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

Slumpbuster

Top of the 7th, two on and two out and Derrek Lee steps up to the plate and I'm thinking to myself, "Well, at least he can't hit into a double play here". (Sigh).

The Cubs find themselves just one game ahead in the Central and their offense hasn't been able to buy, rent or even lease a big hit. Besides hoping for the comforts of Wrigley, I'm not sure what they can do to get out of this funk. I'm usually not a big fan of catering to the hot hand, when that hot hand usually doesn't do much, but it might be time to let Mike Fontenot move up to the two spot for a few games until he cools off. His 1.240 OPS in July needs to be somewhere where it can do a little more damage and Fukudome and his .555 July OPS can figure out why he's no longer awesome at the bottom of the order.

Otherwise, I think the a team-wide slumpbuster (see definition #3) might be in order.  My source at Sky Harbor airport  is keeping an eye out to see if Rosie O'Donnell, Kirstie Alley, and Camryn Manheim show up for a little team remedy.

Comments

I am wearing my stupid "Believe" bracelet until they win. 24/7. Sleep, shower, sex, skydiving. This is not leaving my wrist until they win.

[ ]

In reply to by Brick

Yes I am overreacting. This is the Cubs!!!Our margin for error is very small. Look at all the bastard teams catching up. Let's just have every freaking player go up to the plate and bunt. This is the equivalent to what I do when my golf driver and I are on the outs: I drive with my putter. That'll show 'em! RRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Slumpbuster suggestions: Grace Slick, Lizzie Grubman,Kirstie Alley, or one of those haggard-looking Olsen twins (though a player could end up testing positive for BMP).Let's get some runs!!!

Too bad Mama Cass isn't around anymore...

I'd like to think that I'm just a nervous nelly here but.... The Cubs have lost 5 out of their last 6 games and have scored a total a total of 6 runs in those losses. Is it just an abberation? The Brewers went balls to the wall with their deals in pursuit of a division crown, etc. The Harden+ deal was great and stands to pay huge dividends, but with the deadline looming should the Cubs consider adding someone(s)? Would it make sense to try to find a right handed counter part for Fuku? I'm not talking about a full blown platoon or any thing...just maybe a player with some pop that could step in every 4th game or so. Even with his frigid bat over the last months, I still love Fuku's glove, spead and arm in right. Of course a deal for Brian Roberts could free up DeRosa to spell Aram, Fuku, Soriano and Roberts himself. Then again, again I wouldn't want DeRosa to take much of a cut in playing time. Hell. I don't know. I just want the old Cubs back. You know the ones that score runs. If it takes a deal or two to get things going, then fine. Just score some damn runs.

[ ]

In reply to by Chris

Fuku's right-handed counterpart is DeRosa or Reed Johnson...they've been a bit busy filling in for Soriano though. But now he's back, it's like making a deal at the deadline (I will now shoot myself for using that line).

[ ]

In reply to by Chris

5 of 6 could be an abberation. But they've gone 13 - 17 over their last 30, which looks a lot like a trend. Granted, that's been without Soriano. Here's hoping he gets hot in a hurry.

[ ]

In reply to by Timmer

What's with the arbitrary 30 games? The Cubs are 2 games under .500 since losing Soriano. As Lou said yesterday, he's our biggest home run threat and his absence was bound to catch up with us.

I still don't see the point in bringing Soriano back after two rehab games. He should be down there for a week, at least. I understand that the Cubs need him. But they don't need him rusty. That is not going to help them any more than playing Derosa in left will....

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

all the minor league rehabbing in the world don't get you ready for major league pitching. There's going to be an adjustment period either way and the sooner he can get it over, the better.  I think 4 games is the max I've seen for a hitter on a rehab assignment. With a lefty on the mound and if he feels ready, it can't hurt with the way we're hitting.

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

a little fuel for your rant...

"He probably needs more at-bats than what we're giving him," said Piniella, repeating his sentiments from Monday. "It's been a long time. But, what do we do, leave him here? I don't know. Let's see what happens after his 4 or 5 at-bats in Tucson, and then we can make a determination."

looks like he'll be activated for tonight's game...I assume Hoffpauir is on his way out.

I wonder if they're going to do anything about Lieber and Eyre... Seems like Hart could be sent down for one of those guys...

Rockies seem to want a top starting pitching prospect ready for the majors for Fuentes. Asking about Clay Bucholz, Ian Kennedy, Jon Niese, Wade Davis... Reds (?), Mets, Dodgers, Brewers, White Sox asking about Huston Street...

"I still don't see the point in bringing Soriano back after two rehab games." If the club were doing well right now, I'd agree with you. But with the tremendous suck going on right now offensively, I don't see a reason not to put him back in the lineup. The club has nothing to lose with this move, unfortunately.

