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

Trade Deadline Rumor Roundup

TRADE RUMOR UPDATE (4:23 PM CST): Jayson Stark reports that the Mariners are asking a steep price for Ibanez:

The Cubs, meanwhile, are resisting attempts by Seattle to get Felix Pie and a second prospect for Ibanez. The Cubs almost certainly would be willing to offer a couple of prospects in the Sam Fuld stratum. But teams that have spoken with the Cubs say they've shown little sense of urgency to overpay to add a final piece or two of late. 

A few notes about the Cubs/Brewers series first...

- So the Cubs win the battle of the aces last night, with Carlos Zambrano putting together the type of heroic effort that should be remembered for years. 118 laser precision-like pitches over eight innings with nine strikeouts and only five hits and the Cubs are guaranteed to be still in first place after the series ends. They're also set-up nicely for a series win or dare I say series sweep with Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden going the next two games. (Doing my best Mel Allen) How about that?

- The "struggling" Cubs offense has pounded out 26 hits over the last two games. Apparently you can just turn it on when it's needed most. 

- Entering the series, Jason Kendall had morphed himself into a late-90's Ivan Rodriguez, throwing out 27 of 57 baserunners for a league-leading .474 caught stealing percentage. Lou and the Cubs baserunners didn't seem impressed. They're now a perfect five for five in the first two games. Kendall needs to take another dip into whatever fountain of youth he found.

Some trade rumors after the jump...

- Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are showing interest in Raul Ibanez or any left-handed hitting outfielder. Jim Edmonds knee must be worse than they originally thought and it never hurts to have some insurance. It seems the Cubs are perfectly willing to move Kosuke Fukudome to center field on a full-time basis and find someone to play right field. Reader "Chifan" put together a list of some outfielders that might be available:

AL West
Milton Bradley

AL Central:
David DeJesus
Mark Teahan

AL East:
Luke Scott
Brad Wilkerson

NL West:
Randy Winn
Dave Roberts
Jody Gerut
Brian Giles

NL Central:
Ken Griffey Jr.

NL East:
Mark Kotsay 

I would probably add Coco Crisp to that list as well, although I'm not sure how Chifan neglected one name though, the player sure to lead us to the promised land ....Adam Dunn!!!!!!!!!!  Hey, the Cubs will need a DH for the games in the AL Park in the World Series.

All kidding aside, I'd go after David DeJesus out of that group, followed by Luke Scott and nobody else. And there haven't been a whole lot of Dejesus or Scott rumors out there, so I don't expect much. Apparently Bruce Levine is reporting that Texas and San Francisco have called Hendry about deals. I'd stay far away from Milton Bradley though. Sure, he can hit and play pretty good defense, but kind of like a hot girl who happens to be crazy...the juice ain't worth the squeeze. 

- The Star Tribune out of Minnesota reports:

La Velle and I have spoken to different Dodgers people who say they have no interest in Adam Everett. At least not in a trade. Team had a meeting this month to discuss shortstop options, and listed Cristian Guzman (before he signed his latest deal), Jack Wilson and Ronny Cedeno. Everett’s name didn’t come up. 
 

May I suggest a Ronny Cedeno for Andre Ethier swap? 

- Scott Eyre is still very much on the block as well, although I wouldn't be surprised if he's a post-July 31st trade that has to go through waivers.

 

 

Comments

I think it's hard telling what Texas is going to do with anybody. Bradley is the bat I would want (320/444/592) out of that group, even with the baggage. Even 282/409/443 away from the Bandbox at Arlington. Sure, they aren't catching the Angels in the West, but they're 4th in the WC at 5.5 back. It's closer than they usually are at this time, so would they make a run at it with what they've got and let Bradley get signed away?

Bring on Kotsay (has he been hurt?) he hits lefties almost as well as he hits righties. only a slight dip in obs of .027. And I don't know what his contract status is like but he could be a good stop gap while we wait for Felix.

http://cubs.scout.com/2/773722.html “I had tried to start a small leg kick and it felt good (but) I just couldn’t get the timing of it down in games,” explained Burke. “So really the only thing that changed was getting rid of the leg kick and going back to my normal load. That’s helped my timing out and I’m starting to (square up on) some balls, and good things are happening.” As evidence, Burke has raised his average from a mere .148 to .238 in the past week. His only hitch in that span was a 0-for-6 performance against Everett on June 24. Burke came back the next night with two hits to start a five-game hitting streak. 15 for his last 30 with 12 RBI's over 10 games...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

These players are getting (unsolicited)batting mechanics advice from coaches all the time.I don't know if this was the case here but.....if it ain't broke,don't try to fix it.Burke & Rundle should've hit their way out of Boise by now.Jericho Jones has led the AZL in hitting the entire month of July and he is stuck in Mesa because of the logjam in Boise.Hopefully Burke will continue to hit his way out of that long slump and move on up.I wish him well.

