Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs 2008 Comebacks

Submitted by Rob G. on

I can't say I'm feeling too confident about tonight's game, but for the few hours between now and game time, I'm just going to keep playing these clips over and over and hoping the Cubs have another comeback left in them this season.

The first one isn't a comeback, but Rich Harden fans 11 Nationals (Game Thread Link)

Cubs overcome an 8-0 deficit to Rockies (Game Thread Link)

Daryle Ward pinch-hit 3-run HR to give Cubs lead in the 9th (Game Thread Link & Recap)

Ramirez hits go-ahead grand slam versus Phillies (Game Thread Link & Recap)

Soto ties Brewers with 3-run HR (Game Thread link & Recap)

Go Cubs Go!

 

Tags
Cubs 2008 Playoffs
Video Clips

Comments

Submitted by Ryno on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:59 pm

I know we're not really thinking this far ahead yet, but what are the chances the Cubs resign Harden? I assume he'd otherwise hit the FA market after this year, right?

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Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:10 pm

Team option on Harden for '09, no? I think after that, it will depend largely on Harden's health, whether Dempster is back and effective, and what roles Hill and Marshall have. Also depends on whether the Cubs sign anyone to a multi-year contract this offseason--I'm thinking Derek Lowe would be a good target, and I'd stay far away from both Sheets and Sabathia (for the money he's gonna get).

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Submitted by superjimmer on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:57 pm

I'd love to have Harden and Dempster again. Also to be fair I don't give a crap about the Cubs' corporate spending, I would take CC as a free agent in a heartbeat. In fact just sign CC and Manny and call it a world series victory (and a $200 million dollar summer).

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Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:14 pm

Are you counting on Soriano or Manny moving to right field? Or does Hendry somehow manage to trade Soriano or move him back to 2B? Just imagine a Soriano, KFuk, Manny outfield. Now that is a defensive nightmare. If it were a matter just of the corporation digging a littler deeper, then wonderful. Sign CC, Lowe, Sheets, and Furcal. But considering that there is likely to be a limit on how much they spend, regardless of who they sign, I think CC is too big a risk on a big contract, and the same for Sheets and Burnett.

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Submitted by superjimmer on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:25 pm

It would be a little rough but I could deal with Soriano in RF. He has a good arm and if it meant having Manny's bat I would do that. But aside from Fuk/Pie/Edmonds/Johnson in center you are damn right there would be some UGLY defense at times. But I'll concede that the Cubs could never afford Manny and CC, SOOOOO: As far as CC I would die to have that guy, even with the risk that the Brewers just ruined his arm. At any cost. He seems like a horse and is definitely a gamer. Who wouldn't want to add him to their rotation? I think he would be more valuable than any other Free Agent this year 2009 or next 2010 for the Cubs.

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Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:24 pm

My concerns about Sabathia's health aren't solely due to the fact that he's thrown more pitches this year than anyone else. He's also a 6'7" power pitcher with most of his weight in his gut. That's asking for back problems, and if he loses some miles per hour will he still be worth the money? I could easily be wrong--he could stay healthy for years. But I'm concerned nonetheless. I believe saying Soriano would be "rough" in right field is a bit of an understatement. I mean, he's rough in left field. But, yes, a lineup with Lee, Rammy, Soriano, Manny, and Soto would be ridiculous. Lefties would especially quake in their boots.

Submitted by carlosrubi on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:52 pm

I'd resign both Redster and Harden. They'd be effective bullpen arms even if the rotation experiments fail.

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Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:19 pm

I think it'd be hard to move Dempster back to the bullpen any time in 09 after the 08 he's had. Harden would only be moved to the bullpen because of arm issues, like Wood. I can't imagine the Cubs turning down Harden's option for 09 unless he's really hurt.

