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

Gray Fades to Black

The Cubs have sent RHP Jeff Gray outright to Iowa. This moves leaves three slots open on the 40-man roster, two of which will be taken when LHP John Grabow (knee surgery) and RHP Angel Guzman (shoulder surgery) are reactivated from the 60-day DL.

The 28-year old Gray was acquired from the Oakland A's last December 3rd along with 1B-OF Matt Spencer and RHP Ronny Morla in exchange for INF Aaron Miles, IF-OF-C Jake Fox, and cash considerations.

Gray suffered a groin strain at Fitch Park in the very early days of Spring Training 2010 and never was able to get it together, going 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in seven games (9.1 IP) for the Cubs, and 3-1 with one save, a 5.66 ERA and and 1.71 WHIP, allowing 45 hits and 15/25 BB/K in 25 games (35.0 IP) at AAA Iowa. 

Gray would have been out of minor league options if he had remained on the Cubs 40-man roster going into the 2011 season. He is eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent if he does not sign a 2011 minor league contract with the Cubs.

In other Cubs minor league roster news, IF-C Jonathan Mota (who was eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league FA post-2010) has signed a 2011 minor league contract with the Cubs, and INF George Matheus was released.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by springs

Submitted by springs on Tue, 10/26/2010 - 7:40pm. Az Phil and others: If Archer and Guyer (and perhaps others) should be added, who should be removed from the 40 man? ========================================================== SPRINGS: In addition to the two roster spots needed for Grabow and Guzman, there is now one slot available for Robinson Chirinos, because he would need to be added to the 40-man roster by the 4th day following the conclusion of the World Series (that's because he is eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league FA if he isn't added to a 40-man roster by then), and then another slot will become available for Chris Archer (who does not need to be added to the 40 until 11/20) when Xavier Nady becomes a FA after the World Series. To make another slot available (for Brandon Guyer) prior to the 11/20 roster-filing deadline, the Cubs could release Angel Guzman after they reactivate him from the 60-day DL, instead of waiting to non-tender him on 12/2. The reason clubs usually prefer to non-tender players rather than release them is because a released player cannot be re-signed to a major league contract (and get added to an MLB 40-man roster and 25-man roster) until May 15th of the following season, while there is no such restriction on a non-tendered player. But even if the Cubs re-sign Gooz (and I think they will try, to allow him to continue his rehab during the 2011 season at Fitch Park), it will be to a minor league contract for a low base salary, and so it really won't matter if they release him or non-tender him if the intention is to sign him to a 2011 minor league contract, especially if there is no reason to expect him to be ready to pitch in MLB before May 15th. As for additional 40-man roster slots for 3B Marquez Smith and/or RHP Alberto Cabrera (for instance), or if the Cubs wait to non-tender Guzman until 12/2 (thus requiring a different slot for Guyer by 11/20), I would think LHP John Gaub and RHP Brian Schlitter will be the most-likely candidates to get dropped from the 40. Gaub spent most of the latter part of the season at Fitch Park trying to overcome "Steve Blass Disease," and Schlitter has a bum shoulder. Because neither can be a Rule 55 minor league FA (AKA "Six-Year Minor League Free-Agent") if outrighted to the minors, the Cubs could wait until the last minute (11/20) to decide whether to outright either or both. RHP Jeff Stevens is another possible candidate to get dropped from the 40, and because he can't be a Rule 55 minor league FA if he is outrighted to the minors, either, the Cubs could wait to outright him until 11/20 also. (The fact that Gaub, Schlitter, and Stevens can't be free-agents if outrighted means the Cubs won't lose them if they can get them through Outright Waivers without being claimed). However, a player eligible to be Rule 55 minor league free-agent (such as Adduci, Berg, Diamond, Fuld, Hoffpauir, Mateo, and Snyder) cannot be outrighted to the minors any later than the 4th day following the conclusion of the World Series (but if they are outrighted prior to that date, they can still be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent anyway...), but the player can be non-tendered on 12/2 or released at any time, and the player can be outrighted without the right to be a FA (unless he has accrued at least three years of MLB Service Time and/or has been outrighted previously in his career) once he has signed a 2012 major contract (although contracts are not tendered until 12/2, and most auto-renewal players don't sign until just before Spring Training). BTW, Jeff Sarmardzija is not only out of minor league options, he also has "no trade" rights such that he must give his approval (in advance) before he can be placed on Outright Waivers. (That's because Outright Waivers are irrevocable, meaning the request cannot be withdrawn if the player is claimed). And he can't be outrighted without the Cubs first securing Outright Waivers. So if the Cubs want to drop Samardzija from the 40-man roster at any time prior to the end of the 2011 season (when the Cubs will be able to exercise their club option to opt out of the deal, at which point they could outright him to the minors without his permission), and Samardzija refuses to waive his NTC, the Cubs will have to either keep him on their 40-man roster (and 25-man roster) for the entire 2011 season, or release him and eat his $2.8M 2011 salary (which is very unlikely to happen).

