Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and eight players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-24-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Pete Crow-Armstrong 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 8 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2
* Cody Bellinger, OF  
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

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

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2024 Cubs Spring Training

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

3/25 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have optioned RHP Hayden Wesneski and OF Alexander Canario to AAA Iowa, C Joe Hudson has been assigned to Minor League Camp, and C Jorge Alfaro has elected free-agency (he had a contractual opt-out).  

So there are now 30 players ACTIVE at Cubs MLB Spring Training (28 on MLB Reserve List and two NRI). 


3/24 UPDATE: 

RHP Carl Edwards Jr and 1B Dominic Smith have elected free-agency (Edwards had an automatic Article XX-B opt-out, and D. Smith had a contractual opt-out). 


3/22 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have assigned LHP Edwin Escobar to Minor League Camp. 

So there are now 36 players ACTIVE at Cubs MLB Spring Training (30 on MLB Reserve List and 6 NRI). 


3/21 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have optioned RHP Daniel Palencia to AAA Iowa. 

Also, RHP Colten Brewer, LHP Richard Lovelady, LHP Thomas Pannone, and INF David Bote have been assigned to Minor League Camp.  

So there are now 37 players ACTIVE at Cubs MLB Spring Training (30 on MLB Reserve List and 7 NRI). 


3/17 UPDATE:

The Cubs have optioned RHP Keegan Thompson and 1B Matt Mervis to AAA Iowa. 

Also, RHP Cam Sanders, C-INF Bryce Windham, and INF Chase Strumpf have been assigned to Minor League Camp. 
 
So there are now 42 players ACTIVE at Cubs MLB Spring Training (31 on MLB Reserve List and 11 NRI). 


3/9 UPDATE: 

RHP Chris Clarke, RHP Sam McWilliams, and LHP Brad Wieck have been assigned to Minor League Camp.

So there are now 47 players ACTIVE at Cubs MLB Spring Training (33 on MLB Reserve List and 14 NRI). 


3/8 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have optioned RHP Ben Brown, OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF Brennen Davis, and INF Luis Vazquez to AAA Iowa, and OF Kevin Alcantara, RHP Michael Arias, and RHP Porter Hodge to AA Tennessee.  

Also, NRI RHP Ethan Roberts, RHP Riley Thompson, C Pablo Aliendo, 1B-C Haydn McGeary, INF Matt Shaw, and OF Owen Caissie have been assigned to Minor League Camp. 
 
So there are now 50 players ACTIVE at Cubs MLB SPRING TRAINING (33 on MLB Reserve List and 17 NRI)


3/1 UPDATE:

The Cubs have added 1B-OF Garrett Cooper (# 41) to their MLB Spring Training roster as a Non-Roster Invitee (NRI). 


2/27 UPDATE:

The Cubs have signed free agent OF-1B Cody Bellinger (# 24) to an MLB contract, and the Cubs have traded LHP Bailey Horn (# 92) to the Chicago White Sox. Also, the Cubs have added OF David Peralta (# 6)  and 1B-OF Dominic Smith (# 12) to their MLB Spring Training roster as Non-Roster Invitees (NRI).


2/23 UPDATE:

The Cubs have added minor league C-1B Haydn McGeary (# 70) as an NRI to MLB Spring Training. He is catching "live" BP and bullpen sides.

Also, Miguel Amaya has switched from # 6 to # 9 (presumably so that David Peralta can wear # 6) and Carl Edwards Jr has switched from # 79 to # 58.


2024 CUBS SPRING TRAINING ROSTER: (last updated 3/25)

30 players

28 players on MLB roster
two players are Non-Roster Invitee - NRI

* bats or throws left
# bats both

MLB ROSTER PITCHERS: 15
25 Yency Almonte
73 Adbert Alzolay
72 Javier Assad
74 Jose Cuas
28 Kyle Hendricks
18 Shoto Imanaga *
45 Caleb Kilian
38 Mark Leiter Jr
43 Luke Little *
66 Julian Merryweather
51 Hector Neris
11 Drew Smyly *
35 Justin Steele *
50 James Taillon
36 Jordan Wicks *

