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

Winter Meetings 2009 Day Two

6:23 PM

Cross the Angels off the list...that leaves Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Twins, Athletics if it's an AL team. I'd go ahead and cross Indians and Twins immediately off that list and probably the Orioles as I can't think of a bad contract they'd want to move. Yanks, Red Sox, White Sox, Tigers or A's?

6:13 PM

Cross the Blue Jays off the list...mystery team indeed.

5:33 PM

Both Muskat and Wittenmyer shoot down the Mariners rumor...something is brewing though.

5:20 PM

The beat writers now chime in...Wittenmyer states:

It involves a three-team deal in which the Cubs would receive a player who would then need to be flipped to another team, but it's doesn't involve the long-rumored Tampa Bay Rays (ed note: or the Rangers).

Bruce Miles is a little more subdued:

The Cubs stated flatly this afternoon that no deal was imminent for right fielder Milton Bradley. There has been speculation that something could get done as early as tonight, but one Cubs person said Wednesday is a more likely date.

Sullivan agrees that Wednesday is more likely but still has the Rays and Rangers very much in the mix.

5:18 PM

More Tim Brown saying the M's and Cubs are talking Bradley for Silva..."nothing imminent".

4:47 PM

Tim Brown of Yahoo tweets it's not Rays or Rangers(as does Joel Sherman). He got a no comment from a Blue Jays official and then throws out Seattle as a possible destination with Carlos Silva coming back to the Cubs.

4:25 PM

Jayson Stark on the other hand, says nothing has changed much on the Bradley front.

4:22 PM

My bad earlier, I guess Schlereth was a Diamondbacks prospect, I thought he came from the Yankees. Anyway, Rosenthal tries to give some justification on moving Scherzer whom the DBacks felt was better suited to be a reliever.

4:06 PM

Wittenmyer tweets that a deal is close involving Bradley with a "surprise AL team".

2:49 PM

Some NL Central rumors from MLBTR...the Randy Wolf offer from the Brewers is a steep 3/31 and Blue Jays and Pirates might have been talking about a Ryan Doumit trade.

2:15 PM

Bruce Levine reports that Cubs could be on verge of trading Bradley, as soon as today. It doesn't really hint at who the team is or what player or players are involved. Also, and possibly related or possibly unrelated, Hendry has talked to the Rockies about some of their outfield depth.

2:02 PM:

A Jose Guillen for Milton Bradley rumor is quickly swatted down.

1:56 PM:

Don't forget about the #Dawson4thehall campaign on twitter. You can check out my misguided humor as well on twitter.

1:33 PM: 

Brewers taking a look at Kevin Gregg according to Muskat. As disappointing as Gregg was last year and by no means should the Cubs bring him back, I wouldn't be suprised if he thrived in a middle relief role or back-up closer. His home run rates were scary bad, but he did improve his walk and K rates last year.

1:08 PM:

Differing reports here, but it looks like a 3-way deal is going to happen between the Tigers, D'Backs and Yankees. Yankees get Curtis Granderson, Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy and the Tigers get Max Scherzer, Phil Coke,  Daniel Schlereth and Austin Jackson. Michael Dunn was in there instead of Schlereth at one point as well.

Quick reaction, D'Backs are retarded...I realize 2-for-1 gets the Phil Rogers seal of approval on a trade, but Scherzer is a better and cheaper pitcher than Jackson. Yankees have to give up a lot, but they're the Yankees, they can afford these kind of moves and end up with a left-handed power bat that can roam center field legitimately and take advantage of Yankee Stadium at a decent price over the next three years. Plus they make the trade without having to give up Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain. Tigers score with a heavy prospect load that will be most ready to contribute immediately, including stealing Scherzer for Jackson, which is just be fucking brilliant on their part.

Speculation will immediately lead to the Yankees possibly dealing Melky Cabrera and the Cubs being interested. First, I can't imagine what the Cubs would have to interest the Yankees, not like the Yankees make a lot of deals to bring in prospects. Second, with Granderson's struggles versus lefties, they'd be wise to keep Cabrera around to occasionally platoon.

