Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

Silva & Gorzelanny Win Rotation Spots?

Please note the question mark in the headline, but that is what Paul Sullivan seems to insinuate in his latest article.

Carlos Silva and Tom Gorzelanny appear to have locked up starting spots, meaning Jeff Samardzija and Sean Marshall will be in the bullpen.

That seemed to be the most likely scenario before spring training started, made all the more likely when Angel Guzman went down and the bullpen being filled with inexperienced players like Caridad and Berg. Marshall had some moderate success out of the pen last year and if Samardzija doesn't get optioned, he did at least have one really good month in the pen in 2008. Silva just isn't suited for pen work in my opinion. He's a sinkerballer that's gonna let guys put the ball in play and sinkerballers seem to need a few innings to get into the groove, tire the arm out a little and get a little heavier drop on the ball. Gorzelanny didn't do anything to embarrass himself so far this spring, striking out 10 in 8.1 IP, although he did walk 8 as well. He probably won't make more than 3-4 starts anyway once Ted Lilly returns.

If Sullivan's info is accurate, that leaves the bench and bullpen as the last remaining battles. The Cubs will cut it down to 30 players by Friday. Chad Tracy seems to have locked down a spot with his ability to play third base and Ramirez's sore tricep preventing him from throwing. That seems to leave one spot left for Fuld, Colvin, Hoffpauir or Millar (Hill, Baker, Nady, Tracy seem to have jobs at the moment). The Cubs rightfully don't want to bring up Colvin if he can't get regular playing time (.442 batting average during spring training but no walks versus 8 K's in 43 AB's). Fuld is hitting just .154 in just 26 AB's, but is considered the far superior defender. Millar is hitting .300 while telling bad jokes, but putting him anywhere but first base is probably a huge liability. Hoffpauir still has options left and hasn't been wowing the crowds like he did last year. Andres Blanco is also in the mix if they want a capable back-up shortstop, plus he needs to be put on waivers if the Cubs want to send him to Iowa, although I have doubts anyone would put a claim in after missing most of spring training. Of course, they could just do some disabled list trickery and buy a little time if needed with the knee injury he suffered in early March.

I'm gonna assume Mike Parisi's bid for the bullpen ended yesterday and Marcus Mateo has given up 6 runs in 6.2 IP, on 6 K's, 6 BB's and 2 HR's. Why he was even mentioned is a bit perplexing. Marmol, Grabow, Caridad, Berg, Marshall and Samardzija seem to be the first six in the pen, leaving James Russell and John Gaub fighting for the last spot and honorary pink backpack carrier.  Russell hasn't given up an earned run in 8 IP's while striking out 8 and allowing just 5 hits. Gaub has struck out 9 in 6.2 IP, but given up 5 earned runs and 2 home runs. I would think Russell is in the lead for the final spot barring a meltdown the last week and a half.

Neither Russell or Tracy are on the 40-man roster, which currently stands at 39. But if the Cubs return Parisi to the Cardinals or get him through waivers and/or put Angel Guzman on the 60-day disabled list, they'll have room for the two or possibly a third NRI player if they find some room for Kevin Millar.

Comments

that's nice paul...but what does milton bradley think about it? ...little sick of hearing about millar and at this point i hope that's just wishful thinking on behalf of sportswriters who enjoy a good quote for their papers. chad tracy makes sense for so many reasons over millar and it's not like either are really needed.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

But someone has to play third base since ARam can't throw. I don't want them to have two guys on the active roster who can't play the field. That's shooting themselves in the foot to start the season. We did that garbage with Patton last year. Even if they decide Baker can play 3rd regularly, they need a backup infielder. In which case it wouldn't be Tracey, most likely, but someone like Blanco, if healthy, or Barney, until ARan actually play. I also like the idea of having a competent lefty pinch hitter, which Tracey supposedly is. Millar is just a spring training oddity. I can't see why they would want him on the team if other guys are healthy, with him hitting .220-.230 the last 2 seasons. But if Nady goes on the DL, I could see Millar take his spot.

Man, I really hate that someone as untalented and annoying as Paul Sullivan is still employed as a Cubs beat writer. I am jealous/envious of his position yet fully the opposite towards him personally and the performance or lack thereof he turns in while maintaining this position. If that makes sense.

[ ]

In reply to by Rodney King Bl…

i think he's just too damn close to what he's covering. the past many years he seems to think he is part of the team or he is the story that needs to be covered. he may have a point about some off-field things, but why he thinks anyone but him and his peers should give a damn about it shows how out of touch he is with the people he's supposed to be writing for. i reaaaaaaaaaally don't care who makes sullivan's job harder. just do your job with those that will help you get your job done and thank your God that kerry wood and mark derosa were around to make your job easier for a couple years. meh.

Ramirez singles in Colvin in top of 4th; 1-0. Soriano up with runners on 1st/2nd and 3-1 count with 2 outs. Swings (of course) and passed ball. Runners on 2nd/3rd.

MLB network's announcers SUCK. They're interviewing Rusty Kuntz in the dugout and missing the actual game. WTH? EDIT: They're not MLB's guys, they're the Royals guys. But they still suck.

soriano's stance is really wide today. he's still sitting at the front of the box, though. he's lifting his front foot rather than his back foot, too. it seems he's squatting down a bit more. the entire way he "loads" his swing seems to be new (or he's trying out something).

Silva just isn't suited for pen work in my opinion. He's a sinkerballer that's gonna let guys put the ball in play and sinkerballers seem to need a few innings to get into the groove, tire the arm out a little and get a little heavier drop on the ball
On the other hand, JUSTIN BERG is a sinkerball pitcher and he's done just fine out of the pen.

