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

Worried

I'm worried.

I'm worried that our best hitter and best pitcher are two of the most injury-prone players in the game

I'm worried that we signed Dempster back before the economy completely tanked, and wound up over-paying.

I'm worried that the Dempster overpay caused us to trade away DeRosa, which, I worry, has greatly weakened our bench.

And, I worry, has greatly weakened our chemistry, whatever the hell that is.

I'm worried that Carlos Marmol will tire of his experiment living amongst humans, and decide to return to his normal, alien form, go back to the mothership, and report to the Martians that no, the earthlings do not offer any worthy baseball competition.  Marmol the Martian will then leave us as he explores other worlds in search of competition.

I'm worried that Carlos Zambrano is on the Livan Hernandez Career Arc.

I'm worried that you, gentle reader, won't follow me below the fold...

I'm worried that in a secret laboratory in Wyoming, DARPA is cloning Joe Morgan, with the intent of disappearing Len and Bob in May and replacing them with the first of an army of Joe Morgan clones.  The clones will be programmed to plant subliminal anti-American, totalitarian messages in their commentary that eventually will lead to an army of brainwashed baseball fans who overthrow society and institute a New World Order based on moving the runner over and expensive suits.

I'm worried that Fukudome simply isn't a very good hitter.

I'm worried that after his first burst of personality and temper, Milton Bradley will get the type of treatment that Cubs "fans" have given Hundley, Hawkins, Jacque Jones and others, and will handle it about as well as his predecessors did. 

I'm worried that when I then defend Bradley and call out the people giving him a hard time, I'll be run out of TCR on a rail.

I'm worried that not enough people appreciate what it literally means to get run out of town on a rail.  It HURTS, damnit!

I'm worried that I just insulted the historical and sadistical literacy of my readers.

I'm worried that in our effort to free up money to get Bradley and/or Peavy, money we wouldn't have had to free up had we not overpaid on Soriano, Fukudome, and most recently Dempster, we let Wood go when we shouldn't have.  I'm worried that Kevin Gregg is no Kerry Wood.

I'm worried that without Hank White, Cubs fans will struggle to find an appropriate new scrub on whom to fixate.  It's just not nearly as much fun to be a part of the Aaron Miles fan club.

I'm worried that Joey Gathright will encourage other Cubs to try jumping over cars.  Ryan Theriot will try jumping over a Hummer, and when he fails, I no longer will have to worry that Theriot is unlikely to match his BABIP from last year.

I worry that The Hardball Times and Fan Graphs have so many good reasons to doubt that Aramis Ramirez can repeat his performances of 2007 and 2008. 

I'm worried about pretty much all of our non-Marmol the Martian bullpen pitchers.

I'm worried that since the Cubs have the easiest schedule in baseball we will spend the season over-estimating our club's talent and then be stunned when we're easily handled in the playoffs.

I'm worried that the rest of the TCR authors think of me as their own Milton Waddams.  

I'm worried that Derrek Lee's 90 point drop in OPS last year wasn't a fluke.

I'm worried that none of the minor-league gurus is very impressed with our farm system once you get passed Vitters.

I'm worried that the one guy who we can least afford to lose is our catcher.

and that I'll never have hair as nice as him.

I'm worried that I'm out of practice at spelling Samardzija.

I'm not at all worried about Ted Lilly or Mike Fontenot.  They'll be fine.

I'm worried that Rod Blagojevich has sent out his goons to get me, in retaliation for my ground-breaking reporting on the Cubs' role in his corruption charges.  I already have very oddly shaped knees, and don't need Blago's goons wailing on them.  And it'd hurt.

I'm worried that we're going to spend the next decade regretting the Nolasco for Pierre trade

I'm worried that the Cubs will bring Billy Jo Robidoux out of retirement to be Lee's backup at first, which will bring about two catacylsmic events.  First, Ron Santo will spontaneously combust the first time Pat Hughes calls a Theriot-Fontenot-Robidoux double-play.  Second, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Lou Dobbs will march on Wrigley demanding we employ only full-blooded Americans, not fake Cajun-Americans.  Lou Dobbs will cast a hex on Wrigley, declaring we shall not win a world series for..... well....  for even longer.

