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

Jake Fox Three-Run Blast Powers Cubs to Victory

Jake Fox slammed a three-run homer and Joey Gathright had three hits, a walk, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base (and made a nice running catch in right-centerfield as well), as the Cubs defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4 in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in sunny Mesa, Arizona this afternoon, before another smallish crowd (6,711).

box score

Sean Marshall got the start and went two innings (30 pitches - 20 strikes - 1/3 GO/FO), allowing one run on four hits. Marshall kept bouncing his curve and left a few of his other pitches too high in the strike zone, but overall it wasn't a bad outing.

The Brewers scored a run in the top of the 1st when Chris Duffy tripled to CF and then J. J. Hardy followed with a double to left-center. The Brewers missed scoring another run in the inning, however, when Hardy was cut down 7-6-2 (with a perfect relay throw by SS Darwin Barney to catcher Paul Bako) after LF Micah Hoffpauir lost a fly ball in the sun.

Hoffpauir's misplay in LF in the 1st inning wasn't his only gaffe of the day, either, as he allowed a pop up to drop in front of him in the 5th, eventually resulting in a run during Carlos Marmol's one ining of work.

While Hoffpauir is a Gold Glove caliber defender at 1B (he was voted the top defensive first-baseman in the PCL by rival managers last season), he just doesn't display any defensive acumen in the outfield. But the problem is, Manager Lou Piniella probably feels like Hoffpauir will need to be able to passably play a corner OF spot at least occasionally if he is to secure a spot on the 25-man roster. Today was not a good day for Hoffpauir in that respect.

The Cubs tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the 2nd off Seth McClung, when Darwin Barney singled, advanced to second when PH Steve Clevenger drew a walk, and and scored as Joey Gathright rolled a single just out of J. J. Hardy's reach into LF.

The Cubs took the lead for good in the bottom of the 3rd, when Jake Fox blasted his three-run dinger over the left-field fence following back-to-back walks to Richie Robnett and Micah Hoffpauir. (The Cubs drew 11 walks today, and went deep into the count in a number of ABs).  

The Cubs scored two more runs in the 6th, as Welington Castillo walked and Joey Gathright reached on an infield hit, followed by an RBI single by Aaron Miles )who hit two rockets directly at defenders in his first two at bats), and a sac fly to short CF by Robnett, where Gathright showed his blazing speed by outracing the throw to the plate.

The Cubs scored their final run in the bottom of the 7th, when the left-side of the Brewers infield (Mike Lamb and Alcides Escobar) took turns throwing the ball away.

The Cubs pitchers had mixed results today.

Chad Gaudin followed Marshall to the mound,working two innings (38 pitches - 22 strikes - 4/1 GO/FO), during which he allowed four hits (one of which was a gargantuan HR hit completely out of the ballpark by Mike Cameron) and a walk, while striking out one. He was saved from a much worse line thanks to two timely inning-ending double plays, one 4-6-3 and the other 6-4-3, the latter of which probably allowing Gaudin to complete his second inning without having to be relieved (his pitch count was getting close to 40).

Carlos Marmol worked the 5th and he did throw strikes (13 pitches - 10 strikes), but he also allowed a run (technically  "earned"), thanks to a HBP and Hoffpauir's misplay in LF, 

Veteran LHP Mike Stanton, who is battling for a job in the bullpen, had a perfect opportunity to show Manager Lou Piniella what he could do, facing six left-handed hitters and just one right-handed hitter. The one right-hander (Mike Rivera) slugged a HR, and against the lefty swingers, Stanton struck out two (both swinging), while also allowing a single, a walk, and a hard-hit line drive out to 1st base. Overall, not all bad against the lefty batters, but not all good, either. A sort of mixed-bag for Stanton.

Kevin Hart (15 pitches - only seven strikes - allowing a single while also hitting a batter) , Chad Fox (just eight pitches - six strikes - three up, three down, a GO, a FO, and a K-swinging), and Angel Guzman (ten pitches - seven strikes, allowing a near-HR ground rule double and two loud fly outs, before striking out Scott Thorman swinging to end the game) each threw one shutout inning to close the game out. Chad Fox was especially impressive in his one inning.

