Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, 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

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team.