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

Retro Cubs Video: Dawson Goes Batty

I stumbled across this video from July 23, 1991 where the Cubs beat the Reds 8-5. Not only do you get some classic WGN with Dan Roan  - who I believe is still there - but also appearances by Doug Dascenzo, Rob Dibble, Jim Essian and Lou Piniella in his Reds days.

As you'll see, it's also the game where Dibble throws at Dascenzo's legs out of frustration(1:48 mark); a moment Dibble admitted was on purpose since(at least I heard him say it on XM radio). I'm sure MLB will be forcing it off youtube at any moment, so be sure to check it out quickly. There's a variety of ways of downloading youtube videos to your computer if you want it for your archives, something I wish I did with the Soriano incident at WWE last year.

Comments

Totally despicable, what a piece of shit, Dawson was. I had forgotten about that one, until I saw the bats flying, then it came back. A very Z like tantrum there (and the pitch wasn't all that bad).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I think you're right, except that Cubs front office folks use the word "athletic" instead of "middle of the diamond." But that seems to be the plan. I suppose a possible criticism is that that approach makes the Cubs less likely to bring a big power bat out of the minors, but the Cubs have a big enough market that they could afford to sign a power-hitting free agent (and power usually doesn't hit it's peak until the players are in their late twenties and nearing free agency anyway).

One thing I wish players would stop saying about their own embarrassing incidents only a few hours afterword--"I laugh at it now." Just apologize and move on. I'm always amazed at how often fans join in throwing things on the field, though--and what a large percentage of the fans take part.

Wouldn't it be cool to have Dan Roan's job? Sitting in a director's chair, Hawaiian shirt, and paid to watch baseball...(and my, such hard hitting reporting too).

Love the video. Was even fun to see the White Sox clips at the end, including the game-winning hit by Joey Cora, who was so slight, it looked like the bat boy had taken a turn at the plate. Also noted reference to Comiskey Park--not U.S. Cellular Field--and the fact that the Brewers were still in the American League.

"classic WGN with Dan Roan - who I believe is still there " Yes, minus the hair. Which is a shame with that level 5 mullet he had going there. George Bell restraining Dawson Hearing Harry with each Dawson bat toss-"WHOOOAA..heh heh"

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/piniella-undecided-on-cubs… something completely reasonable said by a manager:
"We'll use one (player) one day, and one the next," Piniella said. "It depends on how there are swinging the bat. It depends on who the pitcher on the other side is. There'll be some variables, but look, we like to stay constant, too.
"One thing is, we don't have anybody here that's going to steal 40 bases. If Theriot develops a nice swing where he's staying inside the ball good and hitting the ball behind the runner, that's a nice option in the two-hole, because we've got Fukudome hitting in that first base hole.
"We'll see who's taking more pitches, who's more selective, what the on-base percentages are, whether the other team's pitcher is having trouble throwing strikes, how well the catcher is throwing...
"There are so many variables to this thing it gets a little too complicated. You know what? We'll try to simplify it and get as constant as we can. Spring training will let us know."

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Anybody else read the article about Guzman at the Cubs MLB.com site? I didn't realize he was actually with his brother when he died. I really thought that scene only happens in movies. That's gotta be some traumatizing stuff.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Speaking of sad stuff, as it turns out, Jose Ceda shot his best friend in the stomach last year and wound up confined to his house by police for a good portion of the winter. So then he shows up at spring training fat flabby weighing 300 lbs and hurts his arm requiring labrum surgery. A-N-D the Marlins knew nothing about the shooting until now. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/02/22/1492953/florida-marlins-pitcher-j… Wow. It seems like a million years ago that the Cubs offered the Orioles Ceda, Cedeno, Gallagher and Veal for Brian Roberts and some thought that was too much! But all four are gone and this is what we got: Ceda (now coming off surgery) traded for one year of Gregg Cedeno (it turns out the Ronny we saw in 2006 is the real Ronny) traded along with Garret Olsen(obtained in Felix Pie trade) for one year of Aaron Heilman Gallagher (fell out of favor with the A's who once thought the world of him, now with the Padres) traded as the key in a six player deal (Cubs also got Gaudin who they later released and lost Murton (AAAA), EPatt (now fighting for a spot on the A's bench) and Josh Donaldson) netting Rich Hardin for one and a half years. Donnie Veal lost to Pittsburgh in a Rule 5 pickup. So, all this furious trading by Hendry has left us with nothing. But he did manage to lose a first round draft pick in the process, Donaldson, a catcher who's now at AA, plays some 1b and 3b too, and could soon be ready for the bigs. .280 .374 .456 .830 with 33 HR and 20 SBs in his short minor league career.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

