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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Updated 2010 Cubs Extended Spring Training Stats & Roster (Memorial Day Edition)

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Here are the unofficial statistics for EXST Cubs players updated through May 29th. (There is no Official Scorer at Cactus League Extended Spring Training games, so the stats are not official).

2010 EXST CUBS RECORD: 16-24-8 (48 GAMES PLAYED THRU 5/29)

* Bats or throws left
* Bats both

EXST CUBS BATTING:

CURRENT ROSTER:

George Matheus (SS-3B) – 385/414/423
(10-26, 2B, 4 R, 2 BB, K, SH, SB, 8 GAMES)

Jesus Morelli (RF-CF-LF) – 369/447/574
(24-65, 9 2B, 2 3B, 11 RBI, 12 R, 6 BB, 15 K, 4 HBP, SF, 4 SB, 21 GAMES)

Chris Huseby (P-DH) – 357/438/500
(5-14, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R, 2 BB, 4 K, 5 GAMES)

* Alvaro Ramirez (CF-LF-RF) – 342/346/479
(25-73, 3 2B, 2 3B, HR, 12 RBI, 10 R, BB, 9 K, HBP, 3 SH, GIDP, 7 SB, 3 CS, 22 GAMES)

* Pin-Chieh Chen (2B-SS-3B) – 322/379/344
(29-90, 2 2B, 14 RBI, 12 R, 10 BB, 11 K, SF, SH, 4 SB, 5 CS, 27 GAMES)

Brandon May (3B-1B-2B) – 321/413/436
(25-78, 7 2B, 3B, 12 RBI, 17 R, 12 BB, 15 K, HBP, SF, 2 GIDP, 24 GAMES)
DISABLED LIST (left calf injury)

Manuel Pestana (LF-CF) – 300/300/400
(3-10, 2B, 2 K, R, 2 RBI, 4 GAMES)
DISABLED LIST (sprained shoulder)

# Rafael Disla (2B-SS-3B-LF) – 265/340/511
(13-49, 4 2B, 4 3B, 10 RBI, 13 R, 3 BB, 12 K, 2 HBP, 2 SF, 2 SH, GIDP, 3 SB, CS, 21 GAMES)

* Bobby Wagner (1B-3B-C) – 262/369/443
(16-61, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 8 R, 11 BB, 23 K, HBP, SF, 23 GAMES)

* Sergio Burruel (C-1B) – 236/306/291
(13-55, 3 2B, 10 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, 15 K, HBP, SF, 2 GIDP, CS, 22 GAMES)

# Vismeldy Bieneme (3B-2B) – 218/302/255
(12-55, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 18 K, SF, 3 SB, 18 GAMES)

Carlos Romero (C-1B) – 214/298/238
(9-42, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 3 HBP, GIDP, SB, 20 GAMES)

* Kyung-Min Na (CF-RF) – 211/250/211
(8-38, RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 11 K, SB, CS, 15 GAMES)

Runey Davis (LF-CF-RF) – 208/278/260
(16-77, 2 2B, 3B, 9 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 19 K, 3 HBP, SF, 2 GIDP, 2 SB, 3 CS, 25 GAMES)

Cody Shields (LF-CF) – 208/254/340
(11-53, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 11 K, 2 SF, 2 GIDP, 4 SB, PO, 21 GAMES)

Xavier Batista (RF-CF-1B) – 200/241/375
(16-80, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, 4 BB, 38 K, HBP, SF, SH, 4 GIDP, PO, 26 GAMES)

* Wes Darvill (SS-2B) – 200/315/200
(12-60, 6 RBI, 8 R, 11 BB, 11 K, 2 SH, SB, 3 CS, 24 GAMES)

# Arismendy Alcantara (SS-2B-3B) – 190/274/290
(19-100, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 18 R, 7 BB, 19 K, 3 HBP, SF, 6 SB, 4 CS, 32 GAMES)

Albert Hernandez (LF-RF-1B) – 178/217/233
(13-73, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 21 K, SF, 6 GIDP, SB, 2 CS, 26 GAMES)

