Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Suffer Tough, Pretend Loss

On Monday, The Sporting News Web site began a day-by-day replay of the 1986 MLB season using the Strat-O-Matic baseball simulation software. The site will be tracking the season with a daily scoreboard, box scores, game recaps, and player stats. Each of the 26 teams in existence back in '86 is being managed by a different baseball insider, writer, super-fan, etc. The faux Cubs’ manager is espn.com writer Dan Shanoff. Shanoff’s managerial debut was Tuesday, when the Cubs opened against the Cardinals. After the Cubs scored twice in the top of the eighth to erase a 4-2 deficit, the Cards scored in the last of the ninth on a single by John Morris to win 5-4. Cub starter Scott Sanderson took an ND; the loser was reliever Dave Gumpert. Shawon Dunston led the Cub offense with three hits. The box score even lists attendance, in this case, just 19,154. (For a Cubs/Cardinals opener? They must have played in a simulated blizzard.) Oh, yeah—I’m already calling for Shanoff’s head. Letting Gumpert go 2 2/3 innings when he had a rested Lee Smith in his virtual bullpen?! I can’t imagine what in the name of Jim Frey he was thinking.

Comments

I love Strato. If there's a better use of a 20 sided die in the world, I don't know what it is...

Why do I want to relive the 1986 season? Unmemorable in nearly every possible way. Of course, when the Cubs suck this time again, it won't be a surprise or a reminder of what could have been.

Sorry Cubnut, Trans and I mentioned every single Cub scrub you could imagine after we clinched (seems so long ago) the division! I played strat with my Dad all throughout my childhood, great memories, great game...

I ordered an APBA baseball game in 1968, and played it for a lot of years, collecting each seasons cards until the mid 80's. Strat, APBA, and the other games all have their pros and cons as far as accuracy and playability, and have brought a lot of pleasure to a lot of people for many years.

Someone from the Steve Dahl show reads here, because on his radio show today he talked about Uberoth moving the Cubs 84 WS to Comiskey. Rob G posted on it yesterday.

God damn Shanoff. DAVE GRUMPERT!?!?!? You tie it in the ninth and then you send Grumpert BACK out there?!?!?! Who does this guy think he is? Ned Yost? Great bully management.

On a related note, I wish it was Spring Training already This having nothing to bitch about is getting old real fast.

Someone from the Steve Dahl show reads here, because on his radio show today he talked about Uberoth moving the Cubs 84 WS to Comiskey. Either that or they read the Sun-Times...

Rob G- That article is from October 7th. I remember reading it back then. More than a coincidence you both bring it up in 24 hours.

ROB G: No, they read it HERE. And if Jacos wants to believe that, let him. Next thing, you'll be telling him there's no Santa Claus. Jacos obviously knows that The Cub Reporter is where all true Cubs fans AND the Cubs beat writers go to get the latest news and juiciest gossip, breaking stories, and (best of all) baseless provocative speculation. And I take mine... with a twist.

1. I really wish they would have redone the 1985 season actually. I think that barring injury, the Cubs had a very good shot that year to compete. It would have been tough with the Cards winning 101 and the Mets winning 98 but still. We were 4 and 14 against the Mets and the Cards. If we just make that 9 - 9 that puts us at 87 wins and the Cards at 96 and the Mets at 93. 2. You don't bring your closer in a non-save situation. (kidding)

well that article showed up on my RSS feed just yesterday and it was all over the Cubs boards yesterday as well.... I'm not sure why it would be dated October 7th...

re headgear, 100 years of baseball and one death. Just stupid. Just give the guys the option to wear a helmet. But they better not make in mandatory. I hate knee jerk bullshit.

Ueberoth was in town then to talk about what Chicago needed to get Olympics, and a couple of writers asked him about being commish. I could have sworn someone mentioned it on the board back then. It was right in the middle of the Cubs-DBack series.

And the other time capsule moment about it was that it was not sure if Comiskey could have the WS in 1984 because they were hosting the Jackson Victory tour concert at the same time. Which would pre-date Michael Jackson's head getting caught on fire for the Pepsi commericial. I shut up now.

