RHP
NOTE: A player eligible to be a Minor League free-agent cannot be granted free-agency if he is added to a 40-man roster by the end of the World Series. 

================================

ELIGIBLE FOR 2008 RULE 5 DRAFT 

James Adduci, OF
Alberto Alburquerque, RHP
Mitch Atkins, RHP
Matt Avery, RHP
Justin Berg, RHP
Todd Blackford, RHP
Edward Campusano, LHP
Russ Canzler, 1B
Yusuf Carter, OF 
Corey Coles, OF
Jeff Culpepper, OF
Rafael Dolis, RHP 
Darin Downs, LHP
Jesse Estrada, RHP 
Ryan Harvey, OF 
Jim Henderson, RHP
Mark Holliman, RHP
Grant Johnson, RHP
Marcos Mateo, RHP
J. R. Mathes, LHP
Casey McGehee, 3B-C
Mario Mercedes, C
Jonathan Mota, INF
Jake Muyco, RHP  
Mike Phelps, RHP 
Jose Pina, RHP
Mark Reed, C
Kyle Reynolds, 3B 
Tony Richie, C
Chris Robinson, C
Jayson Ruhlman, LHP
Chris Shaver, LHP
Joe Simokaitis, SS
Alvaro Sosa, C
Nate Spears, 2B
Donald Veal, LHP
NOTE: A player eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft is designated “Draft Excluded” if added to a 40-man roster by November 20th. Also, any minor league free-agent who signs a minor league contract prior to the Rule 5 Draft is eligible for selection. 

Comments

8 players tying up $103 million of payroll...should make for a boring offseason. :)

Lets hope the new owner has deep pockets and a willingness (sp?) to spend.

The core team looks to be intact next year, so that's a good thing. Of... Henry Blanco, Ryan Dempster, Scott Eyre, Bob Howry, Jon Lieber, Daryle Ward, Kerry Wood Who do you re-sign, who do you let go? I really think Ward is an important part of the bench. You'd have trouble finding another guy that can come in off the bench and hit like that. Palmero maybe? T. Clark? Still, I wouldn't trade Ward for either of those guys. Also, one of the starters should stay unless the Cubs intend to go after a FA starter or *gulp* convert Woody to a starter. If he seems healthy enough, I'd try to get Demp for a few years taking care to not give him a NT clause. To be honest, I'd probably try to just resign most of these guys. That's an easy thing to say the way the Cubs have been playing the last few weeks. :)

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Lets see... Blanco can easily be replaced Dempter can be replaced by Marshall or Gallagher Eyre can be replaced by Tiggy or Marshall Howry can be replaced by someone younger and cheaper Lieber can be replaved by someone younger and cheaper Ward would probably be the most difficult to replace Wood, if he stays healthy, should be able to get very good money somewhere, and I wouldn't be opposed if it were the Cubs. Of that list, I would say that only Ward and Wood would be really important to re-sign.

I think the most-likely changes in 2009 will be:

1. Micah Hoffpauir will replace Daryle Ward as the back-up 1B & LHPH.

2. Sean Gallagher or Jeff Samardzija will replace Dempster in the starting rotation, with the loser replacing Marquis in 2010, or earlier if Marquis gets traded (the Cubs aren't going to pay the Shark $6.6M 2009-11 to pitch in AAA).

3. Jose Ascanio will replace Bob Howry as the 7th inning man in the bullpen.

4. Randy Wells will replace Jon Lieber as the rubber-armed spot starter/long reliever.

5. Sean Marshall, Carmen Pignatiello, and Edward Campusano (and Neal Cotts if he doesn't get traded or non-tendered) will battle for the lone lefty slot in the pen.

FA most likely to return: Kerry Wood

Arbitration-eligible most-likely to get a 12/12 non-tender: Neal Cotts

Players most-likely to get traded:

1. Matt Murton (probably sooner rather than later)
2. Jason Marquis
3. Eric Patterson

Objectives in trades would be a back-up catcher to replace Blanco (preferably a left-handed hitter) and a proven MLB lefty reliever who can get left-handed hitters out.

Top Ten minor leaguers most-likely to be added to 40-man roster:

1. Micah Hoffpauir, 1B-LHPH
2. Randy Wells, RHRP
3. Kyle Reynolds, 3B
4. Mark Holliman, RHSP
5. Donald Veal, LHSP-LHRP
6. J. R. Mathes, LHSP
7. Edward Campusano, LHRP
8. Mitch Atkins, RHSP
9. Justin Berg, RHSP-RHRP
10. Dumas Garcia, RHRP

Most likely to get outrighted off 40-man roster:

1. Juan Mateo
2. Adam Harben
3. Billy Petrick

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Phil, thanks for all the great work. You don't feel Sean Marshall has a future with the Cubs as a starting pitcher? Is it because he's a lefty? Or his injury history? Or do you just feel he's not good enough? And what's up with Mateo? His minor league numbers suggest he's still injured somehow.

Submitted by Rob Richardson on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 12:33pm.

Phil why did you include EPat on the likley to be traded list?

=========================

ROB: I believe Eric Patterson would have decent trade value because of his potential as an MLB lead-off hitter, but I just don't see him as an every-day MLB second-baseman and I can't see him playing CF for the Cubs, either.

If Felix Pie fails in CF, then I think Tyler Colvin will be the next candidate. If Pie works out long-term in CF, then I believe Colvin will be moved to 1B (the position he played in HS).

