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 Rumor Round-Up: Granderson, Bradley, Castillo, Grabow & Byrd

Let's try to filter through all the rumor reports from the GM meetings...

Milton Bradley

We know Hendry has talked to the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets and Angels and really only the Rays and Rangers seem to be showing any real interest and both want the Cubs to pay a hefty portion of Bradley's remaining contract. The two most discussed names coming back were Pat Burrell or Kevin Millwood. For those that thought Aaron Rowand or Barry Zito's contract could get it done, Brian Sabean said he has absolutely no interest in acquiring Bradley.

Robothal's latest said the Rays and Cubs were talking again yesterday and were just $2-$3M apart, but then stirred up some quotes describing the discussions as "worse than Chinese water torture." and "I wish cattle prods were legal." And if the Cubs do get Burrell, they'll probably just have to pay some more to ship to another team as he'll unlikely be a Cub next year considering no one thinks he belongs in the outfield anymore.

One of our most trusted readers heard on the radio from Bruce Levine that a deal for Bradley should go down in the next 3-4 days.

Luis Castillo

There was the bogus three-team rumor of Bradley to the Blue Jays, Overbay to the Mets and Castillo to the Cubs. That was quickly shot down and the Mets say they want no part of Bradley, but Minaya did say he might talk to Hendry about Castillo. Castillo had a nice bounceback year with the bat in 2010 and is owed $6M in 2010 and 2011. He does walk at a friendly 10.8% rate for his career and that's been higher the last few seasons. UZR doesn't like his defense the last few seasons, but he was battling some leg injuries. As part of some package to move Bradley's contract, then it's a reasonable enough move, if it's going to cost the Cubs any decent minor league talent though and adding on Castillo's contract, I'd hope the Cubs would pass.

Marlon Byrd

It looks like the Cubs will make a run at Byrd when free agency opens and the Texas beat writer at MLB.com thinks it will take 3 years and between 18-24M to sign him, although he notes there isn't much demand for center fielders this year. That probably won't stop Hendry from offering Byrd exactly what he wants though. I ran through the numbers on Byrd yesterday, and he certainly wouldn't be a terrible player for the Cubs to pick up. I don't know about three years or $8M per, but he can handle all three defensive positions and brings a bit of power with him.

Curtis Granderson

The reports came out that the Tigers might look to try and trade guys like Edwin Jackson or Curtis Granderson to save a few bucks. Personally I think that either player is unlikely to get moved unless it's a package to rid themselves of one of their bad contracts in Dontrelle Willis, Magglio Ordonez or Nate Robertson. Nonetheless, Phil Rogers went nuts and said the Cubs must sell the fall the farm to get him. And don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Granderson on the Cubs. He plays pretty damn good defense, hit 20-30 HR's in Comerica Park the last few years and walks over 10% of the time and will be 29 next year. On the downside, he strikes out a ton and is basically a black hole versus lefties (.540 OPS against lefties versus .940 against righties over the last 3 years).  His contract owes him just $5.5M in 2010 and then goes to $8.25M, $10M, and a $13M club option with $2M buyout in 2013. That option goes up if he hits various incentives though. 

But, I don't know how available Granderson is yet and we don't know the market. As I said, Tigers would probably love to package one of their bad contracts with him and get a boatload of major league ready talent if they could and neither of that really fits what the Cubs have to offer which is mostly low level minor leaguers with lots of upside. I guess the Cubs could start offering Carlos Marmol or Geovany Soto, but obviously that's doubtful. Dombrowski and Hendry do seem to have a pretty good dialogue and relationship, so I'm sure the Cubs will at least approach the idea.

John Grabow

It appears destined the Cubs will sign him to an extension in the 2/7.5M range, probably with some sort of third year option. I'm pretty indifferent to the whole matter. Grabow was good for the Cubs last year and he's can get both lefties and righties out. On the other hand, he's a bit walk happy and I don't know if you should being committing dollars to the bullpen so soon with other holes to fill and likely plenty of talent still available in February and March.

If we were to believe the GM Meetings rumors, there's the possibility that this is your Cubs lineup next year. 