The Cubs are now 2-0 in Cactus League play, and will travel out to Surprise tomorrow to play the Texas Rangers.

Comments

I wonder what would have happened had he hit the ball? ------------ Milton Bradley’s spring training debut was cut short by an injury. The Cubs new right fielder had a six-pitch at-bat Thursday that ended with a walk in the first inning of a 7-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He then was lifted for a pinch-runner as soon as he reached base. The injury was described as mild tightness of his left quadriceps, but Bradley said being removed was precautionary. “You work out hard, you get tight,” Bradley said. “I felt it before warming up. It felt tighter than it should have been. I felt the best course of action was to let them know right now. If it was April 6, I’d play.” He told us running pregame that he felt a little tightness,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “We told him to get one at-bat and see what it feels like. We have a long spring, no reason to rush anybody. We will give him a couple of days and run him back out there.” http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1452059,cubs-game-bradley-…

AZPhil... ... thanks for the response on the previous post. I know that sometimes we can ignore reason as fans, and it was nice to see some more unbiased analysis of Koyie Hill. I truly do feel that he would be a better addition to the roster than the illustrious Gabor, but it was nice to have reason backing my gut and emotion. Does Koyie really still have the ability to play the field? Either way, he is a great value. I do miss Hank White though... Secondary note, what do you think about Darwin Barney? From all I read he would be another scrappy middle infielder. Is his defensive prowess as good as I hear? Is he just a punch and judy singles hitter? Thanks, as always, for the analysis. You are another reason I am glad that they are playing ball again...

Live Blog of Japan vs. Australia http://forums.simcentral.net/blog.php?b=683 Fukudome replaces the CF in the 4th. K, K, RBI Double, R. A previous quote about/from Fuks: http://forums.simcentral.net/blog.php?b=522 ...Kosuke Fukudome is trying to make sure that he gets a starting spot on the final Samurai Japan roster. For the second straight day he collected a hit during situational BP. He also played all three outfield positions when he was on the field. Said Fukudome, "I was able to hit some balls foul while getting the hit so I feel good about the AB. And I think my body is beginning to react to the off-speed pitches better. Things are falling into place." And: http://forums.simcentral.net/blog.php?b=522 (1-1-09) References an NHK (like BBC or CBC of Japan) broadcast which claimed that Fukudome was still favoring his right elbow during the season. I don't remember much talk of his previous surgery during Fukudome's struggles, but this makes me a little more hopeful that he'll rebound.

Just dreamin' but since Manny has rejected the Dodger's latest offer, maybe we should take up a collection. Could you imagine Manny in a Cubs uniform? (Sorryano could move to 2nd.) Our record in the last 3 playoff games is 0-9. Manny is one of the greatest RH hitters in the history of baseball. After all, what's another century...

Submitted by Hawkeye on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 9:03pm.

AZPhil... ... thanks for the response on the previous post.

I know that sometimes we can ignore reason as fans, and it was nice to see some more unbiased analysis of Koyie Hill. I truly do feel that he would be a better addition to the roster than the illustrious Gabor, but it was nice to have reason backing my gut and emotion.

Does Koyie really still have the ability to play the field? Either way, he is a great value. I do miss Hank White though...

Secondary note, what do you think about Darwin Barney? From all I read he would be another scrappy middle infielder. Is his defensive prowess as good as I hear? Is he just a punch and judy singles hitter? Thanks, as always, for the analysis. You are another reason I am glad that they are playing ball again...

===========================================

HAWKEYE: Koyie Hill has played 1B at Iowa, and he should be able to still play 3B (which he played in college), too. The position he almost certainly can't play is 2B (the position he played for Team USA). He lost a couple of steps after he broke his ankle with the Diamondbacks a few years ago and he just doesn't have the speed or range to play a middle infield position anymore.