The article about the helmets says "players started wearing helmets after (Cleveland Indians shortstop) Ray Chapman was killed... when he was hit by a pitch in a game in 1920." Well, that's true if the writer means about 35 years after Chapman was killed players starting wearing helmets, and that was only because Branch Rickey owned the company that made the helmets, and he required all of the Pirates players, the manager, and the coaches to wear them (he was Pirates GM at the time), and not just at bat, either, but in the field, in the dugout, and in the bullpen. If you see photos or baseball cards from the period 1953-57, you will notice that Pirates players (including pitchers) and the manager and coaches always are wearing helmets. MacGregor didn't even make a Pirates cap during those years. To help promote the idea of the batting helmet in the mid-1950's, Branch Rickey actually gave ABC helmets to any MLB player who wanted one (they could be produced in four solid colors--black, red, navy, or royal blue, with felt team insignias glued onto the front), and several Dodgers (including Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese) and Yankees (including Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle) wore them as early as 1953-54, and that helped to make them more popular. In 1954, Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock was hit in the head while wearing an ABC helmet, and there was a lot of media attention given to them as a result, crediting the helmet for saving Adcock's life. And that led to helmets (or cap liners for players who refused to wear helmets) eventually becoming mandatory. A few years ago, ABC (the Pennsylvania company that made the original fibreglass batting helmet) produced reproductions of the original (including a Cubs model), complete with the sprayed-on frock cloth covering that made the helmets look more like baseball caps (most MLB players were embarrassed to wear helmets back then). I believe Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen was the last MLB player to wear the cloth coated helmet (that was back in the 1970's), but a lot of players wore them that way up until the mid-1960's, including some Cubs players.

"And the other time capsule moment about it was that it was not sure if Comiskey could have the WS in 1984 because they were hosting the Jackson Victory tour concert at the same time." Proud to say, I was there. Great seats too!

Stoney likes "The Fuld". Stevie was raving about the AFL phenom on Murphy's show courtesy WSCR 670. Stated that it gives the Cubs interesting options and that he may be MLB ready now, allowing Pie to spend another full year at AAA, or trade him, if he does not appear to turn the hitter's corner soon. Fuld, as a lefty, is a very good CF (again, I am the messenger here), smart, can hit the bases on target with his arm, a good base-runner, nice glove-man, and is hitting the cover off the ball in AZ. Rick Wilkens said, "He's doing everything asked of him...".

"I think that barring injury, the Cubs had a very good shot that year to compete..." Many of the players during the '84 season had what could be called "career years." Sarge, Dernier Bowa and Moreland played above their career averages, if I remember correctly.

The Cub Reporter is where all true Cubs fans AND the Cubs beat writers go to get the latest news and juiciest gossip, breaking stories LOL! Last year when I had access to the wires I must have posted 20 stories here hours before they appeared anywhere else. And no one noticed except dave ...who demanded to know my source.

CWTP - I want to thank you for accepting my suggestion for changing to CWTD, for a short period. May this next season allow for CWTWS.

Has anyone noticed how bad of home/road splits Mike Lowell had last year? Very COLO-esque... Home - .373/.418/.575/.993 with 14 HR & 73 RBI (292 AB) Away - .276/.339/.428/.767 with 7 HR & 47 RBI (297 AB)

jacos — November 8, 2007 @ 1:10 pm I could have sworn someone mentioned it on the board back then. It was right in the middle of the Cubs-DBack series. ------------------------------ Jacos, I brought up the issue surrounding the "bests interests of baseball clause." I must have overlooked the Comiskey WS issue though.

"Stoney likes “The Fuld”. Stevie was raving about the AFL phenom on Murphy’s show courtesy WSCR 670." he was there in person, fwiw...which is a lot, honestly, given how vocal stoney can be about people he likes.

theyve lost their minds at rotoworld...yeah a few there love to take cheap shots at the cubs, but this statement on the prospect of aquiring Kaz seems pretty out-of-touch. "If the Cubs sign Matsui, it might be to turn Mark DeRosa back into a utility player." ooookay.

Okay, crunch, i'll bite. Why does that seem out of touch? I will agree that Kaz is not distinctly better than Derosa, but DeRosa has shown that he can pretty much play anywhere, and look pretty good. Maybe your point is that Derosa still was pretty much a utility player last year, too?

Many of the players during the ‘84 season had what could be called “career years.” Sarge, Dernier Bowa and Moreland played above their career averages, if I remember correctly. The Cubs had a pretty good offense in '85, it was the pitching injuries that killed them. Someone the other day said that in today's game stolen bases don't mean anything. I think if you drop that '85 Cardinals team into the NL in 2008, they'd probably do alright. They would have outscored the '07 Cubs. The '85 Cubs were wicked good at stealing bases.

