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

Winter Meetings 2011 Day 3

The same deal as yesterday, keep the rumors flowing and check the twitter box on the right.

The news from the Cubs is that Carlos Pena has declined arbitration, although Levine indicates he may return on a free agent deal. If he signs elsewhere, the Cubs will get a compensation pick between the first and second rounds of the draft. Aramis hasn't formally declined, but obviously very unlikely he would accept since he declined the Cubs $16M option already, unless he misread the market and a multi-year deal isn't really out there, but that seems unlikely. My guess is he goes to the Brewers.

- Talks continue on Ian Stewart with names like Blake DeWitt, Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu being mentioned.

- Albert Pujols had 10-year offers from the Marlins and Cardinals and it appears he's headed back to the Cardinals. The Cubs were in the mix somehow, but don't appear to be a real threat to land him. Marlins may move on to Fielder or focus their dollars on pitching.

Comments

Ian Stewart...blah. He made $2.2 mill last year.... Do we really want the Cubs to pay upwards of that for .236/.323/.428? It doesn't seem like he's an amazing defender looking at the stats... Ugh.

Ian Stewart is a career .229/.309/.427 hitter in 727 plate appearances away from Coors with a strikeout every 2.8 at-bats. TweetDeck • 12/7/11 1:46 PM Retweeted by Jason1Goff

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I never said anything until some recent flareup about being repetitive, and when it came to me I went with it. Being perfectly honest, when I read the first half of the post my mind started filling in the rest - when it wasn't there, I had to type it. No offense intended. I appreciate the layolty of commenters like you and TRN who keep the site full of stuff to read.

Rosenthal said the Cubs were in on the Pujols talks but the extent of their involvement wasn't clear. ---- Pujols using the clear? Looks like StL gets to overpay. ---- JKraznick tweet... Agent Dan Lozano has called the Marlins and told them they are out on Pujols, says source

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

When some here were moaning about potentially losing some Cubs prospcts that were not added to the 40-man, I had intimated that with Hoyer and Epstein at the helm, they for sure would know about talent from both their former teams at minimum. I will continue my staying out on the limb that they will be able to pick up talent equal or better than they potentially could lose.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

My hypothesis is that they might be counting on Flaherty's usual long adjustment period to each level to prevent him from sticking on the 25 man roster of any team that isn't just willing to stash him for a full season--they may even be hoping that a first taste of the majors via the Rule V will help to prepare him for a second visit to the majors without dulling his shine for his hometown or costing the team any wins in 2012. But, even if that's the case, if they are willing to risk him they must not value him terribly highly right now.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Wed, 12/07/2011 - 8:02pm — Charlie Re: Winter Meetings 2011 Day 3 My hypothesis is that they might be counting on Flaherty's usual long adjustment period to each level to prevent him from sticking on the 25 man roster of any team that isn't just willing to stash him for a full season--they may even be hoping that a first taste of the majors via the Rule V will help to prepare him for a second visit to the majors without dulling his shine for his hometown or costing the team any wins in 2012. But, even if that's the case, if they are willing to risk him they must not value him terribly highly right now. ================================== CHARLIE: Not protecting Rule 5 eligibles like Ryan Flaherty, Marwin Gonzalez, and Dae-Eun Rhee would maybe make sense if it wasn't that the Cubs have FIVE slots open on their 40-man roster, with another one or two slots likely to open up next Monday when Koyie Hill and (possibly) Marcos Mateo and/or Blake DeWitt are non-tendered. I understand that when a new baseball operations/management team is hired it is typical for the new guys to undervalue the new team's farm system and overvalue the former team's players, but to risk losing Flaherty, M. Gonzalez, and Rhee (plus perhaps Jay Jackson and Ryan Searle, too) in the Rule 5 Draft when a number of roster slots are available is just piss-poor roster management. "We’re looking for assets. We’re going to scratch and claw and do everything in our power- in the draft, internationally, small trades, waiver claims. We need to build assets because we don’t have enough of them. We’re not going to look past one that might be sitting right there in our organization.” - Theo Epstein - yesterday

[ ]

In reply to by JD

left handed, 2nd/3rd bench with a touch of power...you can bring it through your system or pay 700K-1m+ elsewhere. it wouldn't be a major loss, but not having to think about that bench slot for 4+ years is a nice luxury. his fielding isn't top notch, but he can actually field 3rd and 2nd adequately enough to be a decent option off the bench for both...for a starter, he's best left at 3rd, though he's got a lot to prove to find 500+ ab's there. but yeah, the club has about 1/2 dozen more important issues to clear up before "that guy would be good bench" becomes an important decision.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

