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

Cubs May Seek Reliever...Hopefully One That Can Hit

What are you gonna say about last night's game? Rich Harden looked dominating for a second straight game and the offense looked maddening for the about the 60th time this year. There's not a lot of strategy to complain about when the Cubs couldn't even muster a hit. The Cubs need to try to punch through tonight with Carlos Zambrano on the mound versus Father Time to avoid the sweep.


According to Wittenmyer, the Cubs do have some limited payroll flexibility to add a "mid-level" player, but don't expect a run at Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee. Wittenmyer mentions relievers as the most obvious targets and throws out the names of George Sherrill and Chad Qualls. If Geovany Soto has any setbacks recovering from his oblique injury, a catcher will become the focus with Rod Barajas being mentioned.

Milton should be back in the lineup today after a few private hitting sessions with Lou. Lou says he needs to relax at the plate and then spends a few sentences throwing Hendry and Milton under the bus for not getting Raul Ibanez or a left-handed hitter that could actually hit a home run or two.

"The only thing I talked about last season was a need for a left- hand bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup who could hit the ball for power and drive in some runs," he said. "You look at our production last year and it was mainly from the right side.

"We didn't bring [ Jim] Edmonds back and Edmonds hit quite a few home runs, so we needed a left-handed bat. That's it. That was what I mentioned, that we could use a nice productive left-hand bat in the middle of our right-handed hitting."

Piniella paused for some time before finishing his thoughts and finally said:

"Look, we still need a left-hand bat who can hit for some power and drive in runs."

This is as much on Lou as Hendry...as well as Bradley. Fine, Lou wanted a run-producing bat from the left side and Bradley hasn't delivered and Hendry (so far) signed the wrong guy. How about stop being so stubborn and move Bradley from the middle of the order and put him in a spot that his current talents might be better suited for? While I still think he'll start hitting, right now he's nothing more than a guy that can take a walk, move him to the top of the order and let him set-up some guys who are hitting. And while you're complaining about hitting, how about getting Jake Fox a start behind the plate instead of Three-Finger Hill?

You know, I don't think managers are all that important to a team, it starts with the talent, but if there's anything a manager needs to do its to work with the talent he does have and give them the best chance to succeed, not force them into pre-conceived roles that they're not suited for.

Comments

". . . move him to the top of the order and let him set-up some guys who are hitting." Lee is 4 for his last 21, and Aramis is hitting .190 since his return, so I'm not sure who he would be setting up. If you have to play Bradley, then yes, he'll do the least harm batting second, where he'll draw a few walks. But there's something to be said for speed at the top of the order. You're already playing the OBP game with Fukudome at leadoff, where he has stolen zero bases. He's not a real leadoff man, any more than Bradley is a real number two. You'd rather not have either player. Fukudome, at least, is not a bum. He's almost tradeable, which is an improvement. It's conceivable that someone might want Fukudome for, say, six million a year, assuming the Cubs absorbed half his salary over the next two-plus years. Bradley and Soriano may not be worth a third of what they're getting, so you're not showcasing them. You're only putting them in the lineup to protect Jim Hendry. All the more reason to fire Hendry. Meanwhile, Lou is justified in complaining that he didn't get what he asked for and that his hands are tied, lineup-wise.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

But there's something to be said for speed at the top of the order.

that something is that it's not that important...and Bradley can take an extra base which is all you really need. Lou don't call for the steal much anyway.

Lou is justified in complaining that he didn't get what he asked for and that his hands are tied, lineup-wise.

or he coud fill out a different lineup and not complain, just a thought...

Fuku, Bradley, Lee, Ramirez, Fox, Soriano, Fontenot, Theriot...

see not hard, then Bradley can do what he does which is control the strike zone w/o folks bitching about him not swinging at close pitches

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Based on Bradleys career and this year Fuld could give Bradley a run for his money. I am not saying Fuld is good or deserves to be a starter its just Bradley is so god damn awful. Your talking about a career .820 OPS from Bradley coming off a career year at age 31. His career year was 22 HR and 77 RBI. Not a 40 HR, 120 RBI season, but a 22 HR, 77 RBI season. A league average OF in his career year. Didnt impress me then doesn't impress me now. If your brought in being billed as our teams huge offensive upgrade, you are batting in the middle of the lineup and all you have to show for it is a .242 average and 22 RBI, i think its time for his ass to take a seat and let Sam Fuld play. I think we can squeeze 22 RBI out of Sam Fuld from 227 AB's. Or even better let Fox play RF.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

What blinders are those? RF is a prime run producing position right? At what point does a .240 BA and 22 RBI from the heart of the lineup disgust you? And i have blinders on because i believe Sam Fuld if given the same chances as Bradley could easily match those historic numbers? Its not a terribly difficult feat to accomplish what Bradley has done this season with any career minor leaguer. This idea that Bradley is going to suddenly, any day now morph into this massive offensive force knocking in runs left in right is still living in a fantasy world. He hasn't done it his entire career what makes you think he will start at age 31? I think most of you thought you were getting a 30 HR, 100 RBI RFer and are still waiting for that guy to show up. He has never even come close to a 100 RBI season and he isn't a major power hitter. He is an .800 OPS hitter who averages 50 RBI a year. Thats what we paid 30 million for. This isn't a guy who averages 30/100 coming off a career high of 50/150. He is a 13/50 coming off a 22/77. And your shocked he sucks? LoL.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