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Anyone who thinks the Cubs should have kept McGehee and used him somewhere should be in favor of giving Smith a shot, since Smith had better numbers (e.g., .958 OPS versus .774) at Iowa at the same age. The Cubs will certainly want to take a close look in spring training at a guy who hit twelve HRs in August, to see if he's another Colvin.

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

ARam's 2009 130 OPS+ was in only 82 games, which depresses his VORP. As I am sure you know, while ARam played in more games in 2010 his OPS+ was significantly below his career numbers. Lastly he will be a year older in 2011. ARam appears to no longer be the kind of player you want to build a team around as he is likely to earn his pay check. I for one would rather spend the money somewhere else. If ARam can be moved I would jump at the chance.

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In reply to by Rob Richardson

Again, Putting Marquez Smith in for Ramirez is punting the 2011 season. Ramirez sucked the first 2 1/2 months of 2010. He was also red hot in July and August. If the Cubs are going with a youth movement next year, sure...if not....trading Ramirez, with a gaping hole at 1B and 2b?

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Sorry by hole I thought we were talking about possitions where the Cubs would have only average production or worse. While I am sure that a World Series winning team can get away without a star at each position, I am pretty sure that a world series team needs to have a star or two.

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Agreed Soriano and Fukudome are likely untradeable, but ARam just might be. As you pointed out he is the closest to a star that the Cubs have and his contract only has one more year. If you can get anything for ARam (even if it is just salary relief) do it. Especially since, IMO, who is playing 3B next season will have little impact on the Cubs odds of winning the series.

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In reply to by John Beasley

Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 10/27/2010 - 6:10am. Instead of Guzman, couldn't the Cubs release someone who they don't want back at all next year, like Koyie Hill? =================================================== JOHN B: Except the Cubs probably DO want Koyie Hill back next year, at least for Spring Training. I suspect the Cubs will non-tender K. Hill on 12/2, and then immediately re-sign him to a minor league contract in a pre-arranged deal for the same salary he got in 2010 ($700K) plus an NRI to ST, so that they can clear a roster slot for a free-agent. Then if K. Hill makes the Cubs 25-man roster out of Spring Training, he would get moved up to the 40-man roster prior to Opening Day and replace one of the guys who are out of options (Fuld, Hoffpauir, and Snyder will all be of options in 2011, and it's EXTREMELY unlikely that all three will make the Cubs Opening Day 25-man roster), or if K. Hill does not make the Cubs Opening Day 25-man roster, he would probably have the option to either go to AAA or request his release (as happened with Paul Bako a couple of years ago). If the Cubs non-tender Angel Guzman on 12/2 (or even if they release him before that), they will probably try and sign him to a 2011 minor league contract with a low base salary (maybe $150K, plus a major league split for $900K pro-rated if he gets added to the Cubs 40-man roster prior to the end of the season) and an NRI to ST (even if he can't pitch in games), and then send him to Fitch Park (Minor League Camp and EXST) where he can continue his rehab at his own pace, with the hope that maybe he will be able to pitch in the big leagues later in the 2011 season.

PHIL: Thanks for the updates. Jeff Gray, Justin Berg, Mitch Atkins, and John Gaub just stunk for the Big Club - All trade pieces that just never brought much value to the Cubs. 0-4 for Hendry here - except he gets a slight pass for Archer. Oh - let us not forget Mr. David Patton, for whom we held a roster spot and let go Casey McGhee.