You just described Mike Fontenot. I think Flaherty brings a little more upside to the table than Fontenot's actual production at the major league level. He's a guy who's shown that he's willing to take a walk and that he has the power to hit the ball a pretty long way. There's also been some sentiment that given his size, Flaherty might be collecting the mechanics of his swing a bit slower than many of his peers. It's not unreasonable to think Flaherty could form the long side of a powerful third base platoon with a Jeff Baker/DJ LeMahieu type that could actually be very productive, if Flaherty and/or LeMahieu get their shit together.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

just a thought, the current existing player personnel department are the ones that chose LeMahieu over Flaherty for a promotion during the year and felt Junior Lake was the prospect worthy of going to the AFL and then he was protected. I think the new braintrust is listening plenty to the old regime that's still in place. -edit- do not mistake that comment for me agreeing with leaving Flaherty unprotected. Whomever pushed that through probably made a mistake...I'm just not so quick to assume it's the new guys ignoring the incumbents.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

"to risk losing Flaherty, M. Gonzalez, and Rhee (plus perhaps Jay Jackson and Ryan Searle, too) in the Rule 5 Draft when a number of roster slots are available is just piss-poor roster management." I'm going to give Epstein & Co. the benefit of the doubt on this one, and probably the next few times they open themselves to criticism. Maybe their rule of thumb is that you don't protect players who will not be competing for positions in spring training. Flaherty and Gonzalez are pretty far down the depth chart for second and third base. The theory might be, if we're not eager to see them compete, chances are another team won't be any more eager. I'm skeptical that there are jobs in baseball for prospects who project as bench players (just as I'm skeptical that there are jobs for players like Jake Fox who project as DH's). There are bench jobs and DH jobs and pinch-hitting jobs, of course, but they go to players who were once viewed as something more than niche players, and got their early breaks accordingly. If they don't get drafted today, they're easier to trade since they don't have to be put on the 40-man till next December. I tend to see a couple of these guys going to Boston in the next couple days, although I may be getting in the middle of an argument between Rob and crunch with that prediction.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Wed, 12/07/2011 - 5:26pm — crunch Re: Winter Meetings 2011 Day 3 wow...BOS left c.cabral exposed again. that's gambling. he's a lefty kyle mcclendon-type...useful pen, imo...still young, maybe too young. i dunno what the BOS 40-man looks like, but that's an odd guy to leave exposed. ============================ CRUNCH: I suspect the Cubs will select Cesar Cabral with the #6 pick if he's still there. I know there was talk somewhere about the Cubs selecting Cabral and then he would return to Boston as a PTBNL in the Epstein Compensation Package, but the only way the Cubs and Red Sox could make sure to get Cabral back to the Red Sox after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft is if the Cubs select Cabral and keep him on their 25-man roster next season (with at least 90 days on the Active List), and then send him back to the Red Sox post-2012 only after the Rule 5 restrictions have been removed. Otherwise, the Cubs would have to first place Cabral on waivers, and any club could claim him for the $25,000 Rule 6 waiver price (and assume the Rule 5 roster obligations) before he could be offered back to the Sox. So the idea of the Cubs drafting Cabral for the Red Sox doesn't make sense. And if the Red Sox valued him that much, they would have just added him to the 40-man roster on 11/18. But I do think the Cubs will select Cabral (if he is still available), but it will be for themselves, and he will not be part of the Epstein compensation.

My interest in the Cubs has officially bottomed out. Ian Stewart? David Dejesus? Maybe I'll check back in 2014.

