Cubs MLB Roster

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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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

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

Submitted by Rob G. on

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

 

Tags
Cubs rumors
Milton Bradley
John Grabow
Curtis Granderson
Luis Castillo

Comments

Submitted by Barry on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:24 pm

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.

Submitted by MikeC on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:57 pm

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.

Submitted by Mike Vail on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:30 pm

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.

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Submitted by The Joe on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:06 pm

"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.

Submitted by Southpaw on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:46 pm

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!!!

Submitted by Southpaw on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:41 am

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!

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Submitted by thedirtbag on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:18 pm

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)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

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