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

Shark Attack and Z Sighting at Fitch!

Today was an off day for most of the Cubs, but not for Carlos Zambrano and Jeff Samardzija, as Big “Z” and the Shark traveled a half-mile south down Center Street to Fitch Park to get in some additional work.

Zambrano made the trip just so he could take pre-game Batting Practice with the Iowa Cubs position players, but Samardzija was sent to Fitch by Manager Lou Piniella and Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild specifically to throw some innings in a game.

Competing with Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny, and Sean Marshall for a spot in the Cubs starting rotation, Samardzija last pitched in a Cactus League game last Friday, so today was the day he would normally be scheduled to pitch, but with the off day for the big club, pitching in a minor league intrasquad game was the next-best alternative.

Samardzija had a poor outing last time out, and although he did throw three no run/no hit innings in today's minor league intrasquad game, he also struggled with his control, at one point walking three consecutive AA Tennessee hitters (Matt Spencer-Kyler Burke-Ryan Flaherty) with two outs in the top of the 2nd, before getting Kevin Soto to fly out to the warning track in LF to end the inning.

The Smokies scored their only run of the game in top of the 9th off LHRP Dustin Sasser, as Jason James and Josh Vitters crushed doubles off the LF fence (and that was James' second two-bagger of the day).  

Hard-throwing RHP Rafael Dolis got the start for Tennessee, one day after the Cubs optioned him to AA. He had a bad first inning, as Brandon Guyer led-off by ripping a triple into the right-center alley. Then Jake Opitz sliced a double into the LF corner, and after Ty Wright advanced Opitz to third with a grounder to the right side of the infield, veteran Jason Dubois dumped a broken bat single into CF to score Opitz.

The I-Cubs added three more runs in the 9th. Russ Canzler singled and then sole second. before scoring on a one-out double into the left-center alley by Steve Clevenger. After Tony Thomas reached base on a two-out Ryan Flaherty error, Clevenger scored and Thomas advanced to 2nd base on a Hank Williamson wild pitch, and then Thomas scored on a Mario Mercedes bloop single into short right center.     

The Cubs minor league squads have been rearranged in preparation for the first minor league Spring Training games tomorrow, with a 5th squad (Boise/Mesa/EXST) being formed from among players moved down from Peoria, Daytona, and Tennessee.

Today’s intrasquad games featured Peoria versus Daytona on Field #2, and Tennessee versus Iowa on Field #3.

Here is the the abridged box score & statistical summary from today’s Iowa-Tennessee game:

NOTE: Some innings were stopped prior to three outs because the pitcher had reached his max pitch count for that inning, while other innings were extended beyond three outs to allow a pitcher to throw more pitches. Also, Blake Lalli PH for Steve Clevenger in the 6th, but then Clevenger returned to the game as DH #2 in the same slot in the batting order in the 9th, and Lalli took his 2nd AB in the #4 slot in the batting oder (replacing Jason Dubois both at bat and in the field) in the 8th.

AA TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1. Brett Jackson, DH #1: 0-4 (F-7, 4-3, 1-U, 3-1)
2. D. J. Lemahieu, DH #2: 1-4 (P-3, 5-3, 1B, Ks)
3. Jason James, LF: 2-4 (Ks, 2B, 1-3, 2B, R)
4. Marquez Smith, 2B: 0-3 (4-3, 1-3, HBP, P-2)
5. Josh Vitters, 3B: 1-4 (P-7, 5-3, 5-4-3 GIDP, 2B, RBI, PO)
6. Matt Spencer, 1B: 0-1 (BB, HBP, F-7, SB)
7. Kyler Burke, RF: 0-1 (BB, BB, F-7)
8. Ryan Flaherty, SS: 1-2 (BB, Kc, 3B)
9. Kevin Soto, CF: 0-3 (F-7, P-4, P-8)
10a. Luis Flores, C: 0-2 (Ks, F-8)
10b. Mark Reed, C: 0-1 (Ks)

AA TENNESSEE PITCHERS:
1. Rafael Dolis – 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 38 pitches (23 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
2. Todd Blackford – 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 20 pitches (10 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
3. David Cales – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 21 pitches (14 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
4. Luke Sommer – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 20 pitches (13 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
5. Chris Siegfried – 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 18 pitches (12 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
6. Ryan Buchter – 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 18 pitches (15 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
7. Hank Williamson – 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 22 pitches (14 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO

AAA IOWA LINEUP:
1a. Brandon Guyer, CF: 2-3 (3B, 1B, 6-3, R)
1b. Tony Campana, CF: 1-1 (1B, PO)
2. Jake Opitz, 3B: 1-4 (2B, 1-3, L-9, Ks, R, RBI)
3a. Ty Wright, LF: 0-3 (4-3, 6-3, 5-3)
3b. Matt Camp, LF: 0-1 (Ks)
4a. Jason Dubois, 1B: 1-2 (1B, HBP, Kc, RBI, SB)
4b. Blake Lalli, PH-1B: 0-2 (6-3, 4-3)
5. Russ Canzler, DH-RF: 1-3 (BB, Kc, 1-U, 1B, R, SB)
6. Smaily Borges, RF-DH: 0-3 (Ks, BB, L-8, FC)
7. Steve Clevenger, C-DH: 2-3 (4-3, 1B, 2B, R, RBI, CS)
8a. Nate Samson, SS: 1-2 (P-4, 1B, SB)
8b. David Macias, SS: 0-2 (5-3, P-4)
9. Tony Thomas, 2B: 0-4 (5-3, Kc, Kc, E-6, R)
10. Mario Mercedes, DH-C: 1- 4 (4-3, F-9, F-7, 1B, RBI)

AAA IOWA PITCHERS:
1. Jeff Samardzija – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 46 pitches (25 strikes), 3/4 GO/FO
2. Mitch Atkins – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 39 pitches (25 strikes), 4/2 GO/FO
3. Gregory Reinhard – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1 HBP, 18 pitches (11 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
4. Jake Muyco – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Dustin Sasser - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 14 pitches (7 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO

ERRORS (1):
Ryan Flaherty (TENN) throwing error E-6 led to two unearned runs scoring in the 9th.

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Luis Flores (TENN): 1-3 CS
Mark Reed (TENN): 0-1 CS

Steve Clevenger (IOWA): 0-1 CS
Mario Mercedes (IOWA): 1 PO (Vitters at 2nd base)

I don't know the score of the Peoria-Daytona intrasquad game, but I do know that Daytona RF Nelson Perez was summariliy pulled out of the game by Player Development Director Oneri Fleita in the bottom of the 1st inning for not running out a ground ball.

Comments

Who's Jake Opitz and why is he pushing Smith to AA in ST? Looks like Smardizjai is bound for his third tour of the PCL. Hate to see an athlete of that caliber not be able to make it at baseball, but there are undoubtedly some NFL teams that will pay him a million a year to be a possession receiver.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

On the Cubs pre-game today they said Aram is going to start playing in minor league games to get some extra swings in. His triceps is still bothering him. Anyone know how Chad Tracey has looked so far this spring? I have a scary feeling we'll be playing without Aram for a big chunk of the season again. - Marlon Byrd made a very nice play in CF in the first inning today. He went back on a ball, turned the wrong way facing RF, then turned around to LF and caught the ball against the wall. No Cubs CF in the last few seasons would have made that play.

Thank you AZ PHIL. I have had this feeling for over a year, but I really feel like Smardizja will just flat out be a bust. He may pitch in the majors as a journeyman relief pitcher after he is no longer a Cub (while he adds up his investments), but this will be one of those Hendry signings that just will be a head scratcher, imo. I really hope I am wrong, and will step up and admit it (unlike people here who have slammed Tim Wilken since he was hired) should he become useful - but this is a situation where the GM is shoving a pitcher with two pitches and control problems down the manager's throat. Again - I hope I am really wrong...

Why wouldn't Samninja pitch for AA against AAA? Just seems like it'd make sense. Unless they wanted to get him pitching against double A for confidence reasons. What do I know.

and mother effer... I'll try and get on it tomorrow morning, otherwise I won't be able to deal with it again until Sunday.

Phil I seem to have no memory of Ty Wright. He was in Spring Training but it was probably just for split squad action. Any chance you could do a quick history/projection on him? Much appreciated Thanks for all your spring training reports. It's unparalleled reporting (suck it Sullivan/Rogers)

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

Submitted by Jumbo on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:51am. Phil I seem to have no memory of Ty Wright. He was in Spring Training but it was probably just for split squad action. Any chance you could do a quick history/projection on him? Much appreciated Thanks for all your spring training reports. It's unparalleled reporting (suck it Sullivan/Rogers) ========================================================== JUMBO: Ty Wright is an outfielder without the defensive acumen & range to play CF or the arm to play RF, and he doesn't have the HR power you would look for in a LF. On the other hand, he's a pretty good hitter, he runs OK, and he plays LF with reckless abandon. He's the kind of player fans tend to like. Probably in an attempt to improve his versatility, the Cubs were working him out at 3B in Minor League Camp last week, but he was back in LF yesterday.