Jose Guevara (C-1B) – 176/263/176
(6-34, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 10 K, HBP, 2 SB, 18 GAMES)

Blair Springfield (LF-2B-3B-1B) – 156/187/156
(10-64, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 26 K, 2 GIDP, SB, 2 CS, 25 GAMES)

Melvin Camarena (1B-LF-RF) – 150/208/200
(3-20, 2B, 2 BB, 10 K, R, RBI, SB, SF, SH, 8 GAMES)
DISABLED LIST (broken hand)

THE DEPARTED:

* Francisco Guzman (CF) – 471/500/588
(8-17, 3B, 5 RBI, 7 R, BB, K, 3 SB, CS, 5 GAMES)
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/23

Brandon Guyer (CF) – 438/550/813
(7-16, 4 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K, HBP, 3 SB, PO, 5 GAMES)
REHAB COMPLETED 5/28

Jae-Hoon Ha (RF-CF-C) – 350/378/575
(14-40, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 SF, 3 GIDP, SB, 2 CS, PO, 14 GAMES)
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 5/27

Jonathan Mota (C-2B) – 308/375/538
(4-13, 3 2B, 4 RBI, R, 2 BB, K, SH, PO, 5 GAMES)
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/23

Charles Thomas (3B-1B) – 303/342/348
(20-66, 3 2B, 8 RBI, 13 R, 5 BB, 8 K, SF, C-INT, 4 SB, PO, 19 GAMES)
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 5/12

Rebel Ridling (1B) – 286/286/333
(6-21, 2B, RBI, R, 4 K, 5 GAMES)
REHAB COMPLETED 4/23

Luis Flores (C) – 273/370/364
(6-22, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K, SF, SB, 11 GAMES)
MOVED UP TO DAYTONA 5/26

D. J. Fitzgerald (LF-RF) – 267/354/400
(4-15, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 5 GAMES)
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/23

* Matt Spencer (1B) – 250/308/833
(3-12, 2B, HR, RBI, 3 R, BB, K, 2 GAMES)
REHAB COMPLETED 4/18

Jason Dubois (DH) – 214/267/357
(3-14, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R, BB, 4 K, GIDP, 4 GAMES)
REHAB COMPLETED 5/15

 

EXST CUBS PITCHERS:

CURRENT ROSTER:

Alvaro Sosa: 0.00 ERA, 0.25 WHIP, .077 OBA
4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 8/1 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (2 GS)
NOTE: ex-catcher converted to RHP April 2010

Corey Martin: 0.90 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, .143 OBA
10.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP, 12/12 GO/FO, 8 GAMES

Juan Yasser Serrano: 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .227 OBA
6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 K, 1 GIDP, 1 BALK, 8/5 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (2 GS)

Marcus Hatley: 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, .200 OBA
5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 7 K, 3/4 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (4 GS)
REHAB (2009 TJS)

Andres Quezada: 2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .267 OBA
7.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 7 K, 1 GIDP, 9/5 GO/FO, 4 GAMES)

Luis Liria: 2.59 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, .265 OBA
24.1 IP, 26 H, 8 R (7 ER), 10 BB, 23 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 22/19 GO/FO, 9 GAMES (5 GS)

* Austin Kirk: 3.07 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, .212 OBA
26.1 IP, 21 H, 10 R (9 ER), 11 BB, 28 K, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 2 PO, 19/30 GO/FO, 9 GAMES (4 GS)

Jadel Mendez: 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .273 OBA
14.0 IP, 15 H, 8 R (5 ER), 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 2 HBP, 2 WP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO, 18/14 GO/FO, 8 GAMES

Jose Rosario: 3.32 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .289 OBA
19.0 IP, 22 H, 12 R (7 ER), 7 BB, 12 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 3 GIDP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 28/15 GO/FO, 9 GAMES

* Casey Lambert: 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .200 OBA
2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 3/1 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (3 GS)
REHAB (2009 TJS)

* Marcos Perez: 3.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .245 OBA
26.0 IP, 25 H, 11 R (10 ER), 2 BB, 20 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 1 PO, 30/25 GO/FO, 10 GAMES (3 GS)