Also, eff the Cubs. The Yankees score a legit center field/lead-off option and the Cubs are staring at an HGH-less Rick Ankiel (#1 on my guys I hate in baseball list) and Mike Cameron's aging skills. Bah humbug.

/end overreactionary rant

- Back to the bullpen, Cubs may have interest in Blue Jays reliever Brian Wolfe. Wolfe will be 29 next year and had two fine seasons in 2007 and 2008, but was released last year after an 8.22 ERA. He'd certainly be a good spring training invite option.

- Outfielder Ryan Church was DFA'd by the Atlanta Braves, not a bad 4th/5th outfield option, but the Cubs seem to want right-handed bat for that role.

11:11 AM:

- J.J. Putz is a bullpen arm I wouldn't mind the Cubs pursuing if his medical records aren't stored in a skull and crossbones trapper keeper. Fox sports says the Cubs are one of six teams interested at the moment.

- Heyman tweeted earlier that a possibly 3-way trade between Yanks, DBacks and Tigers could be back on that would involve E. Jackson and C. Granderson, but it would cost the Yankees up to 4 players including Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson.

- The Randy Wolf signing to the Brewers is on hold as the Mets have made a late push.


The morning headlines...

- The Mets would like to move Luis Castillo and replace him with Orlando Hudson, but they also want to wait and see on Jason Bay and Matt Holliday, which is a complicated way of saying it would take too long for the Cubs' tastes to get a deal done with them. The good news  - if there is such a thing when the Cubs are talking about eating $20M or so - is that Hendry can make a deal now and go over the projected budget as long as he fixes it by Opening Day. Dave Kaplan suggests this was not the case when Hendry was trying to move Sammy Sosa after 2004 and had to let Moises Alou go because of it.

- Kaplan also reiterates that Yankees seem to have the edge on Curtis Granderson but are also balking at the Tigers asking price - which presumably includes Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson. The Tigers supposedly asked for Starlin Castro and two higher end prospects from the Cubs.

- Mets and Brewers had some talks about a Corey Hart for John Maine swap.

- If you're a twitter user, don't forget the Cubscast campaign for Andre Dawson to the Hall appropriately starting at 1:20 pm CST.

Comments

So riddle me this...why wouldn't the Cubs want the switch-hitting O-Dog? When I think Castillo, I think about him dropping that can of corn to lose a game for the Mets (last season?). Could we imagine that happening at Wrigley?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Per Wittenmeyer, if the Cubs take Burell, the flip may be to the Blue Jays for prospects. Levine was on WMVP radio last night, and opined that that the next Cubs CF may well be Ankiel. He discounts the Cameron talk, citing Cameron's age and propensity for K's. Levine feels that Ankiel brings the right combination of youth, power, defense, left-handed hitting and affordability, especially since it looks more and more like the Cubs will be eating a substantial portion of Brqadley's salary.

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In reply to by Ryno

I can see the good and bad with both. Ankiel's more of a boom/bust guy, but he's likely to be cheaper and bats left handed. I'm not crazy about paying Cameron $8 million this year, but I'd really hate it if we were paying him the same next year. There's going to be some nice FA's after 2010, it would be cool if we could afford one.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I was going to reply and say I really like Cameron's defense, but that's not completely honest: Rather, I like the memories of Cameron's defense. I have no idea how long he'll be able to provide plus defense in CF. Plus, Cameron is a great guy (and that's important in the post-Bradley era). So while Cameron over Ankiel would give me the warm and fuzzies, I'm not completely convinced it would be the best thing for the Cubs... especially considering that next year like you said.

