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

Cubs Score with Small Ball

Evan Crawford singled twice, stole a base, and scored a run, and Justin Bour reached base three times on two singles and a HBP, leading the Cubs to a 2-1 victory over the A’s Split Squad #1 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.  

Trailing after a Michael Spina solo home run gave the A's a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st, the Cubs scored their first run in the bottom of the 1st inning when lead-off man Evan Crawford (acquired from the Giants in the Mike Fontenot deal) reached base on an infield single to deep short, stole 2nd , advanced to 3rd on a Logan Watkins sacrifice bunt, and scored on an Engel Santana sacrifice fly.

The Cubs scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the 7th. Justin Bour was hit by a pitch leading off the inning, and moved-up to 2nd base on a wild pitch. Oliver Zapata was sent-in to pinch run for Bour at this point, and Zapata advanced to 3rd on an errant pick-off throw by the A’s pitcher, and then scored on a passed ball.

Closer Kevin Rhoderick (2010 9th round pick out of Oregon State) pitched out of a one-out & bases loaded jam (of his own making) in the top of the 9th, getting a strikeout and an infield pop up to end the game.

Cubs 2010 2nd round pick Reggie Golden left the game with what appeared to be either lower back spasms or a right oblique strain.

18-year old Korean bonus baby RHP Jin-Yeong Kim threw off the mound today and looks to be ready to maybe get one more outing before Instructs concludes on Saturday. Kim left his last start with a leg injury.

Here is today’s abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Evan Crawford, CF: 2-4 (1B, F-9, E5, 1B, R, SB)
2. Logan Watkins, DH #1: 0-2 (1-3 SH, 3-1, 6-4 FC)
3a. Engel Santana, C: 0-2 (F-7 SF, 3-U, 4-3, RBI)
3b. Max Kwan, C: NO AB
4a. Justin Bour, 1B: 2-2 (1B, 1B, HBP)
4b. Oliver Zapata, PR-RF: NO AB (R)
5. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 0-3 (3-U, K, K)
6a. Reggie Golden, RF: 1-3 (6-3, 1B, K)
6b. Ryan Cuneo, 1B: NO AB
7. Micah Gibbs, DH #2: 0-3 (4-3, 4-6 FC, 6-3)
8. Marco Hernandez, SS: 0-3 (6-3, K, 6-3)
9. Chris Huseby, LF: 0-3 (1-3, K, 6-3)
10. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 1-3 (F-9, 6-3, 2B)

PITCHERS:
1. Jeff Lorick: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 43 pitches (27 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
2. Jhon Rodriguez: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 40 pitches (21 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
3. Luis Liria: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 33 pitches (21 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
4. Casey Harman: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 13 pitches (9 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
5. Kevin Rhoderick: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 23 pitches (15 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Engel Santana: 1-1 CS

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

ATTENDANCE: 17

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy, with temperatures in the 90’s

 

Comments

Bruce Levine's Tuesday chat log: Not much newsworthy but there isn't much news. http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chicago/chat/_/id/34929
Q: Has Melvin be eliminated? Is it down to Wedge, Ryno and Quade? Also, any other teams seeking permission to talk to Quade?
Bruce Levine: Melvin hasn't been officially eliminated. Although it's unclear whether he will talk to Ricketts or not. One team asked the Cubs informally whether Quade was going to be available to interview elsewhere. For a team to interview another team's employee that has to go through a written form that goes through major league baseball. That hasn't happened.
Bruce Levine: It should be a busy week with regards to the Cubs' managerial search -- it could happen soon.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

>>i'm ready for some trade and FA action.<< 1. Dump Fuku. Play Colvin everyday for 2011. 2. Fat Elvis for 1B? Dunn is too expensive. 3. Kerry Wood The Sequel, to be the setup man? Would be a nice story at least. 4. Put Cashner and Marshall in the rotation where they belong. 5. Package a couple of the surplus pitchers for some bench help. 6. Move Silva if you can, but not the end of the world if the Cubs must keep him as a #5. 7. If Aramis wants to walk, by all means let him. Since Beltre is the only quality FA 3B available this year, Aramis might calculate that he'd do better with a 3-yearish type deal now, but at less $/year, than he'd do with his $14MM Cubs windfall in 2011 and then who knows what he gets in 2012. 8. Please, no more Koyie Hill. Please.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