Submitted by superjimmer on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:54 pm

Tonight's a crapshoot. If the Cubs find themselves and get off the mat tonight I say they win the series. If they can't crawl out of the hole and regain some inkling of what they know they can be it could be a boring 2-0 or 3-1 loss. (I think that Harden and Lilly can win in LA. But weirdly enough the specter of October Night Games in Wrigley still give me the creeps -- though I think if the Cubs can get it back to Wrigley they will win with a nice performance by Z and the deflated Dodgers if it plays out that way. But regarding Wrigley Nights in October, it just doesn't work for me, does anyone else feel that? I wish the Cubs played more day games in the playoffs . . . something is just not right about it. And I'm not talking traditionalism or curses, just the vibe and intensity of the crowd and the cold. It's claustrophobic)

Submitted by Jackstraw on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:25 pm

I'm partly optomistic 1000 percent. It ain't the offseason yet. Cubs don't need to come back in tonight's game yet, it's 0-0. Harden's last 10 starts, 5-0, 1.99 ERA. Go win a game. Please go win a game, you chokin', ef-in' dogs.

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:40 pm

Hardnen has a $7M team option, but can demand a trade if he wants. Even if Cubs don't pick up his option, he's still under 6 years of service time so Cubs would retain his rights.

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:42 pm

95 mph+ and throwing strikes, I like our chances. Too often he's been in the low 90's lately and missing the zone badly.

Submitted by Dmac on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:55 pm

I don't know why, but CC reminds me a little of Bartolo Colon at this stage in his career - overweight, tons of mileage on his arm, I think I'll pass.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:17 pm

I think Big ERA Z is the better comp for Colon. But in the history of baseball the only long term pitching FA contract I can recall that worked out for the team was Maddux. Maybe I am missing one (Cone?), but pretty much if you give a six year deal to a pitcher, you're going to get burned on at least one, and likely three of those years.

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Submitted by Chifan on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:12 pm

How about the 6/75 deal that the Redsox gave Pedro in '98. They got one of the best six consective season runs by a SP in the history of baseball, including two seasons of sub 2 ERA's in a DH league in the midst of steroid era.

Submitted by Transmission on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:47 pm

real life just called, think I'm going to miss recapping tonight's game. :( I promise I'll recap tomorrow's, instead.

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Submitted by Chifan on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 10:55 pm

I think the game recaps need to be retired for 2008. Everytime its been done in the playoffs the result is a Cubs lose. Infact, I think the infield F'd so bad in the second was because they were all thinking, "Gee I wonder whats going on in Parachat, I cant wait for Tran's recap tonight".

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil,
    Did you agree with the demotion of Luke Little? He'd been pretty good up until the AZ/wild pitch appearance. I know that can't jettison Smyly (just yet) so they didn't need another LHRP. Especially with Leiter effectively being a LHRP. I still thought he deserved to stay. It's not permanent. He'll be back. Lots of moves to come with Taillon, Steele and other guys coming and going.

    Also, do you see Hodge being able to "control/command" his stuff to get a chance this year?
    Is Arias better than Hodge?   Thanks

  • crunch (view)

    just waiting to hear patrick wisdom and masterboney are spotted at the airport going in opposite directions...

    aj puk going for the marlins (lefty)...gotta imagine we'll see wisdom in the lineup.

    someone has to make room for taillon, too.

  • crunch (view)

    he's a low-level cubs star in the modern history of the cubs (c.zambrano, k.wood, r.dempster, etc), but that star has dimmed...and has been dimming since 2021.

    2024 has been ugly the whole way and we're only in mid-april.  homers aside (even though there's been 7 in 17ip) he gave up 29 hits in 20 spring innings and 31 in 17 regular season innings.

    he's pretty much only got 2 pitches at this point in his career and the mix isn't fooling anyone.  he threw a noticable amount more curves in his last start to add to the mix and it didn't help his issues.  he don't have many moves left to break out.

  • Eric S (view)

    Definitely needs a 10 day stint for the hangnail - have to nip those things in the bud or suffer the consequences (ie, more opponent home run derby, etc)

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