My goodness, this is shaping up to be a whale of a crapper of an offseason. The goal of our team is to dump a guy and sign a cheap guy for centerfield, that is the sum of the Chicago Cubs offseason ambitions. Meanwhile, all of the top H players are available (Halliday, Holiday) not to mention other top free agents, Jason Bay, etc. Look at the difference in who the Red Sox, Yankees, etc. are targeting this offseason, or other teams with real ambitions of improving themselves, versus the depressing goals of the hand tied Chicago Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

The joke is that we are not really trying to improve the team this offseason. I suppose the point is that it gets frustrating to be locked into so much salary with so little flexibility, even via the trade route. How can a General Manager have anything left to manage when he can't move anyone, and has a payroll freeze? (by his own fault)

[ ]

In reply to by Pat Kane

The joke comment was directed towards Aaron. Had we brought back the same guys in 2009, we wouldn't have made the playoffs. It's been two years in a row now that Hendry has had to move salary to add free agents. It's an awful business model - pay premium free agent prices, wait a year or two, then pay money to try and trade those players still on a premium contracts so that you can sign more players to premium contracts. But as long as management allows him to do it, he's going to continue to do so, apparently. The one place where the minor league system seems ready to contribute - Hendry isn't even saving money there. He's signing Grabow and it looks like someone else, rather than giving more opportunity to Parker, Gaub et al. His other position of minor league strength - where the Cubs can say they have legitimiate prospects spread across four levels - Hendry won't deal the most attractive asset to try and address some of his major league payroll issues.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Well, those guys cost about 4 million more than the two Cubs, so you have to figure out how to shed that payroll (unless Abreu had some incentives in which case you have to shed more). With those two guys, we probably would have been pretty close. WARP1 Abreu 2.5 Hudson 5.4 - Baker 2.0, 2.0 and Fountainout 1.1 gives you: 2.8 more wins. We missed the playoffs by 8 games. So if you add some more wins (and don't subtract any more defense) for Abreu's RISP hitting, we may get there. Aramis, Soto, Soriano did enough damage to the offense to doom our season.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'll come back with Bobby Abreu signed for 5 FUCKING MILLION DOLLARS. There is no way, shape or form, now or last off-season, that you can make me believe MB over even one year of Abreu was a good idea. Bradley had a career year, yes, but as I've said before I'm sick and fucking tired of Hendry paying for guys that have career years elsewhere. Bradley's health was suspect, and attitude a constant problem, and coming off a career year. Sounds like someone I want to trade away 2 pieces to clear payroll in a hurry to sign. Are you fucking kidding me? Without looking it up, he could have dealt Marquis (who was admittedly set to make too much for his role), waited to sign Abreu late like, I don't know, the Angels did, and still had a couple mil left over. I've been a pretty big Hendry backer overall, defending Soriano and some other decisions he's made. But he screwed the fucking pooch last offseason, plain and simple, and he's still reaping those benefits this week. And although I like Ankiel cheap from a fan/baseball perspective, I'd pay Cameron $8 mil to sit on the fucking bench if I thought he could improve some of the "culture" on this team.

Designated for assignment, which I believe makes him a FA if he refuses the assignment to the minors.

Supposedly the Granderson to the Yankees, Jackson to the Diamonbacks deal is done. Detroit gets Austin Jackson, Max Scherzer and Phil Coke. Arizona gets Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy The Yankees get Granderson

[ ]

In reply to by GO CUBBIES

I don't know what the excitement is about Jackson. Whatever is special about him, it's not in the numbers. And I notice he played 25 games in left field, versus 12 in right (and the rest in center). Does that mean his arm is suspect? Usually that's what left field means. Castro is a 19-year-old shortstop, for crissake. When Jackson was 19 he was in low A-ball, with 4 home runs and 151 strikeouts. By the numbers, the Cubs have an overrated prospect, but it's not Castro, and it's not even Vitters. I'll give you a hint: he's 6-6 and he throws 98. But I wouldn't trade him either.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I'm not saying Jackson is great. I am just frustrated at Hendry's freaking untouchable tag he puts on some prospect every year, and then we give them away for a pack of Big League Chew 2 years later. I just hope Castro becomes the stud they seem to think he is. I guess I just basically don't trust the Cubs decision making abilities on prospects for obvious reasons. Sorry for all the negativity.