MLB CATCHERS: 2
9 Miguel Amaya
15 Yan Gomes

MLB INFIELDERS: 7
29 Michael Busch *
2 Nico Hoerner
1 Nick Madrigal
20 Miles Mastrobuoni *
5 Christopher Morel
7 Dansby Swanson
16 Patrick Wisdom

NON-ROSTER INFIELDERS: 1
41 Garrett Cooper

MLB OUTFIELDERS: 4
24 Cody Bellinger *
8 Ian Happ #
27 Seiya Suzuki
40 Mike Tauchman * 

NON-ROSTER OUTFIELDERS: 1
6 David Peralta * 

MANAGER 
30 Craig Counsell

COACHES
96 James Adduci (Assistant Hitting Coach - Game Planning)
63 Juan Cabreja (Assistant Hitting Coach - BP Coordinator)
84 Ryan Flaherty (Bench Coach)
33 Willie Harris (3rd base coach)
79 Darren Holmes (Bullpen Coach)
68 Tommy Hottovy (Pitching Coach)
99 Danny Hultzen (Pitching Strategist)
76 Dustin Kelly (Hitting Coach)
80 John Mallee (Assistant Hitting Coach)
90 Jonathan Mota (Assistant Bullpen Coach)
53 Daniel Moskos (Assistant Pitching Coach)
55 Mike Napoli (1st Base Coach)
97 Alex Smith (Data Development & Process Coach)
81 Mark Strittmatter (MLB Field Coordinator)

OTHER:
85 Garrett Lloyd (Bullpen Catcher)

NUMBERS NOT CURRENTLY ISSUED: (as of 2/29)
3 (last worn by David Ross)
17 (last worn by Kris Bryant)
34 (last worn by John Lester)
37 (last worn by Dom Nunez - ST 2023)
44 (last worn by Anthony Rizzo)
47 (last worn by Brandon Hughes)
56 (last worn by Jeremiah Estrada)
59 (last worn by Michael Rucker)
60 (last worn by Sergio Alcantara - ST 2023)
61 (last worn by Brailyn Marquez - ST 2023)
64 (last worn by Jordan Holloway - ST 2023)
65 (last worn by Tyler Duffey)
69 (Cubs do not issue this number)
92 (last worn by Bailey Horn prior to being traded on 2/27)


RETIRED NUMBERS:
10 Ron Santo
14 Ernie Banks
23 Ryne Sandberg
26 Billy Williams
31 Ferguson Jenkins & Greg Maddux
42 Jackie Robinson

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 02:57 pm

There is a sort of roster formula used at Spring Training when they are doing the February workouts. 

Clubs want three players for each position (two from each position are assigned to the "A" group and one from each position is assigned to the "B" group), plus 30-36 pitchers split up into three groups of 10-12, and six catchers who catch bullpens and "live" BP and who are split up (three assigned to group "A" and three assigned to group "B") for infield, baserunning, and cut-off drills.

So for example: 

1B: Busch & Wisdom (group "A") and Mervis (group "B") 
2B: Hoerner & Bote (group "A") and Strumpf (group "B") 
3B: Madrigal & Morel (group "A") and Shaw (group "B")
SS: Swanson & Mastrobuoni (group "A") and Vazquez (group "B") 
LF: Happ & B. Davis (group "A")  
CF: Tauchman & PCA (group "A") and K. Alcantara (group "B")   
RF: Suzuki & Canario (group "A") and Caissie (group "B") 

C: Gomes, Amaya, and Alfaro (group "A") and Hudson, Wyndham, and Aliendo (group "B"), back together further for bullpens.  
  
A player can be moved to a different position as needed if the club wants to get the player work at more than one position. 

So room was left for one additional position player and up to five more pitchers.  

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 02:42 pm

stan hack's number should be retired...if only he kept a uniform number for more than 5 minutes.

16 years as a cub player (3 as a manager), 7 uniform numbers...including #31 (fergie/maddux)

strong consideration for gabby hartnett #9, though he had a couple other uniform numbers and half his career was without a uniform number.

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 02:53 pm

A little surprised that other LHRP isn’t on this list. Weymer? Something like that.

Also I always group Kohl Franklin with Riley Thompson and Cam Sanders so a little surprised he’s not there too but that might just be me.

