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

Cubs Cut 9

Muskat says nine have been cut and they are (drumroll please)....

Pitchers Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg and Jeff Stevens have been optioned to Triple A, with Marcos Mateo headed to Double A(for now).  NRI's C Welington Castillo, INF Luis Rivas and Darwin Barney and OF Doug Deeds and Jason Dubois have been assigned to minor league camp.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

reed johnson gets to make fun of him because he guards fonte's pot of gold from thieves and boxes of lucky charms from kids while he's in the field.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

fun facts....listed heights on BR.com

Fontenot - 5'8"

Johnson - 5-10"

Theriot - 5-11"

it's not nice to lie Mr. Theriot....

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

i like watching david ortiz's weight go up. as of 2 years ago he was still listed at 210. now he's at 230. both are funny.

The Mets released former Cub Rocky Cherry. A Rule 5 pick, he was offered back to the Orioles, but the team declined to take him since he had the option of becoming a free agent. Rotoworld speculates that the Mets will offer him a minor league contract to stick around.

{From previous thread} Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree: Murton is in the perfect spot in Colorado and I think he can do pretty well there. As for Cedeno, we all know how he rolls... he won't hit .316 over the course of an entire season.. Ground balls are ground balls. Let Murton go. He's not nearly as good as the Cub faithful wanted him to be.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I was never much of a Murton fan myself, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see him succeed. The writing was on the wall for Murton when the Cubs gave Soriano that fat contract...

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Eh. Who cares? It's still early in spring training, etc., etc. Even if it were an injury, Lee is one of the few regulars I think we could live without for a while.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Lee was on the Team USA provisional roster and with Chipper likely being replaced for the final round, there was a chance he could have been named to the team if not for this injury. Evan Longoria was the only other IF on the provisional roster so he is a lock to take Chipper's spot now. If Braun has to go I imagine his replacement will by Ryan Ludwick as Sizemore and Hawpe have already pulled out with an injuries sustanined before the WBC and the other OF Carlos Quentin ended the year on the DL and has no insurance for the Wsox monteralily if there was another injury to him. As for Lindstrom, if they were smart they would replace him with a SP to start the semi final because their SP has sucked in the tourney. Danks is likely their best option, if they go the RP route it will certanily be Chad Qualls.

So, how much more sense does Esteban German make for the 25th man than Joey Gathright? The guy stole a lot of bases in the minors, plays 2nd base and has appeared in LF, CF, 3B, SS, and 1B, and is a righthanded hitter with a career .284/.364/.404 line against lefties (making him the slightly more likely platoon partner for Fontenot than Miles, with his .284/.352/.352 line against lefties). It really seems to me that either German or Koskie could be more valuable than Gathright (Koskie more so as 3B insurance).

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

gath is waaaaaaaaaaay faster. and i wouldn't get too stoked about his minor league numbers...he's a contact hitting singles hitter that owns a few gloves. and he's a perfect example of how ob% can be overrated in some cases. yeah, he's got a decent ob%, but it's almost all via his bat and hits falling for singles...it's not some great batting eye or his ability to draw walks.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Except for the very first sentence, can't that all be said about Gathright as well? The batting splits I called attention to were made up of only major league numbers.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

the 1st sentence is the main reason he's here fwiw...that and he can cover CF. and you can apply the singles-hitting thing to his ML numbers, too. he plays his ob% off his bat, not his eye or patience. that said, i'd be happy with either/or...it's just a 25th man...a guy who will get 150-250ab's if everyone stays healthy.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

German = .101 BB/PA ratio in the majors

Gathright = .074

that being said, German has fallen off a cliff in three years and just got released by a terrible team, no one should get too excited here.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

as far as a complete player goes...you go german. his speed may not be what it was and he can't play OF as good as gathright, but he's got the arm to play OF (even RF) along with the whole "can play IF" thing. german has more power upside which is scary considering most of his game is contact hitting for singles and trying to stretch out doubles. from what lou/hendry say when they talk about Gath it really does seem to be all about his speed (and he can cover all 3 OF). i can see an arguement for either one...mostly because neither bring a whole lot besides niche role skills.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I guess I'm just still terrified that Kosuke might struggle or get hurt and we'll have to watch them give Gathright a short at starting. That and I'm frustrated that they'd use a roster spot on a guy who is solely a PR when they have out of options pitchers. At least they seem to want Hoffpauir on the roster now.

