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 Rally for Two in 8th to Claim Victory

Danny Lockhart drilled an RBI single to right to drive-in Dustin Geiger from 3rd base with the tying run, and Shawon Dunston, Jr scored the go-ahead run (the eventually winning run) on an errant pickoff attempt at 3rd base, as the Cubs rallied for two in the 8th to edge the Angels 4-3 in AZ Instructional League action this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

The Angels took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning when catcher Carlos Ramirez took Cubs starting pitcher Jose Arias deep for a two-run HR over the LF fence.

The Cubs tied it up in the bottom of the 6th, as Dan Vogelbach tripled off the top of the right-centerfield fence just to the right of the “Green Monster” (Batter’s Eye) with one out, Reggie Golden followed with an RBI double off the LF fence, and Dustin Geiger knocked-in Golden with an RBI single to CF.

Watching Vogelbach hustle around the bases for his triple brought to mind a man running for a bus that was pulling away from the stop. The only thing that would have added to the picture would have been if Vogelbach had been carrying a briefcase and an umbrella. But for a big man, Vogelbach runs pretty well.

The Angels took back the lead in the top of the 7th on a two-out RBI double by Abel Baker, before the Cubs plated the game-tying and game-winning runs in bottom of the 8th.

Two more Cubs pitchers headed for the Arizona Fall League got a tune-up in today’s game, as Marcus Hatley and Chris Carpenter each threw an inning. Both pitchers will be working out of the Mesa Solar Sox bullpen. (The AFL begins play next Tuesday).

Long & lanky 6’3 LHP Christopher Pieters made his pro debut in today’s game, throwing a 1-2-3 11-pitch 5th inning (4-3, F-8, F-8). Pieters is all arms & legs, and has a similar pitching style as that of Cubs Dominican LHP Willengton Cruz.

A native of Curacao, Pieters signed with the Cubs this past summer as a 16-year old during the International Signing Period for a reported $350K bonus. He turned 17 last week.

As has been the case for much of Instructs, the three umpires working the game were “wired” and in communication with an umpire instructor sitting in the Observation Tower behind home plate. The instructor can provide the young arbiters with real-time teaching moments as may be necessary during the course of the game, although the umpires and the instructor also occasionally meet face-to-face between innings to discuss matters of importance.

In Cubs Instructs roster news, 17-year old catcher Alberto Mineo has returned home to Italy. This was planned in advance and had nothing to do with anything that transpired at Instructs (and in fact Mineo has been very impressive). He will return to Fitch Park next Spring and will attend Extended Spring Training April-June before likely being assigned to the AZL Cubs.

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Rubi Silva, RF: 0-3 (K, 4-6 FC, F-8)
2. Javier Baez, SS: 1-3 (K, 1B, K, PO)
3. Rafael Lopez, DH #1: 0-3 (3-1, 4-3, K)
4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 3B, K, R)
5. Reggie Golden, DH #2: 1-3 (6-4-3 DP, 2B, K, R, RBI)
6. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 1-2 (K, 1B, HBP, R, RBI, SB)
7. Shawon Dunston, Jr, CF: 1-3 (6-3, P-3, 1B, R)
8. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 1-3 (1-3, K, 1B, RBI)
9a. Yaniel Cabezas, C: 1-2 (6-3, 1B)
9b. Justin Marra, C: 0-1 (F-8)
10. Garrett Schlecht, LF: 0-2 (K, BB, K)

PITCHERS:
1. Jose Arias: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 38 pitches (22 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
2. Marcus Hatley: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 15 pitches (9 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
3. Chris Carpenter: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 21 pitches (16 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
4. Christopher Pieters: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 11 pitches (6 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
5. Tarlandus Mitchell: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 7 pitches (6 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
6. Amaury Paulino: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 6 pitches (4 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
7. Luis Liria: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 8 pitches (5 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
8. Andrew McKirahan: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 11 pitches (7 strikes), 0/3 GO/FO

ERRORS: NONE

OUTFIELD ASSIST
CF Shawon Dunston, Jr - runner thrown out 8-6-5 trying to stretch double into triple