Last year the Cubs lost two players in the Rule 5 Draft, LHP Casey Lambert (Cubs 2007 6th round draft pick out of UVA) and RHP Ronny Morla (one of the players the Cubs got from OAK in the Jake Fox deal). Both Lambert and Morla were chosen in the AAA Phase (selected off the AA Tennessee Reserve List) for the AAA Phase draft price of $12,000. Lambert spent the 2011 regular season at the Orioles Minor League Base at Sarasota, rehabbing from TJS that he underwent while with the Cubs, but he did pitch in the AFL for the Mesa Solar Sox post-2011 (where he was reunited with one-time Cubs minor league teammates Chris Carpenter, D. J. LeMahieu, Junior Lake, Trey McNutt, and Josh Vitters). Morla pitched well for Savannah (the Mets "A" affiliate in the SAL), but was ineffective at Hi-A St Lucie. Since players selected in the AAA Phase do not have to be offered back to their orginal club if they fail to make a AAA Opening Day roster, they are gone if selected. A maximum of 38 of the 50 Cubs minor leaguers eligible for selection in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft can be protected on the Iowa Reserve List (the AAA Reserve List roster limit is 38), but in reality it's probably more like 35 because clubs always leave two or three slots open on their AAA reserve lists for free-agents signed to minor league contracts after 11/20 (11/18 this year) and/or players who might be selected by the club in the AAA Phase of the Rule 5 Draft. So if 35 of the 50 Cubs Rule 5 eligibles are on the Iowa Reserve List, there are about another 15 who are either on the AA Tennessee or one of the Class-A affiliates' reserve list. And those 15 would probably be: Adrian Aviles, LHP (ex-OF) Dan Berlind, RHP Smaily Borges, OF (player-coach) Justin Bristow, RHP Manolin DeLeon, RHP Carlos Figueroa, INF (player coach) Eduardo Figueroa, RHP Miguel Gonzalez, C (player-coach) Yohan Gonzalez, RHP Gian Guzman, INF (player-coach) David Macias, IF-OF Jon Nagel, RHP Jake Opitz, INF Ramon Reyes, RHP Carlos Romero, C Jose Tineo, RHP Of this group, Berlind, E. Figueroa, Y. Gonzalez, Macias, and Opitz are the players most-likely to get selected in the AAA Phase, if they are indeed on the AA Tennessee reseve list. (Two other who might otherwise have had some value probably do not anymore, as 2008 5th round draft pick Bristow quit baseball last May, and Nagel went home after suffering a torn labrum at EXST). The 6'7 Berlind pitched OK as a late-inning reliever at Peoria after being acquired from an independent league team and finished the year with short stops at Tennessee and Iowa, the 23-year old E. Figueroa had a decent year working in middle-relief at Peoria and Daytona, the 21-year old Y. Gonzalez was a one-time Cubs Venezuelan bonus baby who struggled out of the Peoria bullpen, Macias (Cubs 2008 19th round draft pick out of Vanderbilt, where he was a teammate of Ryan Flaherty) is a versatile switch-hitting utility player who can play anywhere in the infield & outfield (and he learned to catch at Extended Spring Training a couple of years ago, too), and Opitz (drafted by the Cubs in the 12th round out of Nebraska in 2008) is a LH hitter who can play the 3B-2B-1B-LF slot. Both Macias and Optiz would be useful players on a 24-man AAA or AA minor league roster, where versatlity is valued because teams play with a four-man bench, but neither would appear to have much of a future with the Cubs (although Macias fits the profile of a future coach or manager). Also, some players eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft who are not on the AAA roster are placed on Class "A" reserve lists, and can be drafted in the AA Phase for $4,000. Players taken in the AA Phase are most-often players who have not progressed out of the Latin academy teams, so it's possible that DSL Cubs like Aviles (an OF who was released by the Dodgers and then converted to a LHP by the Cubs), M. Gonzalez (who is a player-coach), R. Reyes, and/or Tineo (a former Dominican bonus baby who missed most of the last two seasons after undergoing TJS) could possibly be selected in the AA Phase.

ESPNChiCubs Bruce Levine Rangers and cubs conversations on Matt Garza for top prospects . No match yet

"According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, the Astros have hired Jeff Luhnow as general manager." helped build the STL farm system...*shrug*...evidently a pretty nice hire according to rotowurld.

Among the players who will be available for selection in tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft are 139 out of the 142 minor league free-agents who have signed minor league contracts for 2012. (To protect them from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, INF Matt Antonelli was signed to a Major League contract & added to the the 40-man roster by the Orioles, and LHP Jose Quintana and LHP Donnie Veal were signed to Major League contracts by the White Sox & added to their MLB 40-man roster). In the old days (before free-agency), veteran players with MLB experience were the most-common type of Rule 5 draft pick. Of the 139 recently-signed minor league free-agents who are eligible for selection this year, there are probably about a dozen with MLB experience who could conceivably be selected: Jason Bulger, RHP Jared Burton, RHP Sean Henn, LHP Dallas McPherson, 3B Zach Miner, RHP Juan Miranda, 1B Pat Misch, LHP Brandon Moss, OF Matt Palmer, RHP Scott Podsednik, OF Adam Russell, RHP Brandon Wood, 3B While these players all have "warts" (so does Ian Stewart, BTW), a club could pick-up one of these guys for just $50,000, especially if the club is "rounding up the usual suspects" to fill a particular hole (like the Cubs at 3B). And if the player doesn't make the Opening Day roster, you're only out the $50K draft price (or $25K if the player is later claimed off waivers or returned to the club from which he was drafted). And if you're wondering why a player who was a minor league free-agent a month ago would be selected in the Rule 5 Draft, it does happen occasionally, usually because a club wanted to sign the player but the club was outbid by another club, or the player wanted to sign with a certain team and so the 29 other clubs never had a chance to sign him. The most-recent example of a Cubs minor league FA signee getting selected in the Rule 5 Draft was when INF Jason Smith was signed by the Cubs as a minor league FA in November 2006, and then got selected less than a month later by the Toronto Blue Jays in the Rule 5 Draft. Smith then spent the entire 2007 season in the big leagues, first with Toronto, then moving to AZ after getting claimed off waivers in May, and then getting claimed by KC off waivers in July. (Smith was non-tendered by KC on 12/12/07, because the Royals didn't want to offer him salary arbitration).