Batting averages so far on this road trip: Rammy .000 (0-for-20) Lee .143 (3-for-21) Soto .053 (1-for-19) Big 3 combined: .067 (4-for-60) Every hitter has slumps -- these guys will come out of it. Hopefully starting tonight.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Soto has hit a lot of balls hard during that 1/19 streak that didn't fall in. Lee is problematic. He seems to be having some wrist problems. He was in obvious pain after a swing a few games ago. His last home run was June 20th. Way too many GIDP's. POWER OUTAGE The trouble with Arams' O/20 is he already had a recent 0/22 (2008-06-26 2008-07-04 ). Both streaks are uncharacteristic career nadirs. NOT GOOD

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

article also says...

"...with as many as five invited to continue in the sales process, and given greater access to business data.

Of the five to 10 offers fielded for just Wrigley Field, the source said three were deemed promising enough to be asked to continue in the process."

Five bidding on everything, 3 just on Wrigley...I suppose it all can change, but interesting.

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

woah. that's a top tier shakeup. wonder what happened there...wonder if they wanted him to sell his chunk of MIL to continue and he refuse...wonder if it's aliens. i bet it's aliens.

But Soriano will not be replacing those guys that are struggling. He will be replacing DeRosa, mostly, who might end up playing 2B, which would mean we might be removing Fontenot, and replacing him in the batting lineup with Soriano. Whether you see it as replacing Fontenot (.341 in July, 3B last night) or DeRosa (1-2, 2B, 2 BB last night), either way it is unlikely to be a positive offensively. I understand that there is going to be a period of time where Soriano is going to need to adjust to MLB pitching. I am just saying that this doesn't seem to be the time when the Cubs can afford to let him kick off thew rust, especially when he hasn't exactly been lighting it up in only 2 games in the minors.

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

or let DeRosa play RF some in place of Fukudome

adding one of your 3 best hitters after sitting out 6 weeks can only be a good thing...

I don't see Ramirez sitting tonight against a LHP. I wouldn't be upset if he did, but I don't think it's likely.

He's one of you best 3 hitters when his timing is on. He's been out for 6 weeks, and had 5 AB's TOTAL in the minors. I hope I'm wrong, but I foresee many a K in Soriano's near future...

What was up with Lou last night in that Q & A session they showed before the game? I have never heard him struggle so much just to get through each sentence...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

he was already at a game last year making fun of himself. i think it was in TB or FLA or something...some kind of "pan the camera around the crowd" in-between-inning thing and he was there for comic relief. they played a "im so lonely" song when it came around to him. wonder how much he got paid for that.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

wow...that's a great article. i dont even CARE about the whole bartman thing. im still a little shook up at a SS error by a guy who barely made errors while making other nice plays look easy all regular season...and losses coming vs. our 3 strongest pitchers...IN A ROW. that one had me beginning to end...even better piece considering there was a strong story built out of a few brief words in a parking lot ambush interview. the courtroom sketches are nice, too. ha.

Time for the slumping Cubs drinking game: Drink whenever: * Cub hitter gets an out by swinging at the first pitch * Cub hitter strikes out (if on a would-be ball 4, chug) * Cub hitter gets an out without advancing the runner (if runner is on 3rd with less than 2 out, chug) * Cub hitter hits into a DP (if DLee, chug rest of drink and then slam a second one) * Cub commits an error or WP (more than one in the same inning, chug) (if committed by a player not in his natural position, chug) * Cub pitcher walks the leadoff guy in an inning (if he scores, chug) * Opposing pitcher gets a hit before any Cub player does (chug) * Cubs pitcher out hits all the position players (chug) ... I have to get back to work before I can finish this. Needless to say, this team will get you hammered!

Yeah, nohit, with those rules, I would guess that if played on this road trip, I'd be drunk by the end of the first inning, probably out of commission by the 4th.

It's not really relevant now, but Kirstie Alley was HOT when she started on Cheers.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Your Chicago Cubs the year Kirstie Alley replaced Diane on Cheers: # Pitchers 48 Jay 39 Ron Davis 33 Frank DiPino 44 Drew Hall 50 Les Lancaster 37 Ed Lynch 31 Greg Maddux 41 Mike Mason 49 Jamie Moyer 47 Dickie Noles 21 Scott Sanderson 46 Lee Smith 40 Rick Sutcliffe 42 Bob Tewksbury 34 Steve Trout # Catchers 34 Damon Berryhill 7 Jody Davis 1 11 Jim Sundberg # Infielders 17 Mike Brumley 12 Shawon Dunston 10 Leon Durham 6 Keith Moreland 16 Paul Noce 28 Luis Quinones 18 Wade Rowdon 23 Ryne Sandberg 19 Manny Trillo # Outfielders 8 Andre Dawson 24 Brian Dayett 20 Bob Dernier 30 Darrin Jackson 1 Dave Martinez 36 Gary Matthews 22 Jerry Mumphrey 25 Rafael Palmeiro 29 Chico Walker

Wooo!! Gee, it sure is nice to have that 0-4, 1K boost he provides!! Yippee!!

Well, that's good. A double! That's something at least...

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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.