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

Should the Cubs Have Signed Orlando Hudson?

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager has made some questionable moves in the past - *cough* Juan Pierre *cough* - but you have to admire his creativity with contracts. The latest such deal is for Orlando Hudson and today we get the details via MLBTR and Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News. Ultimately it boils down to $3M in guaranteed money this year, $380K in bonus money that has been deferred WITHOUT INTEREST until an unspecified time and up to $5M in incentive bonuses, some of which are also deferred without interest if they are reached.

Early on in the offseason, I hypothesized that the Cubs would get in on Hudson, but there was never much more than a whisper and that came late in the offseason. When the Cubs dealt Mark DeRosa to the Indians, I think it was clear that they didn't have $5M or more for a second basemen this season. The days and weeks dragged on and by February Hudson was going to take whatever he could get and that seems to be $3 to $8M, much of it not due until some ambigous future date. The Dodgers did have to give up their first round pick next year for the privilege of having Hudson turn double plays for them next year and at number 17, that's a pretty steep price. The Dodgers though did get a second round and supplemental pick when the Braves signed Derek Lowe, so not as big as a loss as it could have become for them.

The question though is if Hudson would have made the Cubs better?

2009 Projections...

Players
 PECOTA Warp-1 PECOTA PA
Marcel OPS
CHONE OPS
Hudson
2.6
524
.788
.755
Fontenot
1.7
259
.816
.773
Miles
0.4
265
.695
.693

 

Offensively, the advantage goes to Mike Fontenot, but when you factor in playing time and defense it superficially appears that Hudson has the advantage.

Then we have the all important defensive side of the diamond. Rate2 is a Baseball Prospectus metric on the same scale as OPS+ where 100 is average. UZR/150 is Ultimate Zone Rating defined as the number of runs below or above average per 150 defensive games. Generally, the systems tend to agree with each other, but there's a substantial disparity on Hudson in 2008. 

Player
Career UZR/150
2008 UZR/150
Career Rate2
2008 Rate2
Hudson
3.2
-9.3
 114 112
Fontenot
14.1
16.8
 108 112
Miles
 -2.3 1.2
 95 100

My eyes tell me that Hudson is by far the superior defender and I doubt there's many people in baseball that would disagree. I also tend to believe that, like any metric, small sample size tends to skew the results and Mike Fontentot just hasn't played that many games at second base and I've seen nothing to justify that he's one of the best defensive second basemen in the game as those numbers suggest. 

But I do think it's close enough between Fontenot and Hudson that the Cubs didn't have to spend the extra money here, that is until they decided that Aaron Miles was plan B and Lou would try to get him 400 AB's. Now I'm wishing that Hendry stole one from Ned Colletti's contract playbook.

Comments

Wasn't Lowe a type A? Even if the Braves have their pick protected, don't the Dodgers get a sandwhich pick for that? I agree it would have been neat to have Hudson, but not at a contract that could cost up to $8 million and a first round draft pick. We got Miles (admittedly, yeck) and those pitchers from Cleveland for our $2.5 million. Or we could have Hudson, who's skill set may be similar to the Fontenaught (and I don't buy those defensive numbers either) for $5.5 million and a first round pick. Hard to see where Hendry made a mistake there.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

depends how far along the incentives he gets, but Fangraphs has him at worth $13.9M in 2007 and $8.7M worth of performance the last 2 years and that's with 601 and 455 PA's. So it certainly seems like the Dodgers got a deal if he perfoms like he did the last 2 seasons. Of course, with wrist surgery that's probably why he went unsigned for so long. He also doesn't play shortstop which gives Miles an advantage.

Nonetheless, if Miles is getting the bulk of his AB's at 2b, I think that asking Ricketts if he could find $4M if Hudson hit some incentives wouldn't have been too much to ask.

not that big a deal as I said...

and Hudson is coming back from wrist surgery...so even if his wrist is OK, there would be some serious worries about full recovery and re-injury. This is not a common procedure for someone who's career is based on wrist flexibility and strength. I don't know any other mlb player as a comparison. If the ligament repair stretches out his carpal bone anatomy will lead to arthritis over time. Further surgery is also possible and the next step involves limited fusions of involved carpal bones where he could miss a full season. Given our infirmary roster (Harden's shoulder, Soriano's hamstrings, Heilman's knee and Bradley's brittleness), I'm glad we don't have to worry about this one. This is from Aug 10th, 2008: Dr. Michael Lee performed the procedure, putting a dislocated bone back in place. Hudson will have another surgery today or Tuesday to repair ligaments. He was injured after colliding with Braves catcher Brian McCann near second base in the sixth inning Saturday. Hudson was attempting to catch an errant throw from Juan Cruz. The recovery time is expected to be three months. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/122766

Are people concerned on this board about our Middle Inf and CF? Miles/Fonty, Theriot and Fukudome/Reed? Just doesnt scream best in the NL does it. 2 platoons and a 2B playing SS? I hope for Fukudome to bounce back and bat 1st or 2nd. I'd like to Orlando Cabrera signed after draft pick compensation has passed or some deal can be worked out.

[ ]

In reply to by HendryIsClueLess

there's 5 power hitters surrounding them. it's a 140m team. even with a manager nodding wanting to get miles 400ab's this season it's enough of a team to keep people from screaming bloody murder on the manager. we're playing with a whole new set of concerns as a modern cubs fan...esp. the past couple years. i can't believe the quality of team we have right now...the past 2 years i've never seen this amount of pre-season talent on the cubs in my lifetime. even when a key guy slumps and some other key player is injured the team is still a threat.

[ ]

In reply to by HendryIsClueLess

Being a huge fan of defense, I would have loved a move for Hudson. It's disconcerting to hear money was an issue. Money hasn't been an issue for the Cubs for some time. HendryIsClueLess: Are people concerned on this board about our Middle Inf and CF? Miles/Fonty, Theriot and Fukudome/Reed? Just doesnt scream best in the NL does it. OH YES. This team absolutely needs a legit SS. I've thought that ever since they got rid of... *shudders* Izturis. Izturis wasn't pretty, but at least he was a big leaguer. Don't get me wrong, I like Theriot, but I truly believe Theriot on the bench is more valuable to the team than Theriot as a starter. He's very patient and bats for average. Exactly what you want in the 8th inning with the tying run at 3B. As far as CF goes, I think Fuku will be fine. Fuku's numbers from last year were not all that surprising. In fact, I had projected his OPS nearly right on before last year started. I also expect he'll bounce back with "better-than-Jacque-Jones-in-a-good-year" production this year, albeit he'll produce runs rather than RBIs.

If the choice is O-Dawg getting 400+ at bats or Aaron F%*N Miles getting 400+ at bats, then is there really a question. I know one guy is really gritty and scrappy. But the other guy is actually a productive Major League hitter. And draft comp cannot be an excuse. If it mattered then Woody would have been offered. Not to mention Hudson will net that pick back next year if he leaves. Too late now. Oh well. Go Aaron Miles!!!

First, "Should the Cubs Be In On John Smoltz?" and now this. I wonder if you actually have built a shrine to Hendry like any decent self-respecting Cubs fan should. If Hendry says Pie, Koyie Hill and Hudson for Gathright, Bako and Miles is a good trade or that his shit tastes like doughnuts, I have to say I agree.

Muskat: "Why didn't they pursue someone like second baseman Orlando Hudson? One reason was that he's a Type-A free agent, and teams that lose players with that designation receive the top Draft pick from the signing team in addition to a supplemental pick." Now let's break precedent and actually pick someone who doesn't completely wash out by the time they see the ivy!

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • 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.