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

Too Soon?

Let's never speak of last night again...

Good news is that the Cubs get a favorable pitching match-up today when Ryan Dempster faces....(shuffles papers)

(Yells at TCR Secretary)

What do you mean Cliff Lee is starting?....Who? He's just the AL Cy Young Winner....No, I don't need a sandwich Mom and don't come down here...Yes, I know it's the basement, but it's my office...and my bedroom.

alright...so bad news is that the Cubs have lost 6 of 7 and are facing last year's AL Cy Young Winner and recent Philly acquisition Cliff Lee in an attempt to avoid the sweep. Good news is that the Earth hasn't been hit by a large asteroid in a really long time.

Reader art after the jump...

 

Thanks to either The Cincy Kid or Ryno for that one, I can't tell you people apart by your real names when you email me.

Tags

Comments

What's really amazing is that this team has lasted as long as it did and I'm not sure if I would count them quite out yet. Stranger things have happened. Chances of winning todays game? Somewhere less than 1%. Game Board just got his 30th RBI last night...he might be looking at about 40 for the whole season? He's really not been hurt that much this year even though Lou has benched him a few times....when was the last Cub middle of the order guy who played a whole season had less than 40 RBI's? Whats the all time record for HBP by a reliever and can Carlos Marmol break it? These are the big question of the 2009 Cubs.

I for one would welcome the asteroid.

well, lets save some cash on these escalators and play the iowa cubs. At least that might be more fun. p.s. I have mets tickets now for sale.

I for one would welcome the asteroid. --- We all know that's the punch line for an old joke but I don't understand how the Cubs win the WS after Armageddon, if the planet is blown up. Maybe Hell freezing over but not Armageddon.

Sun Times article saying Zambrano's had epidural cortisone injections before (annually). --- ''I've been assured by doctors that there was no new damage,'' general manager Jim Hendry said. ''He gets that epidural every year at some point. I fully expect him to be healthy the rest of the way once he gets back out there.'' Zambrano, who had his latest epidural over the weekend, is expected to be ready to rejoin the rotation about the time he's eligible to return from the DL, possibly during the four-game weekend series in Los Angeles that starts next Thursday. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1714591,CST-SPT-cubnt13.ar…

below quote from the same article... they interviewed Michael Brenly on wscr this am...Lilly bought the team Steak/potatoes and fixings from Texas Roadhouse for the post-game spread. Brenly loved catching Lilly's 12-6 curve and apparently Lilly was a big hit talking pitching with the young-uns ala Greg Maddux. --- Rehabbing left-hander Ted Lilly threw five innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits and a walk, for Class A Peoria in a tuneup for his anticipated return to the rotation Monday in San Diego. He struck out two

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Apart from Ted Lilly dropping by with food, a couple of other good things happened in that game. Ridling reached 80 RBI, and Burke reached 60. Brett Jackson (2 HRs last night) so far has been a high-voltage leadoff man.

one more tidbit from the sun-times article... it still really irks me that they haven't said which bone was fractured in Reed Johnson's foot. I wrote that if it's a navicular fracture he's going to take longer (possibly weeks longer) to recover, so reading this makes me wonder what is going on: Center fielder Reed Johnson's fractured left foot is progressing slower than anticipated, and the Cubs don't expect him to return from the DL until sometime during the next homestand in two weeks. He injured the foot when he fouled a ball off it July 29 against Houston.

...and Gorzelanny's foot is OK and is expected to get his scheduled start vs Pirates on Saturday

What are Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson going to do on Labor Day? Watch the 2009 Cubs in person. too soon?

Maybe Samarz. should have gone to Drew Henson for career advice....

this article is a day old but Paul Sullivan/Tribune still doesn't realize ARam's injury was a Dislocated shoulder (which is very different from a separated shoulder...which implies injury to the AC joint, btwn distal clavicle and shoulder blade/acromion). ARam says he doesn't expect to undergo surgery on it in the offseason. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-12-cubs-bits-chi… --- Aramis Ramirez is resigned to playing the rest of the year in pain while recovering from a separated shoulder. "I've been in pain since I came back, and I won't be 100 percent the rest of the year," Ramirez said Tuesday. "I'm going to have to play like that." Ramirez received a cortisone injection in the left shoulder Tuesday to alleviate the inflammation and said he hopes to return to the lineup Thursday. He began feeling pain in the shoulder during the road trip after finishing his swings, but doesn't think he will have to undergo shoulder surgery after the season. "You worry about surgery if you feel like your shoulder is slipping out and stuff," he said. "But it's just the muscle memory." Asked if he returned too soon, Ramirez replied: "I don't know. That's a good question." Did the Cubs rush him back? "They didn't rush me," he said. "I just wanted to come back and play. We're in the pennant race. ... I was doing pretty good two weeks ago, and all of sudden it starts to hurt. It just happens."