[ ]

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Sat, 02/10/2024 - 02:45 am

True. Hughes signing elsewhere was big for him too. I still think he’s got an uphill battle. Barring injuries I think the pen will be:

Alzolay

Merryweather

Neris

Smyly

Leiter

Almonte 

Assad

Cuas

 

Little probably battling with Palencia for next spot. This is also assuming Wesneski is SP5.

I’m interested to see what Wieck has left after all the injuries. He was in the middle of a breakout before that.

[ ]

Submitted by Bill on Sat, 02/10/2024 - 02:55 am

Assuming no injuries, poor performance in SP, or new signings, the above seems to be the most likely opening day bullpen.  But even so, Palencia and Little are very likely to be on the Iowa shuttle, called up due to injuries or rest needed.  They have option years available, and no bullpen goes through an entire year without substantial injuries.

I am still surprised that Hughes signed elsewhere.  There was no reports of ill feelings on either part, and I doubt that he got that much money from his new team.  Perhaps the Cubs didn't like his medical reports.

[ ]

Submitted by Bill on Sat, 02/10/2024 - 02:26 pm

I know that I am in the minority, but I expect the bull pen to be quite good this year.  One thing that this administration has been good at is building a good bull pen without allocating scarce resources on it.  Even last year, it was going well until Fulmer and Alzolay went down with injuries.

Submitted by mcozzi on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 02:06 pm

Who gets the last outfield spot if no one is added AND PCA begins the season at Triple-A? Canario??

Submitted by Bill on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 02:28 pm

If Canario has a good spring (as I hope), he might be in center.  Otherwise, unless there is a trade or waiver pickup, it probably has to be Tauchman.  Unless, I suppose, they think that Mastroboni can play there.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 02/10/2024 - 02:53 pm

NHL returns to wrigley field this year.  looks like they're going to try to make it a regular thing.

cubs upper management is also supposedly courting Northwestern to play some of their football games at wrigley while their stadium is undergoing construction.  one game already confirmed.

welcome to the home of the chicago cubs!  we occasionally have baseball! (tm)

Submitted by Childersb3 on Mon, 02/12/2024 - 02:58 pm

AZ Phil,

What's your opinion on the 2B, SS and 3B assignments?
I think most fans foresee battles for TN and SB starting spots.
IA is pretty well locked up with Vazquez and Murray (and Slaughter/Strumpf)
TN looks to have Triantos at 2B, Shaw at 3B, but SS could be Howard or Rivera. 
I'm starting to think Howard will be in TN as a backup and super sub guy.
SB seems to have Ramirez at 2B, Rojas at SS, with Long/Kalmer or maybe Rivera at 3B.
I guess Rojas could "repeat" MB, opening some spots up for Rivera and Howard to get more SS time.
But, MB has C. & A. Hernandez with Paciolla and Bowswer ready to go there.
That doesn't include Melendez, Cepeda and Lubo.
It's nice to have that much depth in the system for sure!!!

 

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 02/12/2024 - 02:47 pm

the more video of matt shaw i see, the more i wonder if nico hoerner can play 3rd.

the weak arm is a real concern and i dunno if coach jonathon mota can horse whisper it into being more than it is like he did with nico.  shaw's glove and his intuition playing up the middle, nothing wrong with that, especially for a young(ish) guy.

[ ]

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:18 am

I feel like if Shaw can’t hack it at 3B, you need to at least explore trading Nico as part of a package for a MLB 3B. I like Nico a lot, but the bat played well at SS, plays fine at 2B, but at 3B?

Now granted we’re currently being sold Madrigal as a starting caliber 3B, so Nico would be a big upgrade, but still.

[ ]

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:17 am

I find myself seriously wondering if the combination of Morel 3B and a better hitter than Madrigal at DH would provide more value to the team that Morel DH and Madrigal 3B. And sure it’s about winning games but it’s also about entertaining the fans. Madrigal is pretty un-entertaining 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:50 am

I doubt that Hoyer would ever say this publicly (and it pains me to even suggest this), but it is entirely plausible that the Cubs are not "all in" for 2024 and never have been, and are approaching the season pretty much like they approached 2023, which is to say "we don't expect to be a contender, we will probably be sellers at the Trade Deadline, and we will allow young players who have mastered AAA to develop (and succeed or fail, TBD) at the MLB level." 