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In reply to by The E-Man

Atkins was drafted by the Cubs in 2004, so not a trade piece. Gaub has never thrown a pitch in the majors, so didn't "stink for the Big Club." His strikeouts per nine innings in two years in the Cub organization are just shy of 12. Personally, I don't think the Cubs are inclined to let Gaub go.

This is awesome, AZPHIL: "Soto is a VERY good defensive SS (he reminds me of ex-Cubs minor league SS Carlos Rojas, who was Harry Houdini in the field but Helen Keller at the plate)." haha! I just caught this!

BTW, prior to this season players on the 60-day DL had to be reactivated and reinstated to the 40-man roster no later than the day after the end of the 15-day Free-Agency Filing Period or 11/20 (whichever came first). But with the elimination of the Free-Agency Filing Period (all players eligible to be MLB Article XX free-agents will now automatically become free-agents the day after the conclusion of the World Series, with clubs retaining exclusive negotiating rights with their own free-agents for five days), I don't know what the new deadline is for activating players from the 60-day DL. It could be the day after the conclusion of the World Series, or it could be the 4th day after the conclusion of the World Series (matching the deadline for adding/dropping Rule 55 minor league FA from the 40-man roster), or it could be the 6th day following the conclusion of the World Seies (the day after the end of the five-day "exclusive" negotiation period for Article XX FA), or it could be 11/20. The bottom line is, players on the 60-day DL must be reactivated and reinstated to the 40-man roster absolutely no later than the 11/20 roster-filing deadline. A player cannot be carried on the 60-day DL during the off-season, and a player cannot be placed on the 60-day DL any earlier than the start of the waiver period that commences on February 16th (and then the player would have to be immediately replaced on the 40-man roster with another player). And a player cannot be placed on the 15-day DL any earlier than nine days prior to MLB Opening Day.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

another day...another bobby v. to manage brews statement shot down hard... "Bobby Valentine told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he hasn't had any contract talks with the the Brewers." "Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Brewers have not reached an agreement with Bobby Valentine as manager." something must be going down...this is the 2nd false alarm in the last 72 hours.

Woody: DECLINED! Kerry's $11MM option turned down by the Yankees. Is Hendry contacting his agent?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I don't know about that. His command has pretty much deserted him since he left the Cubs, and based on what I saw in the playoffs his fastball wasn't that great either. I could pretty easily see him coming back to the Cubs, for $3 million with some incentives and an option year based on innings. The Cubs could certainly use a mature bullpen presence and after the Sandberg debacle, I bet ownership wouldn't mind pushing Hendry in that direction. I don't know what kind of shape he feels his arm is in, but he may be thinking it's time to try starting again.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

He had two very good months with NY: 26IP, 31K, 0.69ERA, 14H, 18BB. On the other hand, he was not very good for Cleveland. I didn't think he pitched that poorly in the playoffs. The fastball wasn't outstanding, but they had him at 93 against Texas. I agree that if the money is right, I could see him back in Chicago. I'd be surprised if he was a starter ever again.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

thought he was throwing Mariano's cutter now which would explain the loss in velocity. Fangraphs shows similar overall velocities the last 3 years, but a drop with the Yankees, although a large increase in usage of his cutter. Pitch f/x caveats and all... bring him, Ryno, Zimmer and DeRosa back and Cubs fans will have all the white guys they need to be likeable again.

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In reply to by Rob G.

Fangraphs shows a drop in his fastball of a MPH and his slider, which was probably his best pitch in '08 being scrapped, unless I am misreading it. Looks like was throwing the slider too hard with the Injuns... are you allowed to say Injuns or does that send the casino owners in a tizzy?

Cubs #1 position-player prospect Brett Jackson grounded a single to CF to drive-in the tying & go ahead runs in the bottom of the 7th, ex-Cub Josh Harrison (sent to PIT in the Grabow/Gorz deal in 2009) had two doubles and a single, and three Cubs pitchers (David Cales, Chris Carpenter, and Kyle Smit) threw 4.1 IP of two-hit shutout relief, as the Mesa Solar Sox overcame an early 6-0 deficit to rally and edge the Scottsdale Scorpions 7-6 this afternoon in Arizona Fall League action at HoHoKam Park in Mesa. 18-yr old 2010 overall #1 draft pick Bryce Harper (Washingtion Nationals) looked overmatched at the plate, but he made an outstanding throw from RF to nail a Mesa runner at the plate.