ATTENDANCE: 34 (including cubs.com beat writer Carrie Muskat)

WEATHER: Partly cloudy & breezy with temperatures in the 90’s

Comments

Watching Vogelbach hustle around the bases for his triple brought to mind a man running for a bus that was pulling away from the stop. The only thing that would have added to the picture would have been if Vogelbach had been carrying a briefcase and an umbrella. But for a big man, Vogelbach runs pretty well. --- Az Phil: The imagery is awesome! Great work as usual. What are your thoughts on Andrew McKirahan? Pretty interesting that the last 5 pitchers had such low pitch count innings (11, 7, 6, 8, 11). Seems unusual the Cub pitchers.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 4:09pm. What are your thoughts on Andrew McKirahan? Pretty interesting that the last 5 pitchers had such low pitch count innings (11, 7, 6, 8, 11). Seems unusual the Cub pitchers ============================= CUBSTER: I would say Andrew McKirahan is the Cubs #1 lefty reliever below AA. He should start the 2012 season at Daytona. McKirahan isn't on a par with Gaub, Maine, or Beliveau, and might not ever be, but he has some definite upside. One thing the Cubs do at Instructs is teach pitchers the importance of throwing strikes, especially strike one. For Wild Things like Luis Liria and Tarlandus Mitchell, this concept is hard to grasp, because they think they have to nibble to get good results. A couple of years ago the Cubs brought Chris Archer to Instructs specifically to work on throwing strikes, and while he got hit fairly hard while learning to do that, he also learned what he needed to learn to become the Cubs #1 pitching prospect and the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year the very next season.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

scouts tell the GM what the hell he's looking at. you think a .480 average with 10 hr means anything on a piece of paper when you're handicapping AAAA highschool baseball in central Alabama? you think the GM even travels to see 1/2 of these guys? ...or a 1/4...or 1/10...or 1/25? most of the time it's even less that that. some GMs don't even see the 1st rounder they're going to pick. what use is a guy who hits .400 in college if 1/2 his hits come off the thin (inside/hands) of the bat being helped by the fact it's aluminum, not wood? (answer, not much when you put a real bat in his hand and see it getting sawed off). that's a gem you just busted out, there. beane needs his scouts, likes his scouts, and uses his scouts to make decisions...unlike what some pieces of fiction would have others believe. that stupid book has melted the minds of otherwise normal-minded baseball fans who think they have to pick a side in a war that a non-baseball fan writer invented.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

quit arguing with a retard. you stupid? if you think i'm getting into something already explained and makes sense to everyone but you...again...AGAIN...well... at what point does it sink in that this happens with many people, many times a month? it's not just me, ya know. people are just calling it out more lately after a while off. when you had MikeC to argue with it kept you distracted. some nights you jump on and it's a slew of comments to different people, all combative, and most of them looking for some kind of pissing match. if you didn't insist on always being right it might not irk some. people are allowed to have opinions and be wrong and be corrected and correct others who are wrong and be right and etc etc...but you, sometimes...damn. if you think there was nothing said discounting scouts in "that book"...and if you think it wasn't dramatically fictionalized in order to make beane look revolutionary for dramatic effect (setting up an old guard vs. new guard conflict...aka, one of the central themes of the book's drama) then who was reading what? nevermind the fact you think scouting skills are akin to being a weekend-course graduate bounty hunter...i dunno how to break you of that without sitting you down in a crew of them watching them trade notes and talk.

hipster douches behind home plate in freshly bought PHI gear blocking people behind them holding up a "pujols are stinky" sign. yes, we see you and your shiny new "we got tickets to the game" hats and shirts...now put down your little signs and quit blocking the baseball fans behind you. thank god they only know 1 baseball "joke."

guess the religion site...Theo Epstein (scores a 12) Hank Greenberg (13), Sam Fuld (9), Ryan Braun (10), Bruce Springsteen (6), Rex Grossman (6), Stephen Strasburg (5), Sandy Koufax (14), Kevin Youkilis (11), JJ Putz (4) and some fun others by categories you can search for. Albert Einstein and Mel Blanc (15, high score tie with several others). Pretty obvious who scored a zero...Mel Gibson too. http://www.jewornotjew.com/search.jsp?SEARCH=theo+epstein