So (for example) that would mean the Cubs would have no problem playing Morel at 3B, even if he makes 40 errors there. And if additional free-agents are signed, it will be players who fill holes on the roster but who can be flipped at the TDL, like Michael Lorenzen (RHP swingman), Ryne Stanek (RHRP), and Michael A. Taylor (RH platoon CF).   

Also, Hendricks (before he gets "10/5 rights" on 6/26), Smyly, Neris (after his automatic Article XX-B "no trade" expires on 6/15), Gomes, Tauchman, Wisdom, Leiter, Merryweather, Almonte and Madrigal would be other TDL flip candidates. Even Nico Hoerner could be traded, if the Cubs decide by mid-season that Matt Shaw is best-suited to play 2B rather than 3B. (Happ and Suzuki have "full" NTC and Taillon has a partial NTC, but the Cubs might still try and move them, too, especially if the player sees the Cubs going nowhere fast and decides to waive his NTC in order to go to a contender). 

So the $25M in 2024 AAV that remains under the CBT threshold could be allocated on guys like Lorenzen, Stanek, and Taylor, rather than on Bellinger, Chapman, Montgomery, or Snell. 

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:21 am

I'd be all in on this!!
I think Jed just needs to say it.
We Cubs fans thought since he didn't sell and went for the playoffs last year that going for it was a given this year.
But if he doesn't see winning a ring as a possibility, than he should be cautious and play the young guys, flip the vets.
I think he should just declare it and take the heat.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:28 am

Childersb3: 

Here is an updated version from a month ago: 

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT advocating any of this, and I also acknowledge that additional MLB and minor league free agents will likely be signed, trades could be made, players will be released, and there will be injuries (TBD) during Spring Training, all of which will impact this, but AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW (2/13)...  

NOTE: Jackson Ferris would have been the #1 SP at South Bend and Zyhir Hope would have been the CF and lead-off hitter at Myrtle Beach if they had not been traded.  

* bats or throws left 
# bats both

CHICAGO CUBS (MLB)

26-man roster

LINEUP VS. RHP:
* Tauchman, CF (Article XX-D / out of options) 
Hoerner, 2B (Article XX-D/ can move to SS if Swanson not in lineup)
Suzuki, RF (Article XX-B / has full "no trade") 
# Happ, LF (Article XX-B / has full "no trade") 
Swanson, SS (Article XX-B / has full "no trade") 
C. Morel, DH (4th option available in 2024)
* Busch, 1B 
Gomes, C (Article XX-B) 
Madrigal, 3B (Article XX-D)

LINEUP VS LHP:
Hoerner, 2B 
Suzuki, RF 
# Happ, LF 
Swanson, SS 
C. Morel, DH  
Wisdom, 1B (Article XX-D) 
Gomes, C 
* Tauchman, CF 
Madrigal, 3B 

BENCH: 
Amaya, C (out of options) 
Wisdom, 1B-3B-LF-RF (or Busch when LHP starts)
* Mastrobuoni, INF (2B-3B-SS)
Canario, OF (4th option available in 2024)
NOTE: Presume Busch will at least initially platoon with Wisdom)

STARTNG PITCHERS: 
* Steele (Article XX-D / out of options) 
Hendricks (Article XX-B / will get full 10/5 "no trade" beginning on 6/26) 
Taillon (Article XX-B / has partial "no trade") 
* Imanaga (Article XX-B / SP on Sundays only? - has partial "no trade") 

BULK / MULTI-INNING / PIGGY-BACK 
* Smyly (Article XX-B) 
Wesneski 
Assad 
* Wicks 
NOTE: Presume a Smyly / Wesneski piggy-back so that Wesneski won't have to face many LHH, or Smyly could be a one-inning LHRP if it is a Wicks / Wesneski piggy-back

ONE-INNING 
Alzolay (Article XX-D / out of options) 
Neris (Article XX-B / automatic "no trade" thru 6/15) 
Leiter (Article XX-D / out of options) 
Merryweather (Article XX-D / out of options) 
Almonte (Article XX-D / out of options / Article XIX-A status on 4/26)   