OK, I go to YouTube to watch a couple of vid clips of Darvish. Filthy off-speed stuff, whoa. Anyway, YT gives you the "related videos" links of course, and looking at a couple raises a question: What's the deal in Japan baseball with hot pixie chicks throwing out the first pitch? Is it the Japanese version of the Cubs' lame "guest conductor" business? I gotta say, some of those girls are really overboard on the cute scale.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

They corner the market on weird (my friend told me he found a store which sold used panties and let's not forget Fukkakedome's namesake), but there's also a lot of talented and creative artists in literature and film...some of my favorite authors and directors. Let's not paint them with such a broad brush. Never been to Japan, but I hear baseball is similar to Korea. People love the sport and really get into the games. We've got cheerleaders and a cheer-leader. Every single player has their own song which fans have memorized. It's pretty cool to hear the Kim Dong-ju's song being sung to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb".

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Actually... i went to a Yomiuri Giants/Hashin Tigers game at the Tokyo Dome and it was one of the coolest "stadium" experiences I’ve ever had (better than the 2001 Super Bowl!). The fans split the stadium with the Giants fans only sitting to the right of the batters eye in center down to home plate with the visitors on the other side, they sing songs for every player in the lineup(alternating between the batting team), do various chants, run up and down the isles with flags, and the fans of the winning team stay 20 minutes after the game to sing and celebrate with the players who are gathered in front of the stands. It was much closer to being at a Man U/Chelsea match than a North American baseball game. After 2 weeks in Japan, it was one of my best memories and gave me a new appreciation for Japanese baseball.

[ ]

In reply to by CincyKid

Japanese culture in general has a very respectful and knowledgeable fan bases when it comes to sports. If you ever watch Dream, or the old Pride MMA shows from over there and compare to the drunken boo happy fans in North America. You can really tell a difference in attitude and respect of the athlete in general.

So, on postings, and yeah I know I can look it up but the info here is actually better than my own research probably, since I'm at work and don't have much time - if I remember right, they are sealed bids, right? And the winner gets exclusive rights? Or is it more like an auction?

Yeah it's on MLBR, too. That's really the best possible scenario I could possibly have hoped for. I don't generally like seeing the American League getting better, but in this case, let them. It's good for Pujols, too, because of the DH, assuming the AL doesn't go retro someday.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Thu, 12/08/2011 - 9:22am — Old and Blue Apparently it's Lendy Castillo, and there's not a lot out there on him. Converted outfielder, helped their minor league team win Gulf Coast League championship with 0 walks, ten strikeouts. Odd, cuz it's a rookie league, but he was put on the 40 man last year. =========================== O&B: Lendy Castillo is a 22-year old converted SS, has been pitching only two years, and hasn't pitched above "A" ball.(SAL), so even Daytona would be a promotion for him.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Thu, 12/08/2011 - 9:58am — The Real Neal From the organization that said all our prospects were worthless. Glad to see Rhee survived the gauntlet, assuming that list below is the complete thing. ======================= TRN: Dae-Eun Rhee could be part of the compensation going to either SD or BOS. Since Rhee passed through this year's Rule 5 Draft without being selected, neither team would have to worry about adding him to their 40-man roster until after next season, when he will very likely have a full-season of AA under his belt.