Cliff Lee's agent hoping Yankee brass is ignoring tonites game like the rest of America.

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In reply to by Jumbo

Note: Though it's on John Sickels' site, the posting is by toonsterwu under the FanPosts category. That's not to denigrate it -- it's just that I thought it was a Sickels post until I got down to the comments section and saw some of the back-and-forth there. Typical of toonsterwu, he gives quite a bit a good detail and explains his reasons fully. A definite good read and well worth the time.

Well, if you can think of a way to get rid of Soriano's contract...or Fukudome's? --- Speaking of punting the World Series, don't the Giants have a black hole in their payroll matching the Cubs (Zito and Rowand)? Somehow that didn't derail their 2010 season. Of course having post-season superhuman efforts out of Uribe and Cody Ross didn't hurt and we dont have anything to match Posey, plus Lincecum and Cain. Zito: started for 2007 season, 7/$126 Soriano: started for 2007 season, 8/$136 Rowand: started for 2008 season, 5/$60 Fukudome: started for 2008 season, 4/$48

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In reply to by Rob Richardson

Submitted by Rob Richardson on Thu, 10/28/2010 - 3:03pm. It helps when the Yankees and Red Sox aren't in your division. ===================================== BOB R: I think the MLBPA will be pushing hard in the next CBA for an additional Wild Card team added to each league (so that there will be two Wild Card teams in each league), with a one-game play-in the day after the end of the regular season between the two Wild Card teams in each league at the home parks of the Wild Card teams with the best records, and then the Wild Card winner from each league would advance to play the team in each league with best regular season record. MLBPA wanted this in the last CBA, but owners successfully got it tabled. I don't think it will be tabled this time. Besides getting two more teams into the post-season, this will also make it possible for three teams from the same division (like for instance the Yankees, Red Sox, and a third team from the A. L. East) to get into the post-season. As bad as adding another wild card team from each league into the post-season (albeit just a one-game play-in) might sound, the alternative proposed by several of the small market/lower revenue clubs is a realignment based on putting all of the large-market/higher-revenue teams into the same divisions, and then playing something of a balanced schedule so that the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, et al don't play more games against each other even though they would be in the same divisions. I'll take the MLBPA idea to add one additional Wild Card team in each league and a one-game play-in over that one.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

what I've read(which of course I can't find now) indicates that the players absolutely abhor the idea of any type of 1-game play-in and would much prefer a 7-game first round. although they are open to more playoff teams as well (sure, why not? more money) they may be willing to compromise and add a WC team and a 1-game or possibly 3-game set if they get a 7-game LDS though. best thing is go back to 154 game schedule, add an extra WC team, the 2 WC's play a 3 or 5-game set and then 7-game sets the rest of the way. That would bring back the importance of winning the division as well. no, I wouldn't like it, but if they're going to expand the playoffs anyway, that would be my preference.

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In reply to by Rob Richardson

'prolly so although I have no idea why 4 less home games for teams not in it would really be such a stumbling block. No one goes to their games anyway and I'm sure the much higher playoff and TV revenues could be spread out to make up for any losses. I do know that one less week of the Cubs this year would have been good for all of us.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

me neither, but considering the no-shows and cost to staff the park, I can't imagine a lot of teams are making a whole lot of money those last 4 games of Sept/Oct and if they add an extra WC with less games, odds are a few more teams would be in contention that last week anyway to raise gate receipts. I doubt it would impact their local TV revenues much either, and if you share the wealth of the increased playoff revenue package, it would hopefully offset most of that and make for a better product.

"The New York Yankees and manager Joe Girardi have reached agreement on a three-year, $9 million contract with incentives that could add another $500,000 for winning the World Series, according to two sources familiar with the negotiations." [ ] "Joe told Cashman back in August that he had no interest in the Cubs job," the source said. "He had too many good things going in New York to be interested in that." http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5737221

That was pretty much a given to the reality based baseball community. All the talk of how Girardi was at the top of the Cubs so called managers to be, was a crock. The Cubs manager spot is not one of the most coveted in baseball. Its probably the exact opposite. Your gonna lose a lot and people are going to question your ability to manage. Girardi can put up with that while winning in New York. No fool in his right mind would leave that to take the Cubs job where you will get shit on just as much by the press and the fans and lose.