IOWA (AAA) 

28-man roster

STARTING LINEUP:
* PCA, CF
L. Vazquez, SS 
* Caissie, LF-RF 
* Mervis, 1B 
Alfaro, C (probably has one or more contractual opt outs) 
B. Davis, RF-LF 
# Murray, 3B 
Slaughter, DH (also 3B-2B-1B-SS)
Strumpf, 2B (also 3B)
 
BENCH: 
Bote, INF 
* Hill, OF (LF-CF)
Hudson, C 
* Roederer, OF (CF-LF-RF)
* Windham, C-IB-2B-3B 

DEVELOPMENT "STASH" LIST (POSITION PLAYERS): 
Knight, C 
McKeon, INF 

STARTING PITCHERS: 
B. Brown 
Kilian 
R. Thompson 
Clarke 
* Pannone 

BULLPEN: 
Cuas
Palencia 
* Little
K. Thompson 
* Horn 
C. Sanders
* Wieck 
Roberts 
* Escobar  

DEVELOPMENT "STASH" LIST (PITCHERS): 
Edwards (Article XX-B automatic opt-out Opening Day, May 1, and June 1)
* Lovelady
Brewer
McWilliams
* Weiman
M. Espinoza 
Gallardo

REHAB (EXST): 
Leeper 
* Patterson 
Reindl 


TENNESSEE (AA)

28-man roster

LINEUP:
Triantos, 2B (also 3B)
Shaw, 3B (also 2B-SS)
K. Alcantara, CF (also LF-RF)
* Ballesteros, DH-C-1B 
McGeary, 1B (also DH & 3rd catcher)
Aliendo, C-DH 
C. Franklin, LF (also CF))
* Pagan, RF (also CF-LF) 
Howard, SS

BENCH: 
# Cantrelle, INF 
* Pinango, OF (LF-RF) 
Pertuz, INF  
# Opitz, C 
Beesley, OF (CF-LF-RF)

DEVELOPMENT "STASH" LIST (POSITION PLAYERS): 
Avitia, C
Spence, INF 
Nwogu, OF  

STARTING PITCHERS: 
Horton 
K. Franklin 
Birdsell 
Powell 
Devers
Kachmar  

BULLPEN: 
Hodge 
E. Nunez
Leigh   
* Martin 
Bigge 
Whitney 
Ueckert 
Scalzo 

DEVELOPMENT "STASH" LIST (PITCHERS): 
Bain 

REHAB (EXST): 
* Carraway 
* Stambaugh 
S. Gonzalez


SOUTH BEND (Hi-A) 

30-man roster

LINEUP: 
* Bateman CF 
Rojas, SS 
# P. Ramirez, 2B (also 3B)
Kalmer, DH (also 3B-1B)
Rivera, 3B (also 2B-SS)
Stevens, RF (also 1B)
Long, 1B 
Garriola, LF 
* Hearn, C 

BENCH: 
Pabon, C-INF 
R. Morel, INF-OF   
* Chavers, OF 
# R. Garcia, INF 
* Wetzel, OF 
Verdugo, INF  

DEVELOPMENT "STASH" LIST (POSITION PLAYERS): 
* Granadillo, C 
Preciado, INF (formerly switch-hitter) 
J. Mora, INF
* Mena, OF  

STARTING PITCHERS: 
Arias 
* Gray 
W. Sanders
McCullough 
Noland 
* Santy 

BULLPEN: 
J. Romero 
Oquendo 
T. Johnson
* A. Hernandez 
T. Santana 
Hull 
Nahas
Y. Cabrera 
Kipp 

DEVELOPMENT "STASH" LIST (PITCHERS): 
A. Gonzalez 
* Watkins 
Schlaffer
K. Perez

REHAB (EXST): 
Wiggins
Thoresen  


MYRTLE BEACH (Lo-A) 

30-man roster 

LINEUP:
A. Hernandez, 2B 
C. Hernandez, SS 
* Carico, DH-C) 
Bowser, 1B 
A. Sanchez, C-DH 
* Encarnacion, RF 
Paciolla, 3B 
L. Espinoza, CF  
* Collier, LF 