Major League Phase HOU: Rhiner Cruz, RHP, Buffalo (NYM) MIN: John Doyle, RHP, Charlotte (CWS) SEA: Lucas Luetge, LHP, Nashville (MIL) BAL: Ryan Flaherty, 2B, Iowa (CHC) KC: Cesar Cabral, LHP, Pawtucket (BOS) CHC: Lendy Castillo, RHP, Lehigh Valley (PHI) PIT: Gustavo Nunez, SS, Toledo (DET) ATL: Robert Fish, LHP, Salt Lake (LAA) STL: Erik Komatsu, OF, Syracuse (WAS) BOS: Marwin Gonzalez, SS, Iowa (CHC) ARI: Brett Lorin, RHP, Indianapolis (PIT) NYY: Brad Meyers, RHP, Syracuse (WAS) http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111208&content_id=26127288&vk…

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

The upside is that Stewart was a top 4 Overall prospect, who is 26 and hit 25 Homers in 2010. If he can rebound and turn into what he should have been. We are likely looking at a bridge to the Baez/Jeimer Candelario era of Cubbie 3rd Basemen. Those are the only guys in the system who could legitimately be MLB starting 3rd basemen at some point. It surely isn't a case that Stewart would be blocking anyone. And if he sucks, you non-tender him next year.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

One good year in Low A ball? Are we talking about Matt Szczur? Stewart put up MLB OPS's of .804-.785-..781 consecutively from 2008,2009 and 2010. Along with slightly better than average defense spells out that he is a MLB averag-ish 3rd baseman with some upside. Not a guy you build your lineup around. Not a guy who stops you from getting a Longoria or David Wright if they become available. Just a reasonable placeholder 3rd baseman.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

.676, .839, .771 three consecutive years for C-Pat with a 24 HR year tossed in there, without Colorado altitude to boost his numbers. We could trade Byrd and use the saved salary to bring in Patterson at $3 million to play CF every day. It's a probably defensive upgrade too! Maybe we win on or even two more games if we traded for Stewart, assuming we don't give up any major league pieces and run LeeMayWho out there. Maybe he's in a free fall and he's done and we flushed $3 million and a prospect we could have used on a better player.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

He had an awful year last year in Colorado. However he did seem to rebound once he got sent out to AAA. I would understand going with in house options if we had an in house option who put up a .950 OPS in AAA last year (like Stewart did). Unfortunately we don't have anyone above SS ball who looks like any kind of infield prospect at this point.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

you really should look more at the guy's swing. how much inside pitches he misses..and more shockingly...how little he swings at it...he either doesn't like it or can't do anything with it. how much he swings at outside pitching...a lot...even far outside the zone...and misses. how he's dead in the water if you get 2 strikes on the guy because you can serve him junk he can't do anything with. he's a horrible mistake hitter.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

"Those are the only guys in the system who could legitimately be MLB starting 3rd basemen at some point." Maybe that's true, maybe not. A while ago I cited the three Cub 3B prospects who were in the top 10 in hits in the AFL. The list didn't include Flaherty.
Duquette said Flaherty is very similar to recent free-agent signee Matt Antonelli. Baltimore will use him primarily at third and to support its depth at second base, a position that has some uncertainty given the health of veteran Brian Roberts.
In any case, he'll be another Wilken draftee getting starts in the majors.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

VA Phil is cool. I'm really just busting chops a little bit here. I just kinda feel that Wilken has been a disappointment thus far in the 6 years he's been here. Obviously there could be other mitigating factors that may have hamstrung him. Still he just seems to be from the Hendry school of "drafting to cover yourself if a football game breaks out in Wrigley". I wish he showed a little more inclination to modern baseball trends.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

You're cool, too. And you predicted a rough second season for Colvin, correctly. I would just say that six years isn't a long time in the life of a scouting director. Josh Vitters was 2007, Wilken's second draft, and we still can't tell much about 22-year-old Vitters. Wilken did get a shout-out from Hoyer today:
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer credited scouting director Tim Wilken and special assistant Dave Littlefield with their work in scouting Castillo. [Muskat]

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

6 years isn't long enough? I disagree, after 6 years our farm system should be stocked with great talent and instead it is a barren wasteland of suck. 6 years ago our farm system was crappy, 6 years later its still crappy. No progress at all has been made and i could argue the system is in worse shape now than it was 6 years ago.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Six seasons after his first draft, Stockstill non-pitching recruits (specifically Brendan Harris) had played in 23 major-league games. The same number of seasons after Wilken's first draft, his draftees have played in over 600 games. Six hundred to twenty-three--does that sound like a tie to you? Unfortunately, Epstein and Hoyer seem, like you, to have bought into the Boston Globe/Boston Herald complaints about the Cub farm system, with the depressing results that we saw yesterday. As far as I can see, the Cardinals haven't drafted an elite position player since Pujols and Molina ten years ago, yet they seem to put together competitive teams every year. Maybe Wilken is doing his job by feeding major-league-caliber prospects into the system, and other people in the organization need to do their jobs.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Name our Albert Pujols type player over the last 30 years? Even shitty farm systems can produce an elite level player over that time span but the Cubs have not. I love Mark Grace but he doesn't hold a candle to Pujols. And Colby Rasmus, Allen Craig, David Freese, Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, Ryan Ludwick, in the last couple years pretty much blows out of the water our Castro, Wells, Soto, Marmol group. So its not just about Pujols its about quality and productive major league talent. And like it or not the Cardinals even after Pujols are still better than the Cubs, a younger team, and in better position to win over the next 5 years than we are.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 8:00pm — MikeCNew Re: Winter Meetings 2011 Day 3 Name our Albert Pujols type player over the last 30 years? Even shitty farm systems can produce an elite level player over that time span but the Cubs have not. I love Mark Grace but he doesn't hold a candle to Pujols. And Colby Rasmus, Allen Craig, David Freese, Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, Ryan Ludwick, in the last couple years pretty much blows out of the water our Castro, Wells, Soto, Marmol group. So its not just about Pujols its about quality and productive major league talent. And like it or not the Cardinals even after Pujols are still better than the Cubs, a younger team, and in better position to win over the next 5 years than we are. ================================ MIKE C: Adam Wainwright and David Freese were acquired in trades, and Ryan Ludwick was signed as a six-year minor league FA. Even Chris Carpenter was signed as an Article XX-D minor league FA, after refusing an outright assignment to the minors while with Toronto.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