In 84 the entire starting rotation went on the DL in June I believe. They were in first. There's a story that Dallas Green went into a Trib meeting to talk about getting more pitching, and all the Tribsters could talk about was the record number of hot dogs sold during the last home stand.

Levine reported that 3-4 teams interested in Jacque, which teams and to what degree are unknown.

"Why does that seem out of touch?" cuz derosa was the most dependable of any of the "small bats" up the middle. consistant vs. lefties and righties...tight D. not to mention performing better than any other middle IF option. theriot is the guy i'd bench in a heartbeat as a utility player before i'd even mention derosa riding pine trying to get 400ab's.

I don't know how I feel about Jacque as a Cub any more. I'm certainly emotionally prepared for him being moved, since it has nearly happened before. I am just not sure that I have figured out if he is a good piece of the puzzle, or not... He had a total Jekyl and Hyde season last year. I guess that's why I can't make up my mind, because I don't know which Jones is gonna show up...

But, crunch, Theriot as utility guy doesn't really work, since he is not a guy you can stick anywhere and know that he'll perform. You can do that with DeRosa. I will not argue with you that I think Derosa is the better hitter. I guess, this whole discussion has reiterated, as if we needed it, that Kaz Matsui is not really a piece that fits the Cubs' puzzle. At least, not without taking out some other pieces...

I mentioned this in another thread but there's talk that those mentioned will get a 50 game suspension. i'm just curious how that'll work? MLBPA Union would go nuts I assume if they tried to suspend someone without a positive test and retroactively.

"Someone the other day said that in today’s game stolen bases don’t mean anything. I think if you drop that ‘85 Cardinals team into the NL in 2008, they’d probably do alright. They would have outscored the ‘07 Cubs. The ‘85 Cubs were wicked good at stealing bases." The '85 Cards scored 747, which led the league by 41 runs. The '07 Cubs scored 752 runs, which was 8th in the league 140! runs behind the league leading Phils. As an interesting note, in '85 the average OBP was 319 compared to 334 in '07. Speed is good, but getting on base and power creates more runs.

Let's start a pool on the 11 players we think are on this list and did roids... I say: Benitez Bonds Bradley Clark L. Gonzalez Hairston, Jr. Lo Duca Piazza Rogers Sanders Sosa

you could offer a prize then deny you ever offered a prize to the winner once its over with. ...then go collect a huge contract with another blog who could care less about your past actions.

"Speed is good, but getting on base and power creates more runs." You determined this by looking at the average OBP of 1985 and 2007. Hmmmm....what else was different. I feeling that there may be a much bigger difference that would cause that to happen. Perhaps the fact that there is much less pitching in baseball these days due to 4 more teams. You think that might help hitters make non-outs and score more runs?

I've suspected Andruw Jones for a while. That head of his is massive. And how about that sudden decline....

C'mon guys. I'd like to see other peoples' lists, to see if other people suspect the same people as me...

Chad: re headgear, 100 years of baseball and one death. Just stupid. Just give the guys the option to wear a helmet. But they better not make in mandatory. I hate knee jerk bullshit. I do too, but the way I see it, this isn't going to hurt the game at all. And I'm against anyone dying if it can be prevented, even 1 person per hundred years.

there was no formal vote on the issue, but almost every GM expressed they wanted to create a culture within their clubs where it would become the norm. it could become more formal and the current crop of coaches/etc. got about a month to bitch about it if it bothers them.

Ok, Jace: Pujols, Rolen, Johann's mom, Ankiel, Edmonds, Bonds, Vernon, Andruw, Sosa, Cabrera. I just picked people who seem too big in places, are suddenly really good, or who suddenly suck.

from chris de luca... "During their recent organizational meetings, sources say, the Cubs focused much of their attention on left-handed-hitting corner outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who is expected to file for free agency this month." "Source say the Cubs have also heavily scouted right-handed starter Hiroki Kuroda, who filed for free agency Monday, and left-hander Hitoki Iwase, considered Japan's top closer." and direct quote... ''We've felt like we have scouted the amateur world there and the professional world and we're certainly not afraid to pursue that market if that fits best for our club,'' general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday. ''Just about everybody who has come over the last three or four years has done a pretty good job.''