LMAO Excellent work Rob G! I think we needed something like your terrific open! Thanks.

Watching this team this year has been akin to Japanese water torture (no offense to Fukudome) - and last night they may have finally bottomed out. Hope they catch the fan who dumped his beer on the outfielder and burn him alive - what, are they trying to go the Philly fans one better now?

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Deadspin posse, saddle up, we've got a man's life to ruin. That would be justice. Apparently the real culprit told security it was the other guy. Can we pass some law that forever separates "Cubs fans" with "Wrigley bleachers-goers."

[ ]

In reply to by O.Julius

Am I the only one who doesn't understand why this particular incident had made so much news? This is FAR from the first time I have seen that happen, all over the league, but also at Wrigley. I would guess that this type of thing happens at least once or twice a month, somewhere in the league. It is a very distasteful thing to do, but why is everyone so up in arms about this particular incident?

You know, sometimes the whole scene [the team, the beer-dumpers, the boos, etc.]starts to feel really tired doesn't it? What are odds Lou returns next year? He's starting to exhibit the 'with fans/players/press like these, who needs enemies?' body language. If he doesn't come back, who replaces him? Too soon for Ryno? Hoping for a year of him in Des Moines...'highlight' of recent skid is Brenly's tirade re: not running hard after Theriot trotted home just ahead of Bradley making 3rd out @ 2B in Colorado...near future is not good w/ albatross contracts like the LF's & the 'ace's' strangling the team...

[ ]

In reply to by Mike Wellman

I pretty much tuned out the game during the 4th inning. I don't know who the fans were booing, the Phillies or the Cubs, but neither was appropriate. If they were booing Marshall, why? Yeah, he had a really bad night, but it's not like he failed to run out a ground ball or threw the ball into the stands--he just got hit. If they were booing the Phillies, why? They were playing well--that's their job. If they were booing the Cubs team as a whole, okay I understand that, but I still think it's pointless and pretty low. Booing the Cubs at this point is very much beating a dead horse.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Beating a dead horse is right....but who else pays $50 a ticket to do it. The fans at Wrigley have every right to verbally berate this team from top to bottom.

[ ]

In reply to by SJS

Sure, they have the right; "boo" doesn't fall under hate speech legislation or anything like that. But it's still dumb and pointless. Also, they should know that just because the ticket is expensive doesn't mean the team will be any good. What they paid for their tickets is their own problem. They could have paid a month's cable bill for that price and seen several games--possibly a win or two. Or they could've spent their money on something else. Buying a ticket does not equal buying a win. Again, I understand booing lack of hustle and lack of concentration--problems that can be fixed on the spot by more or more focused effort--but to boo a person or a group of people simply for failing makes little sense. If the problem is with the way the team is put together, maybe they should send Hendry an e-mail rather than booing the players, who have no say in the roster composition.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Dude, this has been going on since Roman times. It is pointless, but does not FEEL that way to me. I pay the $45-$50 x 2 x 81 games If I want to boo the fuck out of them, I am going to! Those sorry-ass, MONEY-STEALING, lazy, heartless, underachieving thieves!

[ ]

In reply to by Mike Wellman

"near future is not good w/ albatross contracts like the LF's & the 'ace's' strangling the team..." Well, Mike, Zambrano can always play left field, but I don't think Soriano can pitch.

Damn! The season's over and I haven't purchased the team photo yet. Was waiting for the new manager, and I guess I waited to long to make a move...

"What are odds Lou returns next year?" Pretty low at this point, wouldn't you say? Unless Ricketts can convince him (not that he wants to), I don't know why he'd sign up for another year like this one. At this point I'd be fine if Brenly came down for a dugout run - no, he's not the greatest manager in the world, but with players like these, what difference does it really make in the end?