I'm worried about Hendry's latest collection of scrub utility infielders.

I'm worried that I don't yet have plans for getting to a Cubs game this season.

I'm worried about Grey Goo.

And Asteroids.

And vinous, prehensile plants that can strangle you in the night.

I'm worried that all three of those things will, at some point this year, injure Harden, provoke a fight with Bradley, then injure Bradley in the fight.

I'm worried that Prince Fielder will tire of his vegetarian diet, and in a explosive fit of long-repressed gluttounous urges, gnaw off the head of Aaron Miles after he hits a single and stands on first.

And that he then will floss with Sean Marshall.

I worry that the Reds might actually be a pretty good team.

I worry that the Rays and Red Sox are clearly the two best teams in baseball as the season starts.

I worry that Batting Stance Guy does a better Soriano than Soriano does.

I'm worried that I've over-played this column, and that you, dear reader, will pan it in the comments.

Tags

Comments

And I'm so worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow.

Don't worry...you're not Alfred E. Newman Don't worry...it'll give you warts Don't worry...you could need one of those singing fish to make you "be happy" and if you drink Grey Goose...it'll help you not worry about Grey Goo http://greygoose.com/

I'm worried that this blog starts making unsubstantiated claims with tiresome anecdotes and subsequently starts turning out like some other blog

[ ]

In reply to by NittanyCub

there's humor in them there paragraphs. *spits* most people don't make it that far, though. they get distracted by other things. *cue mysterious music*

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

LOL. 

 

To dignify the double-post with a reply, I'll point out what observant readers already know:  I only post silly puff-pieces late at night on weekends...  TCR is safe from the terrible threat of transforming into the most prominent Cubs blog on the internet...

 

For now...... 

iyesterday's boxscore has me worried...two more strikeouts Fukudome, CF 3 1 0 0 1 1 2 .154

(Trans is worried because he's still broke) ----- Trans is broke, too?

"I'm not at all worried about Ted Lilly or Mike Fontenot. They'll be fine." I just think Trans deserves Kudos for this one. That is all.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Great. Let the TCR curse begin anew. Did we not learn our lesson from Corey Koskie?

Following up on Fukudome, I wonder if the WBC is really hurting his chances at rebounding this year. He's missing valuable time in spring training especially the batting practice.

I'm worried about how worried you look in that photo, Trans.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

FWIW, that's not a picture of me, but a random discovery through a google image search.

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

I call bullshit. I recognize your brand of mascara. I'm worried that you're in denial.

Ryan Theriot will try jumping over a Hummer Just leave the window open, and he will land safely in the baby seat.

I'm worried about Fukudome at what they're paying him for, not what they're expecting from him. I'm not worried with a Fuku/Johnson platoon in center. If that's the cubs worst player in the lineup, that's a sweet lineup. In reality I think the cubs would be okay with a combined .260/15/50 from their CF this season. Now if MB goes down, and Fuku sees more than 300-400 ABs, oh god they're in trouble.

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

With a strict platoon though, Fukudome will for sure see more than 300-400 ABs, since there are far more RH than LH pitchers.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

True, didn't think too much into it, just took ABs for a full season at a position and divided them in half. I'm still okay with Fuku even at 450 ABs, but I don't want to see him 500+, that'll be trouble.

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

Talk about setting the bar limbo low, the Cubs could have just kept Felix Pie if that was acceptable. This is what the combined 162 game average CF put up last year in the National League --> .268 .337 .435 21HR 78RBI 92R You had to do that just to be MEDIOCRE! ORDINARY! HOHUM! BLAH! EMINENTLY FORGETTABLE! OUT-OF-IT! BORDERLINE! ONE-BAD-DAY-AWAY-FROM-OBLIVION!