Phil -- This is a bit off topic, but I'm hearing that Rep. John McCommish is planning to withdraw the bill he submitted that would have added an 8% surcharge to all Spring Training tickets. In it's place, I understand that officials are talking about a Mesa City or Maricopa County tax as a way to raise the funds needed to build the Cubs new stadium. Are you hearing anything about this? I can't help but think that the folks in Arizona are going to screw this up and drive the Cubs right into the waiting arms of Naples, FL. Any thoughts? Thanks! UPDATE: I just read that the Arizona Legislature will be moving forward with the tax on Spring Training tickets. In fact, the article indicated that the legislature is going to drop the $1 increase in the rental car tax and increase the Spring Training ticket tax to 10% (from 8%). Although the article didn't say as much, it sounded to me like the legislature was pissed off at the bitching and moaning from the MLB and Cactus League teams.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

From the East Valley Tribune:
The original plan would raise $81 million over 25 years with a $1 car rental fee and an 8 percent spring training ticket surcharge. Earlier this week, McComish dropped the car rental fee and boosted the ticket surcharge to 10 percent, expecting to raise $185 million over 30 years. The House approved the bill Thursday, but McComish left the percentage blank so it can be negotiated when the bill goes the Senate. The 10 percent surcharge would add about $2 to the price of an average $20 spring training ticket. Opponents have suggested other funding sources such as a sales tax, but elected officials have said that’s politically unthinkable in this economy.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/151970 There's also talk in the article pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of the other Cactus League teams opposing a surcharge on tickets after they already received their taxpayer funded stadiums.

seems the server upgrade didn't go through until this morning, so if you run into more problems, drop a note in the comments. Hopefully things will run a little more smoothly from now on... I'll be back on Sunday.

Silva is fat, but I am happy to not be concerned with stories like this anymore: Milton Bradley was ejected Wednesday for arguing a call in the third inning. Bradley was deemed out on a called third strike, then dropped his bat and began taking off his batting gloves. There was only one out at the time, and Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu thinks Milton was simply confused. "I didn't understand it at all," said Wak. "He can't be ejected on reputation." It is not known whether further punishment is forthcoming.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

This game actually was aired on the local Fox Sports Net affiliate, I started watching an inning after the ejection. The Rangers broadcasters pointed out that the umpire who ejected him was a 29 year old minor league manager. Their own explanation/defense of the ejection was that he dropped the bat flat over the plate and then just stood there, and that while having words with an ump are common enough, you just don't see a batter stand there in silent protest afterwards. They think it was the unusual nature of Bradley's protest that got him

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

"The Rangers broadcasters pointed out that the umpire who ejected him was a 29 year old minor league manager" So it wasn't Milton's fault. Check out a Twilight Zone episode with Billy Mummy as a boy who reads thoughts. If you have a bad thought against him he disposes you to the "corn field"/dead or turns you into a jack-in the box(also classic Simpsons parody). So every one says wonderful things about the boy even though he's an evil little bastard. Just saying.

Lee, Fontenot, Theriot, Ramirez, Fukudome, Byrd, Soriano, Soto, Hill, Nady, Baker Assuming a 12 man pitching staff, that leaves two spots. Is it down to Fuld, Colvin, Blanco, Tracy, and Millar for those two spots? Or is it Fuld and Colvin for one spot. And Blanco, Tracy, and Millar for the other? And can someone explain to me why Millar is still in the mix here? And I'd like to hear something other than his personality. Even if they go with 11 pitchers, why is Millar being considered?