[ ]

In reply to by Dmac

I guess I'm one of the few that hopes that Lou returns. I seriously doubt he will. He tends to leave before he's asked to leave. I wonder how much contracts are forcing him to play people such as Miles. I know he's not absolved from this year's fiasco. His insistence that more left-handed batters would prevent another post-season choke made me cringe. I just like his desire to win. At least he cares. The problem is this team doesn't have the talent or the desire to win. I mostly blame Hendry for dismantling a 97-win team. Clown hat, frowny-face.

BTW, you should hear some of the fan's comments as they trudge back from the games in front of my building. Priceless, the kind of talk you usually only hear at 2:00 AM at the Cubby Bear.

Got to blow it up. Z? Ace my ass Soriano? .250 20 88 Gregg? Joe Borowski Fontenot? Neifi Fuko? Doug Glanville I could go on and on, but I would just get sick(er). And Lou is so overrated. Jim Riggleman with a more talented cast of characters.

Though I would really like to take credit for the photo, it must have been The Cincy Kid. Good news is that the Earth hasn't been hit by a large asteroid in a really long time. No, but the odds are high that the earth could be hit by a meteorite at some point this week with the Perseid Meteor shower going on right now. *sigh* And to the fan throwing the beer... dood. We don't need that. The baseball world already hates us and thinks we're racists. Knock it off jerk.

[ ]

In reply to by O.Julius

Not a fail. That works. Though I imagine it's probably a lot easier with a scope and a tripod than holding the camera in one hand and a set of binoculars in the other.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Sorry for the double post. I've had an hour of internet hell courtesy of Comcast. My connection went out as I tried to post the first time and I tried again when it came back, briefly, only to see it drop again.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

He claims his health is finally ok but he's struggling in the Independent League, hitting .242. But it's an interesting article.

Glanville -- 1999 628 AB, .325 BA, .376 OBP, 204 Hits, 101 Runs, 73 RBI, 34 SB and good glove Fuko -- last year 501 AB, .257 BA, .359 OBP, 129 Hits, 79 Runs, 58 RBI, 12SB and good glove Rob, you're right. Glanville may be better.

[ ]

In reply to by RI Mike

so take Glanville's career year out of 8 versus Fuku's worst year in a 1.5 seasons and you've got it figured out?

Fantastic analysis....

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

First, Glanville's best MLB year is better than any Fuko has had in MLB, so the comparison is not completely inane. Second, let's assume it's fair to throw out Fuko's Japan days so we can compare apples to apples. Even looking at Glanville's career numbers, which include his last year, which Fuko's of course, do no, it's not clear Fuko will be a better major leaguer. I hope he is, but I wouldn't bet on it. So before you so flippantly dismiss my comparison, consider: For his career, Glanville hit .277. So far, Fuko has hit .264. In the six seasons in which he had over 400 AB, Glanville averaged 163 hits. (Fuko had 129 last year and has 93 this year). Glanville averaged 74 runs. (Fuko had 79 last year and has 54 this year). Glanville averaged 25 stolen bases. (Fuko had 12 last year and has 6 last year). Glanville averaged 48 RBI. (Fuko had 58 last year and has 40 this year). I hope you get my point. What we wish we were seeing is not always what we actually see. As a Cub fan, you should know that.

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In reply to by RI Mike

doug glanville career ops+: 78 fuku career ops+: 101 and that includes his first year dragging him down. his first year, which was a 90. Doug cracked 90 ops+ once in his career. and aside from his career year his highest was 88. not even close

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

you have to. we are comaring a guy in his second year to a 9 year vet. i like counting stats but you need some perspective.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

For sure, I stand by my rant. I never said Glanville was a better player, I said, rhetorically, that Fuko was not playing much better than Glanville. Lay off my rant.

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In reply to by rokfish

Happy about the guy going down, but I don't think Berg can pitch up here either. I really want to see Atkins get a legitimate shot, but his AAA season has been hit and miss.

I'm blatantly stealing the photo from the post and using it for my own benefit.