[ ]

In reply to by GO CUBBIES

I'm still relying on the Tim Wilken factor. His early draft classes are moving up the ranks and did quite well at Daytona in '08 and Tennessee last year. The one slowpoke is Tyler Colvin, and if you think he's a bust, look again at his numbers at Tennessee last year. 14 homers and 7 triples in 307 at bats. Wilken loved Colvin's swing. Whether you agree or not, the point is he doesn't draft a position player unless he likes the swing. Felix Pie had five tools, but I don't think the hitting--and the swing--were at the top of the list. I don't think Wilken would have drafted Pie.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I agree that Wilken seems to definitely be improving the farm (which makes Hendry's arbitration decisions that much more frustrating), but I guess I am mostly just bitter because the fucking Yankees are getting Granderson. I've had a hard on for Granderson to be in the Cubbie blue for a while now. And yes I know he can't hit lefties, but how many good lefties are in the NL Central anyway? Wandy? I just hope that he totally falls apart now.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

That's fine, but great prospects in the Cubs organization fizzle into Corey Patterson and Felix Pie. Remember Felix Pie tearing up AAA ball? Remember how "untouchable" Pie was?

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Not just to argue, but I have heard too many people on this site complain when Hendry does trade prospects. The complaint being that he is "giving away the farm". When he doesn't trade prospects then people complain that they never work out anyway. I think some people want it both ways.

[ ]

In reply to by JohnT

I think that, for the most part, if you examine those comments you'll find that you're talking about two different groups of people that don't overlap a whole lot. Of course, I haven't gone back and examined those comments--so it's just a guess based on my memory of threads around here for the past few years. If your point is that Hendry would have a group of fans angry at him in either situation--a different group of fans--then I can get on board with that. Not that I care; I want him to do what I want him to do, not what other people would be happy with.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 12:48pm. Designated for assignment, which I believe makes him a FA if he refuses the assignment to the minors. ========================= REAL NEAL: The Braves have ten days to either trade, release, or outright Church to the minors (although Church has enough MLB Service Time where he can refuse an outright assignment to the minors and become a FA). A player is usually DFA'd when a club believes it can get something for him in a trade instead of releasing him or losing him to free-agency and getting nothing back in return. Since Hendry reportedly had an interest in Ryan Church a couple of years ago, and since the Braves 40-man roster is full (which is why Church got DFA'd now instead of getting non-tendered on 12/12), I wouldn't be bit surprised if the Cubs acquire Church for a minor league player who is not on the Cubs 40-man roster.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

My presumption is that the Cubs are asking about Dexter Fowler, if Colorado decides it wants Carlos Gonzalez to play center field. Knowing how Hendry operates, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that he thinks Ryan Spilborghs is his centerfielder of the future. I guess Brad Hawpe is also a possibility, though I'm not sure how that money would work for the Cubs.

A comment on the Cubs' Facebook page: "I'd package Soriano and Bradley together to Toronto for Halladay and free up a ton of money to go after young outfielder and a closer." Problem solved.

As mentioned in the header of Rob G.'s post. "Bradley will be traded maybe as early as today". He also stated that he would be traded back during the meetings in Chicago. The lack of details makes it hard to be credible, although Levine is not one for just fluff.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

I was thinking the the Yankees may be a good spot for him, but I can't really think of a bad contract they have to trade. Obviously the New York media is supposed to be tougher than the pitchfork carriers in Chicago, but I think their clubhouse would probably be better able to take him, and they have to replace Matsui's and Damon's bats (if they don't bring one of them back). It could be the suddenly jobless Mekly for Bradley and some cash.

Tim Brown tweets that the Mariners could be a possible destination for Bradley with the Cubs getting Carlos Silva in return. Excuse me if I am not particulary overjoyed about this one.

Joel Sherman is reporting that the Rangers are no longer interested in Bradley. I think it is the Cubs are no longer interested in having the same conversation about money.