So... no Curt Schilling to the to the Cubs. Supposedly. Is he a hall of famer? I say no... but it is close.

[ ]

In reply to by Sonicwind75

I was just telling someone last night that Jeff Kent, Curt Schilling, Frank Thomas and Greg Maddux is going to be the most interesting HOF class ever. Also, fuck Mike Mussina.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Schilling going to be up in 2013 since he didn't play a game last year? At least the HOF website has him under that year. http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/ Also, those guys all might get in, but it is highly unlikely that they will be a class. I can't see Schilling being a first ballot HOF, nor Kent. Especially if guys like Maddux and Thomas are on the same ballot. Remember, Sandberg only got 49% his first year, so I can't see Kent getting 75+. And a pitcher like Fergie Jenkins only had 52% his first year. I think guys like Kent, Larkin, Schilling, etc. are guys who are looking at being on the ballot a few years and maybe busting through in a down year without any large names.

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

Thanks for the find, Garsky.

 

I think I now have an almost insurmountable lead in the TCR Author Whose Content Most Frequently is Stolen By Other Blogs contest.

 I should get a medal.

 

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

and ripped off pretty much everything else they could find from the internets.

 ~sigh~  and here I thought I was special.

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

maybe they were just in the process of creating their site...

because if you go to the main domain (http://www.mysportsscoop.com) and then click Chicago Cubs, it has all the RSS feeds organized by blog now and the link takes you directly to the site. Seems ours is now gone as well...

Thanks for finding it though...we'll keep an eye on them.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I realize Marmol will probably be closing, but I really think Gregg should. He has that "boring inning" quality of a good closer. Plus Marmol is so useful in the setup/occasional fireman role.

muskat says more cuts to the spring roster to come tomorrow... any ideas on how many/who?

Well, having Lilly back in camp will be a good thing... I imagine they are going to look to thin out the pitchers a little with his return...

[ ]

In reply to by ddp33

Snyder is out of options, he'll have to clear waivers before being optioned to minor league camp. If the Cubs are smart, they'll play up the injury and get him on the DL with a few weeks rehab. By the time that is up, teams 40-man rosters will likely be filled up and/or the Cubs may need him on the major league roster.

BTW Trans... what is with the weird blockquote formatting?

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Just me tryingto vary the presentation.  I thought about doing all bullet points, or doing all block quoted, or doing it just line by line, and they all got visually....  tiresome...  So I gave this layout a shot. 

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

Next time you can try posting in ASCII art. I think crunch has some good content for you.

[ ]

In reply to by Mister Whipple

҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚̕̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉ ̕̚̕̚ ҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚̕ ̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚ ̕̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉ ̕̚̕̚▲҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚̕ ̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉ ̕̚̕̚҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚̕̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉ ̕̚̕̚ ҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚̕̚ ̕̚̕̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉ ̕̚̕̚҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̊̋̌̍̎̏̐̑̒̓̔̿̿̿̕̚̕̚̕̚ ̔̕̚̕̚҉ ̕̚̕̚

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Great Picture.  Weird, but great.

 

I also think Fontenot is a great pick. I took him myelf with my second redraft pick in my keeper league (pick 212 overall) and was pretty thrilled about it.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Z started doing that last year and he does more to screw with the guy, too..mostly related to ragging on his height. the team literally treats him like a permanent "little brother" and he takes hell from a lot of that lockerroom. pretty sure it's all balanced out by that "respect" stuff, though. *shrug*

Update: Felix Pie is stinking up ST. Somehow that makes me feel better. Not in a schadenfreudic sense, though.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

Does anyone here think Felix Pie would have a chance of making the 2009 Cubs active roster with the (.184 .220 .263 .483) he's put up in ST so far? Not with Lou managing.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Is that praise or a criticism of Lou? Pie is worthless to the Cubs this year. I'm glad he's gone.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

just remember this: you can't spell "schadenfreudic" without CHAD. I don't know what that means. (what i just said not the definition of the word schadenfreudic)

