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

Cubs Rumor Round-Up: Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Cameron & More

- Assuming the package of Cubs prospects that Hendry is willing to offer isn't enough to pry Curtis Granderson from the Tigers, the Cubs may move on to signing Mike Cameron as their main focus. First, the Cubs will have to move Milton Bradley of course and then they could look to sign the 36, going on 37-year old center fielder. Lou raves about him and Cameron raves about Lou in the article, so chances are he won't end up in Lou's doghouse by April.

- He said, she said: Jon Heyman say the Cubs aren't close to dealing Bradley because they're only willing to eat up to $5M of his contract, but Will Carroll tweeted around 8pm CST last night that:

Cubs signing of Mike Cameron is waiting on deal of Milton Bradley, which has been "imminent" for about 72 hours.

- More on Cameron from the Tribune, and thoughts that Tampa Bay and Texas are the most likeliest landing spots for Bradley.

"For some guys it's a gift," Cameron, who played for Piniella in Seattle from 2000 to '02, told the Tribune in '07 of playing for Piniella. "And for some guys it's a curse. I've seen both sides of the fence. For me, it was a blessing. It made me the player I am today. He taught me a lot about the game, and he's one of the ultimate field generals, probably the best manager I've ever had."

I covered Cameron earlier in the offseason, and the Cubs would get a decent but aging bat that drove in 10.7% of the runners in front of him last year (Not good, basically Bradley territory). He did much better in past years driving in runs and still seems to have the defensive chops to cover center field with the best of them. At 37 though, it should be a one year deal with maybe a 2nd year option, but I guess he gets more if Hendry is involved.

- The Cubs popped up on a list of suitors for Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. Both were offered arbitration by the Braves and would cost the Cubs a 2nd round pick as the Cubs first round pick is protected this year. They'll have to move fast though as the deadline to accept or decline arbitration is Monday and at least in Soriano's case, they want to know what kind of offers are out there or they'll take up the Braves on arbitration.

- Bruce Miles has a Winter Meeting preview up, saying a right-handed outfielder compliment to Fukudome is on the agenda (assuming they move Bradley). That puts guys like David DeJesus and Rick Ankiel down on the Cubs wish list. Also mentions Texas and Tampa as the most likely spots for Bradley and if the Cubs do have to then move someone like Burrell, a three-team trade doesn't have to happen immediately. Also, expect a vet right-handed bullpen guy to be signed at some point.

- Lou doesn't rule out returning for 2011. Joy.

- Baseball Analysts covers "The Problematic Cubs Outfielder".

Thanks to everyone who discovered most of those links for me...

Comments

Buried at the bottom of the Lou might return for 2011 article is this line: "Piniella also said he has told Hendry he would like to add a middle-of-the-rotation starter, but that appears to be a long shot as the Cubs head to the meetings."

Some snips from Joe Sheehan's run down of NL Needs at the Winter Meetings. A pretty good piece, and I think Sheehan is probably BP's best writer. Cubs: they need to have a better offseason with respect to roster spots eight through 25 than Hendry has had the last few years Cards: had tremendous run prevention in 2009, numbers that are almost sure to regress, so they have got to put a better offense on the field than they did to prevent a massive step backwards Brewers: It may be that the only way for them to break out of the 78-84 win range is to trade Fielder Reds: The ideal Reds week would include trades of Francisco Cordero and Arroyo, not for financial reasons but to add a major-league shortstop and center fielder. Astros: We’re pretty close to what’s been coming for a while, which is a top-to-bottom rebuilding of the Astros that takes about four years. Pirates: Look for the Pirates to troll the low end of the market, major-league free agents at low cost, non-tenders, minor-league free agents Marlins: The Marlins remain a blight on the MLB landscape Hope that's not too much. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9828

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

fun fact...the ex-expos owner owns the marlins. revenue sharing doesn't work. they wanted (well, the yanks didn't want it at all for obvious reasons) unregulated use of the money and this kind of stuff tends to happen in that environment. the rich get richer because why do something you don't have to do unless you WANT to do it. the only incentive for putting money back into the field product right now would be if loria wanted a ring, and that's about it. both desires would be selfish, but one at least serves the fans (btw, thanks for the effort zell...140m, damn). the marlins are valued at over 100m bucks more than they were bought for. they use the "new stadium" thing as an excuse...it's getting a little thin when they're spending less or barely more than they get in revenue sharing.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Sun, 12/06/2009 - 12:19pm. Not sure how that works? Paging Az Phil ============================== DR AARON B: The 1st round draft picks of the 15 MLB clubs with the worst records from the previous season are protected. Rule 4 compensation draft picks clubs get for not signing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round picks are special picks that don't count as far as MLB free-agent compensation is concerned. Also, a special Rule 4 compensation pick is only good for one year. If a club selects a player with a special Rule 4 compensation pick and doesn't sign that player either, the club doesn't get another compensation pick the next year as compensation for not signing that player.

speaking of troubled players... anyone know if matt "i'm matt f'n bush" bush (SD/TOR(kinda)) is done being a drunk loser and trying to play again? before his elbow fell off in 07 (and had to take 08 off) he was featuring a low 90s fastball. his hitting days are definitely done. i don't think he played organized baseball last year unless his rehab center had one.

mlbtraderumors.com has their second link of the weekend about Soriano possibly accepting arbitration from the Braves. I would think that would increase the pressure to trade one of their starters. Hopefully Hendry will be standing in the right place with some glowing scouting reports on Milton Bradley when that happens.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Just like last year when the Bradley deal was held up by unloading part of Marquis's contract. Hopefully, now that someone is actually watching Hendry this will be a black mark on his record. Odds of it being cheap and short aren't too good, not this early in the season. He's going to see Figgins and Polanco's deals and that's not going to work out to a 1-year deal in Cameron and his agent's minds. Not a big fan of this one. I think a big part of his alleged defensive chops are a function of him taking catches from his corner outfielders. Not that that will be a huge problem in Wrigley, but if you can win 97 games with Edmonds/Johnson as your CF you'll probably be fine with Fukudome and some non-tendered pickup. Right handed pitchers with power stuff are going to cruise through our lineup setting season highs for K's on a weekly basis. It's just a signing that doesn't make us better, and spends a lot of money in a market where having money can get some nice depth.

Paul Sullivan has a nice bit about Tampa Bay's manager Joe Maddon. Maddon believes that he would get along with Milton, as evidenced by a lunch he had with him last winter. Milton was a free agent trying to find $'s. I think he would get along with anybody that was offering multi million dollar contracts. Now, it is interesting if Tampa Bay departs with Burrell, whom the Rays are dissappointed with. Binding the Cubs pick up most of the money owed to Bradley next year, the risk for the Rays is limited and less pressure is on Milton to perform. His contract my be big, but the financial obligation from Tampa Bay would be minimal similar to the fan base. All in all, it probably would be a good fit for Tampa Bay and we would probably see Milton Bradley return to Texas form. At least this way he will not have any fans in the stands to throw the ball to with 2 outs (granted he sees playing time in the outfield).

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    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).