Ozzie Smith on what makes a good manager: "Managing is a very difficult job, and it takes a real special person with a great knack for handling people to be successful because you’re blending so many different personalities into one cohesive unit" Hey Lou, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

Usually they call these things the _________ sweepstakes but I've noticed nobody's calling it that in this case. We need a new name for this kind of situation. The Milton Bradley NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard)? What, exactly? It reminds me a little of Yucca Mountain.

I'd scratch the A's off that list. Their treatment of Bradley and presumably vice-versa lead to probably the most acrimonious breakup of Milton's storied career.

Here's my idea of a surprise American League destination for Milton Bradley, The White Sox Bradley for Alex Rios, even up -Rios was drafted in the first round by the Blue Jays when Tim Wilken was still running the amateur draft there, so there's that connection. -He has five fat years remaining on his contract but, importantly, the obligations for 2010 and 2011 are just about equal to what the Cubs owe Milton Bradley. The Cubs' goal of not eating MB's salary would be met. But, and this is a big butt, the Cubs get saddled with the last three years of Rios' contract---Not that big backloaded contracts ever stopped Hendry. -both Bradley and Rios are CF/RF'ers -The Cubs have buyer's remorse with Bradley -The White Sox, Ozzie at least, have buyer's remorse with Rios
White Sox | Rios's slump perturbs Guillen Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:31:27 -0700 The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago White Sox OF Alex Rios went 0-for-4 Saturday, Sept. 12, giving him an .082 average in his last 16 games. Guillen was critical of Rios, who's batting ninth in the order, but reiterated that there will be better days for the outfielder next season. ''What have I seen from Rios? A lot of outs,'' Guillen said. ''The only batting-ninth guy making $5 million was me. ''This [expletive] is making $10, $12, $14 million, he ain't going to be batting ninth [in 2010]. I'm going to make sure he earns his money. But right now, I have to put him there because he's struggling. Next year, if we have Rios batting ninth, we're in deep [expletive] again.''

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Let me add the two players' average stats. According to ESPN, here's what they produce per 162 games (not that MB ever approaches that many in a given season): RIOS .281 .330 .444 .774, 16HR 77RBI 88R 22SB MILT .277 .371 .450 .821, 20HR 76RBI 86R 13SB Rios gives you more speed on the bases. Bradley gives you more, well, more being on the bases. Other than that, they're remarkably similar.

i doubt Cubs would take on the salary unless Wsox offered to split the last 3 years. I doubt Williams is dumb enough to keep Bradley in Chicago just so he can be angrier and a bigger target.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

It has been reported that the Sox are interested in Matsui, but appearently Williams said that he would need to be able to play the outfield, which does not appear likely. The White Sox are looking for a DH and have been rumored to want a bat that is not limited to a DH role, which would fit the Milton bill. According to Cot's Baseball contracts, Rios is owed: 10:$9.7M, 11:$12M, 12:$12M, 13:$12.5M, 14:$12.5M, 15:$13.5M club option ($1M buyout) Assuming the Sox take Bradley and the $21 million left on his deal and the Cubs assume the next two years on Rios, that would leave roughly $37.5 million left on the Rios contract (if you include the $1 million buyout). In reality, Hendry is looking to take on a bad contract for one or two years, but shed payroll too. In this case he would technically be adding payroll (even if the two teams split the remaining dollars on Rios), but it would come in the form of the infamous Hendry defferment plan and allow for some of the other contracts that are expiring to obsorb the shock of adding payroll over the next few years. The question is, would you rather eat $21 million and have no player to show for it or avoid eating $21 million, but commit to an additional $15-17 through 2015.

Anyone else here think there will be no Bradley deal this GM Meeting? I have a bad feeling about this, and about the 2010 Cubs season. Then again, I thought the Bears would win 9 games this year too. Unfortunately, from everything I read and hear, the amount the Cubs have to eat on Bradley dictates the level of FA they can entertain signing. Man, Jim Hendry left quite a mess after last year.

