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

17 Cubs on WBC Rosters

MLB has released the 45-man provisional rosters of the national teams that will be playing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Rosters will need to be cut-down to 28 (with at least 13 pitchers) by February 24th. 

There are presently a total of 17 Cubs major leaguers and minor leaguers on the provisional rosters of the WBC teams:  

AUSTRALIA:
Ryan Searle, RHP

CANADA:
Rich Harden, RHP 
Vince Perkins, RHP
Chris Robinson, C

CHINESE TAIPEI:
Hung-Wen Chen, RHP

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
Carlos Marmol, RHP
Aramis Ramirez, 3B 
Alfonso Soriano, OF 

ITALY:
Alessandro Maestri, RHP

JAPAN:
Kosuke Fukudome, OF

NETHERLANDS:
Dwayne Kemp, 2B

PUERTO PICO:
Geovany Soto, C

USA:
Derrek Lee, 1B
Ted Lilly, LHP

VENEZUELA:
Jose Ascanio, RHP 
Angel Guzman, RHP 
Carlos Zambrano, RHP 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

So what you're saying is that Kenney works for the Trib while Hendry works for the Cubs. That would seem to make Hendry the highest ranking Cub employee. It's a little unclear, because I would have thought the highest ranking Cub was the president, not the GM.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Well, I guess what I should have said is that he was hired by the Trib. In fact, like Grenesko and Madigan before him, I think he had a role at the Trib and then moved over to or was interviewed and hired for the Cub job. I mean he gets paid "Cub dollars" but it was the Trib's call.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

Just to recap boys and girls, Andy McPhail was the president of the Cubs and formerly the highest ranking in the organization. He of course, took the Baltimore job and was replaced by McDonough. John then stepped down from that post to take a job with the Blackhawks. Instead of hiring someone new (since the ownership is going to change) Kenney just took on the role of interim president until such time that a new ownership takes over. So basically, Kenney is just a pinch-hitter until a new "starter" is signed.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

Unless the guy is getting fired, and Kenney has done nothing to merit that, even if he's replaced, odds are that they'll keep him around for some transition period. He could well be offered another job in the organization. It's not a forgone conclusion he even will be replaced, though it's probably likely. He's the defacto operating owner.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Oh yeah, I think whoever the new owner wants to replace in upper business management will hang around for a transition period. Kenney certainly has done nothing get to fired over, I just figure the new owner will want his man/woman in charge.

pitchers are on strict pitch counts aren't they? to mimic the work they would be getting with their actual teams... I believe some teams are more worried about the pitchers not getting enough work that don't get in the WBC games.

What are the dates that WBC players will be out of camp? I'd like to make sure my plans for some Mesa ST Cubs games don't involve a gutted Cubs lineup. Not terribly interested in seeing a lineup that would feature Koyie Hill, Micah Hoffpauir, Ronny Cedeno and Joey Gathright et al. as starters.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

"Not terribly interested in seeing a lineup that would feature Koyie Hill, Micah Hoffpauir, Ronny Cedeno and Joey Gathright et al. as starters." Lets hope we don't see a lineup like this at Wrigley until late September when the division and homefield throughout are locked up...

That's what I'd like to see. This is a 3 week exhibition season involving teams that aren't really teams and someone is likely to get hurt, either seriously or a nagging injury. I guess MLB has to buckle under to Uncle Bud and send the players who are invited and want to play, but if I was a GM (or a player for that matter), I'd say thanks but no thanks. There isn't any upside to this tournament aside from meaningless bragging rights.....for some.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Yep, and it's not an easy existence. This is Sox Country, although you see a few Cub fans and a few Cub flags. I live close to a bar owned by Dave Wills' family, he is the voice of the Tampa Bay Rays and used to do pre- and post-game for the Sox on AM1000. His pictures along with Rob Mackowiak's (and Mackowiak's # 10 Sox jersey) hang in the lobby of my kids' high school (Oak Lawn); they both went there. It was especially difficult, and noisy, in 2005. Not to mention the day after Game 3 last season.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