On the plus side, looks like the Cubs cut bait on Ceda at the right time, and, although they waited too long to trade him, they didn't lose much in Cedeno. Gallagher and Pie still have time to prove their value, though. Harden was quality in 2008 and 2009, Heilman always seemed like he should have been better. Gregg however--ugh. His performance would not have seemed as bad if he hadn't been the closer I guess. But not all of our relievers from 2009 could be middle relievers--somebody had to pitch during the last two innings.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Look, AT THE TIME, the HArden deal was a move that got the team to the Playoffs. Not just the Playoffs, the team had the best record in the NL. I saw Harden pitch numerous times that year. Was at his first game as a Cub. He was a sure-fire BEAST. You are Mr. After-the-Fact, which is just how you roll ("Teflon Tim Wilken", right?), but Harden was THE power arm in 2009. Hendry went for all of it, and his guys choked. Unfortunately, one cannot count on that unless it happens to be the Cubs. Re Donaldson: "...and could soon be ready for the bigs." This has been said for a couple years now. It is debatable.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I'll defend Wilken on this one. There are intangibles to catching, so it's never a sure thing. But 2009 was Donaldson's first year in AA. (I doubt people expected him to jump from high-A to the majors, so not sure what you mean by "This [the claim that he could soon be ready] has been said for a couple of years now.") At Midland (AA) he caught 100 games, threw out 40% of base stealers, hit 37 doubles, drove in 91 runs. I would say he's turning into the catcher that Wilken thought he drafted.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Assuming this is a response to navigator. I saw Harden in one of his earliest games as a Cub, too--July 26, 2008, against the Marlins. He went 5 and K'd 10. The Cubs K'd 20 in 12 innings--and lost 3-2. Harden started and Gaudin finished the game and took the loss. I had a really good time watching Harden set down fish. It was a smart trade, and that's coming from a big Murton fan and someone who usually overvalues prospects. Even after the fact I say it was a good trade.

Jim Riggleman thinks he should have probably pitched Kerry less in '98:
"I think if anything that I learned from it, having to do it over I probably would have pitched Kerry less," Riggleman said. "At the time that we had Kerry, my recollection of any criticism I had was 'Why did you take him out of the game?' After the fact it's 'Well, you pitched him too much.' "

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/chan-ho-park-chooses-yanke…
"I was deliberating on the Chicago Cubs and the Yankees, but their history and championship contention resulted in me picking the Yankees,'' Park said. "Until last night, I was leaning toward the Cubs."
Park, who said he agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, said the Cubs offered him a chance to compete for a berth in the starting rotation. With the Yankees, he will come out of the bullpen, as he did last season with the Phillies.
come on down Kiko Calero

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

- sigh - Hmmm, so the Cubs were spurned by one pitcher going to the Nats, and one going to the Yankees? What does this say?

could be the Dodgers... http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-revenu…
The Dodgers could seek to keep their player payroll below last year's level through 2018 while the average ticket price and club revenue could nearly double, according to confidential financial documents included in a court filing last week.
The documents -- prepared by the McCourt management team in May to solicit Chinese investors for a partnership that could have included the Dodgers, a soccer club in Beijing and another in the English Premier League -- show that the Dodgers spent $128 million in player compensation for their 40-man roster in 2007, then spent $123 million in 2008.
The Dodgers could seek to keep their player payroll below last year's level through 2018 while the average ticket price and club revenue could nearly double, according to confidential financial documents included in a court filing last week.
The projections show the Dodgers planning to cut it to $107 million this year, with slight annual increases thereafter. In 2018, player compensation is estimated at $125 million.
The document anticipates a significant rise in club revenue, from $295 million in 2008 to $529 million in 2018, and in the average ticket price, from $29.40 in 2007 to $53.50 in 2018.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I just assumed that people characterized Dodgers fans in the worst possible light because a lot of Americans feel the need to bash L.A. and everything related to it. But after attending a game there, it's actually more true than people make it out to be. Not only were the fans completely bored by a rivalry game against the Angels, but it was the game where Weaver and Arrendondo threw the no-no-hitter, and I swear 70-80 percent of the people there were totally oblivious to the history they were witnessing.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

San Diego games have more Cub fans than Padres, I will say the Cubs fans are still drowned out by Dodgers fans though. but most of the stereotypes have some merit... Game 3 in the NLDS in 2008 was a good Dodger crowd though. In general though, sports just don't carry the same weight out here to people as Chicago or the East Coast. Too many transplants from other cities, metro area is too spread out and too many diversions. and yeah, I pretty much do all 9 innings when I go, think I left once early with my girls as we had horrible seats in the sun and they were were melting and the Cubs were getting killed.

Awesome video. I love how Harry is basically cheering Dawson on as he's tossing the bats. There used to be a better video on YouTube that showed the highlights of this game on Sportscenter at the time. In 1 minute and 30 seconds the ESPN recap showed the following. -It starts with a clip of Lou Piniella and Randy Myers shouting at each other a few games earlier. -Then it shows Randy Myers given the start for the game against the Cubs at Wrigley. -Chris Sabo hits two home runs, and he literally sprints around the bases with his big goggles. -Andre Dawson has a called third strike that is low and away. He throws his bat down and begins screaming at the ump. George Bell tries to hold him back. Dawson gets tossed. -The bleachers start throwing every cup of beer around them onto the field. -Dawson is in the dugout throwing bats onto the field. -Cubs come back and take the lead. -Late in the game Doug Dascenzo gets a bunt off of Rob Dibble. Dibble can't make a play on it and instead of throwing to first he throws the ball at Dascenzo's back in disgust. -Cubs win.

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).