The Yankees could be the mystery team as I am sure they would love to dump Kei Igawa. Maybe something like Bradley and Marshall for Igawa and Cabrera.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

I'll be honest, I stand corrected. Not a bad idea. I thought Cabrera was a lot better hitter than that. He's still young, and in theory in line to take over LF for them next year, but having said that, this does make a little sense, especially if they get serious about resigning Damon. I still think however that there's more chance of Silva being serviceable in a ML uni than Igawa, and we'd still have to throw in money on this one, so I don't see it.

Random sportswriter bashing of the day: Pudge Rodriguez. Rosenthal: "In other words, he does not figure to be a strong mentor for the Nationals' young pitching staff, which at this some point next season figures to include right-hander Stephen Strasburg." And "Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus likes the Ivan Rodriguez signing for the Nats, partly because Pudge could help develop Stephen Strasburg." Fuck, seriously??

[ ]

In reply to by Tony S.

I make fun of Bradley for getting all the hype of being an offensive force with a zero track record and now people want Alex Rios. By all accounts Rios is the polar opposite of Bradley but my god is he an over rated piece of crap. He has been the focus of so many trades in our fantasy league in the belief he is goo,d that is not even funny. Rios is a very boring hitter. He has some speed but isn't too fast, he has some power but not too much power, he isn't a big run producer but he isn't a wasteland either. He is just joe blow average who gets paid a lot of money when other teams are sporting much cheaper options who get the job done just as well. Rios is nice when he isn't expensive but he is worthless now.

[ ]

In reply to by carlosrubi

Why would you want to look at it in a no-homo way?

Saw this out there, anyone confirm? Orioles get: Milton Bradley Cubs get: Ty Wigginton and Koji Uehara Some sorta exchange of money to balance out salaries!

Magglio and two wheelchairs...hope RF is handicapped accessible. Maybe the can get him a h/c parking spot on the RF gate

Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 12/09/2009 - 5:46am. Wittenmyer shoots down Bradley for Silva, shoots down Cubs as a match for Melky, and speculates that the Bradley deal is either with Detroit or Toronto, but not for Vernon Wells. ========================= JOHN B: I would think the Tigers are probably the "mystery team," since this team suddenly appeared right about the same time Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson got traded and the Tigers got two lefty arms for the pen (Coke and Schlereth). LHP Nate Robertson is making $10M in 2010, and I would think he would probably be the next Tiger on the move. Bradley is making $9M in 2010 and then $12M in 2011, so the Tigers would net a $1M savings off their payroll in 2010, and would probably get Bradley for substantially less than $12M in 2011 since the Cubs will almost certainly pay at least half of Bradley's 2011 salary no matter where he ends up. And the Tigers might figure they can always trade Bradley later in the 2010 season or prior to 2011 if they want a further reduction in payroll. If it's a three-way deal, that would probably mean Robertson would get moved to a third team, and that could be just about anywhere (possibly to the Mets for Luis Castillo?). And if the deal is indeed "3/4 done," that probably means four players are involved, with three having been agreed upon, with the only hang-up being the identity of the 4th player (probably a prospect).

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Hendry must be selling hard to find a third team. I wonder if the Cubs do not save any money here but get an actual workable piece to their puzzle. If Bradley is dealt to Detriot and the Cubs take on a portion of Bradley's contract for next year, then deal Robertson to a third team, but agree to take on a portion of Robertson's contract for '10, they may end up with something more than a bucket of balls or a fungo bat.

