Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2010 Cubs Draft Tracker Ticker - Day 2

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

ROUND 2 (65): Reggie Golden, OF (Wetumpka HS - Wetumpka, AL)
R/R, 5'10, 210, 18 years old
COMMENT: Top position player prospect in Alabama... Has plus-bat speed and power, but lacks plate discipline... Hit a HR at Wrigley Field last August in Under Armour All-American game... Above-average arm... Projects as RF... Only slightly above-average speed... Signed NLI with University of Alabama...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 3 (97): Micah Gibbs, C (LSU)
B/R, 5'11, 207, 21 years old
COMMENT: College junior... Top defensive catcher in draft, although he has just an average arm... Won Rawlings ABCA Gold Glove in 2009... Was leading hitter at LSU among starting position players in 2010, hitting 388/438/592 with 10 HR & 60 RBI with 14 2B in 62 games... Hit just .212 with wood bat in Cape Cod League in 2009... Was Baseball America 1st Team Freshman All-American in 2008... Was teammate of Daytona Cubs INF D. J. Lemahieu on LSU College World Series Champion team in 2009... SEC Academic Honor Roll... Cubs GM Jim Hendry has long-time friendship with LSU Head Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri going back to when Mainieri was the coach at Notre Dame...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 4 (130): Hunter Ackerman, LHP (Louisburg JC)
L/L, 6'1, 19 years old
COMMENT: JC freshman... Throws an 88-92 MPH fastball... Has a solid change-up... Breaking ball needs work... Went 8-1 with a 1.41 ERA, 38 hits allowed, and 24/92 BB/K in 57 IP for the Hurricanes in 2010... This guy was very likely recommended by Cubs ace bird-dog scout Billy Swoope, who has a lengthy track record of finding quality arms in VA and NC...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 5 (160): Matt Szczur, OF (Villanova)
R/R, 5'11, 190, 20 years old
COMMENT: College junior... Last name is pronounced "Caesar" (like the emperor Julius, or if you prefer, like the comedian Sid)... Football player (WR & PR) who might get selected in 2011 NFL draft... MVP in 2009 FCS Championship game... Has been compared to Patriots WR Wes Welker... Hit 443/487/667 for Nova in 2010, with 4 HR & 38 RBI, 13 2B, 7 3B, 10 SB (5 CS)... Played both catcher & OF for the Wildcats but will likely play CF or LF in pro ball... One of the fastest players in college baseball... Below-average arm... Slash hitter with below-average power... Patient hitter who profiles as a lead-off man... Gets high marks for work ethic and intensity... Missed several weeks during 2010 baseball season after donating bone-marrow to one-year old girl with leukemia...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 6 (190): Ivan DeJesus, OF (Cupeyville School - San Juan, PR)
R/R, 6'0, 177, 17 years old
COMMENT: Not related to Cubs coach Ivan DeJesus... Played both 2B and CF in HS.... Good speed... Ran a 6.55 60... Accurate arm with average arm strength... Line-drive stroke with some power... Signed NLI with UAB...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 7 (220): Ben Wells, RHP (Bryant HS - Bryant, AR)
R/R, 6'3, 220, 17 years old
COMMENT: Throws a 90-94 MPH fastball, a hard slider, and a splitter... Hurled a perfect game last month in the Arkansas HS 7A State Championship game... Signed NLI with University of Arkansas

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 8 (250): Cameron Greathouse, LHP (Gulf Coast CC)
L/L, 6'2, 205, 19 years old
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... Soft-tossing lefty, has a plus-curve, while fastball tops out at 88... Went 10-2 with a 3.06 ERA, 68 hits allowed in 88.1 IP, with 64/131 BB/K for GCCC... Also hit .400 with 11 HR as RF on days he wasn't pitching... Will transfer to the University of South Carolina if he does not sign with Cubs... .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 9 (280): Kevin Rhoderick, RHP (Oregon State)
R/R, 6'0, 195, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Considered an under-achiever in 2010, he was a Baseball America 2nd team Freshman All-American in 2008 and a pre-season All-American prior to this season... Throws a 89-91 MPH fastball that tops out at 93... Best pitch is his slider... Also throws an effective change-up... Has trouble holding baserunners close... 3.13 ERA with 28 hits allowed and 15/35 BB/K in 31.2 IP as Beavers primary closer in 2010... Went 2-0 with a 4.19 ERA with 14 hits allowed (.191 OBA) and 6/30 BB/K in 17 games (19.1 IP) in Cape Cod League in 2009... Attended Horizon HS in Scottsdale, AZ... Was selected by the Detroit Tigers in 18th round of 2007 draft but did not sign, opting to attend OSU instead...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 10 (310): Aaron Kurcz, RHP (College of Southern Nevada)
R/R, 6'0, 175, 19 years old
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... Teammate of #1 overall pick Bryce Harper at CSN... Was Coyotes closer... Best pitch is a 92-94 MPH fastball... also throws a "slurvy" breaking ball... Was 3-3 with 10 saves and a 4.11 ERA in 24 games in 2010, with 29 hits allowed and 17/52 BB/K in 35 IP... Surrendered walk-off HR with two outs in the 9th last week in JUCO World Series... Attended Air Force Academy as a freshman... Will transfer to Oral Roberts University if he does not sign with Cubs..