I can't imagine Luke Scott or DeJesus being available, as they are under club control at least through next year (I think). More realistic targets would be cheap FA's like a Gerut or Giles, guys that would be almost free. Raul Ibanez would probably cost us real players. Felix Pie is batting .378 in July at Iowa. I'm just saying......

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

bonds knees, age, and most importantly HUGE baggage goes against him...along with the "hasnt faced live batting in a year" thing. he was already pretty awful in LF and walks dont do a ton of good if you need a pinch runner sub. or a really solid hit to simply move you. this isnt even a b.molina thing where someone's slow...bonds has been pretty crippled for a couple years give or take a good week or two. hell, he's not even held a public workout yet. if he really wanted to push the issue he would work the media and drag them out to a complex to watch him smash crap over the wall and shag flies in the OF. the negative baggage and media circus that would follow anyone signing him is a hell of a package to begin with before even considering his skills.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Have to agree with crunch here. Take out the IBB's and throw in the rust and the hit we would take in left or right field defensively and Bonds just isn't that good a player. And have to disagree that Bonds would be the 2nd best offensive upgrade. Last I checked, Bradley, not Ramirez was the best hitter in the AL. EQA Bradley .339 Ramirez .307 2007 Bonds .345 Would doubt that Bradley would be available for anything short of Dempster, though. And he's a crazy racist. All three of those guys have some serious mental issues (and I should know).

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

How bout the multiple counts of perjury and obstructing justice hanging over his head? Might he be a bit distracted? Plus, do you really want Bonds in LF and Soriano in RF? Sure, you get power, but that defense is scary. Also, would Barry Bonds completely negate all the positive press surrounding the Cubs lately, or would playing for the Cubs automatically make Bonds loveable?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsba01.shtml 276/480/565 for an OPS for 1035 Who cares about any of that other crap if he brings you a title. Barry Bonds could wake up tomorrow morning. Roll out of bed, cruise on down to Milwaukee. And still be the best hitter in the Cubs lineup. If creaky knees and spotty LF defense is enough to offset a 1035 OPS. Then I don't know what to think?

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

i dont know why people assume bonds can just "do this". this is a guy who hasnt had a public workout. there's a laundry list of people who have done similar to get back in baseball. mr. sosa pops to mind for a guy in a similar, yet uniquely different, situation. we're talking about a semi-crippled 43 year old who hasnt seen live pitching in a year AND has no real inclination to prove he can do things.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'm pretty sure possibly the greatest hitter who ever played the game and is less than a year removed from sporting a +1.000 OPS is capable of returning to form after a couple weeks. The man obviously wants to play since his agent already said he'd be willing to sign for the minimum. What's the risk here? Sign him to a minimum contract a la Jim Edmonds and find out if he can still mash. If he can, problem solved. If not, cut ties and hope for the best with what we got (which is already pretty damn good). --edit-- Also, if he's willing to sign for the minimum, I'm guessing his attitude won't be a problem. He's been humbled by teams' lack of interest and if he wants to stay on the roster he can't be a distraction. I guess I'm willing to sell part of my soul for a World Series. 100 years (well, 27 for me) will do that to you.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

Why doesn't Bonds pull a Jay Gibbons and offer to donate his entire salary to charity? I'll be honest, though, I don't want Bonds on the team at all, regardless of whether he can still hit. I spent a long time not liking the guy and it will be very hard for me to turn that around. I still don't feel so great about Edmonds.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Thanks. I honestly just wondered why he wouldn't do that, and I somehow missed when he said he would. Still don't want him, but primarily for non-baseball reasons. And because an outfield of Bonds, Fukudome/Johnson, Soriano scares me on defense.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Why would it be so bad? It's not like he's still juicing (or at least it's unlikely). Sports are filled with bad guys. Murderers: - Rae Carruth - Ray Lewis (probably) Rapists: - Jerramy Stevens (99% sure) - probably countless others Racists, tax evaders, general assholes. The list goes on and on and on. So Bonds isn't the first guy you'd invite over for Christmas dinner. Do you know for a fact that he's a worse guy than Reed Johnson? None of us know these guys personally, so let's not act like Bonds is the second coming of Hitler. Fuck, if he goes to jail it's because he took some illegal drugs (who hasn't smoked pot?) and lied on his taxes. Big effing deal. It's not admirable, but he didn't beat up an old lady. If he adds a 10% chance that we win the World Series, I welcome him with open arms.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

Yeah, I really want to live in a society where people aren't held responsible for anything, where the word 'integrity' is considered as real and relevant as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, where a tax evading, lecherous cheater is held up as a paragon of virtue because he's a little better at cheating than some other players. Yep, bring him on. What was I thinking?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