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In reply to by MikeC

i doubt leaving a place where the fans liked him and he gets a 1/4 billion dollar payroll was something he strongly considered even if it could make him an extra 500K-1m a year. plus he doesn't even have to deal with NL lineups where pitcher-hitting strategies are in play.

official Elias rankings out...dunn a type A rather than a type B someone's reverse engineered list had. dlee/t.lilly(signed) type A, too.

Before we know it, this could be like the NHL --- I think it will be fantastic when Edmonton gets an expansion mlb franchise followed by Ottawa...and then Montreal, oh wait, they tried that.

Interesting article on bloated MLB contracts written from the Mets perspective: http://proxy.espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/11484/toxicology-… The interesting Cubs angle: Apparently they talked to Paul Sullivan to get the Cubs' side of the story, who named Fukudome and Silva. He also mentioned Zambrano, if only to say he won't waive his no-trade clause. But not a word about Soriano. One might say it's because Soriano has the no-trade clause - but then why mention Zambrano? Does Sullivan really not consider Soriano to have a bloated contract?

[ ]

In reply to by dcf

Which isn't too far out of line if his production matches what he did this year (worth $8.6 million in Fangraphs whacky valuation model). The only guys that you'd really think have no chance of "paying" for themselves next year are Fukudome (worth $5.8 million) and Soriano ($11.7 million), but the Cubs payroll still feels bloated.

Chirinos on 40-man, Adduci out.

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In reply to by Rob G.

And so James Adduci is eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league FA (AKA 6YFA) if he does not sign a 2011 minor league contract with the Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 10/29/2010 - 7:00pm. busted for pot is one thing...have almost 9lbs. of it in a suitcase is another. seems the girl he was with is taking the charge for it, though. yow. ============================== CRUNCH: Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, I strongly suspect there will be an opening for Cubs Bullpen Catcher #2 in 2011. Interested?

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Az Phil-- I met a young man in Houston who had a Tovar jersey on and yelled at Tovar and was super excited to get Tovar's autograph after bp. When I kinda gave him a funny look, he says "Dude! Bullpen catcher is like the coolest job ever! League minimum and you just play catch all day!!!" I've been a huge fan of bullpen catcher ever since; I think that young man had a great point..... ...but he was probably high. =(

[ ]

In reply to by Tony S.

TONY: Somebody told me a while back how much the Cubs BP catchers make, and I'm thinking it was something like $100 per game. Of course they also get to wear a Cubs uniform (and get asked for autographs), they stay in the team hotel on the road (sharing a room with the other BP catcher), and they get something like $25 per day meal money on the road. (Actually I'm a bit surprised that the Cubs bullpen catchers don't have to pay the Cubs for the privilege, like the lucky fan who wins that Menard's Grounds Crew for a Day thing). So ideally you would be single and with another source of income (or a wife or girlfriend who makes good money), and (most importantly) do NOT speed through Nebraska. Sounds like Miller forgot about the latter.

I strongly suspect there will be an opening for Cubs Bullpen Catcher #2 in 2011. Interested? --- Koyie Hill meet your 2011 job description, at least they will look like they are throwing 5 mph harder when pitchers warm up in the bullpen.

John DeWan posted ten scary stats for Halloween, for 2010, no Cubs made the list...#1 makes DP DLee look like an amateur. http://actasports.com/sows.php #1) The Royals' Billy Butler grounded into 32 double plays. No one has hit into more in the past twenty-five years (Jim Rice, 35 in 1985)

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In reply to by Rob G.

yes, dusty is always doing horrible things no other manager ever does. neifi led off 30-40 times over 1 full season and parts of 2 others, but i think history shows it's 130-240 games. speaking of...i know e.andrus (TEX) is fast, but ugg...what a step backwards for him. and i still don't want dewitt leading off.