Comment under the beer throwing article at deadspin: "This is just the sort of thng that can end up jinxing a franchise. You wait and see!" awesome

people took my post too literally...Parachat is lonely

Last night: "Enough. This is a frustrating waste of time. I'm done." Today, 2 minutes ago: "Hmmm... 2nd inning, two on, no outs, Soriano and Soto due up. Let's see." Then: Soriano -- swingomg Soto -- looking Now: "Enough. This is a frustrating waste of time. I'm done."

Way to bear down and pick up the team, Dempster.

Definitley, not "too soon". What a complete embarrassment.

So.......I hear the Bears have a new quarterback.

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In reply to by billybucks

Yeah, and anyone who thinks that he is going to turn the Bears offense into gold better take a moment to compare the corps of receivers he had in Denver to those with the Bears, along with the creativity of the ex-Denver coach to the creativity of the Bears' coach. He will be better than Orton, though! I will definitely give you that!

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In reply to by Jace

Maybe Hester won't have to wait, tapping his foot impatiently, for the ball to arrive when he beats his man deep. Sorry for the Bears talk -- can't, ah, bear to discuss the Cubs, as I am allegic to the taste of bile.

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In reply to by Jace

I would like to go through last season's games, and factor in the dropped passes in Orton's numbers. Cutler is better, but last season Orton played pretty well overall. He probably should have sat a couple more weeks with that ankle injury. It wasn't his fault the Bears D couldn't hold Houston under 31 points the last game of the season.

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In reply to by big_lowitzki

Really? That's the best you could do? Orton put up some pretty good games with that cavalcade of crap at the WR position. If the Bears defense mans up and plays worth a shit, the 2008 Bears make the playoffs at 10-6. He did throw for 2 TD's with no picks that game. Look...I watched every game last season. Orton had problems with the deep pass last season, absolutely. But at some point..doesn't the WR have to make a play on the ball on the deep pass? I've seen enough football to know that not every deep pass is floated perfectly over the defender into the WR's hands 50 yards downfield. Sometimes, a WR will go up and make that play where he wants the ball more than the defender, and takes it. Think Marcus Robinson during his glorious 1999 season. He went up and got a lot of jump balls that season. I'm sure that Cutler is a more physically gifted QB than Orton. I am also sure that throwing to Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall is a lot different than throwing to Devin Hester and Rashied Davis/Brandon Lloyd/Marty Booker.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Worth pointing out, too, that Orton was much better pre-ankle injury than after. If he'd been healthy the entire year, his numbers would've been better. The Atlanta game was the one that really killed them last year, even more than the Houston game.

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In reply to by Tito

The last 30 seconds of that game may have been the dumbest in Lovie's career...that stupid effing quib-ish kick....wtf!

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In reply to by billybucks

what did the 2009 bears do that the 2009 cubs did not do? "go 3 and out" too bad all the ill health fell on ramirez, and not on soriano. one is far more replaceable than the other. and who does randy wells think he is, not going on the d/l and such??

I'm so honored. And the answer is, no sir. Your timing is impeccable.

Well, my attendance record is now 2-11. I am just about done for 2009 after attending last night and today. As i said to my friend today among many things (sori bunt failure in the 2nd, Dempster shitting himself against Howard), the fact that Lou chose Miles to ph, made me sick. It is sad that this is an option at all. Fuck you again, Hendry.

On postgame Todd Hollandsworth said he liked the idea but Soriano should have been bunting down third base line.Lou probally thought at least if we make him bunt he wont strikeout. Note to Lou you dont hit Soto and Soriano back to back, should have been Soriano, Baker, Soto.

Umm... when do we start bagging on Soto? I know he is relatively cheap and all, but we have gotten NO production out of a spot that I certainly was feeling pretty good about at the start of the year, before he went on his 3-week WBC pot bender, and gained 25 pounds... Bradley's poor production hurt early on, but Soto and Soriano have hurt more... Of course, I think the biggest fail is the 2b situation, but then I am not alone there...

"Umm... when do we start bagging on Soto?" In 2006 I saw him on a couple call-ups. Frankly, I was not impressed. So I was shocked and pleasantly surprised by 2007 & 2008. Since he is still relatively young, and had success in the pass - he will have ST and early 2010 to get his shit together Id think.

I'm at the point where I want a third team in Chicago. Maybe the DeKalb Pansies. I'd watch them over these guys and I'm sure as fuck not gonna root for the White Sox.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

If the Flyers moved to the NL, they would be better than the Nats...but the Central would be crowded. Can we move Pittsburgh to the AL?