Aramis won't get anywhere near $14.6 on the open market, that much is clear. The thing is, he's healthy and not getting any younger. If I am Aramis, I seriously consider locking into one more long-term contract this off season. I don't see it happening, though. Guys generally don't turn down 14.6 million dollars. It's just a rule of thumb. As for the Cubs: f' the bats. Baseball has become a pitchers and defense game, moreso this year than in the past (Just ask Bobby Cox). Find some hispanic middle infielders that hit .260, etc, etc. Screw Silva, get some real pitching. And for god's sake do something with the bullpen this year. Seriously, it's okay to get a couple veteran relievers.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

By the way... the four AL playoff teams were all in the top 5 in the league in runs. Three of the NL playoff teams were in the top 5 in runs. If you can't score runs, you probably aren't going to the playoffs. Of course, you also have to be able to pitch (4 AL, 4 NL playoff teams were in top 7 in ERA in their leagues) and play defense, but offense is still very important.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

the four teams left standing now each have at least one "Ace" pitcher on their staff. Yup... and so did the... Cardinals Mets Mariners Red Sox Tigers Royals A's Marlins Mets Astros (for most of the year) Sox (arguably) In order to win, you have to be able to score runs AND prevent runs. One or the other won't typically get you very far.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

None of the above, THIS year, have #1's that equal the quality of Halliday, Lincicum, CLee, and CC. That is absolutely false. Ever heard of Felix Hernandez? Verlander? Greinke? Santana? Josh Johnson? Trevor Cahill? Jon Lester? Wainright? They are ALL in the same category, if not better, than Halliday/Lincecum/Lee/CC. Astros had Oswalt. Sox have Danks. I'll give you that both are a bit of a stretch, but aren't that far from that top tier.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Astros had Oswalt. Sox have Danks. I'll give you that both are a bit of a stretch, but aren't that far from that top tier. Baloney. Danks: 15-11, 3.72 ERA? An ACE of the caliber of Halliday? Put the bong down dude! Oswalt, was not great with the Astros this year, or last. Look it up. Again, he is on the downside of his career based on this - however, looks to be rejuvinated with the Phillies. And even still - if you are considering him a true "Ace" now - then even better for the Phillies. Although the Phillies will not be starting him in the NLCS. Just the best pitcher in baseball. BTW - I looked at the last ten years of Cy Young winners. While Grieneke and Santana made the list, funny I did not see any of your other guys. Halladay, CC, Lincicum (twice), and CLee (going 22-3) are all former winners and all perform similarly. John Lester in his first year? As good as my four guys. Horseshit. Verlander, Career: 3.81/1.259/2.73 Six seasons Linci, Career: 3.04/1.182/3.3 Four seasons + average of 10.1k's per 9 innings! I will give you that Verlander is very good. And the Ace of the Tigres. Just not as dominating. I only wish the Cubs had ANY of these guys frankly. You blew your argument with Danks as a "bit of a stretch" = the above Cy Young winners. Thanks for playing.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Pretty sure that I said that both Oswalt and Danks were stretches. Maybe you missed that part. And I never said that Danks equaled the Cy Young winners. So you have crossed Danks and Oswalt off the list. Fair enough. You focus on those two, even though I admitted that they were not quite at the same level as the rest of the bunch. You foolishly think that Lester is not a real ace, and you write off Verlander for no good reason. You also don't acknowledge all of the other aces that I mentioned. Greinke, Hernandez, Lester, and Wainright are every bit as good as Halladay, CC, Lee, and Lincecum. And that is not even factoring in Cahill, Santana, Verlander, Josh Johnson, or Ubaldo Jiminez (who I forgot to mention in my earlier comment.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

no one asked him one...instead of asking why he didn't yank soriano's chain for loafing they hailed him for sitting down castro...i'm w/ de luca but i'll bet quade interviews better than sandberg; more personality...dunno if sandberg is the one to pull the sword from the stone but pretty sure quade isn't; september records of also-rans are as worthless as used toilet paper...