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 11 (340): Eric Jokisch, LHP (Northwestern)
R/L, 6'2, 180, 20 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Throws an 86-89 MPH fastball and a curve, but change-up is his best pitch... Was Wildcats #1 starter in 2010... Went 5-7 with a 4.39 ERA, 107 hits allowed (.299 OBA) in 92.1 IP, with 37/62 BB/K for N. U. in 2010... Had a back injury at start of 2010 season, but had made full recovery and was throwing the ball much better by the end of season... Was one of the best pitchers in Cape Cod League in 2009... Was Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2008... Louisville Slugger All-American in 2008... Won seven conference games in 2008, most-ever by a true freshman... Academic All-American in 2009...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 12 (370): Austin Reed, RHP (Rancho Cucamonga HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
R/R, 6'3, 200, 18 years old
COMMENT: Throws a 89-91 MPH fastball, a slurve, and a change... Went 6-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 13 games, with a .234 OBA, while allowing 65 hits in 71.1 IP, and 34/74 BB/K... Also hit .416 with 7 HR & 25 RBI in 27 games at 3B... Has had trouble with mechanics off-and-on throughout HS careeer... Signed NLI with San Diego State...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 13 (400): Pierre LePage, 2B (U. of Connecticut)
R/R, 5'8, 160, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... UConn lead-off hitter, hit 327/383/468 with 29 SB (6 CS), 3 HR & 57 RBI, 20 doubles, and three triples in 56 games for Huskies in 2010... Struck out only three times in 278 PA...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 14 (430): Colin Richardson, RHP (Winter Haven HS - Winter Haven, FL)
R/R, 6'1, 180, 18 years old
COMMENT: Went 8-0 with a 1.48 ERA, with 74 K in 47 IP, and threw two no-hitters, as a junior at WHHS... Also played SS... Will attend Santa Fe CC if he does not sign with Cubs...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 15 (460): Elliot Soto, SS (Creighton)
R/R, 5'9, 160, 20 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Missouri Valley Conference 1st team in 2009 & 2010... Gold Glove caliber defensive shortstop, but has just average speed and a questionable bat... Hit 297/388/431 with 3 HR & 28 RBI, 10 doubles, 4 triples, and 9 SB (1 CS) for Bluejays in 2010... Hit only .194 with wood bat in Cape Cod League in 2009... Native of Algonquin, IL, attended Dundee Crown HS... BTW, Jim Hendry was head coach at Creighton 1984-91, and Oneri Fleita played there for Hendry (and Fleita was named MVC Player of the Year in 1988)...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 16 (490): Ryan Hartman, RHP (Mt. Zion HS - Mt. Zion, IL)
R/R, 6'3, 18 years old
COMMENT: Also was a HS basketball star... Went 6-2 with a 1.43 ERA, 19/84 BB/K in 44 IP at MZHS in 2010... Throws a 90-91 MPH fastball, but his curve ball is considered the best in Illinois HS baseball... Signed NLI with Eastern Illinois University...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 17 (520): Steven Brooks, CF (Wake Forest)
R/R, 6'0, 195, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Athletic defender, hit 349/446/541 with 6 HR & 39 RBI, 20 doubles, and 23 SB (4 CS) for Demon Deacons in 2010...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 18 (550): Brooks Pinckard, RHP/OF (Baylor)
L/R, 6'1, 190, 21 years old
COMMENT: Draft-eligible sophomore... Was Baylor's closer in 2010, going 2-4 with a 2.45 ERA, with 12 Saves, allowing 27 hits in 33 IP, with 16/25 BB/K... Also played CF and hit 305/391/465 with 18 SB (2 CS)... Is one of the fastest players in college baseball, but is being drafted as a pitcher... Throws a 95 MPH two-seam fastball that will break a wood bat, but slider is still a work-in-progress...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 19 (580): Dustin Fitzgerald, RHP (Hill JC)
R/R, 6'4, 210, 20 years old
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... Has solid three-pitch repertoire (88-90 MPH fastball that touches 92, a curve, and a change) but no one outstanding pitch... Was rated the top prospect in the Hawaiian Summer Collegiate League in 2009... Will transfer to Texas State if he doesn't sign with Cubs...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 20 (610): Ryan Cuneo, 1B (U. of Delaware)