Following up on my post it's clearly time we figure out how to fix this club. My first choice is to find a real lead off man. I think everything needs to start with that. Then a true number 3 hitter, and a true number 4 hitter. Maybe an almost true number 2 hitter but Bradley seems to like it there in between injuries. Since we're stuck with each other I hope the fans start rooting for him a bit. He actually could be good there. A little power, a nice OBP. Leadoff hitter gets on and he hits a few home runs to start a game a few times? Sounds okay to me. Of course, I'm one of the few Bradley sympathizers here so I'm a little biased, hoping against hope. I know Aramis is a true #3 or #4 and I read Cubster's earlier post about the difference in shoulder injuries but if they insist on playing him through the season doesn't that risk another kind of injury? I wish they could have played like this in a more timely way so Hendry could have pulled at least a minimal fire sale, not that I trust him at this point to pick up the right kind of prospects. Honestly, I'm nowhere near the expert most of you guys are. I would call my self an educated fan but zero on personnel, especially with other teams, but shit. When the new owners reboot and hire another GM, where the hell is that dude gonna even begin? Hendry gambled the ranch on making it during his tenure and he didn't do it. When he picked up Soriano I was happy because I thought he could help a lot and, if the Cubs made a WS, I didn't give a shit if the last 5 or whatever years of his contract were swirls of goo in the toilet. But now we get the swirls of goo, and no WS. I'm too used to this to be real tired of this. I'm more interested in maybe a new thread about how you guys would fix this. Maybe Rob G., if he reads this, will honor that request because, no, it ain't too early. This team has been dead for some time.

really? Breaking news? "BREAKING: Wrigley Beer Thrower Turns Himself In - Bleed Cubbie Blue"

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Oh, and where's my FIX IT! post? I don't know if you saw the Sat Night Live post with the dude saying, about the economic crisis before the election, "FIX IT!" but that's what we need now. We need to fix it, and I'm counting on you guys to do it. Thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

all requests are noted by TCR staff and subsequently ignored....

but really, things suck right now and the season is pretty close to the brink, but a sweep of the Pirates and they're right back in the mix. Also, since the trade deadline passed already and waiver deals may happen but certainly harder to accomplish, not much fixing you're going to do right now.

Not that people can't talk about it or anything, but it's still a bit premature...plus what the hell are we gonna do for the 6 months after the season ends? Save me some ammo...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Mathematically it's possible, it wouldn't be difficult for them to do... is it likely considering the way the Cubs have been playing lately, though? No. It's becoming less and less likely.

Oh good... todays game is being played again on CSN if you want to watch some good baseball.

The fan turned himself in. At least he did that. A suitable punishment would be to force him to attend the rest of this season's games with no beer allowed.

per WGN radio: John Maccioni charged with misdemeanors (usually gets a fine plus up to a year in jail depending on the level of misdemeanor)... Battery and Misconduct in a sports facility --- Won't Shane Ejectorino have to show up in court at some point to press charges?

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Sorry, replied to my own post by not replying to my own post. Stay of execution, get it? Anyway, the court system is tied up to death anyway, but even if it isn't the DA can make an argument that the witness is under extenuating circumstances (he plays baseball for the away team) and the court date should be set for when he is available. That, and the Cubs are heavy witnesses for the prosecution so he may not even be needed. I'm sure he'd appreciate it if it was done without his involvement.

of execution. Dumb ass mother fucker

from Rotoworld: Mariners placed 3B Adrian Beltre on the 15-day disabled list with an injured testicle. Cue the laugh track. Beltre, who doesn't wear a protective cup, had a ball clip him in the groin during Wednesday's game. There was some tearing and internal bleeding. The team is waiting to see if he will require surgery. With surgery, he would be out a month. Without, roughly two weeks. Beltre's certainly been snake-bit in his free agent season. --- I love getting post #100

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In reply to by Cubster

"Snake-bit" would imply that something unfortunate, beyond his control, happened to him. Anyone's who has ever played more than an inning at 3B should know better than to not wear a cup. Even if the infields are groomed perfectly and you're better than Brooks Robinson, a ball's going to hit you in the balls sooner or later. What a dumbass.