Ok, here's the revised list: Bako, Barrett, Castillo, Hairston, Andruw, Bradley (cause he's a crazy mf),Todd Jones (cause he looks dirty), Kenny, Sean Casey, Bonds, Sosa, and Johann's mom.

my 11.... Geoff Blum, Miguel Cairo, Luis Castillo, David Eckstein, Mark Loretta, Rob Mackowiak, Steve Trachsel, Arod, Bob Wickman, Barry Bonds, Jose Guillen

Antonio Alfonseca, Barry Bonds, Shawn Chacon, Rogen Clemens, Josh Fogg, Eric Gagne, Jose Guillen, Mike Lowell, Andy Pettitte, Sammy Sosa, Bob Wickman

Mariners still have green. Incidentally, the new logo kind of reminds me of the Mariners' for some reason. So are they no longer fish, but rays, as in sun rays? If so, that's really really really lame.

and if we're wondering why the Cubs think a trade will be necessary for that lefty outfielder, here are your FA options according to ESPN's free agent page Cliff Floyd Shawn Green Trot Nixon Kenny Lofton Corey Patterson Barry Bonds Milton Bradley Geoff Jenkins Luis Gonzalez Fukadome hasn't filed for FA in the States yet...

Just Rays.... Wanted to get away from Devil apparently...bad juju. and my 11 was a joke if it wasn't obvious...

Yeah, I just thought they were shortening Devil Rays. But there's a sunburst (or whatever) in the design. So it looks like solar rays. Yes, we get it you're in Florida, very impressive, but the Suns, the Skin Cancers, or hell, the Dune Buggies would all be better, imo.

Irony: State of Florida has two youngest MLB teams. Not Irony: State of Florida now also has ugliest uniform in MLB.

Cubs | Schmidt offer on the table Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:45:34 -0800 ESPNews reports that the Chicago Cubs have offered free agent SP Jason Schmidt (Giants) a three-year, $44 million deal. ....ah....memories....

my guess as to the 11 on the commissioners red beans and rice list: AAlfonseca, CZambrano, BColon, JValverde, Dimitri Young, DOrtiz, JMesa, JEstrada, DWard, JUribe and JHendry

"I do too, but the way I see it, this isn’t going to hurt the game at all. And I’m against anyone dying if it can be prevented, even 1 person per hundred years." As long as it's not a rule.

there's about 100 coaches who have a month to make public their grievances if they have any. its out in the open now.

Thome?

ROB G: Cool on the McFail piece. Also, on the bottom, was an interesting Bill James data featuring that much-spoken about, Kaz Matsui. From Stark: "Finally, among the many fascinating tidbits you can find in the new Bill James Handbook, which hit stores this month, are baserunning stats of all kinds. We sorted through those numbers to determine the players who did the best -- and worst -- jobs of scoring runs after they reached base this season. Here goes:" SCORING IN HIGHEST PCT. OF TIMES ON BASE 1. Kaz Matsui 47 percent That is pretty damned impressive!

via KFFL... contrary to other reports, 1 source is reporting that they did vote on the helmet issue today... "Tracy Ringolsby, of the Rocky Mountain News, reports the general managers of Major League Baseball voted Thursday, Nov. 8, that first base and third base coaches would be required to wear protective headgear beginning next season."

playing behind stacked colorado bats will get you some high runs scored. hell, im about matsui coming aboard to fill a role (a theriot/matsui/derosa core for the next couple years i wouldnt mind), but that's more of an indication of team strength behind a guy who was decent at getting on base for them. still, yeah, 47%...wow.

helmets for coaches does nothing to the game at all. people have had the same angst for seat belts and motorcycle helmets and etc. its not freedom being stolen. hell, i dont like some of the steps i have to go through in order to do my job, but procedures were put in place to keep even the smallest chance of something pointless happening. they pay me to put up with the crap and honestly its pretty institutionalized at this point. besides, as a fan...i can see the advantage of taking the coach's head off the danger and on the runner.

no one thinks pitchers are more susceptible to getting beaned than coaches? Yeah they've got a glove but their about 30 feet closer. Thome is correct. Thanks about the Kaz baserunning mention, meant to include it. I believe Theriot was tops last year. A combo of speed, getting on-base and a good offense behind you.