[ ]

In reply to by Mike Wellman

september records of also-rans are as worthless as used toilet paper... I agree. Of course, managers are worthless as used toilet paper. Over the long run, they may cause their team to perform at less than their talent, but never, over the long run, cause their team tp perform better than their talent. Hire the cheapest candidate. Quade is probably the one.

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

we got rid of lou and all of a sudden the pitching came around. quade is obviously the best pitching coach the team could have, though it has nothing to do with anything. i think kevin mitchell should be our next manager. if people thought kicking dirt makes a great manager then imagine the motivation given to the players when the field is littered with knocked out umpires.

[ ]

In reply to by Mike Wellman

it's not...im just spouting out crap trying to be funny riding on the manager talk. quade became the manager and the pitchers suddenly learned how to pitch...i was using a cause/effect argument that's true yet baseless no matter what the stats show about it. however...i do think having kevin mitchell as manager would be fun. he's got court in november for beating up victim #891 of his on a golf course earlier in the year, though. ---- CHULA VISTA, Calif. - A judge has ordered former National League MVP Kevin Mitchell to stand trial on charges of punching a man several times in the head in July at a golf club in Southern California. ... Mitchell's previous legal run-ins include rape charges in 1991 that were dropped, and an arrest in 1999 for allegedly beating up his father. A year later, while managing the minor-league Sonoma County Crushers, he was suspended nine games after punching the opposing team's owner during a brawl. In 2002, he was suspended seven games for punching the same team's third-base coach, who Mitchell accused of stealing signs from the catcher.

The below makes for great Armchair GM 2010, but reality bites... 1. Dump Fuku. Play Colvin everyday for 2011. Got a trade partner in mind? How much salary do you wish to pick up? 2. Fat Elvis for 1B? Dunn is too expensive. Expect Colvin to get up to speed on the position. 3. Kerry Wood The Sequel, to be the setup man? Would be a nice story at least. "Fagetaboutit". With his Yankee performance under his belt - for sure he will command too much $$ for the Ricketts. Let it go already! 4. Put Cashner and Marshall in the rotation where they belong. So let's see: The Cubs have two Number 2/3 starters in Z and Demp (and you can flip them depending on the day), a #5 in Gorz, a #5 in Wells - on his "good" days, and a #5 in Silva. And you want to deplete a bullpen so that the other three #5's can manage to never notch a win? I would think that Casey Coleman may have more upside than Silva or Wells. And Gorzo is the only lefty now. 5. Package a couple of the surplus pitchers for some bench help. Which surplus pitchers were you thinking and which bench player? If its Stevens, Gaub, Berg - I will drive them. While I normally lambast Sabean for him raiding the Retirement Homes for players, this year it has worked out. Pat Burell - VERY productive. Uribe - his usual - but 20HR. He still has a good arm, though. And, their youngsters played exceptionally well. The Giants have decent bench players including Aaron Rowand, who has had a down year. 6. Move Silva if you can, but not the end of the world if the Cubs must keep him as a #5. See comment above. One of three or four #5's. Just like shitty Cub teams in the 90's and 80's. 7. If Aramis wants to walk, by all means let him. Since Beltre is the only quality FA 3B available this year, Aramis might calculate that he'd do better with a 3-yearish type deal now, but at less $/year, than he'd do with his $14MM Cubs windfall in 2011 and then who knows what he gets in 2012. I will be happy to bet $25 to Cubs Care that Ramirez will not "walk". The guy gets hurt EVERY year, and is out for nice DL stretches. He is going nowhere. I would be shocked if he walked away from what now looks like a great deal for him considering his age, lack of productivity in 2010, and the market. 8. Please, no more Koyie Hill. Please. AGREED!