L/R, 6'3, 205, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Senior... Hit 350/421/677 with a team-leading 16 HR & 65 RBI, and 17 doubles, with a 24/35 BB/K, in 51 games for the Blue Hens in 2010... Won University of Delaware Athletic Dept Sportmanship Award his senior year...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 21 (640): Cody Cox, RHP (Grassfield HS - Chesapeake, VA)
R/R, 6'6, 205, 18 years old
COMMENT: Fastball touches 93... Somewhat raw, but projectable due to size... Signed NLI with Old Dominion... Could be a tough sign...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 22 (670): Jeff Vigurs, C (Bryant U.)
L/R, 6'0, 190, 22 years old
COMMENT: College Senior... Defensive-first catcher with good receiving skills and a strong arm, but has a questionable bat... Hit 333/380/455 with 4 HR & 41 RBI and 13 doubles for Bulldogs in 2010... Also can play OF...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 23 (700): Matthew Loosen, RHP (Jacksonville U.)
R/R, 6'2, 205, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Went 3-4 with a 5.88 ERA, 104 hits and 12 HR allowed in 82.2 IP, with 34/86 BB/K, for the Dolphins in 2010...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 24 (730): Dustin Geiger, RF (Merritt Island HS - Brevard County, FL)
R/R, 6'2, 180, 18 years old
COMMENT: Florida Today's 2010 High School Player of the Year... Played 3B in HS and wants to stay there, but is projected as a RF in pro ball... Has plus-arm, also was part-time closer... Hit .534 with 7 HR and 33 RBI his senior year at MIHS... Has summer job at Outback Steakhouse, so he could be used as a translator for Cubs Australian players at Fitch Park... Signed NLI with University of Central Florida and has strong commitment to attend UCF...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 25 (760): Eric Rice, RHP (Palm Beach State CC)
R/R, 5'11, 180, 20 years old
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... went 7-1 with a 3.27 ERA, allowing 56 hits and 22/52 BB/K in 63.1 IP for the Panthers in 2010... Will transfer to Lynn University if he doesn't sign with Cubs...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 26 (790): Danny Muno, SS (Fresno State)
B/R, 5'11, 175, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Plays both SS & 2B... Good plate discipline (career 160/108 BB/K at FSU), and a good base stealer despite not having blazing speed... Has gap power... Hit lead-off for Bulldogs in 2010, but probably profiles as a #2 hitter in pro ball... Hit 329/444/500 with 7 HR & 33 RBI, 17 doubles, and 48/33 BB/K, in 63 games for FSU in 2010...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 27 (820): Bryan Harper, LHP (College of Southern Nevada)
L/L, 6'5, 195, 20 years old
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... Brother and college teammate of 2010 overall #1 draft pick Bryce Harper and also college teammate of Cubs 10th round pick RHP Aaron Kurcz... Throws 89-92 MPH fastball that tops out at 94... Also throws curve & change-up... Lanky lefty has had major control issues at times and has occasionally displayed temper on field... Spent freshman season at Cal State - Northridge... Will transfer to University of South Carolina if he does not sign with Cubs...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 28 (850): Joe Zeller, RHP (The Master's College)
R/R, 5'10, 190, 22 years old
COMMENT: College Senior... Played 2B before moving to the mound... All-CIF at Capistrano Valley HS in 2006... Spent freshman year at Loyola Marymount...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 29 (880): Casey Harman, LHP (Clemson)
L/L, 6'1, 200, 21 years old
COMMENT: College Junior... Was projected as a 6th-10th round pick pre-draft... Clemson's Friday night (#1) starter... 86-89 MPH sinker is his best pitch, but slider and change are just average... Has excellent control... Has not allowed more than two walks in any one game in his college career... Went 7-2 with a 3.95 ERA, allowing 91 hits (.239 OBA) and 31/86 BB/K in 100.1 IP in 2010...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 30 (910): Karsten Strieby, 1B (Arizona Western JC)
R/R, 6'6, 225, 19 years old
COMMENT: JC Freshman... Hit .316 with a .403 OBP, 3 HR & 16 RBI, and 10 doubles for the Matadors in 2010... Washington native is presently playing summer collegiate "wood bat" ball for the Walla Walla Sweets (West Coast League)...  Karsten's brother Ryan is a 1B-LF in Tigers organization...  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The draft will resume tomorrow at 12 noon (ET) with rounds 31-50.

