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

Figgins Prematurely On Cubs' Radar

I had brought up the name Chone Figgins earlier in the season as the one free agent name I thought the Cubs would try and pursue. That is if they can figure out how to squeeze him into their already bloated payroll for next year. There's also the insanity of paying him 10M+ per year, for someone who is not anywhere near that kind of money, but he's got that "true leadoff" label that worked out so well the last time the Cubs overpaid for that skillset.

Nonetheless, the Sun-Times conjectures that he is indeed in the Cubs' crosshairs and has been ever since the Brian Roberts talk from a couple offseasons ago. They also reveal what the offseason mantra will be. Last year it was of course to get more left-handed, this year it's going to be: More Team Speed. Print up the T-Shirts! Makes you wonder why they ever traded Joey Gathright away this year.

Figgins is definitely fast, although Wrigley will take away some of those triples he's use to hitting at Angel Stadium and Lou isn't nearly as aggressive as Mike Scioscia when it comes to stealing, so don't expect similar stolen base totals if the Cubs can sign him. He does fit the super-utility role that Mark DeRosa so aptly filled, although he's been playing mostly third base for the last three seasons. The Angels actually considered center field to be his best position, but I assume the Cubs would pursue him to play second base.

Insanely early start today in Pittsburgh, I'm sure you're all going to be glued to your TV sets to watch Ted Lilly vs. Dan McCutchen. Congrats to Tennessee on winning the second half division title in Double A. Congrats to Iowa for proving Cubbery extends through the entire Cubs organiztion and finishing anywhere from 4-6 games back depending on today's games after getting within a half game earlier in the week.

Comments

Fuku, Theriot, Lee, Ramirez, Bradley, Baker, Scales, Hill, Lilly hey remember when Bradley was batting 2nd? that was neat.... why does Lou hate Jake Fox?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Remember when Bradley was Mr. OBP? He's gone 8 games in a row without a walk! So far this September (28AB): .250 BA .250 OBP .250 Strikeout Avg. Re: Lou hate on Jake Fox I think he got on Lou's shitlist when he muffed a toss from the pitcher trying to hold the runner close at first the other day. Under the radar: Did the Cubs forget to send Kosuke's hitting coach an airline ticket? Fukudome is off to a horrendous 4/25 start in September. If he keeps this up (.160 BA) he'll finish the year up hitting .257 just like last year.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Statistically speaking Juan Pierre had a good year in 06 even if all the production come after we were a billion games behind. That said I think he is getting a bad wrap from his detractors as he is producing like Milton Bradley. The only problem is that Jimbo signed the 08 version of Milton Bradley and not the career average Milton Bradley. I have a feeling he will be gone though as Lou seems to not to like him and since he has been here he has been the defacto GM. Other than Raul Ibanez, any player or type of player he has wanted in or out of here he has gotten his wish on. I just hope they dont do a Sosa type dump on him as he is an effective player.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Wow, got to love the double standard there. Double standard? Please show where me where I used 28 at-bats to pretend that is showed anything meaningful. I don't recall anyone around here looking at 28 good at-bats and pretending that they showed us anything relevant about Bradley being able to hit. But sure ... you are right. You and navigator can continue to point out mini-slumps and pretend that they are relevant. And you can continue to trot out at-bats rather than plate appearances, pretending that it is relevant. It is actually quite simple. Bradley hasn't been great this year. But he has hardly been the Cubs biggest problem this year.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Tito -- I've made this point once or twice myself. I think it's fair to say that the injury to Ramirez and Soriano's horrible offense this year have been bigger problems than the Milton Bradley experiment. However, there's nothing the Cubs can do about Ramirez or Soriano, but I hope they do address Bradley in the off-season. For me, the thing with Bradley is that I (like a lot of other people) didn't want the Cubs to sign him in the first place and he's done absolutely nothing in 2009 to make me change my opinion.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

I already mentioned the Wittenmyer, Rogers and Sun-Times campaigns saying he has to go and he was the face of the team's demise....they all certainly made it out like he was factor #1 in the 2009 Cubs being a disaster (I'm sorry but I'm not looking for the links to those articles, check the archives from a few weeks back). I'm not keeping tracks of what readers are listing him as the biggest problems with the team, but there's a lot more angst and calls to move him over any other player on the team and plenty of "the first thing I'd do is get rid of Bradley" (which I assume you think he is the biggest problem with the team).

So whether he's 1,2 or 3 on someone's list isn't a big deal to me, but he's definitely the player that draws the most angst around here compared to his play on the field. 

So yeah, i'll continue to defend his play against the over-the-top comments...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'm talking about people in this forum, not the media, and of course I don't expect you of all people to keep track. But there seems to be a knee-jerk reaction to complaining about Bradley to say, "He's not the #1 problem on this team," and I just don't recall anyone saying he was. Of course he's more of a lightning rod, because as I (and a few others)have said, due to not wanting him here in the first place, not producing like most thought and some of the stuff he's said.

HR #30 on the year, 94 RBI's...nice "comeback" season.

It wouldn't shock me to see the Bucs are the only team we have a winning record against. Wait. I haven't checked that we do for sure.

what the hell does the cubs want with chone? he's not a good middle IF'r. footwork sucks. if this team has to get rid of bradley or fuku to find a room for him and his pay...yeesh. he runs fast for a 31/32 year old...give that man a 3-year deal. those of you that think 58sb/20cs (j.pierre as a cub) is heresy and an abomination upon the game will love chone.

Oddity just noticed... Brewers lineup vs stl Corey Patterson leading off and still has a batting avg under .200 also 3 other ex cubs playing: Kendall, Gerut, McGeehee i guess they are trying to catch the cubs if not in the standings then in the roster

Also working aganist Figgins is that as of right now he is a Type A guy and I dont think it wise to give up a 1st rounder to get him. That said I wouldnt mind if we got more athletic and better defensively up the middle as long as we dont downgrade talent wise in the process as Jimbo did this season to get more left-handed.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I am hoping that Jimbo sells high on him on this off-season as this is his career year. With Castro looking like he could be ready to compete for the job in 2011 spring training, honestly I would not mind Blanco being a place holder next year for him. If you sign the O-dog to play 2B, he would likely outproduce what Theriot has done this year and you can safely assume that with Aramis being completly healthy that 3B will have increased production from last year as bad as Soto has been even if 08 was his celing as MLB hitter I think its safe to say 09 was his floor so the offense should improve enough to live with Blanco as the SS. A middle infield of Blanco and Hudson would be the best defensive MI in baseball which inturn can only help the pitching staff.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I could see a team being interested due to his batting average hovering around .300 for most of the year and his SLG% increasing this year to an acceptable level and if you put him at 2B you have an above average defender. Selling high but be a liberal term here since you wont get anything great for him but a team looking for cheap 2b help (Nats and Twins pop up to mind) might be willing to give up a prospect in the 25th to 40th best range for him.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.