Geez, I cannot see this team finishing above .500 with the bullpen it will have. Total yuch, save a couple people. And, as I stated yesterday, should things not work out with Marmol, I just don't know...And, Notre Dame Wide-out in the pen?Heaven help us. Walkathons! Mateo looked terrible today. Colvin has outplayed Fuld as AZ Phil has mentioned. So, if Hendry gets any deal done, I would think Colvin is gone.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I would hate to see Colvin traded for a lesser talented reliever, like Jason Fraser, who could leave as a free agent in a year. If they do deal Colvin I'd rather see it for someone like Heath Bell, who they could probably sign to an extension at a reasonable price. But I think there are several problems with getting Bell, the major one is, how much of a problem does it create with Marmol? If he went back to setup guy, would be have another crappy year? But I think the Cubs would be a little crazy to trade Colvin right now. He's put on 20-25lbs of muscle. It's impossible to accurately project how much that will help his power without letting him start for at least half a season in the minors (or majors). It would be foolish to trade him and find out in a few months that the extra weight has turned him into a 20-25 hr guy. I would think that in two-three seasons we could see something like Colvin in left, Jackson in center, and who knows in RF, perhaps Byrd in his final contract year. Soriano maybe plays 1b down the road, I just don't feel comfortable with Soriano's defense anywhere (and his bat isn't too hot right now, either).

Bench: Blanco, Colvin, Tracy, Hill, Nady. Please. Let's get this straight....Marshall would be a better starter than Silva or Gorz, but because they both would definitely blow in the pen, Marshall is in the pen? Smarj makes the pen because he makes a lot of money?? How many stupid moves do the Cubs continue to make due to who makes how much money? It's like they completely ignore performance on the field.

[ ]

In reply to by Pat Kane

PAt Kane: GAME TIME! Beat those Coyotes! It is not uncommon at all for the dude who gets the big bucks to be anointed a position ahead of someone more deserving. This is the state of professional sports, in general. What would be shitty, is when this moneyed player stinks it up and either blocks another or causes the parent club to decide that, "Well, we have a full roster now and can deal our surplus since we have no spots and can convert the inventory." On the football side, this is what happened to the Bears when Chris Harris got booted, a move that Jerry Angelo wishes he had back noting their abysmal secondary. Its a "numbers and money" world, and the Wide Out was just a waste of money and a draft pick in my opinion, and now management feels compelled to stick with the wrong horse.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Well, to be fair, the team has been grooming him as a SP, not a reliever. He has two effective pitches. So I suppose that Samardzjia could get a spot unless someone else had really stepped forward other than Berg. I just do not know how Cardidad is going to work out. Just way too may ifs, one more time. I have seem this movie as much as AMC runs the Kingfisher.

[ ]

In reply to by Pat Kane

Colvin should not make this team unless he is getting AB's. The 5th OF should be the guy that is better defensively. Fuld has not been the better OF in Spring, but he has more experience and he is better defensively. He can be the 8th inning Soriano replacement. Is Baker out of a job completely after coming in as the favorite to win the starting position.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

colvin deserves to play everyday...and that's not the bigs unless someone gets injured sometime soon. yes, he's hitting the hell out of everything and making great contact, but he's also swinging at a lot of stuff. guy isn't working counts out there. not like i think he's gonna suddenly turn into a 80+ walk guy by spending some time in AAA, but it would probably do him good to see consistent pitching. ...not much at all wrong with his D, imo...

cj wilson gets the rotation spot he slammed the team in the press for a month ago. good for him. nice to see some teams can have a bossy jerk around without everyone crying their eyes out. he complained about not being the closer last year...and about his teammates being uneducated the year before.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

i'm not even trying to go there, but he gets a lot of slack down in TX. i was blown away by his pre-ST demands that he deserves to be a starter after his few years of outspoken "woah, really?" stuff. it's not like i think something should be done about it, but it doesn't seem to upset his locker room too much...or at least no one's complaining yet. ---- Submitted by crunch on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 11:30pm. cj wilson (TEX) is being a little outspoken this spring... "It's no secret I don't think I should be limited to the set-up role. I have too many weapons," said Wilson. "Here is the reality. It is real simple. There are not very many guys that have the stuff that I do that would be willing to sign here if they were free agents. There is no experienced pitcher that has my stuff that would sign here, historically." ...way to say you really really really really want to be that 5th starter, dude.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

but who has earned a bullpen spot over Ninja? He hasn't pitched that poorly in spring, one really bad outing only. Marmol, Grabow, Berg and Caridad being in, plus Silva, Gorzelanny and Marshall having spots either in the pen or rotations that leaves: Parisi, Russell, Gaub, Mateo, Samardzija for 2 spots? and don't forget that most of the bullpen guys get into the games late and face the scrubs while Ninja has gotten the starters. It's not ideal and a trade would be nice at the right price, although I also think there will be more cuts like Chad Gaudin available over the next week that the Cubs can grab for cheap. Jeff Gray should be ready as well relatively soon after the season starts. Conceivably 3 weeks into the season, Gray and Lilly could be ready to push 2 guys back to Iowa or off the roster.

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In reply to by The Joe

I do not necessarily disagree with Rob, just indicating that this team is thin in relief pitching. Having Gray joining the team around the same time as Lilly is conceivable. I will be interested to see how Gray's velocity is affected by the injury and recovery. Regardless, I still think a trade is necessary. I think figuring what Samardzjia's role is going to be with this team is critical. He has been shifted from starter to bullpen so frequently, he has not had the ability to find a comfort level. If he is going to be in the bullpen, leave him in the bullpen. If he is going to start, then let him start and send him to AAA. Side Note: Anyone think that Pujols back issus will carry into the season? Or Aramis Ramirez? Ramirez was supposed to be out a few days and here he is 10 days later still not actually playing defense. A little concerning to me. The Chicago weather in April should help tight muscles too.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.