* John Mincone: 3.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, .210 OBA
27.1 IP, 21 H, 14 R (11 ER), 8 BB, 17 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 3 GIDP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 34/28 GO/FO, 9 GAMES (4 GS)

Tarlandus Mitchell: 3.72 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, .256 OBA
19.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R (8 ER), 14 BB, 20 K, 2 HBP, 2 WP, 16/15 GO/FO, 8 GAMES (7 GS)

Rogelio Carmona: 3.79 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, .263 OBA
19.0 IP, 20 H, 10 R (8 ER), 8 BB, 19 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 18/16 GO/FO, 16 GAMES

Alvido Jimenez: 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .235 OBA
13.1 IP, 12 H, 7 R (6 ER), 6 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 18/11 GO/FO, 9 GAMES

* Drew Rundle: 4.86 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, .300 OBA
9.1 IP, 12 H, 8 R (5 ER), 5 BB, 4 K, 1 PO, 9/11 GO/FO, 8 GAMES
NOTE: Ex-OF converted to LHP September 2009

Eduardo Figueroa: 5.64 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, .316 OBA
22.1 IP, 31 H, 19 R (14 ER), 11 BB, 16 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 5 WP, 2 PO, 15/27 GO/FO, 8 GAMES (4 GS)

Danny Keefe: 6.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, .286 OBA
20.0 IP, 24 H, 14 R (14 ER), 4 BB, 28 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 16/13 GO/FO, 14 GAMES

Yao-Lin Wang: 6.75 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, .289 OBA
20.0 IP, 24 H, 15 R (15 ER), 4 BB, 21 K, 1 HR, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 15/16 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (4 GS)

Carlos Rojas: 7.17 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, .300 OBA
16.1 IP, 21 H, 22 R (13 ER), 8 BB, 16 K, 4 HR, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 17/14 GO/FO, 13 GAMES

Jesse Ginley: 7.24 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, .350 OBA
13.2 IP, 20 H, 11 R (11 ER), 7 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 16/18 GO/FO, 10 GAMES (1 GS)

Tzu-An Wang: 10.80 ERA, 2.06 WHIP, .352 OBA
11.2 IP, 19 H, 17 R (14 ER), 5 BB, 11 K, 1 HR, 3 HBP, 2 WP, 11/13 GO/FO, 8 GAMES

Hector Mayora: 12.60 ERA, 2.60 WHIP, .371 OBA
5.0 IP, 9 H, 10 R (7 ER), 4 BB, 5 K, 7/3 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (1 GS)

Gian Guzman: 19.20 ERA, 3.43 WHIP, .333 OBA
4.2 IP, 7 H, 10 R (10 ER), 9 BB, 0 K, 3 HR, 1 HBP, 4/8 GO/FO, 4 GAMES
DISABLED LIST (sore elbow)

* Cody Hams: 40.50 ERA, 6.75 WHIP, .600 OBA
1.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R (6 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 2/0 GO/GO, 2 GAMES
DISABLED LIST (back strain)

Chris Huseby: INFINITE ERA, INFINITE WHIP, .000 OBA
0.0 IP, 0 H, 4 R (4 ER), 4 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 1 GAME

THE DEPARTED:

Esmailin Caridad: 0.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .000 OBA
1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 1 GAME
REHAB COMPLETED 5/2

* James Leverton: 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, .000 OBA
1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 GAME
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/18

Yohan Gonzalez: 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, .200 OBA
11.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 14 K, 1 GIDP, 9/10 GO/FO, 7 GAMES
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 5/13

Frank Batista: 2.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .234 OBA
20.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 16 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 21/22 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (3 GS)
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 5/26

Larry Suarez: 3.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, .357 OBA
3.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 2/3 GO/FO, 2 GAMES
MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/18

Chris Carpenter: 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, .375 OBA
1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/FO, 1 GAME (1 GS)
REHAB COPMPLETED 4/18

David Patton: 9.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .250 OBA
1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 1 GAME
REHAB COMPLETED 4/15

EXST CUBS DEFENSE:

