Cubs MLB Roster

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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

NEVER go to the grocery 3 hours before the Superbowl.


(Click on image for full size)

Man, why me?

There were a MILLION idiots at the Jewel buying chips and salsa and beer for the Superbowl, and they were all in line in front of me. Why?  Well apparently I was one of those idiots too.
I enjoy the diverse population around my hood. My neighbors are from all over the world and white collar and blue collar and politicians and cops and cleaning ladies and cab drivers and construction guys, among other things.

But one thing I HATE is when someone decides that the fastest way for them to get up to the cash register at the grocery store is to pretend they don't understand that there's a line a mile long behind me, the next guy in line.

And so it was with this Old Hag who cut in front of me.

I explained the fact that I'd been waiting for EVER to buy my chips and salsa and beer, but she just turned around like I said nothing.

Maybe she had a problem hearing or something - she was pretty old.

You know that area in front of the cash registers where usually the lines go back maybe a cart or two? And then there's a space between the end of the line and where the aisle starts - that space just big enough for someone with a cart to go by? Lets call that the Common Decency Area.

Well, the lines here were WAAY past that Common Decency Area - each line went halfway up each aisle. But out of Common Decency, you leave the Common Decency Area open for the person still shopping. It was about a 4 foot gap between me in the aisle and the person at the checkout (see schematic below).



(Click on image for full size)

In hindsight, given the extra grocery store pressure from the Bowl, I should have been an asshole and taken over the Common Decency Area. Because had I blocked that area off, maybe the Old Hag wouldn't have thought she could just cut in.

But I didn't.

And when the Old Hag cut in front of me, I totally caved.

I stated my case to her and got no response. I looked for help from my spineless fellow line-waiters and got nothin'. They instead pretended it wasn't happening.

So I caved.

But in my head? Man did I ever give it to her.

Old hag.

And one thing for sure, I AM NEVER going to the grocery a couple hours before the Bowl.

Only an idiot would do that.

The Bowl, by the way, was pretty entertaining.

New Orleans' head coach Sean Payton - he sure waited to get on that big stage before pulling out his bag of tricks.

And my chips and salsa were delicious, by the way.

Tags

Comments

CBlue: you really took the time to draw that up? Do you need a job? Let me see what I can do. Are you good with Illustrator? EDIT: I wouldn't be trying to help you with getting a job if I didn't enjoy the brilliant graphics. Just saying.

Too bad you didn't have the presence of mind to snap a photo of her credit card and post it on the Internet. I could have had my 2010 fantasy baseball dues paid. Don't get me wrong, I don't condone criminal activity, but I do enjoy payback.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

those are the same kind of people (opportunistic line cutters) who park in the fire/loading lane in front of the grocery to go inside and shop because they don't want to walk the extra 20-200 feet. around here you can tell if someone's gonna pull that because they tend to have a bunch of bumper stickers on their vehicles complaining about government and pushing their moral agenda. i guess this is their way of getting some extra privilege to make the universe even out...somehow "getting something easy" makes things a little better in between all the self-victimization caused by mysterious overlord government/moral forces trying to drive them into extinction. i reserve my own person "hey asshole!" call-outs for those JERKS who park in handicap spaces. i've personally been responsible for 3 people getting $200 tickets and i wish i could have made 10x+ that amount over the years.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

i'm not a fan of those who seem to think you need to leave 1+ car length in front of you at a stop. i have NO idea where this is coming from, but the past 4-5 years it's been in full force. i love being blocked from getting into a turning lane because 5-6 cars take up the space of 8-10 cars the traffic flow was designed for...not to mention almost rear-ending people who seem to think you need to keep 6-10'+ between their car and the one in front of them. that said...road rage isn't my thing. i hate cars...HATE. no love for those over-priced HORRIBLE investments. i just want to get where i'm going and get back without putting emotion into the experience.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