Before he was traded to Arizona, K. Hill was a perennial Dodgers Top Ten prospect, and speed & athleticism were a part of his tool box. He even stole 21 bases one year in the minors. But a loss of speed/range shouldn't be a problem at 3B, where you mainly need side-to-side one-step quickness and a strong & accurate arm (which he has).

So the added advantage of having K. Hill as the back-up catcher is that he should be able to play 3B in a pinch (a position Paul Bako has not played). However, K. Hill will still have to be able to hit at least .200 and show some of the power he displayed at Iowa last season (he hit 17 HR at Iowa in 2008) at the big league level if he wants to be the Cubs back-up catcher in 2009.

Darwin Barney plays hard, he has decent range and a strong arm, he's a smart baserunner with average speed for a middle infielder, and he is a fair hitter (so far) with occasional power. He more than held his own in the AFL last year.

My main concern about Barney is that he will not hit much at the higher levels. If he turns out to be a .225 hitter at AAA, I doubt that he will ever be an everyday MLB SS. Barney is the proverbial Old School "field captain," a team leader-type with a high baseball IQ. Steve Clevenger is a lot like that, too, BTW.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 10:21pm.

Carlos Beltran loses balls in the sun during spring training. If that's the reason that Hoffpauir doesn't make the team...

=========================================

REAL NEAL: It's not just a matter of Hoffpauir losing a high fly ball in the Arizona sun. It's running into Joey Gathright when Gathright was trying cut-off a ball in the gap, and misreading a pop up down the LF line that dropped in for a hit.

Hoffpauir is a lug with a history of knee injuries. He is a Gold Glove caliber 1st baseman, but he appears totally lost in the outfield. He has that Deer Caught in Headlights look. He's just going to get himself hurt playing out there.

Not all 1st basemen can play corner OF. Some can, some can't. Wishing & hoping he can doesn't make it so.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I agree with Phil on Hoffpauir. The issue for Lou is can he find a place for an outstanding LH bat off the bench who can DH in all interleague games and play some 1B for DLee? For years the Cubs have tried to 'shoe-horn' Dr. Strangegloves somewhere in the field because of their bats and their bats never seemed to produce as many wins as their gloves produced losses. Unfortunately for Hoffpauir, he appears stuck behind DLee unless he miraculously agrees to a trade or gets hurt, and with 2 options left can be sent back to Iowa. At 29 years old, he really deserves a chance to play regularly for some team that will give him 350+ ABs. I wish that was 1B for the Cubs in 2009 because I've seen the DLee movie and I know how it ends.

When I read that article, it appears to me that Boras and the Dodgers set noon Friday as a mutual deadline... It appears to me, though, that the Dodgers are pretty pissed off, so I'm not sure that the deadline means much to them any more... I hope they tell them to cram it...

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I don't know if someone would be willing to pony up more than 2/45 for him. First of all if teams had that much money to spend on FAs Bobby Abreau wouldn't have signed for only $5mil (note: not at all comparing Abreau to ManRam, but just making a point that the FA money is tight). Second of all, I believe manny wants a longer term deal, which at 38 (no fact checking, just guessing) i don't see anyone committing more than 2 years on him. 3 is a stretch. The guy can straight rake on the plate, but he's a nut case clown who can't play D and has a more laid back "who gives a shit" attitude than my stoner neighbor freshman year in the dorms. I don't see any team besides the Dodgers being interested in his services at that price in this economic time of struggle. I agree, Coletti should wait and when ManRam realizes he isn't playing by may 15th, he'll be ready to talk again. I could see him sitting out until someone else comes along b/c of injury, the 2nd half run, or something of that nature. But i think he'll be playing for the Dodgers on opening day or no one.

I can understand not wanting 60% of your salary deferred. --- Getting ONLY $10M and deferring $15M...now that would hurt. ...so he'll have to cut back on the expensive stuff. No Beluga caviar, just a few H3 purchases. only once a month Dredlock maintaince?

At some point this has gotta blow up in Boras' face doesn't it? If a team like the Dodgers decides that Boras clients are too much trouble. Then he begins to really hurt his clients earning potential.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).