BENCH: 
Trice, C-INF-OF 
* Suriel, 1B-OF 
* More, OF 
* Escobar, INF-OF 
Olivo, INF-OF 

DEVELOPMENT LIST (POSITION PLAYERS) / EXST thru June:  
F. Hernandez, C-1B-OF
Mule, INF 
Lubo, INF 
* Melendez, INF 
A. Rosario, OF 
* W. Soto, C-1B 
# J. Diaz, C 

STARTING PITCHERS: 
K. Valdez 
E. Rodriguez 
Rujano 
* Noriega 
A. Romero 

BULLPEN: 
Ginn 
Armstrong 
Frisch 
G. Brown 
Dean 
Moore 
Egbert 
Pichardo 
Paredes 
Lebron 
L. A. Reyes

DEVELOPMENT LIST (PITCHERS) / EXST thru June
McGwire
* Machado 
Marshall (ex-C) 
* C. Garcia
Agrazal 
Hambley 
Martinez-Gomez
* D. Brown
Y. Rojas 
Silverio
Bello 
W. Mora 
* Cunningham (attending college until June)

REHAB (EXST): 
* Flanagan  
Sierra 
Wheat 

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:13 am

Thanks Phil
It makes sense that Howard would get a chance at AA. His defense was never the issue. His bat just needs to catch up (or become serviceable at least)
Rivera doesn't need to be rushed, and he can get time at SS in SB with Rojas and Ramirez switching spots sometimes.
Probably all a good fix there.
And, I forget that Brody McCullough will pitch this year. His injury was a knee and not his arm.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:06 am

Per Jon Morosi:
As @MLB clubs negotiate with free agents, Wednesday is a possible inflection point.
Tomorrow, all teams will have the ability to place players on the 60-day injured list, thus freeing up 40-man roster spots for free-agent signings.
Could be an active 48 hours.

At least some hope of action in the market.
Don't think this effects the Cubs one bit, though. I believe all 40 guys are healthy.

Chicago Radio reports are that Jed has told Boras that they are done with Bellinger.
Radio folks also said that the ANGELS are going to get Bellinger.
Bellinger would get his money, head back to the West Coast, and be totally forgotten.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:20 am

the team is addicted to "bargains."  we get a slew of roster-clogging guys coming off injury or a down season...they get released or otherwise hang around dragging the payroll.

we can't have a yamamoto.  we get an imanaga.

we can't have a "real" 1st baseman.  we get trey mancini and eric hosmer eating roster spots and playing time for a few months figuring out who's trash and who's having a bad start...and then you get both guys being trash and miss the playoffs by a game or 2.

heyward gets cut when the only thing he was blocking was all these "bargain" gambles clogging up the roster.  meanwhile, the cubs pay $20m for heyward to help the dodgers get to the postseason as a platoon player.

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:59 am

So, Jed is paying for average, to slightly above average talent?
Giving 15mil to 20mil to multiple players that are just okay, but not good enough to win a playoff series isn't a good business model?

Play the young guys!!!
Or pay extra the uber talented!!!

Pick a lane, Jed. 

[ ]

Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:04 pm

I agree. I think we've established that Council will play the best players, even if they're young(ish); and that's what we really need to do this year: play the young guys, and see what we have. There's no reason to try and rush and force things to contend now, and potentially handicap ourselves or pigeonhole ourselves into narrow lanes, rather than waiting to see how all the options play out. If a great option/opportunity comes up, obviously take advantage of it; but reaching or forcing isn't something we should be doing right now.......

[ ]

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:11 pm

You know what great opportunity has come up,? The rest of the division sucks. If the Cubs actually wanted to win this year, they’d have a fairly easy path to it. Now, in a year or two, when the Cubs best prospect will be matriculating, the Reds best prospects will also be in MLB. The cardinals will have had time enough to turn around a rough patch. The Pirates will have started getting more talent to MLB. And who knows how quickly Milwaukee will turn around their impending rebuild.