To me, there is NO upside besides the bragging rights. I don't care and it seems to me not many in this country do not either. Once the thing is done, and the regular season begins, it will be all but forgotten. The championship season of MLB is what counts to the vast majority of fans in the United States. The World Cup is ingrained in European/Latino culture. It's been around for, what, 110-120 years? It's an honor to be part of the national teams in the Cup, and they work out/play an exhibition schedule for a considerable amount of time before the FIFA competition. Not just a few weeks spent in new uniforms then back to business like the WBC will be. There is real national interest and pride that has developed in the World Cup that you must admit does not exist in the WBC series. I don't think Cubs/Sox/Brewers/Mets etc. fans take a lot of interest or pride in the outcome. The bragging rights are held in higher esteem in Latin American countries, places that take more interest in their individual countrymen's performance than we do in the US. If a Cub gets hurt, you'll see, not only will no Cub fan care what country won, they'll be pissed that one of their own got hurt in a game that has no bearing on the season they consider more important.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

You're contradicting yourself "The championship season of MLB is what counts to the vast majority of fans in the United States. The World Cup is ingrained in European/Latino culture. It's been around for, what, 110-120 years? It's an honor to be part of the national teams in the Cup..." It's been around since the 40's as I recall. And the logic that 'Well it's more popular because it has been around longer' isn't really logic. There would never be an NFL or an NBA if those potential owners had the same attitude. Yes it will take time to grow in popularity, but saying 'Well it's not the FIFA World Cup, therefore it never will be' is like saying that the Super Bowl will never have more viewers than the World Series or a heavy weight title fight. Read the quote from Harden and or any Olympian and discern whether they think it's going to be considered an honor. Or check the ratings on what was the most watched single olympic event in this last Summer Olympics in the States if you think Americans won't watch it. But the point is, and this is hard to understand as an American, that we are not the target audience. The 90% of the World's population outside of the US is the target audience. If you want to make baseball the world's most popular sport - you need a global stage to do it. Selig has the vision to see that, condemning him for that is ridiculous.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Pretty much dead on... It's all about increasing the visibility of the sport internationally...and money. To me the biggest disadvantage of a player going to the WBC (besides random injury possibility which could happen any time) is the player isn't training with the team he'll eventually break camp with. The biggest advantage is you get players hitting the ground in April without as much rust. ...but yeah, the point of the whole thing is international visibility in an attempt to make the sport legit outside of it's traditional areas (and that includes Japan/Korea in traditional areas as well as the common Hispanic countries).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I didn't condemn Selig for the WBC. If he truly wants to make it global, then God bless him, but he better do more than a 3 week exhibition series. A "World Cup" football championship has been around in some form since the late 19th century, leading up to the organization of FIFA. The first World Cup under FIFA was played in 1930, its precursors involved a couple Euro teams, England and a couple South American teams. If you read my statement as "it's more popular because it's been around longer", you miss the point. The Cup as an entity is ingrained in the culture of football which is ingrained in the societies of the countries that have participated for nearly 80 years. I'ts part of the soccer fabric outside the US as much as MLB is stitched into ours. And pro leagues stop in order to send the best players to the Cup. (If Bud is serious about global baseball, then maybe he ought to try doing that?) And I didn't make any reference to whether the players felt it was a larger calling. The fans as a whole in the US don't care. There are plenty of players who turned down invites but I don't hold them in any lesser light than Rich Harden.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

"And I didn't make any reference to whether the players felt it was a larger calling. " after having said: "It's an honor to play on teams playing for the World Cup" "The fans as a whole in the US don't care." Once again, forgetting the fact that the tournanment is not about Americans. "There are plenty of players who turned down invites but I don't hold them in any lesser light than Rich Harden." And now, you're speaking for all the citizens of of the 16 countries - I can only assume godhood is coming up for you next. You're missing your own point. How did the FIFA World Cup become "ingrained in the culture of football"? By being around for a long time. Something cannot be around for a long time if it never starts. The World Cup tournament lasts about 18 months, by the way - and plenty of players miss time from their club seasons to participate or because of injury.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Great, so in 50 years the WBC will be a wonderful tourney. RIGHT NOW, as I said, it's not. US baseball fans in general couldn't care less about it. And what's Harden supposed to say, "My turn with the Cubs is more important than representing Canada"? Which is probably closer to the truth? And piss off his fans who wave the red and white? I couldn't possibly achieve "godhood" (nice term) as long as you are around to rediagram all my sentences. Is this Real Neal, or Dan McNeil?