Muskat says Lilly will throw April 3rd in New York, Harden on the 4th, which would set them up to pitch Games 3 and 4 of the season, including an extra day of rest for Harden. Or they skip him and go with Marshall, but I think Lou wants Harden, Z and Dempster against the Brewers in that series, considering they only have one regular lefty in the lineup.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Was down in FL this past weekend and caught a Reds-Astros game near Orlando. Daryle successfully avoided the Slim-Fast yet another winter, and should have a Wide Load sign painted on the back of his uniform. He is still an accomplished pinch hitter, but can't play anywhere in the field.

M. Holliday hit in the head by a breaking ball from Dempster, stays in the game...

M. Holliday hit in the head by a breaking ball from Dempster, stays in the game... --- C. Koskie in to pinch run? (ooh, that's cruel)

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

from what i heard he went to medical school and got married. his wife loves blue hats.

7 run 6th...and it's not over (just a pitching change) 12-1, two out doubles by Reed Johnson, then rbi single by Scales and rbi double by bako ...but the 6th inning has been a hit parade bako, taguchi, theriot, fontenot, fox (a regular conga line)

We need a "Worried" post every day during the regular season. 17-2

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

It'd be fantastic if my greatest skill and personality trait could help Cubs win games.  I'll just need help with the ulcer medications and psychotherapy.

matt murton hit the weight room this winter. he looks an easy 10-15+lbs. bigger...cut.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

I figured people would know it wasn't going to be Murton...but I knew you'd have to click anyway:) His nipples are gross.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

I, too, knew it was going to be Carrot Top, but didn't click on it. Until the nipple comment. I'm not sure what that says about me. "HEY! What about my NIPples?"

bako 4-4, and a hr in the 9th for the 20th run. hmmm. Mordecai Koyie Hill might need to convert to pitching.

Troy Glaus, shoulder surgery rehab not going backwards --- “We didn’t go backward,” he insisted. “We’re trying to set it up to go forward, but we didn’t go backward.” “I look at it like picking a scab,” Glaus said. “If you keep picking it, it will eventually get better. It’s just going to take a lot longer. (ooh, gross) http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/550…

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

“If you keep picking it, it will eventually get better." Sounds like excellent medical advice.

Fukudome is not in the starting lineup for Japan tonight

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I looked at his WBC stats today-- 4 for 20, all singles. 7 BB = .407 OBA (I'll take that), .200 SLG (yuck), .607 OPS (hoping for better than this).

[ ]

In reply to by Romero

Here's other WBC stat lines: Pedroia 125/125/250 375 D Wright 281/333/313 646 Granderson 235/316/235 551 Magglio 185/290/222 513 Mora 269/321/385 706 Soto 231/444/308 752 El Caballo 143/250/143 393 I'm not putting a lot of stock in those numbers. If he's still hitting poorly into May, then I'm going to start a Trans worryfest.

korea vs. japan being played in america with an ad sign behind the batter for the spanish-language yellow pages. now that's a world game...

For what its worth---current updates on ex-Cubs----Cedeno .286---Veal 9ip, 11bb----Pie .184----G. Olsen ERA 12.96---Wertz ERA 9.72---Hill inj

[ ]

In reply to by carmelo

"current updates on ex-Cubs----Cedeno .286---Veal 9ip, 11bb----Pie .184----G. Olsen ERA 12.96---Wertz ERA 9.72---Hill inj" I call bullshit it's not possible for all those blue ch...franchise pla...future all st... hall of fa... Aw fuck it, they were worthless to the 2009 Cubs anyhow.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Ronny's value to the team v. Heilman's value isn't newsworthy. With the pen being down from last season, adding Heilman was a needed one. Ronny wouldn't see more than 15 starts. Oh and it's his spring training average, I wouldn't be too upset.

damn good baseball...should consider playing the finals in a park where you can hit a home run.

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).