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Sergio Burruel: 8-22 CS (36%), 3 PB, 2 PO, 2 E
Luis Flores: 6-13 CS (46%), 1 PB, 1 PO, 3 E (DEPARTED)
Jose Guevara: 4-9 CS (44%), 4 PB, 1 E
Jae-Hoon Ha: 2-10 CS (20%), 6 PB, 3 E (DEPARTED)
Jonathan Mota: 1-5 CS (20%), 1 E (DEPARTED)
Carlos Romero: 6-15 CS (40%), 2 PB, 5 E
Bobby Wagner: 0-1 CS (0%)

ERRORS BY INFIELDERS:
Arismendy Alcantara – 12
Wes Darvill – 11
Rafael Disla – 7
Pin-Chieh Chen – 8
Vismeldy Bieneme – 4
Blair Springfield – 3
Charles Thomas - 3 (DEPARTED)
Brandon May - 2
George Matheus – 2
Xavier Batista - 1
Bobby Wagner - 1

OUTFIELD DEFENSE:
Xavier Batista: 1 E
Runey Davis: 1 ASSIST, 2 E
Brandon Guyer: 1 ASSIST (DEPARTED)
Francisco Guzman: 1 ASSIST, 1 E (DEPARTED)
Jesus Morelli: 1 E
Kyung-Min Na: 1 ASSIST
Manuel Pestana: 1 ASSIST
Alvaro Ramirez: 2 E
Blair Springfield: 1 ASSIST

ERRORS BY PITCHERS:
Marcos Perez – 3
Eduardo Figueroa – 2
Luis Liria – 2
Carlos Rojas – 2
Chris Carpenter – 1 (DEPARTED)
Danny Keefe – 1
Casey Lambert – 1
Corey Martin - 1
Hector Mayora - 1
Andres Quezada – 1
Tzu-An Wang - 1

MANAGER:
Jody Davis

ASSISTANT MANAGER:
Juan Cabreja

COACHES:
Frank Castillo
Woong-Chun Cho
Jeff Fassero
Scott McClain
Ricardo Medina
Min-Kyu Sung
Rick Tronerud
Desi Wilson

EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER: (57)

* Bats or throws left
# Bats both

ACTIVE LIST (43):

PITCHERS (24):
Rogelio Carmona
Eduardo Figueroa
Jesse Ginley
Marcus Hatley (ACTIVE REHAB)
Chris Huseby
Alvido Jimenez
Danny Keefe
* Austin Kirk
* Casey Lambert (ACTIVE REHAB)
Luis Liria
Corey Martin
Hector Mayora
Jadel Mendez
* John Mincone
Tarlandus Mitchell
* Marcos Perez
Andres Quezada
Carlos Rojas
Jose Rosario
* Drew Rundle (ex-OF)
Juan Yasser Serrano
Alvaro Sosa (ex-C)
Tzu-An Wang
Yao-Lin Wang

CATCHERS (4):
* Sergio Burruel
Jose Guevara
Carlos Romero
* Bobby Wagner

INFIELDERS (8):
# Arismendy Alcantara
# Vismeldy Bieneme
* Pin-Chieh Chen
* Wes Darvill
# Rafael Disla
* Richard Jones
George Matheus
Blair Springfield

OUTFIELDERS (7):
Xavier Batista
Runey Davis
Albert Hernandez
Jesus Morelli
* Kyung-Min Na
* Alvaro Ramirez
Cody Shields

INJURY REHAB GROUP (14):
Justin Bristow, P (????)
Melvin Camarena, 1B-OF (broken hand)
Esmailin Caridad, P (elbow)
Manolin DeLeon, P (2010 knee surgery)
Angel Guzman, P (2010 shoulder surgery)
Gian Guzman, P (elbow)
* Cody Hams, P (back)
Dylan Johnston, P (2009 TJS)
Dong-Yub Kim, OF (????)
Marcos Mateo, P (2010 knee surgery)
Brandon May, INF (left calf injury)
Mike Parisi, P (2010 shoulder surgery)
Manuel Pestana, OF (shoulder injury)
Melvin Rosa, P (2010 TJS)

Tags
Extended Spring Training
EXST Cubs

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

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