**Name our Albert Pujols type player over the last 30 years? ** How many teams have produced an Albert Pujols type player over the last 30 years? Because I'm not sure how many top ten players of all time have been produced over the last 30 years. Don't get me wrong - the Cubs farm system is mediocre. But don't try and make your argument with something so absurd.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

"Soto, Marshall, Theriot," etc. Those names are only relevant when you don't close the book on Stockstill six seasons after his first draft. I was responding to MikeC's question, "Six years isn't long enough?" Not if you want to include Soto, Marshall and Theriot in the comparison betwen Stockstill and Wilken.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

What's worse? Bats on a plane or snakes on a plane? What if the bat is Ian Stewart's hands(he's a terrible mistake hitter)? What if it's a vampire bat? What if it's one of those pink Mother's Day bats? I'll take my chances with Ian Stewart and his bat on a plane, thankyouverymuch. At least Ian Stewart only swings on ONE plane! I can just get on a different flight! Snakes can be ANYWHERE!!!!

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Ricky Alvarez is a 22-year old RH hitting 3B from Mexico (by way of Otay Ranch HS in Chula Vista, CA), who was originally drafted & signed by the Mets. The Mets released him at the end of Extended Spring Training 2008, and he signed with the Angels a few days later. Alvarez was eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league FA post-2011 (as a previously-released player), but he opted to re-sign with Angels prior to being declared a FA. . He hasn't played above Class "A" (MWL). Unlike Lendy Castillo, Alvarez was selected in the AAA Phase of the Rule 5 Draft, so he doesn't take a slot on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster, and he can be assigned to any affiliate the Cubs see fit after Spring Training. He probably will be the starting 3B at Daytona next season (since the Cubs identified him as a "third-baseman" when they drafted him). BTW, 3B at Daytona was one obvious gap in the organizational "pipeline" going into 2012.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

See... Real Neal and I can agree on something. Wilson basically got the same $/year that Buehrle got, but Wilson got an extra year. And Wilson should be a much better pitcher than Buerhle over the course of the contract (though Wilson is older than I thought he was). BTW - what are the gun laws in CA? They can't be much better than IL, right?

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Damn, Abreu is still there...jeebus. I count 6 positions. Pujols - 1B/DH Morales - 1B/DH Trumbo - 3B/DH Hunter, Abreu, Bourjos, Wells - 3 OF spots Scioscia sat Wells a lot last year and Abreu needs breaks, no reason not to do it again. Trout will start the year in Triple A unless there is a trade of an OF (and only one would be Bourjos, but they love his defense). Don't think they're sold Morales will be healthy to start the year. Hunter and Abreu are gone next year, doubt they want to rush into moving guys they need next year.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

If anyone is tradeable but expendable, it's probably Hunter with them eating a few bucks. But I wasn't counting 3B. I think it's a leap to say Trumbo can play there, right? Anyway, one of the tweets in your sidebar said for the time they're not planning to move anyone. They're probably waiting to see how Morales comes along.

Pujols going to a different league is a nice, early Christmas present. In just one day, the St. Louis Cardinals become a much different, crappier team.

ChiTribRogers: DiPoto says #angels were discussing many options. One LAA source says #cubs' Alfonso Soriano was discussed before Pujols was a focus. Come on, Angels - Soriano would have been cheaper!