Pittsburgh and in particular Cincinnati both also have very well thought of farm systems.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:50 pm

since they traded away yu darvish in december 2020 (signaling their rebuild) they've fielded 3 seasons in a row of half-assed teams pieced together like they're the reds or pirates, not the cubs.

in 2021 they didn't go "all-in" with the last season of the 2016 championship core...they decided to punt before 2021 began.  they added dodgers castaway joc pederson for 5m and gave 6m to a washed up jake arrieta for some reason...plus some useless scrap heap 1-3m roster filler gambles like eric sogard, trevor williams, jake marisnick, austin romine, etc...

there's still time to prove it wrong, but it looks like they're going for year 4 of this...

the 2024 team is looking a lot better than years past, but i think everyone was expecting to be a serious competitor from the outset...not "well, maybe we'll trade for someone in june if what we got works out."  what's the plan if it doesn't work out in 2024?  more years of this half-assed stuff?

[ ]

Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:03 pm

To both Crunch and Jon, I would say that this year they should figure out what they have with certain prospects and certain young guys just graduating from prospects; and then if the young guys play great, perhaps not too many moves will be needed, but if not, then maybe more moves would be needed. But definitely by this coming off-season I would switch to an all-in mindset, while still cultivating the 'waves' coming up the pipeline............

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Submitted by crunch on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:37 pm

there's some things beyond spending $$ i like about the 2024 cubs.  i'm a big fan of the michael busch trade and think he could be a 2024 solution with matching production more than the higher-prospect-ranked PCA.

i like the 2024+ pipeline.  there's years of notable talent on the horizon and not everyone will have a place to play...not a bad place to be.

that said, a huge chunk of cubs nation went into this offseason expecting some major moves, or at least a major move.  we've got a middle-rotation starter and a setup pen arm to show for it so far.

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Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:52 pm

I feel like we have a lot of good options in the pipeline that would be worth seeing if they are options rather than a trade or free agency for this year (not necessarily sure about 3B, Vasquez?); I also don't really know who will be free agents or available next off season, and if they would be better or worse than this year's crop.......

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:12 pm

TOP 15 BEST POST-2024 MLB ARTICLE XX-B FREE-AGENTS: 

1. Gerrit Cole, RHSP (NYY) - opt-out - 2025 age 34 - BORAS
2. Juan Soto, LF (NYY) - 2025 age 26 - BORAS
3. Alex Bregman, 3B (HOU) - 2025 age 31 - BORAS 
4. Corbin Burnes, RHSP (BAL) - 2025 age 30 - BORAS 
5. Zach Wheeler, RHSP (PHI) - 2025 age 35 
6. Max Fried, LHSP (ATL) - 2025 age 31 
7. Pete Alonso, 1B-DH (NYM) - 2025 age 30 - BORAS 
8. Ha-Seong Kim, INF (SD) - mutual option - 2025 age 29
9. Willy Adames, SS (MIL) - 2025 age 29 
10. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (STL) - 2025 age 37 
11. Gleyber Torres, 2B (NYY) - 2025 age 28
12. Elias Diaz, C (COL) - 2025 age 34 
13. Josh Bell, 1B (MIA) - 2025 age 32 - BORAS 
14. Danny Jansen, C (TOR) - 2025 age 30 
15. Eloy Jimenez, OF-DH (CHW) - 2025 age 28 

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Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Wed, 02/14/2024 - 02:22 am

They’re not going to sign Bregman unless he has a down year and is looking for a one year bounce back type deal.

He’s in his age 30 season already so he’s likely looking at his last chance at a big money deal if he has a good year. Cubs won’t want to sign him for that price.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:02 pm

we should know a lot more about what bj murray is capable of with the bat in 2024.

he's a legit 3rd defensively (not outstanding, but still good there) and the bat is promising.  he's got a touch of speed, though not a big runner.  he's a switch hitter that hits well from both sides and can use all of the field to hit.  he's working with a good base of overall tools even if none are spectacular on their own.

he's not high on anyone's cubs team prospect lists, but if he can tighten up the balance between his good eye + his swing/miss along with showing a touch more power he's going to rocket up the lists.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:38 pm

Baseball America reports that ACL and FCL are moving their season's start date up a month, but won't extend it out.  So, they'll be done on July 25th this year. Basically, no "just drafted and signed" players will play in Rookie Ball anymore.
They'll have to immediately go to full season A or A+ ball (which is fairly normal now anyway).
After July ends I guess their will be more extended training sessions for younger guys in Arizona or Florida.
Organizations want more time to work with young players and not just have them play in games.
I believe AZ Phil has stated this in the past (sorry if I'm wrong).