lots of people are worried about the pitchers, but the whole glove thing comes into play. also, you'd need a radical helmet redesign that wouldnt restrict motion or put annoyances in the line of vision through the delivery. the whole pitcher thing will probably play itself out in innovation in places like little league, first...especially since wood bats will probably never return there out of cost if nothing else.

btw, i agree that the whole helmet thing is reactionary and probably overkill, but i dont see it as an attack on the game itself on par with even some of the radical changes selig has made.

j. van burren could probably use a helmet...ive never seen a more dangerous finish to a delivery out of a pro. his "natural motion" he comes outta it with the back of his head to the outfield...in no position to field, much less defend himself.

let me be very clear... Coaches wearing helmets will not harm the game. And it's not about the person's individual rights. It's about the fact that we live in this reactionary world now, where the sky is turning at every turn. This is not a liberal or conservative thing as both sides are guilty of this. I am talking about a country that has no ability to step back and think things through. One horrible death in over 1,000,000 baseball games. Maybe they should have started with 'suggesting' or 'encouraging' coaches to wear a helmet. But a rule. STUPID!!!! As bad as the movie "Idiocracy" was, it's core message is so true, it hurts.

genius from another Cubs board that's not to be named (and it's not BCB)... Matsui at 2B does this for us. We move DeRosa to right, and it keeps The Riot in at SS. This is the perfect scenario. Matsui and Theriot hit 1-2

"It’s about the fact that we live in this reactionary world now, where the sky is turning at every turn." we've always lived in a world where innovation is influenced by reactions, even overreactions. a lot of our laws were written and continue to be written because of minor, but public, events. nothing new going on here.

That Mitchell list will be all a bunch of wash up players. I will be stun that they name more than one play of consequence.

I live in San Francisco and every day I go to the office wearing a helmut, because you never know when the big one is gonna hit. Not only is it the right thing to do, it gets a giggle now and then.

"This is the perfect scenario. Matsui and Theriot hit 1-2" Perfect scenario or my worst fucking nightmare.

the main thing im not looking forward to is having ESPN and announcers blow up blah blah blahing for days the first time someone does get hit in the helmet. its happens...guys getting hit...almost all of them involve the guy getting a piece of the ball with his hands or arms, though. i wonder why the GMs are so concerned...wonder if its a possible liability issue now that the coolbaugh incident has opened up the inherent danger? *shrug*

Strange to say...I agree with Chad. I don't think anyone should force me to protect myself. But then again, deatbelt and helmet laws annoy me too. I want to wear a seatbelt to protect myself, but I don't think I should be fined for refusing to wear one. Let natural selection do it's thing (I DO think that I should be required to buckle my daughter in, because she doesn't have the ability to make that decision for herself). Anyway, whenever a freak accident occurs, our society goes nuts looking for who to blame and how we can make sure it never happens again. Accidents happen...but I don't want to go through life wearing a padded suit and helmet.

Perfect scenario or my worst fucking nightmare. this was funnier when I read it the first time as... Perfect scenario of my worst fucking nightmare.

more on CHECK YO HEADGATE... "GMs will decide on the exact form of protection when they meet next month at the winter meetings." + "We're going to come back in Nashville with some options: liners, hard caps, helmets without flaps, helmets with flaps," Garagiola said."

from a foxsports blurb.. The Cubs' Jim Hendry and Toronto's J.P. Riccardi are co-chairs on next year's meetings, which probably will be in Arizona, according to Garagiola. Who wants to lay odds that one of the two doesn't make it that far?

Matsui at 2B does this for us. We move DeRosa to right, and it keeps The Riot in at SS. This is the perfect scenario. Matsui and Theriot hit 1-2 Ugh. A lineup with Matsui, Theriot, and DeRosa every day isn't going to score a lot of runs, at least not outside of Colorado.

was it not obvious I was making fun of the unfortunate fool who thought Matsui-Theriot at the top of the order is the "perfect scenario"?

My 'Roidy Eleven: Kevin Mitchell Keith Mitchell David Eckstein Joe Morgan Morgan Ensberg Luke Scott Luke Skywalker Jimmy Walker Jimmy the Greek Jimmy Hendry Henry Rodriguez

thome.

Next time a pitcher gets killed they're going to switch to throwing behind those BP plexiglass screens. Then when a Ryan Howard 140 MPH line drive shatters one of those, the only reasonable thing to do will be to use remote controlled pitching machines. In 20 years all the fielders and coaches will be decked out like Football players...or Barry Bonds at the plate.