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Just looking over the Marlins SP staff, with Josh Johnson on the DL they had real problems filling the #5 spot in the rotation. Used seven or eight pitchers there. So, if Johnson comes back successfully and they resign Vazquez the only spot for Z is the #4 or #5. The Marlins #4 this year was Chris Volsted and he put up numbers (1.42 WHIP, 4.89 ERA) remarkably similar to Z's in 2011 but he only cost them $445,000. So, yeah, maybe it would take "all of it" to move Z to Florida.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Why should Zambrano waive his "no trade" knowing that the Cubs will almost certainly release him (eating the $18M and thereby allowing Z to make his own deal) if they can't trade him? If he does get released, Zambrano will still get his $18M for 2012, and the Cubs would have to pay all of it minus the MLB minimum which Z's new team would have to pay (presuming Zambrano opts to even play next season). And if the Cubs release him and he does choose to play in 2012, by being a free-agent, Zambrano would be able to shop for the best deal for him (not the best deal for the Cubs), like maybe his new team gets him for the MLB minimum in 2012 (with the Cubs paying the balance of the $18M) PLUS an extention beyond 2012, maybe with a player option. When he was asked about Zambrano's future a few weeks ago, Ricketts should have said that the Cubs were looking forward to Zambrano returning in 2012 with a new attitude (not that he would have actually meant that), and that the Cubs were expecting Zambrano to be a really good middle-reliever and that they aren't going to let him hit anymore (which is what Zambrano REALLY likes to do) because it is just too dangerous to take a chance of injury with such a valuable middle reliever, just so Zambrano would not be so sure that he would get his release if he refuses a trade. And then he would also know that if he refuses a trade and does play in 2012, it will only be with the Cubs, and he will be absolutely miserable. And so then he would be more inclined to accept a trade, or he might even just retire (maybe with a "golden parachute" cash settlement that would at least save the Cubs a few million). This isn't like the Milton Bradley or Todd Hundley situations in years past, because Bradley and Hundley did not have NTCs. Again, knowing what Ricketts said, why should Zambrano OK a trade (even one highly-favorable to the Cubs) when he will almost certainly get released if he doesn't?

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

what they need to do is find someone really fucking good to go with Garza. Dempster, Wells, Cashner as your 3,4 and 5 look a lot better than your 2-4. They'll also have to find some depth unless everyone likes Jay Jackson, Rusin, Struck and Coleman. And since I believe all those guys have options, make them earn it. Actually make Cashner and Wells earn it too. Also fix the defense, they'll all look a lot better if they can fix the defense. unfortunately the only guy that fits that bill is Shields that might be available. Might as well give the rest of the farm system to the Rays. I don't mind CJ wilson, they could use a lefty, but don't put him under "really fucking great" category and seems he'll be too expensive and I believe he put up his best numbers vs. Mariners, A's and Angels this year. Maybe King Felix will be available in a trade, but I can't think of any other ace types that might become available.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

If we're going to go for a real good TOR partner for Garza, then let the wish list begin: 1. A GM who can do what Epstein, Friedman, and Gillick have done. 2. An ace SP to go with Garza 3. Fielder at 1B for the next 5-6 years. 4. A second-baseman or third baseman who could produce a .825-.850 OPS 5. A LF or RF who can produce a .850 OPS (RH or LH, don't care) 6. A roster without Koyie Hill, Blake DeWitt, and Jeff Baker and/or a manager who views them as injury replacement starters over minor league prospects. 7. A manager who creates a real culture of accountability, professionalism, and performance-based lineups. 8. A player development staff that takes draft picks and minor league free agents and makes them BETTER. Pitchers who have at least 3/1 K/BB ratios, throw 65% first pitch strikes, throw 65% strikes, and WHIP's under 1.30; Position players who can play at least one position major-league average, produce an .800 OPS unless you're a middle infielder, utility player. I could probably go on, but that's my short list.