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 02:45 pm

AZ Instructs will start on August 1 and will run for nine weeks instead of starting on September 1 and running for five weeks. This way, all draft picks will initially attend AZ Instructs after signing and won't count against the in-season minor league 165-man Domestic Reserve List until after the conclusion of the season. 

Also, some of the ACL players could get moved up to Lo-A for the last couple of months of the season after the conclusion of the ACL season, and some of the draft picks (probably the more polished college guys) could get moved up to a full season affiliate before the conclusion of the season if they prove to be too advanced for Instructs. 

In addition, Extended Spring Training will now run for only about five weeks (beginning right after the conclusion of Minor League Camp and continuing up until the start of the ACL season the first week of May), instead of for nine weeks in April-May.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 02/14/2024 - 02:35 am

MLBPAA discount code links for MLB.tv are starting to go out.  if you're a member it should show up soon. 

mine ended up in my spam folder for some reason, so don't forget to check there if you don't get one and you're expecting it.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 02/14/2024 - 02:34 pm

Chicago Radio says Jed is planning on something big involving Alonso and an extension.

Sounds unlikely since Boras clients don't sign extensions.

Alonso did declare this week that he would hit Free Agency next fall/winter.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    azbobbop: Yes. 

  • Mike Wellman (view)

    I’ve got Tim’s The Last Out too, along with some other prints of his work.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Very well played game all around tonight.

  • crunch (view)

    best starter and 2 top hitters from the team gone...and they keep on winning.

    little ahead of myself here, but the RSox got 9 outs to find 6+ runs.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Richard Gallardo just left the Smokies game with an arm injury after going to the ground following a pitch. Doesn’t sound good at all.

  • azbobbop (view)

    Phil, do you think Wiggins will start out in ACL?

  • azbobbop (view)

    The level of conversation on this site is intelligent, reasoned and informative. Miles ahead of other Cub sites.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    This was Jaxon Wiggins previous "live" BP on 4/5: 

    JAXON WIGGINS: 
    ONE INNING (20 pitches - 10 strikes) 
    one batted ball in play (F-9 by Stevens)
    one walk (B. Davis) 
    one HBP (B. Davis)
    two strikeouts (Peralta & Escobar - both looking)
    three swing & miss 
    two fouls 
    four called strikes
    nine called balls 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Prior to the Cactus League game at Papago Park, three Cubs pitchers threw "live" BP on Field 1 at the Cubs Sloan Park complex, including RHRP Ethan Roberts (June 2022 TJS) and Cubs 2023 2nd round draft pick RHP Jaxon Wiggins (February 2023 TJS).  

    Wiggins last threw "live" BP three weeks ago before being shut down for a couple of weeks, and this was the first time Roberts has thrown to hitters in almost two years. 

    JAXON WIGGINS: 
    ONE INNING:
    25 pitches (11 strikes)
    no batted balls in play
    two walks (Suriel and J. Diaz) 
    three strikeouts (Carico, Lubo, and Escobar - all three swinging)
    six swing & miss
    two fouls 
    three called strikes 
    14 called balls 
    one WP 

    ETHAN ROBERTS: 
    ONE INNING 
    15 pitches (7 strikes) 
    two batted balls in play (G-3 by Carico and L-9 by Suriel) 
    two walks (Lubo and Carico)
    no strikeouts  
    no swing & miss 
    two fouls 
    three called strikes 
    eight called balls 
    one WP 

    Mat Peters was bumped by Justin Steele from his scheduled game work at Giants, so he threw two innings of "live" BP with Wiggins & Roberts. 

    MAT PETERS: 
    TWO INNINGS 
    44 pitches (23 strikes) 
    five batted balls in play (F-7, L-7, F-7, G-6, G-3) 
    three walks 
    two strikeouts (both Lubo and both looking)
    six swing & miss 
    three fouls 
    nine called strikes
    21 called balls 
    three WP 

  • crunch (view)

    wall stole a HR from busch...double.  nice to see him destroy a curve ball.

    upon further viewing, that might not have been a homer in too many parks...it had a lot of hang time, though.

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