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In reply to by crunch

and going off on a tangent...i wouldn't be shocked to see a 2011 lineup featuring soriano/fuku taking turns leading off according to matchups. as it is the team doesn't have a leadoff hitter that fits anyone's conventional definition too well and i could totally see the organization/quade doing this. hell, as it is there's no one worth a damn to lead off vs. lefties except a guy like soto who you probably wouldn't want leading off anyway. byrd, though he makes some nice plays in CF, isn't really as fast as it seems he would be. castro seems to be locked into the contact-hitting #2 slot vs. either LH/RH pitching.

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In reply to by crunch

For shits and giggles, using lineup projector at Baseball Musings and career splits, plus assuming (why not) Dunn at 1B: vs. RHP: Fukudome, Dunn, Castro, Ramirez, Soto, Soriano, Byrd, pitcher, DeWitt vs. LHP: Soto, Baker, Dunn, Ramirez, Castro, Soriano, Byrd, pitcher, Fukudome But my guess is that Quade prefers to be employed.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

What's the nice way to say "because other people do the same stupid thing, it justifies me doing something stupid" is stupid? I can just imagine crunch and Dusty spending all those years gnashing their teeth as Wade Boggs batted leadoff for those crappy Boston teams.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/30/2010 - 1:24pm. i just hope dewitt isn't our leadoff hitter next year. he doesn't hit for contact well enough, he doesn't have the speed, and he sure can't go 1st to 3rd or 2nd to home reliably enough on deep hits. =========================================== CRUNCH: There has been mention in recent years about adding plate discipline/patience/pitch recogntion as a 6th tool for position players, but there should also be a 7th tool -- baserunning. Not base stealing, but base running. That is, a player's ability to consistently score from 1st base on a double, to score from 2nd base or advance from 1st to 3rd on a single to the outfield, to advance an extra base on a play at another base, and to advance a base on an out with less than two outs, and NOT make stupid decisions like making the 1st or 3rd out of an inning at 3rd base, or oversliding, or just generally stupidly running into an out. Good (savvy) baserunning does not necessarily correlate directly to speed, because there are plenty of fast guys who are brain dead when they run the bases, but teams with slow runners tend to play more station-to-station baseball and risk leaving more men on base as a result. Good (savvy) baserunners also put more pressure on the defense to make perfect throws.

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In reply to by Arizona Phil

Az Phil-- While I agree entirely with what you say, isn't it imperative on the organization at all levels to teach/instill this sort of thing?? I've thought the Cubs have sucked at these exact things for a long time, but I blamed the organization for not stressing it as opposed to the players for not having those 'tools'. While I understand telling the players to 'run faster' or 'throw harder' is a moot point, as those are tools, I would think 'don't be an idiot on the bases' or specifics like 'don't make the third out at 3B' being taught/reinforced might actually make a difference, and then baserunning would inherently be a 'skill' (which could be learned) vs. a 'tool' (which cannot).

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In reply to by Tony S.

Teaching instinct tools is grey area. It can be 1 speech or years before anything, if anything, happens. One can also overcome the lack of tools and use research to find handicaps in pitchers/fielders. Ryan Klesko stole a bunch of bases over a couple of years with SD without speed or traditional skills by doing a lot of homework on pitchers and knowing what the guys behind the plate can do. He gave up this "work/research" after a few years citing how hard it is vs. return and the fact he was happy he was able to prove his worth as an everyday player after ATL determined they didn't want him as a 1st base starter anymore. C.Patterson had all the speed in the world, but he was so mentally blocked/confused early on in his career about running it was almost embarrassing to watch him on 1st trying to decide if he was going to run or not. IMO...speed and reacting to a situation where speed is useful is a mixture of tool and skill when you put it all into action.

Az Phil, have you heard any mention of who will be sent to the Dominican Parallel Lge this winter? Thanks as always.

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In reply to by Hagsag

Submitted by Hagsag on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 5:26am. Az Phil, have you heard any mention of who will be sent to the Dominican Parallel Lge this winter? Thanks as always. ============================================== HAGSAG: No I have not. BTW, the Cubs thought Alberto Cabrera was going to pitch in the DWL this off-season, but Latin American players who throw at least 130 IP in MLB and/or minor leagues during the season are not permitted to pitch in a Latin American winter league, and Cabrera threw 136.0 IP combined at Daytona and Tennessee in 2010.

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).