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Lou needs a vet he doesn't have to babysit. If you can't play Colvin everyday have him play AAA. I would be actively looking to trade DLee(only movable contract,I know he has NTC) because if Colvin is tearing it up in AAA by June, you need to bring him up and put Soriano at first.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Soriano at 1B after never having played there before? I understand you can be defensively challenged and still handle 1B. But he was moved out of the infield four years ago for a reason. What happens when he starts making that little hop on every throw to him at 1B? I don't think Lee will be going anywhere (but what do I know). Colvin played 1B in high school. So he may be a better choice there, if you're talking midseason transition. But I still don't think Lee is going anywhere.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

1st isn't rocket science. It's a matter of knowing which foot to put behind you on the bag and stopping a ball thrown at you. He's played 2nd before...he could hack it. DLee is getting old and the chances of him wanting less than 7m bucks (even with a power decline) seems thin without a collapse of his offense. He'll also probably want at least 2-4 years based on his age. "What happens when he starts making that little hop on every throw to him at 1B?" extreme humor.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

I think it's the latter. Fuld and Colvin, and perhaps Adduci are battling for the OF spot. The last spot, given a 5-man bench, would come down to Tracy, Millar, or Blanco. I would think a 5 man bench would be: Hill, Nady, Outfielder, Baker, and Tracy I think on paper, Tracy has the edge. He hits LH, can play 1B and 3B, and has experience pinch hitting. And if they are comfortable with Fontenot being the back-up shortstop they'd likely get more value out of Tracy vs. Blanco as far as a bat off of the bench. The reason Millar is getting a look is that so far Tracy is 4-18, all singles, for a line of .222/.300/.222. Millar is 5-15, with a 2B and a HR, and has a .333/.545/.600 line this spring. Granted those are small sample sizes in spring training games, but that's what Lou is seeing. And they are both terrible the last couple of years, so you really have to go on who is doing best now.

Jake Fox is kinda blowing it. 2/26 .077 7 SO's so far this spring.

Why don't we have Reed Johnson on the team? Marlon Byrd better hit enough to make up the salary difference between himself and Reed. And Nady better be a useful pinch hitter. I have to think a Reed Johnson and Sam Fuld/Tyler Colvin combination would be nearly as productive as Byrd will be, and much cheaper. Why did we not bring him back? (Also, hopefully I'm wrong about Byrd. He does have bigger biceps than Reed, at least. That's gotta be worth something, right?)

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

I wonder if they'd have thought Colvin could look this good so far...if they'd have signed Byrd maybe to a 1 or2 year del, instead of the Hendry special aka 3-year contract.
Considering the fact that Hendry takes credit for Colvin putting on 25 pounds of muscle this winter you'd think he wouldn't have been surprised that he put on 25 pounds of muscle this winter.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I would guess talking about the .500 BA and the .750 SLG not how he looks in a bathing suit.

Angel Guzman's shoulder surgery is next tuesday...basically they will tighten up the anterior capsule where the IGHL is embedded (inferior glenohumeral ligament) depending on whether the tissue is detached or just stretched.
Noted surgeon James Andrews will perform the surgery Tuesday in Alabama, then Guzman will begin a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation process.
...Guzman has a badly torn ligament in the shoulder near the armpit. The surgery can't repair the ligament, but it might correct some of the instability in the shoulder.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/2111062,CST-SPT-cubnt19.ar…

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Mild surprises to me are Cashner and Diamond, just because our bullpen seems to be so crappy right now.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Maybe the Cubs like the idea of having a plan and sticking to it. I would guess that they see Cashner and Diamond as starters. I would also guess that Wilken wouldn't draft a pitcher #1 if he thought of him as a reliever, even a closer.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Cashner's pitching right now against the Sox. Not effectively. But he's still with the big club. Maybe it's just a prcedural thing. Or with starters going deeper in games, they need to do something to keep Cashner's pitch count up.

--The group(Baseball Prospectus folks) feels that “we’re about one-fourth of where we want to be in measuring defense.” The BP folks cited John Dewan’s work in the area of defense as “groundbreaking.” The group, however, feels we’re a long way from being able to measure defense really well. They note that UZR (ultimate zone rating, which we cite here from time to time) is “based on incomplete and subjective data.” The good news is that “real data will be here soon,” and that in three years or so, most of today’s metrics will be obsolete.
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/3656 I hope they recognize that +/- is based on subjective data as well.

from the Crasnik article on Hendry (link in post #62)
Come draft day, Hughes allowed Hendry to sit in the "war room" under the condition that he keep his mouth shut and observe. When several rounds passed and Hughes summoned him to the front of the room, Hendry's heart began pounding like a jackhammer. Did the Marlins need some vital information on a potential draft pick? "I told him, 'Jim, I hate to do this, but everybody is busy. Would you mind driving down to Publix and picking up some fat-free Fig Newtons?'" Hughes recalled. Ever the good soldier, Hendry drove to the store and returned with the cookies. Years later, when Hendry was named Cubs general manager, Hughes' secretary sent him a box of fat-free Fig Newtons to commemorate the occasion.

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).