AZ Phil: Great summary as always. You had Mateo and Petrick as highly likely to get bumped from the 40-man. How are they doing? I see Mateo has been shelled at Iowa in brief duty this year, is he not a prospect? He did a nice job under the circumstances in '06. Who are Kyle Reynolds and Dumas Garcia? Also Wells, you said: 4. Randy Wells will replace Jon Lieber as the rubber-armed spot starter/long reliever. That's a strong statement on Randy's potential. Thoughts?

Just read that Rich Hill's start is going to be skipped again. Sounds like a great way to build his confidence...

Submitted by Q-Ball on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 1:39pm.

AZ Phil: Great summary as always.

You had Mateo and Petrick as highly likely to get bumped from the 40-man. How are they doing? I see Mateo has been shelled at Iowa in brief duty this year, is he not a prospect? He did a nice job under the circumstances in '06.

Who are Kyle Reynolds and Dumas Garcia?

Also Wells, you said: 4. Randy Wells will replace Jon Lieber as the rubber-armed spot starter/long reliever. That's a strong statement on Randy's potential. Thoughts?

 ===================================

Q-BALL: I said Juan Mateo, Adam Harben and Billy Petrick (in that order) were most-likely to get outrighted, meaning should 40-man roster slots be needed, they are the ones I believe will get dropped.

Mateo had shoulder problems last year, was ineffective in Big League Camp and at Minor League Camp last month, was lousy at Iowa, got demoted to AA, and hasn't been able to get anybody out there, either. He also isn't exactly the hardest worker in the Cubs organization.

Harben had TJ surgery in November 2006 and apparently still hasn't finished his rehab. He can't throw strikes, and during the course of Spring Training he got demoted from the Cubs to Iowa, from Iowa to Tennessee, and finally from Tennessee to Daytona (all prior to Opening Day). He is presently in the starting rotation at Daytona, where he is walking the world.

There is still hope for Billy Petrick, but his shoulder apparently never completely rebounded after he had surgery a few years ago, and he continues to have problems with keeping his shoulder strong enough for the rigors of game action. When he's 100% he can be a very good right-handed reliever, but he is presently at Extended Spring Training trying to get his shoulder in shape to pitch at Tennessee or Iowa.

Kyle Reynolds is the son of ex-MLB shortstop Craig Reynolds, and he has been progressing steadily through the Cubs system. He hit 21 HR last year in only 109 games, most of the homers coming after the All-Star Break, and is presently the clean-up hitter at AA Tennessee. He's a left-handed hitter, and basically is Scott Moore Redux.

Like Moore, Reynolds is far more likely to get traded than to ever be the Cubs 3B, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be added to the 40-man roster. He has an outside chance to morph into a back-up 3B-1B-LHPH for the Cubs, and if anything happens to Ramirez in 2009 or 2010, Reynolds is the 3B closest to being ready for MLB.

The Cubs found 24-year old Colombian RHP Dumas Garcia pitching for the South Georgia Peanuts in the South Coast League (Independent) last Summer, where he was the best pitcher in the SCL (BTW, the league folded on April 1st). He pitched in the Mariners organization (VSL Mariners) as a teenager a few years ago, but got released in 2004.

Anyway, the Cubs signed Garcia in August and invited him to the AZ Instructional League, where he displayed a funky-ass delivery and a real nasty breaking ball and a plus-change to go along with a 93 MPH fastball, except he had difficulty throwing  strikes. One opposing scout who saw him at Fitch liked him a lot and thought he had the potential to pitch in the big leagues, although he quite obviously needed to work on his command and control which was VERY spotty at that time. But he had a very impressive Minor League Camp and is now the co-closer at Daytona (he probably could have made the Tennessee bullpen, but there wasn't room), and it looks like he could maybe move up the ladder quickly.

Remember, I listed Garcia 10th (ahead of Jesse Estrada, who I almost put there), which means he's not exactly a lock to get added to the 40. But I felt that because he can be a minor league free-agent after the season if he's not added to the Cubs 40-man roster, that the Cubs might not want to risk losing him just yet should there be an extra slot available on the 40 after the season.

As for Randy Wells, he had a very good ST with the Blue Jays after they selected him in the Rule 5 Draft, and the Cubs got him back only because he got caught in a roster numbers crunch in Toronto. But he is the type of "rubber-armed" pitcher who can throw just about every day and pitch two or three innings if needed (he's another converted catcher, BTW).

The Cubs are likely to add Wells to the 40 by the end of the World Series (although he quite possibly could get called up in September for the stretch drive) just to keep him from becoming a minor league FA, but I think he has a very good chance to make the Cubs bullpen next season as the "long-man." If not, he'd be nice to have at Iowa as insurance in '09.

Submitted by Romero on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 1:40pm.

Phil, thanks for all the great work.

You don't feel Sean Marshall has a future with the Cubs as a starting pitcher? Is it because he's a lefty? Or his injury history? Or do you just feel he's not good enough?

And what's up with Mateo? His minor league numbers suggest he's still injured somehow.

===========================

ROMERO: If he doesn't grab the lefty reliever slot next year, I don't think Sean Marshall has much of a future with the Cubs, mainly because Lou Piniella doesn't seem to want three lefties in his starting rotation.

So along with Murton, Marquis, and Patterson, Marshall is probably another good candidate to get traded.

I don't know what's up with Juan Mateo, but it looks like he has zero future witn the Cubs. I believe it's only a matter of time before he gets outrighted off the 40-man roster, and if that happens, he could opt to be a FA because he's been outrighted previously in his career (when the Cardinals returned him to Iowa after selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft).

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).