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

Roger Clemens indicted for allegedly being a big fat steroid-taking liar!

(Click on image for full size version)

If you were a baseball player, there are words and phrases you just don't want in the same sentence as your name. Words and phrases like: "federal grand jury", "indicted", "lying to Congress", and of course, "steroids" and "growth hormone".

And yet there it is: "A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens for allegedly lying to Congress about using steroids and growth hormone."

Awesome.

There's an old joke I've never told out loud because... well, I'm terrible at telling jokes. But I found it online:

A Scottish old timer in Scotland, in a bar, talking to a young man.

The Old Man says, "Lad, look out there to the field. Do ya see that fence? Look how well it's built. I built that fence stone by stone with me own two hands. I piled it for months."

"But do they call me McGreggor-the-Fence-Builder? Nooo..."

Then the old man gestured at the bar. "Look here at the bar. Do ya see how smooth and just it is? I planed that surface down by me own achin' back. I carved that wood with me own hard labour, for eight days."

"But do they call me McGreggor-the-Bar-builder? Nooo..."

Then the old man points out the window. "Eh, Laddy, look out to sea...Do ya see that pier that stretches out as far as the eye can see? I built that pier with the sweat off me back. I nailed it board by board."

"But do they call me McGreggor-the-Pier-Builder? Nooo..."

Then the old man looks around nervously, trying to make sure no one else is paying attention.

"But ya fuck one goat..."


This the exact same story that Roger wrote for himself with his own actions and mouth.

Now, his nickname won't be as simple as McGreggor's.

It'll probably have a bunch of asterisks and hyphens, wouldn't you think?

Roger that.


You can view Tim Souers work on a daily basis at Cubby Blue.


Comments

I hope they fry all the bastards, I really do. My grandmother (God rest her) loved Sammy, but fuck it, he should be next. And about lying to congress, where the fuck is Palmeiro's charge? I think just like Kennesaw Mountain Landis had gambling, Selig should have had steroids. And about what else AT ALL does anyone say "At least Congress is doing something about it!"

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Your article says "insufficient evidence", not no evidence. Potentially big difference. And just because he didn't get caught sooner, or there's "insufficient evidence", doesn't mean he's not a crooked bastard like the rest of them. "Though he never officially retired, Palmeiro has not played since 2005." For a guy with 3000 hits, etc., why did his career end in infamy? Where is the tearful retirement for him, clemens, etc.?? I'll grant that Palmeiro was 40 years old when he got suspended, but by golly, if I was trying to clear my name of this shit I'd damn sure be motivated to play another year. The truth is that the fucking league knows damn well all these idiots were using. It's just Clemens' (and Bonds') bad luck that there's enough evidence to bust them for lying in court about it.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Look. Bruce Levine discussed today that, like it or not, Colvin has had a lot of shit to deal with as a young player, in his first season: - Makes the team, told "Will get 3-5 startys a week" - Does NOT get the above. - When he DOES get starts, he excels. Yes - - He doesn't get much playing time in the first 90 days of the season until "Pinhead", as you call him, decides, "Yes, I guess he is outplaying Nady, who can't throw anyway. - He is then put in the #1 spot in the order when Theriot can't do much, and further, is traded. Why Lou puts him here where he completely is not suited, in inexplicable (of course, now, realizing this, Fuku is in this spot) - He goes through a slump, and K's 25% of the time, having difficulty with breaking pitches (I was in attendance yesterday, and the great Justin Heyward has the same problem. His BA is not any better than Colvin's, btw) - Now, with DLee gone, management decides to train him by the seat of his pants, during the last two months of the season, to play 1B. I do not know when the last time you played in the Majors under the above circumstances CRUNCH, but I would guess the pressure to perform, while going through all of the other shit (and lack of experience), is dramatic. This was Levine and Hood's point on Talking Baseball today.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

In context IIRC, the discussion was that due to his CONSTANT INJURIES, training at 1B would not be the worst idea IF the team does not pursue other options. It is easy to take pot shots as we all do ananomously, but locally in my opinion, Bruce Levine is the best in the business. If you have never heard his argument on-tape with Ed Lynch ("Without the fans, you don't have a job..." ) in the locker room, then this would win any consummate Cub fan's loyalty. I have met the guy in a professional capacity in the press area, and he certainly was nice to me - didn't know me at all. Just sayin'. - (paraphrased) 1984, after the Cubs swept the Mets in a double header. Levine went into the Mets locker room and asked Lynch about a home run he'd given up.Lynch's reply was "that's a horseshit question,pal"... It went back and forth, with the now still-Cubs employee saying he didn't care about the media, etc., etc., Levine told Lynch that he wouldn't have a job if it weren't for the media. Lynch asked "Without you,I don't have a job??". Bruce went on to explain about how the media inform the fans, and it is part of the job, and entertainment, etc. After the incident, Levine was kicked out of the locker room.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

I listen to his show every Saturday. He has long-term relationships rivaling any national writers. Further, he is well-respected by GM's, managers, many scouts, etc. Both Ken Williams and Hendry have, on-air - gone out of their way to pay respects to his professionalism. Today he had on Oneri Fleita. You may have heard this, but Fleita gave a report on Archer as well as other youngsters and admitted shortcomings in what management's MiLB performance had been overall in years previous. I do not even know if I have heard him interviewed one time by anyone in 2010 - except at Cubs Convention time. But - Levine is in his mid-late 60's... Who knows how long the run goes? He fucks up too. With his trade predictions, comments, etc. But gets plenty more right, than wrong, imo.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

As I recall it, (with help from Baseball-Reference) the Mets came to Chicago in Aug. of 1984 .5 games behind the Cubs to play a four game series. The Cubs swept all four games to move 4.5 games ahead in 1st place. Games 2 & 3 were a doubleheader the Cubs took 8-6 and 8-4. During a 6-run 5th inning in game 1, both Cey and Moreland homered. Later, in game 2, the Cubs scored 5 runs in the 4th inning off Lynch, all after 2 outs (3 runs unearned due to an error by Wally Backman). After the fifth run scored, Lynch drilled Moreland with a pitch. Immediately following in the top of the 5th, Sanderson drills the second Met batter in the inning. Sanderson is immediately removed from the ballgame (the box score does not indicate that he was ejected). After the game, Levine asks Lynch if there is any role in baseball for a "purpose pitch". Lynch responded, "What?" and Levine repeated the question, to which Lynch replied, "that's a horeshit question, pal." Levine said, "Just doing my job" to which Lynch says, "I don't give a (bleep) about your job, pal." (I assume he said "fuck" but I never heard it unedited.) Levine then said, "If I don't do my job, then you don't have a job." After which the conversation deteriorated along the lines that E-man mentioned -- towards the end of the tape you heard Lynch, followed by several other Mets players shouting at Levine to "get the (bleep) out of here."

damn billy wagner...didn't know it was that bad out there =p "Me and my family have made plans for retirement," he said Saturday. "I don’t need it anymore. I’m tired of the expectations, tired of the criticism, tired of people who never played trying to tell me how to play." that's a lot of angst for a guy who hasn't had a bad season in a decade aside from a few time-eating injuries.

via ye olde world o roto: Dontrelle Willis has joined up with Triple-A Fresno. Willis apparently hit 93 MPH in his last outing in Arizona and could join the Giants in September if he continues to make progress. The left-hander signed a minor league deal with San Francisco in mid-July.

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).