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

Site for Some Sore Winter Eyes

From "Boys of Spring"...

Naturally, Z is working on his hitting.

There's some more pics of John Grabow, Randy Wells and Sean Marshall as well if you follow the above link.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

there's a ton of award bonuses in there as well and let's not forget he's a Super Two... him and the Giants still get 2 more chances at this arbitration game if another deal isn't worked out... not sure where Neal came up with $10M, unless he's absolutely positive Lincecum would have won his case this year. in the end Lincecum gets paid for next year no matter what and he's logged 225+ the last 2 years and is 25. Some people crave a little security...

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

a little bit, but that depends on convincing that a pitcher is the equal of a position player. Lincecum also asked for $3M more than Howard and I don't believe salaries have gone up much the last 2 years. Lincecum was 23rd and 18th in MVP voting to Howard's 1st and 5th and ROY awards. and I'm not even sure they could have compared Lincecum to Howard since they play different positions. I think the Giants low-balled myself at $8M, but Lincecum overshot at $13M as well. The $10-$11M range was probably more appropriate and that's what he's getting.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

No, it's not 100% certain, but I am sure if you survey around (and I bet one of the writers does) the consensus is going to be that Lincecum was going to win. Was places in voting mentioned as a criteria? The guy could simply say "here is the list of guys who won the Cy Young award in their first two full seasons: Lincecum Here's a list of the guys who didn't: (every othe pitcher in the history of the game). Howard had won two of the major awards, he got $10 million three years ago. There are no pitching comps - I am incomprable."

MLB Network advertising they're covering 70+ live spring training games starting March 2nd. MLB Network...where you been all my life?

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Could be out until June? Sure and Sandberg could be the Cub Manager in June. Pujols could be out with hemorrhoid surgery until June. Is Phil Rogers really a reporter? Lazy, dumb-ass reporter might be a better description. I can only hope that Phil Rogers could be out with writer's block until June. ...at least Bruce Levine uses a Hendry quote (who relates his conversation with Cubs trainer Mark O'Neill regarding Lilly): "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

j.moyer, from the philly inquiererererer via ye olde world o roto: "The way I look at it, why limit myself?," the 47-year-old right-hander said Saturday. "If I would have limited myself at 29, when I was released for the second or third time, I wouldn't be playing. That was what, 18 years ago?" ha. g'luck.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I love the one where the guy goes on for two paragraphs talking about how superior defenders know how to position themselves. Sammy Sosa is the only MLB player I know who got to position himself in the field, everyone else stands where the bench coach tells him to.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

SIERA does look interesting, but I only read the first article. At least BP is actually putting their methods out there for once. For those curious about it, it's essentially FIP or xFIP with these supposed corrections.
As a result, SIERA accomplishes the following: 1. Allows for the fact that a high ground-ball rate is more useful to pitchers who walk more batters, due to the potential that double plays wipe away runners. 2. Allows for the fact that a low fly-ball rate (and therefore, a low HR rate) is less useful to pitchers who strike out a lot of batters (e.g. Johan Santana's FIP tends to be higher than his ERA because the former treats all HR the same, even though Santana’s skill set portends this bombs allowed will usually be solo shots). 3. Allows for the fact that adding strikeouts is more useful when you don't strike out many guys to begin with, since more runners get stranded. 4. Allows for the fact that adding ground balls is more useful when you already allow a lot of ground balls because there are frequently runners on first. 5. Corrects for the fact that QERA used GB/BIP instead of GB/PA (e.g. Joel Pineiro is all contact, so increasing his ground-ball rate means more ground balls than if Oliver Perez had done it, given he's not a high contact guy). 6. Corrects for the fact that FIP and xFIP use IP as a denominator which means that luck on balls in play changes one's FIP.
speaking of Sickels rant :) I don't get #3 or #4 to be honest

[ ]

In reply to by tem99

I think what #4 means is that under the theory that groundballs are more likely to be hits than flyballs, groundball pitchers are more likely to have runners on base when pitching, so subsequent groundballs are more useful since they are more likely to be able to induce double plays. The logic seems to be a bit circular, but that's possibly because I'm either not getting it or not explaining it correctly :)

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

3. I think is just saying that the difference between say 4 and 5 strikeouts per 9 will give more benefit than say 9 to 10. Say your HR adjusted WHIP is 1.5. So in an average inning you have one and a half baserunners. If you record all your outs via groundball and flyball, you're going to give up more 'productive outs'. If you get all your outs via strikeout, you don't care how many guys are on base, because they're not going anywhere without a hit (or a forced in walk). I think that's what it's illustrating. 4. Groundballs tend to be singles and maybe doubles. Flyballs which go for hits are rarely singles.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

...Randy Wells, Jeff Samardzija, Sean Marshall, Jeff Stevens, Tom Gorzelanny, Michael Parisi, David Patton, Jeff Gray, John Gaub and Vince Perkins. Gorzelanny is one of many who said he decided to report early just to get out of the snow up north...
Snow, my Aunt Fannie. Looks to me like Gorzellany, and the rest of those cats, know how much room there is in the rotation. Good for them for getting in early.