Furthermore, why do baserunners have to wear helmets? Once again, they should have the option. As many of you know, once batting helmets were used, they used to take them off at first base and put on their ball cap. I say we replace players with robots. At that point, I will fully subscribe to Sabremetric baseball.

"j. van burren could probably use a helmet…ive never seen a more dangerous finish to a delivery out of a pro." Shades of Mitch Williams.

Does anybody have the feeling that the Cubs are going to make a play for Eric Gagne, and he winds up being the closer to start 2008?

Check out the Sporting News 1986 strat-o-matic replay. Cubs get pummeled with Sarge leading off and Dernier hitting fifth> Someone must have been enamored with Sarge's high OBP.

What do the coaches think of wearing helmets? I didn't see any reactions from them in the article. We can sit in our cubicles and discuss how wise/idiotic it is, but there are no baseballs hurtling toward us.

"What do the coaches think of wearing helmets? " I don't believe there was ever a rule prohibiting them from wearing helmets, but none did so read into that what you will.

I think the reason they instituted the helmets as a rule was so people would actually wear them. If it's just an option, no one will wear them because they'll look like pussies. And really, who cares if they have to wear helmets? Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Also, is Prior considered a FA yet? I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin... And when are we going to get the answer to this damn trivia question?!?!?! Where's the AFLAC duck when you need him?

I am wearing a helmet now, at my desk. It is possible that, with enough force, the acoustic tiles could fall on my head.

Bruce Levine reports that the Cubs have been approached by four clubs re Jacque Jones.

The Cubs can always tell the Japanese players there are a couple of decent Japanese restaurants within walking distance of the ballpark.

If they don't like the way the helmets look, they could make some kind of titanium wig... I suppose...

Living in DEN. and having seen Matsui quite a bit, I don't feel that he would be a bad addition. I just don't think the Cubs need him, and he should not be the first thing they go after. Maybe they are doing it so that they are a more comfortable place to be for the Japanese FA's they're trying to bring in...

"but none did so read into that what you will." GA Hill wore one at first base coach for Rockies this year

"Mandler/Anixter(?)" The Anixter is Jim Anixter and his family. He's the guy who sits behind the plate and wears a bright pink hat. He tried to buy the Cubs back in '81 (or whenever the Trib bought it). According to the story I hear (and I firmly believe this to be true) he offered more money than the Trib but Bill Wrigley couldn't stomach the thought of Jews owing his beloved Cubbies. I would applaud a sale to him as him and his family are ginormous Cub fans and would do anything to win.

Aesthetically, I dislike helmets, especially for baserunners. They're ugly, especially the new ones they came out with (I believe was) last year. But if I was an owner, and was on the hook to pay a player multiple millions for multiple years, I may be inclined to do what I could to protect that investment. That may include ordering my players to wear helmets at bat and on the bases.

"...he offered more money than the Trib but Bill Wrigley couldn’t stomach the thought of Jews owing his beloved Cubbies." I have heard this as well, Chad. In the Rodgers article, he does not mention Don Levin, the current Wolves owner as a "qualified" bidder. HE would be my personal choice, and states he could pull the trigger financially with no major debt issues.

Sam Fuld AFL update: 400/495/659 Has reached base in 22 of 23 games played, and leads league in hits and doubles and is tied for league lead in runs scored, is tied for 2nd in triples, is 4th in walks and stolen bases, is 1st in OBP, SLG, and OPS, and is 2nd in BA (minimum seven games for OBP, SLG, OPS, and BA). Fuld also has 3 HR and 12 RBI (hitting lead-off) in his 23 games played. Sean Gallagher AFL update: 1.07 WHIP 1.29 ERA 7 G (2 GS) 14 IP 11 H 2 R (2 ER) 1 HR 4 BB 11 K Gallagher's fastball has been consistently clocked by scouts at 94-95 MPH.

AZ PHIL: you have opined on this before, but considering Sammy Fuld's AFL, will he have a shot at STARTING CF? Especially if Pie still can't hit ML hitting? I mean, could they both take roster spots on the '08 squad? What say Ye, PHIL?

BTW, Dan Patrick is now in syndication in numerous markets starting Monday. Will be on WSCR, locally, 10A-1P, CST. fwiw As long as I know where to find Bruce Levine, I could care less.