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Totally agree, Much of the Ricketts goodwill from getting Epstein will be squandered if he starts running the Cubs like he's Frank McCourt. His comments last year about not needing to spend on guys when you can sign guys like Carlos Pena cheap when they are coming off of poor seasons was really troubling. Hopefully that isn't what we see going forward with the DeJesus, Stewart, Overbay, Brad Hawpe type of offseason.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

All of the goodwill, at least from me. The Cubs are in a 3 market scenario of competitors, or at least they should be. Boston, Yankees, and the Cubs. If he can't play in that market, he shouldn't have bought the team. Fielder is actually a decent investment, unless Boras is pimping for an 8/9 year contract and nothing less. His comments that a 3 year contract doesn't really help anybody indicate that maybe he'd go five, though. Either way, I'm going to try to be hopeful and hope that they make a run at somebody. I would think Darvish would also be a candidate, because he, too, is very young.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I am willing to give a one-year pass and see how the "Paralel Front" Plan works out. I have been waiting since 1968, and I figure I will be around for hopefully another 30 years or more. There is no way in hell that Hoy-Stein would have taken these jobs if Ricketts wasn't commited to $$ long-term. As much as I want to see them sign a big fish, I also do not want to see them commit to 8 or 9 years for "Bob's Big Boy" Fielder, as O&B states.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Money they don't give to Fielder or Pujols can be used to move Zambrano or Soriano or improve the prospects they get in return for eating more of the salary (assuming they are willing to waiver their no trade rights). In any event, the money will still be available when the team is actually in a position to compete.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Only problem with that line of thinking is that our Minor League system is NOWHERE near ready to provide the core of a contender. If we plan on competing we HAVE to do it almost exclusively through trades and free agency. That or wait 5 years and hope the draft classes of 2011 and 2012 are as good as you hope they are.

[ ]

In reply to by Seamhead

last i checked the cubs had the loot to sign anyone on the market and with 2013 looming they could sign 2 or 3 guys (not like signing 2-3 of these marquee guys would be wise). lame. still early...talent fading, though. 2012 offseason FAs (2013 season) highlights... 1st James Loney (29) Mike Napoli (31) 2nd Robinson Cano (30) - $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout Ian Kinsler (31) - $10MM club option with a $500K buyout Brandon Phillips (32) 3rd Mark Reynolds (29) - $11MM club option with a $500K buyout David Wright (30) - $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout Kevin Youkilis (34) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout OF lot of older guys, some short-term 1st eligible at this point in their careers...highlights of some "younger" guys include Josh Hamilton (32), Curtis Granderson (32) - $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout, Andre Ethier (31), Carlos Quentin (30) SP tons...lots of extensions/option-pick-ups should be handed out to thin it out. IMO...imo...get in on prince fielder...that is all.

It's hilarious reading Cardinal fans trashing Pujols for leaving. They act like they're shocked he wanted more money and wanted to play in southern cal. Wow....

Ba ha ha ha: Jon_Heyman Jon Heyman the #cardinals are likely to nontender ryan theriot. Versatile player with good stick. May interest mets atl cin hou tor kc etc

it'd be nice if the new cuban toy someone's gonna give 50m+ to would get his residency so clubs can tip/talk that they're actually pursuing him. there's 30 clubs, 20 nations, 2 distant planets, and 1 other dimension that's interested in the guy.

first "the former leo nunez" gets non-tendered from the 2012-2015 world series champions this offseason...now... "Juan Carlos Oviedo was arrested on Thursday in his native Dominican Republic and will be brought to trial on charges of using a false identity." cold.

the latest every-12-hours cubs/i.stewart "same thing we've been saying for weeks" rumor update just rolled in... "According to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, trade negotiations between the Cubs and Rockies involving third baseman Ian Stewart are "still fluid.""

the hotel lobby @winter meetings has been more than dead all day. seems things are wrapped up and a lot of people are already gone...was dead during the rule 5 draft, too. it's been off the hook busy days before this.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

yeah, another dead session for Cubs fans hoping for changes they can get excited about, unless Ian Stewart rumors give you chubbies. But honestly my expectations were pretty low. Theo and Hoyer can't know the personnel all that well, and they don't have a Jonah Hill sitting in the office with them telling them whether or not the stats justify a move as they're working the phones.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

i'm holding back until the chips are off the table...i don't have much of an idea of how to handicap this group's vision going forward. i know what they're saying...and i'm not a huge fan if they literally mean it...but at the same time if i heard they signed p.fielder to a 5-8 year deal i wouldn't be shocked, either.

(@TroyRenck) Rockies have sent ian stewart and Casey Weathers to Cubs for Tyler Colvin and DJ Lamehieu ...who is weathers?

