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

Merde: Dawson Goes in as an Expo and Other Cub Notes

 

 

The Hall of Fame made the right move, albeit the unpopular one, by announcing that Andre Dawson will be inducted as a Montreal Expo. Real Neal did the legwork for me using BP's WARP3 numbers:

Montreal: 43.7 Wins
Chicago: 18.1 Wins
Others: -2.2 Wins

Dawson may have been a more popular player in baseball thanks to his Cubs days, but he was clearly a better player as an Expo. Even if you divide his wins per season, it's 3.97 as an Expo and 3.01 as a Cub, so there's just no reasonable argument for Dawson as a Cub other than a popularity contest. Dawson did prefer the Cubs for what it's worth and says he may don a Cubs hat during his speech to acknowledge the Cubs fans.

- The Cubs agreed to a contract with left-hander Sean "What the Fuck Do I Have to Do to be Guaranteed a Roster Spot?" Marshall. I fear that nickname might not catch on. According to some tweets it's for $950K.

- It's almost official that Cubs will pick Mesa today to enter exclusive negotiations that could take up to a year. The preferred location may be revealed as well. Good news for me as it's a short 6-hour drive and for TCR, as I don't think Arizona Phil was planning a Florida move. I'm hoping to make my first spring training trip this March.

- Current 25-man roster:

Starters: Soto, Lee, Baker, Theriot, Ramirez, Soriano, Byrd, Fukudome

Bench: Hill, Nady, (3 of) Blanco, Fontenot, Fuld, Hoffpauir, Tracy, Castro or Colvin

Right now Blanco, Fontenot and Fuld seem like the favorites, but a hot or cold spring or injury could certainly change things.

Rotation: Zambrano, Dempster, Wells, Gorzelanny, Marshall (probably skipped until 5th starter needed)

Lilly will start the season on the disabled list.

Bullpen: Marmol, Grabow, Guzman, Silva, Likely RH addition, (2 of) Berg, Samardzija, Parisi, Stevens, Gray, Caridad, Gaub, Atkins, Dolis, Patton, Parker

and it'll just be 1 of those last 10 when Lilly is back from the disabled list and Marshall or Gorzelanny moves to the pen.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

so there's just no reasonable argument for Dawson as a Cub other than a popularity contest.
No reasonable argument? How about Dawson wanting to be remembered as a Cub not an Expo? How about the fact that Dawson made his indelible mark in Chicago not Montreal? How about he had a higher BA, OBA, SLG and OPS+ as a Cub? How about he averaged 33 HR and 110 RBI/ 162 games as a Cub? -- much higher numbers than when he was an Expo. How about he went to 5 consecutive All Star games as a Cub (and only 3 total as an Expo)? How about he won his only MVP as a Cub and did it for a last place team? How about until 2001 the Hall allowed players to choose the cap they went in on and then arbitrarily changed the rule? How about Reggie Jackson went in as a ...Yankee?? I think those are a few reasonable arguments, not that they change anything.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Keith Law can be all over the place with his rankings. Here's where he ranked the Cubs 1 year ago:
27. Chicago Cubs: Josh Vitters and a few hard-throwing relievers, and that's about it. The Cubs had some really atrocious drafts in the mid-2000s -- it's a fair bet that the 2005 draft class will fail to produce a big leauger(sic) other than Donald Veal, who was lost in the Rule 5 draft last month and has done absolutely nothing to earn a big league shot this April.
That's right, he ranked the Cubs 27th! And, apparently, Starlin Castro and Andrew Cashner weren't even on his radar. He had only Vitters at #14 and Jay Jackson at #98 on his 2009 top 100 list. And, fwiw, here's what Keith Law organizational rankings are supposed to mean, ".. a system with high-impact prospects who are relatively close to the majors ranks high, even if the system lacks depth in second- and third-tier prospects. "

on 1-yr deal... Damon, Reed Johnson, Baldelli and Dye still out there. someone is going to get a Bobby Abreu-like steal in Damon at some point.

Another mentioning of Dolis for the bullpen. At this point I think it's more likely that one of the top pitching prospects get added to the 40 than the Cubs start the season with a guy who has struggled at high A. Though I don't care if the Cubs save money, Parker, Gaub, Stevens and Cardidad aren't going to learn much in AAA. It makes more sense to me to let them start in Chicago. If we can't find a RH setup man by May, make a trade then.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

he's in camp and in the mix, albeit unlikely to make the team none of those other guys I listed or the NRIs are going to get picked over Dolis if Dolis outperforms them, unlikely as that may be...

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

TRN, my comment a couple of days ago was just a long shot. I understand that there are more likely canidates to get the call up. He is a feast or famine type of pitcher who may benefit from the spotlight. I think it is unlikely that he will get added to the mix at some point in the season, but all it takes is an injury to one of the top arms and a sense of maturity from Dolis this upcoming season to equate to a cup of coffee. Also in reference to my post, I think that the Cubs will end up making a trade and somehow invovling Colvin. His stock is not exactly through the roof, but he did enough I think at the end of the season to keep him on the radar of teams as a potential target. He has had injury issues, but also was involved with Team USA and has has college experience. I think it would be a mistake to move some of the younger arms for bullpen just simply because of the uncertainty revolving around the starting staff next year.

if Cubs are comfortable with a 4-man rotation for the first 2-3 weeks, they could carry an extra bench bat.