The E-Man — November 9, 2007 @ 12:55 pm AZ PHIL: you have opined on this before, but considering Sammy Fuld’s AFL, will he have a shot at STARTING CF? Especially if Pie still can’t hit ML hitting? I mean, could they both take roster spots on the ‘08 squad? What say Ye, PHIL? ================================= E-MAN: In my Cubs 2008-09 payroll preview article from earlier this week (based on the way things stand right now), I projected Sam Fuld as making the Cubs 25-man 2008 Opening Day roster and Felix Pie going to AAA so that he can (hopefully) learn to hit LHP (plus he's only 22, and another year of playing everyday in AAA wouldn't hurt his development). As for Fuld starting in CF on Opening Day 2008 for the Cubs, that all depends on whether the Cubs sign or trade for a RF and then whether Jacque Jones gets traded during the off-season. If the Cubs acquire a RF and don't trade Jones, then Jones will almost certainly play CF and the new guy plays RF. At the very least, Fuld should be the Cubs 4th OF in 2008. (Unless he gets traded). No question Sam Fuld is MVP of the AFL.

"I would applaud a sale to him as him and his family are ginormous Cub fans and would do anything to win." Hell yeah. I have no idea who this guy is or what his spending philosophies are, but the dude is seriously at EVERY game, so we know he loves the Cubs. That should be the most important prerequisite to owning the team.

that is a very odd rogers article. what SP is supposed to be the primary target rogers wants? eric patterson blocked by derosa/theriot/fontenot/cedeno? why cant he be in that mix rather than blocked by that mix? derosa, maybe...the rest...a peer at worst. jake fox? welcome to 2005/2006. 2 mentions of Arod? "front of the rotation starter" to add? where/who? and what's up with regulating hill to the scrap heap? no, he's not a top starter, but he's a pretty good option for a 2/3 rotation type.

" It doesn't make a lot of sense to add a fourth right-handed power hitter to a team that will pay Soriano, Lee and Ramirez a combined $40 million next season but the Cubs only hit 151 home runs last year, finishing 11th in the NL." So does it make sense or not. Who gives a shit what side of the plate he hits from. If you can add 50 homers you do it. Now I understand the whole price tag situation. But that is not relevant to his argument. He is saying that the Cubs don't need 50 home runs because they come from the wrong side of the plate. Horrible.

Well, it wouldn't be necessarily adding 50 HR's, because you have to subtract Theriot's 3. If there's five potential buyers for the Cubs, how hard would it be to give them a call and say 'What do you think about bringing Arod in?' Would it?

So does it make sense or not. Who gives a shit what side of the plate he hits from. If you can add 50 homers you do it. Now I understand the whole price tag situation. But that is not relevant to his argument. He is saying that the Cubs don’t need 50 home runs because they come from the wrong side of the plate. Horrible. But the Cubs absolutely, positively must subtract a lefty from the rotation and add a righty, correct Chad?

Rogers also said in Trib no way Schilling was going back to RSOx because he was blocking younger pitching. Schilling signed the next day.

Deadspin made their guesses on the roids users on the FA list: Bonds Guillen Sosa Hairston Perez Cameron Boone Trachsel Gonzalez Tatis Giles

Cliffy is being named a lot, as I look around at speculators... So is Barrett... Both would surprise me...

" But the Cubs absolutely, positively must subtract a lefty from the rotation and add a righty, correct Chad?" Now we're comparing Arod to Sean Marshall? That may be a stretch. I don't think anyone woul be upset if all the Cubs did in the off-season would be to replace Marshall with Santanna.

C'mon Rob, you can't be serious with that. Lilly Hill Marshall One must go. Go get a righty. Of course you make exceptions for the best of the best. It may not be ideal, but it's worth it overall. And just like Neal said, I can live with three lefties if one of them is Santana. But with what is more realistic, I want a righty.

One does not have to go unless it's an actual upgrade, even if it's a small upgrade. This handedness argument is a bit absurd.

with 4 guys under contract for 2+ years (im counting hill) and dumpster moving into the rotation...and marshall...and s.gallagher doing well in winter...and hart+others in the wings... personally, im not expecting many radical things to happen with SP. with the dumpster move i wouldnt be surprised to see s.marshall moved at the winter meetings. he seems to be both 'in the doghouse' for his lack of stamina and expendable thanks to lilly/hill and the kids.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.