Submitted by thedirtbag on Wed, 12/09/2009 - 8:08am. Hendry must be selling hard to find a third team. I wonder if the Cubs do not save any money here but get an actual workable piece to their puzzle. If Bradley is dealt to Detriot and the Cubs take on a portion of Bradley's contract for next year, then deal Robertson to a third team, but agree to take on a portion of Robertson's contract for '10, they may end up with something more than a bucket of balls or a fungo bat. ===================== DIRT BAG: Dave Dombrowski gave Jim Hendry his first job in pro ball, and the two are still very good friends. That doesn't mean Dombrowski would take Bradley just to help Hendry out of a jam, but having a friendly relationship with a couple or three GMs from the other league (Dombrowski, MacPhail, and Beane) can come in handy when you need a willing trading partnet. It's no coincidence that Hendry makes most of his trades with those three teams.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I think this trade scenario makes the most sense given the teams remaining and the complexity. I think most would agree that the pitcher's market is limited especially the dollars involved. Robertson could be moved at the right price, but it is hard to imagine the Cubs not having to take on any of that '09 salary without getting a bad contract in return. The Bradley-Rios swap is well thought out, but I think that there is way to much negotiation that would need to take place as far as the dollars remaining to Rios. I also think there would be little chance that Kenny Williams would agree to bring Bradley to the south side. Just seems like it would be shuffling deck chairs. Cliche, but true.

As far as receiving usable talent for MB at this point, I have a hard time believing the Cubs can do better than Ordonez, who was OK last year despite all the hoopla about his declining skills. If he were the Cubs' starting RF in 2010, I would project him to be about a .300 hitter with 15 HRs, an 820 OPS, .980 fielding percentage and -5 UZR/150. The Cubs are not going to get that level of talent - on a one-year deal no less - from any other team. Of course, I don't actually know a) if the Tigers would do that deal; b) if the Cubs are actually OK with playing Kosuke in CF for another year; and c) how the money would work. But I think before we start making wheelchair jokes, we should think about the possibility of Carlos Silva trying to suit up for this team in 2010 and then make due with the best of a bad situation.

Submitted by thedirtbag on Wed, 12/09/2009 - 8:29am. I think this trade scenario makes the most sense given the teams remaining and the complexity. I think most would agree that the pitcher's market is limited especially the dollars involved. Robertson could be moved at the right price, but it is hard to imagine the Cubs not having to take on any of that '09 salary without getting a bad contract in return. ====================== DIRT BAG: If Bradley goes to Detroit for Robertson, and then the Cubs move Robertson to a 3rd team and eat half of his 2010 salary ($5M), and even if they get only prospects back in return, that's still a $4M net savings in payroll for the Cubs in 2010 that can be spent on or applied toward a free-agent of the Cubs choosing (presumably Mike Cameron). So as GMs like to say, "that's almost like making a trade."

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Phil what is your take on the centerfield options, assuming they have the payroll to add (ie. Byrd, Cameron, Podsednik, etc). Who do you think would be the best fit? I am not particular to givin Byrd a 3 year contract and the same goes for Cameron. I like Cameron as a short term solution (1yr with maybe a vesting option in 2011).

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In reply to by thedirtbag

Submitted by thedirtbag on Wed, 12/09/2009 - 8:53am. Phil what is your take on the centerfield options, assuming they have the payroll to add (ie. Byrd, Cameron, Podsednik, etc). Who do you think would be the best fit? I am not particular to givin Byrd a 3 year contract and the same goes for Cameron. I like Cameron as a short term solution (1yr with maybe a vesting option in 2011). ===================== DIRT BAG: Mike Cameron for a year at $7M with a club option for the 2nd year (with a buy-out) would be OK. And I still think the Cubs will try to acquire Ryan Church from Atlanta (Church was Designated for Assignment yesterday.

The Yankees traded RHRP Brian Bruney to WAS for a PTBNL who will be the Nats #1 pick in tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft. The Nationals will technically make the selection, but the Yankees will be calling the shots, and the player selected will subsequently be sent to the Yankees as the PTBNL in the Bruney deal after the conclusion of the draft.

Interesting line in the Paul Sullivan article from this morning.... But the long-awaited dumping of Bradley could come as soon as Wednesday, according to one Cubs source who expected "one of the teams" that had been rumored from Day One as the landing spot.

According to TB beat writer Mark Topkin... "And, for what it's worth, Cubs GM Jim Hendry was seen having breakfast Wednesday with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf." Alex Rios anyone?

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).