I just read that the A's are talking a one year deal with Gabe Gross. If so, it looks like ex Cubs Eric Patterson, Jake Fox and Aaron Miles could be fighting it out for the last seat on the Oakland bench.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

Off topic: I was at a friend's house today while he was cleaning out a storage cabinet with old baseball memorabilia in it. He found a box of Slammin' Sammy Flakes, commemorating his 66 home run season. I had to read the fine print, and it said "Free Toy Syringe in Every Box!" I didn't remember that on there before:)

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I agree, and he's got more upside. But I wonder whose job the Cubs would have to give him in order to keep him on the active MLB roster. Probably Fontenot's, right? And then Fontenot would be released or traded? Which leaves the Cubs with Jeff Baker or EPatt (whose defense I at 2nd is still suspect, right?). It's a risk I'd be willing to take. I suppose giving Hoffpauir the shaft would be an option as well.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 12:32pm. Fontentot is shitty defensively just like Epatt is. Both are lefthanded. Difference is that Epatt is 55% cheaper. 4 years younger. Has a much higher ceiling. Can play the Outfield as well. Really no downside that I can see? ======================================= DR AARON B: Thanks to the Cubs optioning him to the minors for disciplinary reasons on 9-3-2007, Eric Patterson is out of options a year earlier than he should have been. E-Pat had a nice little run with the A's in 31 games in 2009 (287/373/394, playing 2B-LF-CF-RF) after hitting 307/376/494 with 29 doubles, 11 triples, 12 HR, and 43 SB (6 CS) in 110 games at AAA Sacramento while playing all over the place (2B-3B-1B-LF-CF), and is projected as the A's IF-OF super-sub in 2010. And being out of options certainly should help solidify his chances of making the A's Opening Day 25-man roster. While he is definitely an "offense-first" type of utility guy, I suspect the Cubs would seriously consider taking Patterson back if given the chance. He would be a good "25th man" on an N. L. club, with the ability to PH and PR in addition to having the versatility needed to play a number of different positions (albeit none of them well). BTW, despite what was reported at mlbtraderumors, both Eric Patterson AND Jake Fox are out of minor league options.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 2:36pm. I'd like to get Dr. AZ Phil's opine on this matter. He has seen Epatt's work at 2nd more than anyone else has. His rate and fielding %'s don't look terrible. ================================== DR AARON B: Eric Patterson has plus-range and an above-average arm for a second-baseman, is capable of making spectacular plays, and he's a good flyhawk. He has a lot of the physical attributes you usually see in a young shortstop. On the negative side, he has difficulty turning double plays (rhythm & footwork problems) and he has Steve Sax Disease (the closer he gets to 1st base, the more-erratic the throw). He plays 2nd base like a bull in a china shop. No finesse. He's like a guy who keeps stepping on his girlfriend's feet when they're dancing. He's a two-guard playing the point. I saw Eric Patterson as a prototypical CF or LF when he was coming up through the Cubs system, but the Cubs didn't try him in the outfield until mid-way through his third season in the organization. I know E-Pat prefers to play 2nd base, and sometimes a player's "comfort zone" in the field matters more than aptitude because it helps the player perform at his best at the plate. The more he hits, the better chance he has to play 2B. But he is a liability in the field.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 9:29am. What is your opinion of Fontenot's defense ============================= DR AARON B: When Mike Fontenot was acquired by the Cubs, he was very stiff and had a lot trouble turning the DP (very much like E-Pat), and he had (and still has) minimal range going to his right. While he doesn't bring a "Gold Glove" to the field, over time Fontenot has made himself into an average defensive second-baseman, capable of making most all the routine plays. He's not versatile enough to be a true utility player, though, so either he plays 2B (in a platoon if not every day) or he goes back to AAA. And he has to hit, too. His just average defense & speed won't carry him if he doesn't hit. On the other hand, Eric Patterson does have the athleticism to be a utility player. He is below-average defensively no matter where he plays, but his combination of bat/speed/occasional power can help a manager overlook some of his defensive shortcomings, as long as he keeps hitting and continues to show patience at the plate. I believe Patterson has a much brighter future than does Fontenot. I wouldn't be surprised if by 2011 Fontenot is playing 2B somewhere in AAA while E-Pat is on an MLB roster.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I thought his defense at 3rd was pretty solid last year, and think he could get by as a emergency replacement at SS or a corner outfield spot. He certainly needs to hit better than he did last year, though. I think he's the guy who suffered the most from Aram's injury ... well other than Aram. He had to play a newish position, and then he tried to pick up the offensive slack and didn't handle it well.

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).