USA vs. USA (territory)!!! Teddy Ballgame already down a run...totally forgot about the game. chat is open, although I can't make it.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Who plans the TV schedule for this crap?! Two "who cares" NIT games and not the WBC. I'm guessing it's on Deportes and MLB Network or some nonsense, but that doesn't help us poor basic cable people.

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

I was wondering the same thing, but then I thought about it. ESPN knows they're going to have Ken-Tuk-Eee on versus a chance of having Netherlands versus Venzuela, so they go with the sure bet... they look like dipshits in retrospect, but you can sort of understand the decision.

carlos "kenny lofton" beltran with a killer catch at the wall to rob a homer. unf.

heading into traffic... 4-3 PR in the top of the 9th...let's go comeback!!!

Great ending to the game. We get Soto back, but not Mr. Lilly quite yet.

[ ]

In reply to by Aisle 424

I'm not too concerned with Lillyhammer, he's a professional badass. I like getting Soto back to work with the pitchers and all that jazz. Plus he can get a chance to shot Gabor and Koyie how a real man catches.

It was killing me watching Geo catch balls with his bare right hand. Yeow

That was a fantastic ending. Too bad for PR (my brethren).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

The second article about Dunn: "I've never been on a team that nationally had expectations this low. I don't know why we can't go out and shock everyone. That's how I'll go into it."" Did Dunn just block out those years in Cincy?

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

With the Reds there was perennial hope that the team would contend if everything broke its way. With the Nats, I think it's a stretch to imagine them at 81 wins even in the best case scenario because of the horrendous state of that pitching staff. Unless the plan is to start Stephen Strasburg every game after August, this team won't be anything close to .500 despite having a fairly dangerous lineup.

Thursday is the date that Bako and Gaudin get their salaries locked in right? I am surprisded neither one of them got cut as right now given their springs they appear to be dead money.

I only caught glimpses of the game while it happened but just watched the highlights. Awesome ending.... Ted grooved a fastball to Delgado there and the heroics will make people forget about Jeter's crappy defense in the top of the 9th.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The run PR got in the 6th was also in part due to Jeter's lack of range at SS. There is no reason in a do or die game aganist a capable team for Jroll not to be playing SS. If Davey feels like he owes it to NYY to get Jeter game time at SS it should have been aganist the Dutch.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

Yeah, that was a frustrating play to watch. Just let him DH. Dunn actually looked pretty good in right in the one play I noticed. Wright looks like a vintage Rolen at third. I am on board with handing him the gold glove for the next 8 years, unless he gets hurt.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

The Real Neal: ...Dunn actually looked pretty good in right in the one play I noticed... Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

on the radio they said Rollins was quite sick, probably had something to do with him DH'ing....

Heard some tidbits on ESPN Radio's baseball spot. Perhaps it's been posted already but the Cubs want a new "state of the art facility" for ST like the new White Sox's spread at Camelback Ranch. They're even "looking" at Florida sites like Sarasota who have already expressed interest, but I think we can assume it's all a leverage ploy to get a new upgraded facility at their current home by 2012 which is I believe when they have to re-up. Also a new field is currently being installed at Wrigley to cleanup the mess the Winter Classic reeked on the field. On the NHL's dime of course.

you mean a new infield? grass? what exactly?

Didn't say exactly, I think they said the cost was $500K so I'd imagine new grass at least throughout the OF since the rink was pretty much stretched out across the OF up to 2B. But they had paths for the players to walk out from the dugouts across the INF so that too could be in play...not that it really matters either way. Also down the right field line concourse area there will be a new Captain Morgan's Pub/Harry Caray's Restaurant venture co-owned by the Cubs and the Harry Caray's people. You can enter from Addison too and if you have a ticket to the game you can supposedly go through the restaurant/pub into Wrigley which seems hard to believe.

[ ]

In reply to by dB

the soil system under a sports field is an amazing complex of soil/gravel and tubes carrying/taking water. it's a few feet thick of human engineered layers made to look like nothing at all is going on but growing and mowing.

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).