Castillo 2B, Fukudome RF, Lee 1B, Ramirez 3B, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Soto C, Theriot SS

 

Comments

I think Theriot could be involved in any deal with Detroit. For example Granderson + Bad Contract for Bradley, Fox (or Fuld), Theriot + prospect. We would be left with Andres Blanco (a defensive upgrade) at SS and Miles (ugh!) until Castro is ready. We might have to re-sign Reed Johnson as a CF back-up since Granderson struggles against lefties. Reed is a .310 career hitter against lefties. Sorryano, Granderson and Fuku works for me. I realize I am probably in the minority here but I would rather see Uggla at 2nd than Castillo. I know his defense is weak but we sure could use his run production @ 90 RBIs which is what he has averaged over the last 4 years in a very defensive ballpark.

I like Granderson, no idea what it would take to get him though. I would already be thinking of Johnny Gomes as his platoon partner off the bench against lefties and Fuku playing CF on those days. But I want to make sure crunch is ok with wasting his power in the leadoff spot first. Those 30 HR's would be much better suited lower in the lineup than leadoff. Marlon Byrd is just a bad idea in the OF in my opinion. DO NOT pay for guys who have career years so far outside of their norms at age 32. Disregarding all of Miltons attitude problems the same case was made for not paying for a guy coming off a career year so outside of his norms at age 30. Nice year Marlon Byrd and all, but he isn't ever going to match 89 RBI again. He was greatly helped by being a Texas Ranger with a home OPS of .897 and a road OPS of .742 over the last 3 years. Absolutely do not pin your offensive hopes to a back up player coming off a career year at age 32. Spend your money on sure things, not lightning in the bottle players like Byrd and Milton.

I'm with Mike C here. Old retreads ain't gonna get us far in the playoffs. Wake me if we get Granderson, Figgins or somebody worth caring about. Burell? No thankee. I still want some pitching help. Our bullpen SUCKED.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"The new world is bright and full of possibilities, and that excites both of them. Aroldis Chapman, who spent the first 21 years of his life shackled to an island..." So, Jeff Passan, tell us what you think of Cuba.

What would it would take to snatch Carl Crawford from Tampa? The Rays have a number of good young outfielders, maybe a three team trade would get this done? I wouldn't be dissapointed if the Cubs had to eat most of either Badley's or Burrell's contract and gave up a prospect like Vitters to aquire Crawford. Castillo- No thank you! Grabow- Need to resign Grabow, Hendry wouldn't have to greatly over pay for his services. Plus you can't rely on Marmol to consistantly throw strikes and get ahead of hitters in the closer role(Another need is a reliable pitcher in the backend of the bullpen). A decent lefty pitcher is hard to find with out over paying or giving up good prospects. (I see Gaub in the bullpen in 2010). Granderson- Is a good player, but Hendry would be stupid to give up the farm for him. Scott Podsednik- Is an intersting choice for a fourth outfielder instead of Johnson. It would also depend on if the Sox don't resign him. Bryd- I can see him in the outfield for the Cubs, since Hendry once had a hard on for him. I also see Hendry over paying for him as well. I think Baker has more value off the bench and I would like to see Theriot move to second as long as Hendry can find a shortstop to play there until Castro is ready. The Cubs should stay in Arizona!!!

I know you can't rely on Grabow to throw strikes, but I do not want to see Neal Cotts back in the Bullpen. Marshal has done a decent job of what has been asked of him but he isn't a backend end of the bullpen type pitcher. I wouldn't be disapointed with Fuld as the fourth outfielder either. Just like Pods he has had nagging injuries though Fuld's injuries are due to his aggressive balls out defense. The reason I say Hendry needs to sign Grabow is because the market for left handed bullpen help is weak in my opinion. Off topic, I just want to say I love this site. Very informative and you guys allow people to formulate their own opinion without jamming your own down the reader's throat. Most blog sites are just a bunch of people ripping on other peoples opinions were this site I do not see that. Keep up the good work and keep on feeding us info on our team that most sites do not!

[ ]

In reply to by Southpaw

Southpaw makes a good arguement regarding Grabow. I have seen the criticism on the amount of money the Cubs are prepared to offer him, but the market for left handed set-up guys are thin. The Cubs have not had anything decent in this department since Stevie Eyre. I think the consensus is for Fukudome to move back to right field and for a new center fielder to be brought in, which is why Marylon Byrd will get a sizable contract offer from the Cubs. Ideally Crawford would make sense if he can hold down center at Wrigley. I think that the irony of the whole centerfield situation is that the departure of Jim Edmonds caused this mess. I am not implying that the Cubs should have signed Jim Edmonds at all, but he was valuable for many reasons during '08, more so because there was not anyone playing out of position, although someone may argue Theriot at short would be out of position. I do agree this site brings valuable insight and allows opinions to be expressed and is not dominated by egos.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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.