when you learn that a certain player didn't play for Dusty but always thought he did. Today's guest is Miguel Cairo who just signed with the Reds. Seemed like a perfect Dusty Baker All-Star...

http://twitter.com/BobKlap/status/8303534460
Cashman responds to Boras: "On Dec 17, we were told not to make an offer for a penny less than $13 million a year for two years."
http://twitter.com/BobKlap/status/8303455837
More Cashman: "Boras told me I wouldn't find a No. 2 hitter for less than $13 million. I found one for half that (Nick Johnson)."
I was going to make a Dusty joke there about Nick Johnson batting 2nd, but I assume Granderson and Jeter would bat 1-2 in the Yanks lineup, unless they plan Jeter, Johnson going 1-2 and Granderson batting 9th.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 01/27/2010 - 8:33pm. shhh, he's the next Derek Jeter scouting report on their sidebar says he has plus speed which conflicts with BP's take ================================= ROB G: Starlin Castro has average speed for a middle-infielder (above-average for a position-player), but he has plus-range because he has very good lateral movement and first-step quickness. Hak-Ju Lee has plus-speed, though. He is VERY fast. And because he bats left-handed and his hands and body are usually moving forward when he swings (sort of like Ichiro), Lee is able to beat-out a lot of infield hits and bust singles into doubles. I think HJ Lee is a true lead-off hitter, while Castro is more of a #2 hitter. Castro reminds me of a young Edgar Renteria, and I wouldn't be surprised if he develops into a 10-12 HR guy as he fills out. Lee is more of a slap hitter, but he could start to drive the ball more as he matures physically (he just turned 19 in November).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Submitted by The Real Neal on Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:49pm. Do you think that because the Cubs got to Lee at such a young age they'll be able to get some more power out of him, compared to the Ichiro types or are they going to be content to have him follow that philosophy of hitting? He does seem to take more walks from the little we've seen. ================================== NEAL: So far they have allowed HJ Lee to hit the way he learned to hit in Korea. As long as he is sucessful doing it that way, they'll probably leave him alone. He is kind of tall & lean and he grew an inch and bulked up a little bit last off-season (he was down-right scrawny when he reported to Fitch Park for Instructs as a 17-year old in Fall 2008), but he looks like if he adds some more muscle over the next couple of years he could develop some Ichiro-like incidental power. He could be a big-time base-stealer, too. Lee actually might have a higher ceiling than Castro, but Castro is more consistent both offensively and defensively, and I have never seen a more "coachable" player than Castro. The Cubs Player Development guys LOVE Castro.

is it april yet? at least i get my first cubs ST game this year...even if it's only 1 game...and even if it's at hi-corb. field in Tucson at the COL ST complex. heck, i'm already stoked about the Carb. WS being shown on MLB Network (Feb 2-6).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Don't know about you, but this commentary from Keith Law strikes me as hypberbolic but I hope he's right. Maybe he's making up for leaving Castro entirely off his list last year:
Castro is one of the most exciting position player prospects in the minors as a quick-twitch player with an electric bat and a hose for an arm at shortstop. As a hitter, Castro has lightning in his wrists and the ball absolutely flies off his bat. He has excellent hand-eye coordination and adjusts well when pitchers try to come in on him, keeping his hands inside the ball and squaring up pitches many hitters would foul off. His swing can get long when pitchers work him away, but he still makes a lot more contact than most hitters do, courtesy of his bat speed and hand-eye. He recognizes breaking balls well for his age and projects to hit for power even to the opposite field. As a shortstop, he's quick on his feet with good range in both ways, especially to the hole, but it is his arm that really stands out, grading at 65 or 70 on the 20-80 scale. The Cubs have pushed him up the ladder aggressively because he can make contact and needed reps against better pitching, but it has obscured his power potential because he's been so young for his leagues. He's going to be an impact bat in the middle of the diamond and could arrive as early as late 2010.
The Cube has Castro listed at 6'0 150 lbs which is scary skinny.

http://bases.nbcsports.com/2010/01/gerald-lairds-arrest-involved-nba-pl…
So, to recap: Just about everyone in the entire Laird family showed up to a Suns-Celtics game drunk and then made their way to an in-arena bar for some more drinking, Grandpa tried to get fresh with an NBA player's wife, Brandon got angry and turned the harassment level up a few notches, and Gerald sucker-punched a security officer once things got out of hand. Awesome.

Damon, Sheffield and O. Cabrera being talked about with Reds Smoltz leaning towards Cardinals although could wait till mid-season to pick a team. 3-6 teams still vying for Orlando Hudson

The Phillies are going nuts with pitching. They have six legit starters in Roy Halliday, Cole Hamel, JA Happ, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer (sort of legit), and Antonio Bastardo (what an unfortunate name). They also have Kyle Kendrick who can start and they just signed Jose Contreras who they plan on stretching out so he's ready to start. That's eight starters, but according to Todd Zelecki at MLB.com, the Phils are looking for even more starting pitching depth. Must be nice to have your team set up so well that your main focus is on an 9th starter. http://zozone.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/01/thursday_morning_notes.html

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Rob -- I had seven when I first posted the comment and then somehow I suffered some sort of math aneurysm. I'm not sure what happened, but I counted eight pitchers and quickly updated the comment. Thankfully, the moment is passed and I'm back to being able to count (for the moment).

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).