[ ]

In reply to by Andrew

Intriguing - but, I think about this, too. I forget who mentioned this yesterday, but Peavey could be identified as "we are fucked", if he goes down: "It's anyone's guess whether Peavy will get hurt, but an arm ailment could make it nearly impossible to move his $63 million contract, which the Padres have shopped since October. Entering 2008, Peavy was healthy enough that the Padres guaranteed him a $52 million extension. At that time, a clean MRI exam led to an insurance policy for Peavy without exemptions for any body part. But by last May 20, Peavy's right elbow and upper forearm were swollen, leading to a month on the disabled list." The staff injury potential list then COULD become: Peavy Harden Dempster (TJ three years ago) Zambrano (shoulder problems, 2008)

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

People make it sound like Peavy never pitched again after this minor problem with his arm. He came back and in 14 of his 18 starts to finish out the season he gave up 3 earned runs or less. Posted a 3.30 ERA in the second half to boot also. Not bad for a guy whose arm is shattered beyond repair.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

You understand the meaning of the word, "could", right? This word, which is used freely on this blog is: could |koŏd| modal verb past of can 1 . • used to indicate possibility : they could be right | I would go if I could afford it. And, as you infer out equally well, Peavy (and the others on the staff) could remain healthy the entire season. Which I hope is the case!

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Just stating that people make Peavy's injury out to be wayyyyyyyy worse than it is and I really don't think people know he pitched and he pitched pretty damn good after coming back. But if you want to go on the "COULD" arguement. The entire staff/roster "COULD" be injury risks. Not just the ones you mentioned. In fact your entire post is pointless on the "COULD" arguement. But I wasn't addressing that, just the worries about his arm. But thanks for the definition. It really didn't help your arguement in the slightest bit, lol.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Exactly. If Hendry came out and said he was not going to pursue Peavy because of the potential that he would get hurt, can you imagine the backlash? Peavy is going to be a small gamble because he has had arm issues recently, but to not want him because of that is running scared. If you say you'd like the Cubs to get a pitcher with a better history of health, I'd agree. Pitchers of the quality of Jake Peavy with clean bills of health are not (apparently) available. I wouldn't run away from Peavy, especially considering the way he pitched from June till the end of 2008.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

Good point. The thing about injuries is that there is no reliable way of predicting who will and will not be injured. If were going to go with paranoia (that's what it sounds like to me), every single rotation in all of the major league clubs have question marks. In fact, I would dare anyone to name one that doesn't have "could" happen concerns.

The staff injury potential list then COULD become: don't worry, if this happens we'll have a pitching staff of: Ted Lilly Ted Lilly Ted Lilly Ted Lilly Sean Marshall and the TLSC predicts at least 80 wins for TL

Or the starting staff COULD look like: Ted Lilly Derek Botelho Steve Engel Johnny Abrego Jay Baller With Reggie Patterson ready to step in if Lilly hurts himself slamming his glove to the mound...

OMG.....The 1985 Cub Rotation post injury spree...WHAT A MOTLEY CRUEW OF PITCHERS THEY ROLLED OUT...UGH

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

I didn't even mention how luminaries like Dave Beard, Jon Perlman and Dave Gumpert were needed to fill out the bullpen that year...

Let me try this one more time. Does anyone know what are the dates that WBC players will out of ST camp? I'm trying to plan for some Phoenix games, but I don't want to go to ones where half a dozen Cubs regulars are missing. Thx.

there's also a few exhibition games before the official WBC ones start, a few days before

Official rosters are out Feb. 24th...Cubs start Mesa games on the 25th.

[ ]

In reply to by T-Dubs

Yeah, I've done spring training three times, sometimes earlier and sometimes later, but I have yet to see 7 projected starters in a lineup. Little nicks and dings, split squad games, trying to figure out your 24th and 25th man etc. If you want to see the starters you're best luck is going to New York - suggest you bring a coat.

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).