Depends on the meaning of the word handicap. Remember when Arnie in the truck talked about handicaps at Maywood park? Do you long for the days when they had a psuedo-scientific contest to rename handicap to a more contemporary er...name? "Harness challenged" "artful assistance" (??) In the end, people just found the word handicap to be the expression of choice. Sorta like choosing miles over metrics. We are all empty, my friend. So the guy never had to change his name from Aaron Miles to Aaron Kilos. It's the circle of life. Blue helmets can stay home - they are not needed. We are all safe because of the Monroe doctrine. Safe, that is, until we get in the Jewel line and near the "Common decency area." (maybe that's what they should call the Cubs' Arizona ticket surcharge...THAT would stop these lawsuits in their tracks!!!)

Old hag must've been Betty White - she was in a hurry so she didn't miss her ad. ~~~ Cubs need a statute of Ernie Banks and Harry Carey. That would be nice. ~~~~~~~~~~ Didja notice winter is back? Damn goobermint. I'm gonna get me one of those bumper stickers...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

So, his reasoning is that the Cubs only play the other Cactus League teams a couple of times each spring, so it is wrong to tax all of the tickets for all of the Spring Training games. Of course, the only other alternative is to tax something else in Arizona (hotel rooms, restaurant meals, etc.) that have next to nothing to do with baseball or the Cactus League. In addition to taxing tickets, the proposed legislation includes a tax on rental cars that will be used to build the Cubs' new facility. Of course, no one associated with the Cactus League seems to be upset about that part of the proposal. I guess the tax is only a bad idea when it directly involves the other MLB teams. These knuckleheads (including Reinsdorf) are going to screw around until time runs out and the Cubs shift their focus to Florida. Then we can hear the owners cry poor when the Cubs fans stop buying tickets to their games. The Cubs may not be the whole Cactus League (as Mr. Pies point out), but they are by far the biggest draw. It sounds to me like the other owners (and Mr. Pies) are irritated that such a big deal has been made about the huge financial impact the Cubs have on the Cactus League and the Arizona economy. If the other owners don't wise up, their pride is going to end up driving the Cubs out of the state. The folks in Naples must be loving this.

back to Twins on minor league deal....

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

My understanding is that the proposed Spring Training complex in Naples was supposed to be financed with private funds, with the exception of a bed tax that is already in place (the Collier County hoteliers already approved spending the money on the Cubs complex) and about $1 million in state funds that are already earmarked to attract a team to Florida. Reinsdorf et al are sure making it easy for the Cubs to justify a move.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

One thing Reinsdorf has going for him though is the other owners, I believe he's pretty well-liked among his peers. He can probably whip them up in to a frenzy and put pressure on the new guy. On the other hand, I'm not exactly sure what say they have on it. other than leaving Arizona when their leases up, I don't know what they could do about a state-mandated tax...guess it depends on their deals.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

TCR 2: Revenge of the TCR is now open. All of last year's managers were re-invited. But if someone knows they don't want to play again, let us know asap so we can fill the slot. Yahoo is way improved this year. FREE Stattracker! Also, they added auction drafts. I've never done that format, and I'm buy-curious about it.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

and I'm buy-curious about it.
Booooo! Hissss! In all seriousness: I'm getting excited. Spring is just around the corner. And I'd also like to formally request a few more seconds to decide in the live draft. An extra 15-20 seconds would be great.

"I talked to Mark O'Neil [trainer] last week, and he said he is coming along fine," Hendry said. "If he starts April 15 that will be fine. I don't see it being anything unless there is some kind of setback that happens in camp. It was a real minor procedure. In fairness to Ted, we're not going to rush him either. If he's 95 percent on Opening Day then we will wait until he is 100 percent." http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=4900494

Does anyone remember that game when Wellemeyer came in and ushered in some really mean ass changeups? I think it was in an extra inning game against a nemesis but I just can't remember who. Anyway, he is a perfect example of how one game can influence a non stats head like me. I have always liked him for that one appearance. The Giants just signed him to a minor league contract and I'm gonna continue to root for him, dammit.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.