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

A Tie is Like Kissing Good Bye

Long story short, Mark Hamilton's solo homer with two out in the top of the 9th gave Memphis a see-saw 7-6 win over Iowa today that also advanced the Redbirds to the PCL playoffs and ended the Cubs' season. The teams deadlocked for their divisional crown with records of 82-62 and split their season series 8-8 but the playoff berth goes to the visitors on the basis of their superior intra-divsional record.

It was another pulsating game in a pulsating series. I would say that the umpiring left a little to be desired, not necessarily in terms of the accuracy of calls, but in the length of fuses. After all, these were two teams in a dead heat with 140 games down and four to go. Thicken the skins and stop tossing people in the early innings. More on that later.

For the second straight day the wind was blowing briskly out to left and was a factor.

Iowa starter Jay Jackson was shaky at the outset, loading the bases with one out in the first but escaping unscored upon. In the second he got himself in the same jam but wasn't so lucky this time. Tyler Greene was at the plate with teammates at second and third when he checked his swing on a 2-2 pitch. The plate ump called it a foul ball but Greene swore the pitch had hit him on the forearm. The plate ump asked one of his colleagues on the bases and he too said foul ball. But Greene must have shown evidence of a mark where the ball had struck him because he was suddenly waved to first. You know who, back in the dugout after yesterday's banishment, joined the conversation at that point but his brief and somewhat restrained argument fell on deaf ears and the game resumed with the crowd actually into the action on the field for a change. Alas, Jackson was nonplussed by now and became even more so when he lost the ruling on another checked swing that ensued on his first pitch to the new hitter. In the middle of his next windup the plate ump broke out of his crouch to eject someone inside the Iowa dugout who turned out to be Mitch Atkins. Another delay, after which Jackson completed a four pitch walk to force in a run. A sacrifice fly followed but Jackson finally made it back to the dugout trailing by only 2-0.

In the bottom of the inning back to back doubles by Bryan LaHair and Bobby Scales and a single by Robinson Chirinos, who had three important hits and dug a bunch of sliders out of the dirt behind the plate in my first look at him, tied the score and the game was on.

Jackson labored again in the 3rd, giving the lead back on a single to his counterpart as the bottom of the Memphis lineup got to him. The frame ended when Chirinos threw behind a runner at first to pick him off and a runner breaking from third was eventually tagged out trying to score in the confusion.

In the top of the 4th Scales made a great diving catch of a wind-blown popup down the line in right to start Jackson's first 1-2-3 inning of work. In the bottom of the frame Dubois led off with a prodigious blast to tie the score before Scales was safe on an error and Chirinos doubled him home to give the I-Cubs their first lead of the day. Jackson then doubled off the center field wall and I noticed Sandberg smiling and gesturing at the dugout railing while the Redbirds pow-wowed at the mound. He seemed confident.

When Dubois homered again in the 6th to put his team ahead 6-3 it looked bubbly for the home team. They had been overcoming leads throughout the weekend, not blowing them.

Jackson was removed after surrendering a leadoff double in the top of the 7th. Justin Berg came in and served up a run scoring single and a double that put runners at second and third with no outs. A grounder and a sac fly were all it took to tie the game from there.

While Iowa was failing to score in the bottom of the 7th and Memphis was being put down in order in the top of the 8th some kid with #28 on his back and nothing else [all the other players' names were on their jerseys] was nervously throwing in the Memphis pen. He took his nerves with him to the mound in the bottom of the 8th and walked Dubois on four pitches leading off. Better than allowing him the hat trick I guess. Then he fell behind LaHair and the dam seemed about to burst. Instead LaHair grounded sharply into a 6-4-3 double play with a 3-2 count even though Dubois was running on the pitch. The kid, whose name turned out to be Alan Reifer, was new in town, having come a running from Springfield after yesterday's 15 inning affair drained the Memphis relief corps.

Hamilton's dramatic homer made Reifer the winning pitcher in his first Triple A appearance, but not before the aggressive Chirinos hit the first pitch from closer Josh Kenney in the bottom of the 9th for a double and got stranded at third. While Reifer was working into and out of trouble in the 8th Kenney was making new friends by returning a cell phone dropped over the RF railing the way young ladies used to accidentally on purpose drop their hankies.