AZPhil -- I'll be in the Phoenix area next Friday and Saturday (10/7+8). I found a schedule for the Arizona Fall league which shows the Mesa Solar Sox playing at home on Saturday at 9:35pm Eastern time (I presume at Fitch Park?) but I can't find any schedule for the Cubs Instructional league game on Friday and Saturday. Do you know when and where they are playing on those two days? Thanks!

[ ]

In reply to by JoePepitone

Submitted by JoePepitone on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:38am. AZPhil -- I'll be in the Phoenix area next Friday and Saturday (10/7+8). I found a schedule for the Arizona Fall league which shows the Mesa Solar Sox playing at home on Saturday at 9:35pm Eastern time (I presume at Fitch Park?) but I can't find any schedule for the Cubs Instructional league game on Friday and Saturday. Do you know when and where they are playing on those two days? Thanks! ============================ JOE P: FRIDAY 10/7: ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE 12:30 PM (local) Mesa Solar Sox (CHC, CHW, BAL, MIN, PIT) at Salt River Rafters (AZ, COL, DET, HOU, LAD) Played at the Main Stadium at SALT RIVER FIELDS AT TALKING STICK Pima Road between Indian Bend Road & Via de Ventura Adjacent to Loop 101 Pima Freeway FRIDAY 10/7: AZ INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE 12:30 PM (local) Cubs at Mariners Played at PEORIA SPORTS COMPLEX (83rd Avenue & Bell) Mariners side (minor league field) ==================================== SATURDAY 10/8: AZ INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE 10:00 AM (local) Angels at Cubs Played at FITCH PARK (6th Place & Center Street in Meaa) CUBS MINOR LEAGUE COMPLEX SATURDAY 10/8 ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: 6:30 PM (local) Salt River Rafters at Mesa Solar Sox Played at HoHoKAM PARK (Center Street north of Brown Road in Mesa) CUBS SPRING TRAINING STADIUM Be advised that AZ INTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE game times & locations are subject to change without advance notice.

[ ]

In reply to by JoePepitone

JOE P: You will need this... Here is the updated (as of 10/1) numerical roster for the AZIL CUBS (players): 2 Yaniel Cabezas, C 3 Javier Baez, SS 4 Rafael Lopez, C 5 Danny Lockhart, INF 7 Micah Gibbs, C 8 Trey Martin, OF 9 Neftali Rosario, C 11 Carlos Penalver, INF 12 Luis Acosta, INF 13 Eliecer Bonne, OF 15 Rubi Silva, 2B-OF 16 Mark Malave, C 20 Shawon Dunston, Jr, OF 21 Taiwan Easterling, OF 22 Dan Vogelbach, 1B 25 Dustin Geiger, 3B-1B 27 Garrett Schlecht, OF 28 Reggie Golden, OF 29 Rock Shoulders, 1B 30 Dillon Maples, RHP 32 Zeke DeVoss, 2B-OF 33 Zac Rosscup, LHP 34 Ian Dickson, RHP 35 Michael Jensen, RHP 36 Tarlandus Mitchell, RHP 37 Kyler Burke, LHP 39 Tony Zych, RHP 40 Dustin Fitzgerald, RHP 41 Justin Marra, C 47 Andrew McKirahan, LHP 48 Charles Thomas, RHP 49 Scott Weismann, RHP 50 Luis Liria, RHP 51 Christopher Pieters, LHP 52 Jose Rosario, RHP 54 Austin Reed, RHP 55 Starling Peralta, RHP 56 Amaury Paulino, RHP 57 Tayler Scott, RHP 58 Larry Suarez, RHP 59 David Henrie, RHP 60 Felix Pena, RHP 61 Jeimer Candelario, 3B-1B 62 Jeffrey Baez, OF 63 Frank Del Valle, LHP 64 Jose Arias, RHP 65 Matt Spencer, LHP 67 Alexander Santana, RHP The instructors wear numbers that duplicate the players numbers in most cases (like game manager Mark Johnson is #8), but the instructors have names on the backs of their jerseys, while the players do not.