CHIPs signed James Loney to an impressive DUI. Sideswiped a Mini, Prius, and a Benz before/after/while passed out in the fast lane of a freeway. Then he tried to leave.

Before he blew out his elbow in the AFL post-2008 (and I think I might have been at that game), Casey Weathers was one of the Rockies Top 5 prospects, and one of the top closer prospects in baseball. He was the closer for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics, and was a college teammate of ex-Cub Ryan Flaherty at Vanderbilt. Unfortunately, he has taken longer than normal to come back from the TJS (he missed all of the 2009 season and most of the 2010 season, and could not throw strikes this past season at AA or in the AFL post-2011), so he is a big question mark at this point.

I like this move a lot more than the Dejesus signing. That being said, Fielder, Darvish or Cespedes are hopefully part of this plan.

The funny thing is if both Fielder and Pujols end up out of the NL Central, those would be the 2 biggest deals the Cubs didn't make this winter to improve their chances. And you guys thought HoyStein don't have mind control powers.

Bruce Miles tweet...
GM Hoyer calls Stewart a "gifted third baseman" and hopes change of scenery will help offense.
http://twitter.com/BruceMiles2112 --------------------------------- --will Stewart's defense at 3B be an upgrade from ARam? --will Stewart be able to draw more walks than Colvin? --will Stewart's improvement be Pena-like, meaning it's a good season if he hits .225? are the Cubs the tallest midget in the NL Central?

Here is a 5/9/11 fangraphs article on Stewart during his early 2011 season struggles. Some interesting discussion regarding who would be a trade partner for Stewart at that point considering his struggles. --------- Stewart’s pre-season 2011 ZiPS projection (.248/.332/.462, .341 wOBA, 10.1% walk rate, 30.1% strikeout rate)
Stewart’s plate discipline hasn’t completely broken down. His walk rate is about the same as his career rate, he’s swinging less than usual (and only slightly more at pitches outside the zone, according to BIS), and he’s making the same amount of contact. If professional scouts see something in his approach that means he isn’t the same, approximately league-average hitter he’s been in the recent past, I will cede to them. Statistically, this looks like the same guy: a 26-year old hitter with some contact issues, but a good walk rate, and above-average power. Stewart’s window for stardom is just about shut, but given his ZiPS RoS projection and the fact that he plays at least an average third base, he’s still good enough to be at least an average player in terms of his true talent.

do any ian stewart fans have anything to say about the guy that doesn't involve a number? ...especially since the AAA ones seem to be the only useful ones unless you want to project power and ignore what showed up last year. what is so nice about his plate approach? the only good thing about this deal is it costs next to nothing both in what was given up and what's being paid...it also leaves dewitt/baker as the main 3rd base backup. well, it's good he can actually field 3rd...that's a good start over a guy like c.mcgehehehehe at least. i know the guy's minor league numbers looks like a bunch of shiny dimes or some crap, but what about that guy swinging a bat looks like upside to anyone?

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

I saw so few games last year even of the Cubs. Real busy with work, but mostly because I was just so disgusted with the direction of the team, and saw nothing to look forward to even in the future. So, even tho Stewart had an okay rookie year, I really can't remember even seeing him bat. Ever. I can't imagine he has a lot of fans in Chicago. "HEY! LOOKEE!!! WE GOT IAN STEWART! WOO HOO!!" Most of us casual fans, and that's what I was last year, don't even know who the guy is.

Brief thumbnail on Ian Stewart & Casey Weathers roster status info: STEWART: 3+050 MLB Service Time... under club control through 2014 season... eligible for salary arbitration... was also eligible for arbitration post-2010 as a "Super Two" & ended up with a $2.2M+ salary in 2011... has one minor league option left, but he would need to clear Optional Assignment Waivers before he can be sent to minors... WEATHERS: No MLB Service Time... has two minor league options left...

Phil Rogers gives Jaramillo too much credit as a Mr.Fixit, since Bagwell, Biggio and Castro never stumbled in their early careers, while Gonzalez, Rodriguez and Palmeiro were hitting stars well before they met RJ. Tyler Colvin, meanwhile, who had his ticket out of town punched by Rudy, is not mentioned in the article. But Rogers does make a good point when he says that Stewart may be just a one-year placeholder for Vitters or Lake. The Cubs didn't necessarily want to invest a lot in a 3B this year.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Jaramillo historically has done great work with young hitters, and Starlin Castro’s .304 average in his first two seasons suggests he could be on his way to joining the group of great hitters who cut their teeth working with Jaramillo (most notably Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Rafael Palmeiro, Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez). 5 guys suspected of taking 'roids... Oh Wrongway, never change...

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?