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

If bruce Miles is right, the Cubs may bring back Koyie Hill (he said on his blog that he's heard that they are learning towards doing that). It's nothing that personal against Koyie (well ... he's not good), but more that, if the organization really needs to save money, then why not turn to your two young catchers who are close to ready for the bigs for the backup backstop job (Chirinos and Castillo). Seems that wanting Hill back (if it's true, here's hoping not) might be as a much of an indictment on the Cubs perspective on Soto's receiving abilities. Casey Coleman has better upside than Randy Wells? I understand why Wells got so much heat this year, but there were positives to his 2010 campaign. He had a significant improvement in K rate without huge differences in his BB and HR rates. He's still a solid number 4 starter, borderline mid-rotation arm if he has a good year. Coleman is one of those workmanlike guys, but he doesn't have the stuff to really strike out 6 hitters an inning right now, and he isn't a heavy groundball machine. He's a pitchability guy with average stuff, a guy who might tag onto the end of the rotation. I really don't think he has better upside than Wells.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Ah, prospect news! Vitters 2 for 3 so far today, including an RBI double in a 9-run fourth. They seem to like Hill with young pitchers, and there are several more of those on the way. Meanwhile, Sandberg knows Castillo well, and he got to use Chirinos toward the end of the season after Castillo was called up, so those two catchers will have an advocate if Sandberg gets the job. The Cubs like Coleman--Ricketts just mentioned him in the letter to season-ticket holders, in almost the same breath as Castro/Colvin/Cashner--and he's five years younger than Wells, so if they're competing for the same job, Wells will be expendable.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

>>The Cubs like Coleman--Ricketts just mentioned him in the letter to season-ticket holders, in almost the same breath as Castro/Colvin/Cashner--and he's five years younger than Wells, so if they're competing for the same job, Wells will be expendable.<< Good point. Wells + Gorzo ought to fetch something decent in return on the open market. KC is desperate for starting pitching, but they have some nice young bats on the way. If you add Castillo to Wells and Gorzo, that should be enough for Billy Butler, a high-OBP guy for 1B. Butler is like the RH-version of Sean Casey, I could live with that at 1B.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

"He's still a solid number 4 starter..." HAHA! Tell that to Al Yellon! He'd agree with you. How "solid" for a number 4 is a guy that gives up 3 in 7, then the NEXT outing gives up 7 in two innings! Maybe if he's the best the Cubs can do, or afford, I'd agree with you. But as a season ticket holder, I am looking for a little better if Randy Wells is a "solid number 4".

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

You mean K:BB, right? And being that that's the only place they differ statistically, right now, aside from innings pitched, then you're banking primarily on age. Which is fine, I think, but it looks like Coleman and Wells have similar upside. They are both back of the rotation types. If Randy Wells doesn't improve upon what he did this year, he's a #5 starter/swing man, but if Coleman doesn't improve, he's probably the same.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

>>1. Dump Fuku. Play Colvin everyday for 2011. Got a trade partner in mind? How much salary do you wish to pick up?<< Any trade partner, doesn' matter. Fuku $$ is a sunk cost, if I'm Ricketts, I eat nearly all of it to turn the page on that chapter. Colvin needs to play everyday, and it won't be at 1B. >>I will be happy to bet $25 to Cubs Care that Ramirez will not "walk". The guy gets hurt EVERY year, and is out for nice DL stretches. He is going nowhere. I would be shocked if he walked away from what now looks like a great deal for him considering his age, lack of productivity in 2010, and the market.<< You telling me there isn't a team out there right now that wouldn't take Aramis on a, say, 3/24 deal? If Aramis really is nearing the end, he'd be the first to know it. And I would think his agent is smart enough to understand that $24MM is more money than $14MM. The Angels liked him before, so did the Tigers. I can see one of those happening and at some point, said team moves Ramirez to DH where he probably belongs. A DH gig prolongs Aramis' career, so he jumps at the chance to go to the AL, and that's that. Probably won't happen, no, but I think it would be optimal for Aramis to leave if he draws any kind of interest this offseason.

If Ramirez could get 3 years at 8 million per year this winter, he could certainly get 2 years at 8 million per year next winter. In the meantime, he would get almost 15 million this year from the Cubs. Players sometimes do stupid things, but I doubt that Ramirez is likely to do anything as stupid as walk away from the Cubs this winter.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • 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?