Tags
Rule 4 Draft

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:32 pm

4th rounder: Hunter Ackerman, LHP Louisburg College BA's tweet on him: Nc prep JC lefty Hunter Ackerman goes off the board high, FB sits 88-92 all day long, pretty signable, not consensus 4th-rounder

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:25 pm

Seems like there's a couple of signability guys in there - Wells, Greathouse and maybe the football player. Anyone see them ranked more highly based on talent alone?

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:27 pm

The Horror! The Horror! 10th round: Aaron Kurcz, RHP College of Southern Nevada the most exciting thing about the draft at this point is making fun of the names.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:59 pm

DFA'd by Indians, right after hurting himself on Sunday.

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:24 pm

BTW - did the Cubs corner this year's draft on Below the Mason-Dixon line players? What's with all the Southern States? Other than they play baseball 12 mos.?

Submitted by chuck on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:29 pm

I know we'll have to wait and see but is anyone else having trouble getting excited about our draft picks so far? Maybe our Dominican summer league teams can save us. They're doing well.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:45 pm

It's a shift in previous philosophy to see so many HS kids taken by the Cubs. Leads to one of two conclusions. 1. Cubs feel good about their current low minors guys and aren't looking to bring in a much of new guys. 2. They have no problem paying out big bonuses to buy these kids out of NRIs

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:05 pm

Theriot 2B, Fukudome RF, Lee 1B, Byrd CF, Fontenot 3B, Soriano LF, Hill C, Castro SS, Lilly P well colvin got 2 starts in a row at least Gallardo on the mound

Submitted by The Joe on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:57 pm

I don't wanna be a sour banana here, but is it possible to cut off the post after, say, the first 3 draft picks? then have a 'click to continue reading'? I have to scroll down for 45 minutes to see if there are new comments. My life is difficult.

Submitted by skavoovee on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 06:10 pm

I think Wilken has certainly done wonders for the Cubs minor league system, but I am trying to sort out this collection of draft picks. Anyone know if we actually drafted any legitimate potential power hitters? This was a pretty weak draft for power hitters but we certainly missed our chance in the first round with a guy like Cox (not that he is a guarantee eg. Ryan Harvey, Brian Dopirak). It is a glaring need in the minor league system that Wilken seem averse to drafting.

[ ]

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Wed, 06/09/2010 - 06:20 am

I don't know that the need for anything is glaring in the Cubs' minors. They have one team (Tennessee) in first place, two over .500 and a fourth (Daytona) with plenty of talent fighting to get to .500. Drafting power-hitting first and third basemen was never a good idea and Wilken has focused instead on two-way players and up-the-middle players. I thought he made occasional exceptions until I read somewhere (maybe AZ Phil) that Rebel Ridling was a slick fielder. Almost every outfielder in the system could play center if he had to. A good example is Tyler Colvin, who might develop into a power hitter but meanwhile can play center and get around the bases like Pie. On a related subject, eight Cub minor leaguers from two teams have been named to all-star teams this week: Shafer, Dolis and Jackson from Daytona and Lee, Cerda, Watkins, McNutt and Leverton from Peoria.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 06/09/2010 - 06:55 am

Submitted by skavoovee on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 10:10pm. I think Wilken has certainly done wonders for the Cubs minor league system, but I am trying to sort out this collection of draft picks. Anyone know if we actually drafted any legitimate potential power hitters? This was a pretty weak draft for power hitters but we certainly missed our chance in the first round with a guy like Cox (not that he is a guarantee eg. Ryan Harvey, Brian Dopirak). It is a glaring need in the minor league system that Wilken seem averse to drafting. ===================================== SKAVOOVEE: 2nd round pick Reggie Golden is a legitimate power prospect, and 20th round pick Ryan Cuneo should hit some HR, at least in "A" ball. .

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

Click HERE for the last 50 comments