First, no one has said that a .240 BA or 21 RBI is good. Second, if you think that the first half of this season is more indicative of Bradley's ability than the rest of his career, then you sure aren't worth arguing with. Third, if you think that Sam Fuld will outproduce Bradley at the plate for the rest of the season, I think that is absurd. I never expected Bradley to put up a 30/100 year this year. But I did expect Bradley to play 120-130 games, and give the Cubs an OPS between 850-900. From 2003-2008, Bradley has had a line of: .295/.391/.488 OPS: .879. That is basically what I expected from him this year. And he has been a disappointment. Bradley hasn't had an OPS this low since 2002. And you are going to tell us that you expected that? Now that is worthy of laughing out loud.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

you have some strange belief that Hendry is forcing roster moves and decisions on Lou, and that Lou is some poor simpleton that has to play all these overpriced FA's that Hendry stuck him with, when all Lou really wants to do is play the hot hitter.

I guess you just conveniently forgot that Lou left Seattle and Tampa because both organizations didn't spend enough to his liking and weren't committed to winning in his eyes. 

Lou may wanted a different player here or there (and the only one I can really think of is Ibanez, although Lou also said he's not really RF'er), but he's just as culpable for the spending spree as Hendry. No, he didn't sign the individual players, but he's said many times that he wanted an organization willing to put up the money to win and if you give him the players, he'll win with them.

 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

My point about why Lou plays who he plays is simple and oft-repeated, if a bit lonely. The manager works for the team and part of his job is to protect the team's investment in high-priced players. At this point, I suspect the Cubs would love to pay another team $9 million/year for the next five years to take Soriano off their hands; plus $6 million per the next two years to take Fukudome; plus $5 million per two years to get rid of Bradley. Unfortunately, only Fukudome might be worth half what the Cubs are paying. Soriano's value and Bradley's value go down even further when they don't play. If they played and started hitting, their value would go up. So the manager is always tending to give them starts. Soriano, by the way, loses a lot of value batting sixth instead of first. Half of his value was the other "forty" in forty-forty. Never mind whether Soriano is really a leadoff hitter. Lou has to keep up the pretense. That's my take anyway. Hendry has tied Lou's hands. Otherwise Lou wouldn't complain, he would just play other people.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

I just spent a bit of time with Cot's baseball contracts and BR's batting-order splits. If Soriano settles into the #6 hole, he'll be the only $15+ million everyday player batting lower than fourth on a regular basis--with the possible exception of Ordonez, whose contract expires this year. At this point the Tigers have very little investment in Ordonez to protect. Even Andruw Jones usually hits cleanup. Most elite hitters hit fourth, while a few (Manny, Teixeira, Beltran and Helton) hit third. (Pujols makes less than $15 mil.) Michael Young usually hits second, and Ichiro and Jeter lead off. When Cub players are on a hotel elevator on the road, Soriano rides to the top. DLee and Aramis must wonder why the #6 hitter doesn't get off on the same floor they do.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Lou has to keep up the pretense. That's my take anyway. Hendry has tied Lou's hands. Otherwise Lou wouldn't complain, he would just play other people.

sorry for the yelling but, LOU ASKED FOR THE CUBS TO SIGN HIGH-PRICED PLAYERS!!!! HE TIED HIS OWN HANDS!

but yes, when you start shelling out big contracts, you do get stuck if those players underperform, I'm not arguing that. I'm arguing your claim that Lou isn't responsible for it or he would do something different if Hendry wasnt' forcing his hand (which Hendry isn't by the way). I really have no idea where you get that from...like Lou in the last year of his deal, in his suppose last managerial job would really give a crap about sitting someone if he wanted to. He plays Soriano and Bradley and a struggling Lee because he believes they will start hitting due to their track records and because he seems to be a bit of a stubborn ass this year.

Anyone else have an issue with Lou burning through 2 pinch hitters (Fontenot and Fox) when the Cubs are up 4 runs with a man on 3rd and no outs? Just doesn't seem like it's really necessary to do that to your bench and only backup catcher in that spot. Then again, this is also pretty nit-picky. -- edit -- I should also note the original PH scenario was for Jeff Baker, so it's not even like Lou was hitting for the pitcher. Does he really have so little confidence in Baker just putting the ball in play in that spot? I don't know, I'm confused. Also, I assume Blanco has to come in and play 2B now, and we're out of backup infielders. -- edit again -- By replacing Baker with Fontenot, Lou was essentially forcing them to go with Eyre. Normally I'd be cool with that, but we were destroying Durbin. Leaving Baker in there probably keeps Durbin in the game for at least one more batter. Can anyone tell I'm extremely bored and watching all of this on Gameday?

Why Pinella can't find more at bats for Fox is perplexing - why not start him against a lefty? The offense today obviously did well, but if you're not going to give Fox a start against a lefty when your offense is pathetic, you can't complain about Hendry. Fox played catcher all through college and in his first few years in the minors - it's not like he's just learing the position.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.