Arizona Phil can you help please. Can you please define MLB rules regarding tampering? Does the way the Florida Marlins went about getting Ozzie violate those rules. Follow up question; If the story about Ozzie speaking with Zambrano is true how does that not constitute tampering. Also I follow Rock Shoulders twitter account he is on a plane now to Chicago, surgery on his knee is Tuesday. Give him a shout out on twitter he's very approachable.

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In reply to by Cliffy

CLIFFY: An MLB club cannot speak to a player, manager, coach, GM, etc (or anyone representing them or a third party who is in contact with them) about present or future employment while that individual is under contract with another MLB club, unless the club receives permission from the individual's present club. Clubs are also not permitted to talk publically about signing a player or hiring a manager, GM, etc if the individual is under contract with another MLB club. Sometimes news leaks out through the media and tampering charges are thrown around, but they are hard to prove.

SI's Peter King takes a break from football to point out that Theo Epstein has spent a ton of money on free agents since 2005 with little to no success: "...Theo Epstein, whose major free-agent signings since 2005 are Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, J.D. Drew, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks. You can look it up: Since 2005, Epstein has signed those nine players to contracts totaling $462 million, with an additional $51.1 million paid to a Japanese team to acquire Matsuzaka. Of that $513 million spent, and those nine players, only Scutaro has been worth every dime of his contract -- and his deal was only for two years and $12.5 million." Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/10/02/week.4/i…

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I bet they wish someone would absorb Jenks' back end. What Theo hasn't done, yet, is crippled the team's financial flexibility with long term deals that went busto, though he has some potential to do that with Crawford, Gonzalez and Lackey. If you're going miss on FA contracts, at least have the good sense to devlop multiple MVP and Cy Young candidates like the Red Sox have done. Maybe that has just been luck, and it's all a sham like it was in Oakland. I don't know if it is the case, but I suspect that Epstein and gang have some sort of long term plan. That's what really bugged me about the previous Cubs regime. It's like they didn't realize next year was going to happen, ya know, like next year. If things don't work out to plan, recognize the sunk costs (Soriano and Zambrano etc) and react accordingly. Don't blow all your resources in 4 for 1 trades and Carlos Pena signings trying to save money that is already down the drain.

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In reply to by Rob G.

and this #Cubs Ricketts enamored with #RedSox, MLB exec tells me. If not Theo for GM, don't underestimate Sox aassis GM Ben Cherington for Cubs. so I presume what happened is Red Sox didn't make playoffs, Ricketts called up to start asking permission to do interviews, then people started making up shit since then.

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In reply to by The E-Man

not sure my wife knows about it yet, she checked out after they were eliminated. As the article says, they usually promote from within, I doubt they'd be going for the same types as the Cubs, if for no reason other than Scioscia isn't going anywhere and no one is complaining about their drafts. They seem to have a organizational philosophy that I doubt they're going to venture far from. I read a few bits after Reagin quit that people say he was overmatched...not sure of the specifics behind that criticism, but that Wells deal looked as bad as Hendry signing Bradley at the time. In terms of how vocal everyone was from the beginning that this is a bad idea.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

that alone should tell you scouts have different tools/abilities and aren't the same. you're too busy playing pick-a-side, though. it's not a war, no matter what michael lewis made you believe. he's a book author. there is/was no war. leave the battlefield. come home. also, some of that texas praise in an above post belongs to "moneyball-maligned" ron hopkins (a very nice and smart/respected guy in the game, not an old/confused guy who's got strong opinions on fat catchers). the O's are currently rebuilding their scouting department with him as a part of it (crosschecking again)... they brought in some new scouts in the effort including larry chase (former mets scout) who could probably be a scouting director, himself, if he wanted to work full time. they have some serious talent (along with j.stockstill on player dev) assisting the scouting director. it's a kinda super-crew...be interesting to see what they develop over the next many years. it isn't the GM vs. the world...it's not the GM calling all the shots. if beane had a group of scouts he didn't trust or listen to he'd be the damn idiot...but that was just book drama (lol, fat catchers and ugly girlfriends).

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).