On the list of morally reprehensible crimes, evading your taxes is WAY down the list. Right above speeding and jaywalking. We wouldn't even have a country if our forefathers didn't evade some taxes of their own. As for cheating on his wife, now you're really reaching. Show me a professional sports team, and I can pretty much guarantee at least half those guys have cheated on their wives. And if the issue is cheating in baseball, how come no one else has been held to such a high standard? Maybe if he grew a mustache like Giambi, people would love him? You can have your moral high ground. As for me, I'll take a World Series.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

No. I think the Cubs have a good chance now, and pitching will determine it more than one more hitter will, in reality. I'm assuming this hypothetical doesn't involve a qualification that not signing Bonds results in a 0% chance of a Pennant or World Series Title. I can't pretend that my dislike of Bonds isn't something unrelated to how he plays baseball. I've hated hearing about him in the media all the time, I don't like how he handles the media, and the guy just grates on me. I wouldn't be able to enjoy the big hits he would get. For me as a fan, it's not just about the Cubs winning. I like to think I'm rooting for something other than a uniform and a name (though I'm not sure I can make a rational argument for it), and rooting for Bonds might shatter that illusion.

Bonds also hasn't put up less than a 1000 OPS in a season since 1991. I have a feeling he would figure it out fairly quickly.

And no, I'm not interested in him because it means moving Soriano to RF and now is not the time to be learning a new position.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Just to put it into perspective. Bonds' 2007 season. His OPS was higher than any Cub since DLee's Magical 05 season. And only by a .035 margin. Baggage or not, the guy can REALLY hit. Consider our DH problem solved come WS time.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

in that case, Cubs can wait until August 31st to sign him (or possibly even later) and just use him sparingly until the World Series. :)

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I know a hitter that is better than Bonds, the last time he played he had an OPS of 1.096 (with only 7 IBB's, compared to Bonds's 43 last year), and he's not under contract with anyone. Someone get Ted Williams on the phone. You people understand that as you get older you get worse at baseball? When you have no cartilage in one of your knees, playing the outfield and running the bases can be a bit difficult. If you put him in a real lineup, where's he's not going to get all the respect walks and IBB's, in a league where the word is going to go out to call his strike zone according to the rules, you're going to have someone who resembles Adam Dunn, without the athleticism, but with 50 times the headaches.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'l take it. but i was looking for the Major League reference: "Then cross him off the LIST!"

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Unless it's High Fidelity, So, I Married an Axe Murderer or Miller's Crossing, I'm unlikely to be able to quote from it. You should learn some Rookie of the Year quotes... there must have been some good ones in there.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Damn you. Now I'm going to spend the rest of the night thinking "Heed! Pants! Now!"

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

When you factor in that they were neither going to Re-sign or offer arbitration to Pudge. At least Farnsy can audition for the Closer spot. At the very least, now Detroit will get a comp pick when Farnsworth leaves after the season.

Sorry to go off topic, but the Kendall CS % point raises a question: If a team tries a double steal, and the catcher throws out the lead runner, does the catcher get hit with a SB against his stats for the trailing runner? Doesn't really seem fair, if that's the case.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

So who's going to catch for Detroit now? Ivan Rodriguez was the only catcher listed on their active roster. AND This could be the most ill-timed, most out of touch article about a baseball team since Phil Rogers' last one.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Lynn Henning Tigers a smart bet to be quiet at deadline A gut feeling throughout July's shopping bazaar known as the non-waiver trade deadline is that the Tigers' deals would be summed up accordingly: Nothing. This was more or less confirmed Tuesday when Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager, was asked if he anticipated Detroit dealing for short-term, or long-haul, help ahead of Thursday's deadline.
complete article here http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/OPINION03/807300…

For all those who think Bonds can still play, please see one of his childhood idols: Willie Mays They guy didn't have a season with an OPS+ of under 100 until he posted and 81 in his last year. OBP for his last 3 years: .425 .400 .303 It goes real quick. And by no means would he be the best player on the Cubs. His stats look better because he missed 30 games. Therefore, sat in games where injury may have hurt his numbers. Things real players can't afford.

My wife's family went to the game, and had a good time. It was the Peoria Chiefs vs. the Kane County Cougars, and they had over 30,000 fans in attendance. Even though severe thunderstorms came in during the 8th inning, they still waited around in the hopes of being able to run the bases (cool!). But the game was close to being called, so they left soon after.

Seattle is starting to act like the Orioles when it comes to dealing their players - ask for the moon, and hope that someone's desperate enough to wildly overpay.

The Dodgers have passed on Adam Everett, but are talking with the Cubs about a deal for Ronny Cedeno and Scott Eyre. My source qualified it as a "passing discussion," but there's enough fit on both sides to see where this could happen. One interesting thing that a FOT told me is that some of the Dodgers discussions appear to pre-suppose that they'll bring back Rafael Furcal.

I didnt include Dunn because I cant see Jimbo getting a guy who cant play CF or RF. BTW, Levine is saying he is hearing Luke Scott rumors during his spot with MJH today at 5:50. Their "Postgame" show is on and they might replay it.

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).