So when Lilly and Zambrano come back how bout we put Harden on waivers and see what happens. Think hendry has put Hielman on waivers?

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In reply to by Rob G.

basketball or baseball? And don't give me that "The Korean" is the next best thing. I totally bought with Hee Chopped Soy. So fuck that.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Props for him for not blaming the alcohol. A lot of people do. If you're an ass while drinking you're an ass while you're not and he didn't even try to go there.

I know this won't happen but I'd sure like to see Harden become the closer. Lilly, Z, Dempster, Wells and Gorzelany/Marshall filling out the rotation... So let's say we don't have a great September-what changes do you make in the offseason to right the ship? You could attempt to trade Zambrano or Lee and get younger and more athletic or you could run out the same basic team and start with a new manager. I personally think the latter is what they'll do. As far as the current team is concerned this lack of speed and power has to change. They're like a basketball that only shoots three's-pretty easy to defend. They all try to hit the ball out of the ballpark and therefore leave tons of runners on base. I'd sit Soriano and play Fuld in left during the Pittsburgh series.

[ ]

In reply to by carmenfanzone

I really wish people would stop with the Harden as closer crap. It takes him two centuries to warm up when he starts. They'd have to get him up in the 6th inning.

Here would be my lineup for Friday's game: Theriot Bradley Lee Ramirez Fukudome Soto Baker Fuld

[ ]

In reply to by carmenfanzone

I would rather Lou write the card after drawing them out of a hat. Or write it based on whatever order he gets his Alpha-Bits on his spoon tomorrow morning. Nothing else is working.

[ ]

In reply to by carmenfanzone

This would be my lineup for Friday: Fuku CF Derosa 2B Lee 1B Hoffpauir RF Ramirez 3B Soriano LF A Blanco SS Soto C

My internet is back after almost 8 hours being out. Of course the cable never went out, so I wasn't spared the unpleasantness of watching today's game. Damn Comcast.

I can't believe I read that story regarding Beltre - whoever heard of a 3rd basemen not wearing a frickin' cup? I've heard of "manning up," but that's just ridiculous, unless you're interested in reforming the Bee - Gees. I've forgotten how deep in the hole this club's going to be in the future with all of those back - loaded contracts and no - trade clauses. Does anyone have an updated list displaying length of contracts, amounts due, and no - trades as well? Just curious - and worried.

[ ]

In reply to by Dmac

For this team to change significantly in the next few years someone would have to waive a no-trade clause. After making the playoffs in 07 and 08 I thought that was a good thing, but after this year... meh... hope they bounce back.

I'm eating an egg now with a fork.

Here's my lineup fucking card: 1. fuck you 2. douche bag 3. ass wipe 4. dumb mother fucker I found it getting so foul I had to stop. Why do people fill lineup cards with a team like this? Seriously, find some garbage in your house and collect that. You'll get more pleasure out of the final result. EDIT: And, no, I'm not pissed off.

Ironic that this site mentions asteroids when NASA asks for 800 Billion so we can watch closer the ONE that comes and hits us..."NASA up to bat, 2 out,2 strikes, there's the pitch, SWING and a MISSSSS....oh, the humanity"

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In reply to by artskoe

I really don't understand this fear about government spending. You're okay with 34 percent interest rates but government spending pisses you off?

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In reply to by Old and Blue

Interesting that excessive government spending was never a problem until mid-January 2009. I'm not taking sides, I'm just saying.

Here's the video of Johnny Maccioni: http://www.wgntv.com/sports/chi-14-cubs-beer-chicago-aug14,0,6215615.st… Chicago police are filing a couple minor criminal charges. I expect Victorino and the Cubs won't actually file any civil complaints. This will probably expose me for the softy that I really am, but I say leave the kid alone. Slap him with a $500 fine or something stupid like that and send him on his way. He had a stupid moment, he knows it, case closed.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

sorta my feeling. Like I said in an earlier post, if he said, "I wuz drunk and the booze made me do it" I'd say, cuff him for about 3 years. But he just owned it so fine.

Ah nothing like a good laugh Soriano gets a 75,000 bonus when he wins a gold glove.

Thanks for the info, Quiet Man. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go slit my wrists. Nightmares of an enfeebled Fonzie swinging from his heels at every pitch three years down the line has that kind of effect on me.

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    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).