One minute 10,000 people were on their feet headed for the playoffs. The next, the season and the summer were over.

It took a long time for the parking lot to clear after the game. I didn't really mind the lingering.

Comments

Too bad for the I-Cubs, I guess they'll have to wait til next year like the big club. Is it too soon to criticize Sandberg for this and say we shouldn't hire him since he couldn't get it done?? (c'mon, you know it's coming...)

Nice MLB debut yesterday for 28-year old ex-Cubs minor league RHP Adalberto Mendez, throwing six innings of one-hit shutout ball for the Marlins at Philadelphia. A journeyman minor league middle reliever for most of his career, Mendez was selected by Florida from the Cubs in the Minor League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft post-2007, and his even making it to The Show is a surprise, not to mention doing what he did yesterday. Mendez was originally signed by the Cubs as an infielder out of the Dominican Republic in 2001, before being converted to pitcher in the DSL in 2002.

via cm: RF Fuke, 2B DeWitt, CF Byrd, 1B Hoffpauir, LF Colvin, 3B Baker, C Hill, SS Barney, P Silva hope soto didn't bang himself up too bad stopping a run at the plate yesterday...he didn't seem too hurt creating a run at the plate later in the game. via p.sulivan: Fuld, Scales, Snyder. Berg and Samardzija among call-ups. FREE BOBBY SCALES!

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In reply to by Tito

It will if he doesn't have enough ABs to qualify. Besides, what's the point of sitting him? To punish him like a little kid? Forgetting how many outs there are is obviously stupid, but why not just pull him for the rest of the game rather than sit him for multiple games. I'm probably just bitter because I'm going to the game tonight and he and Soto are pretty much the only bright spots this year and neither of them are playing. If the Cubs' wretched play hasn't turned away enough fans, playing stiffs like Baker and Hill day in and day out should finish the job.

Jim Hendry: "We need to see just how bad Justin Berg really is", said Hendry. "He sucked up here, cannot get anyone out in a pressure situation in AAA, so we think as he is one of our top pitching prospects, we should give him another chance to stink up the joint with the Big Club again." What a shitty pitcher. It angers me to see the White Sox have such success with their young pitchers (Sales, et. al.)

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In reply to by jacos

I KNOW where they came from. Both Danks and Floyd were risks by Williams that at young ages would blossom - (Floyd at 23 traded to the Sox, Danks at 21) and DAnks (not "Denks"), a first-round pick (#9) was traded to the Sox for Brandon McCarthy and Davey Paisano. McCarthy has been mediocre at best. Floyd, another former 1st round pick by the Phils, was obtained by the Sox along with Gio Gonzalez for Sweaty Freddy. Both pitchers were making peanuts when they came to the team. So, yes, the risks at the time paid off. Wells would not be in the Sox' rotation at all. He has had limited success in the Bigs, and has turned back into a pumpkin. Why you mention him as a "success" is just a poor call. That leaves Marshall and Marmol LOWITZKI, both of whom are good - but of course overworked. The Sox are loaded with young pitching to the point that they had the luxury of trading Daniel Hudson and Clayton Richards. I will remind you, that AZ PHIL has as well noted that the bona fide up-and-coming starters on the Cubs are few and far between at best. Certainly as far as I know there is not one former #1 draft pick among them. So, yes, as I said - "it angers me to see the White Sox have such such success with their young pitchers." I wish it were the Cubs.

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In reply to by The E-Man

Certainly as far as I know there is not one former #1 draft pick among them. Ever heard of Andrew Cashner? And the Cubs recent #1 picks have mostly been hitters, which makes it pretty tough to have #1 picks turn into "up-and-coming starters." I also think it is funny that you talk about folks like Sales, he of the 13 innings pitched in the bigs. And BTW, I could have also thrown Gorzellany in the Cubs young pitching category. Don't get me wrong - the Sox have some impressive young pitching. But they are have also been relying on Freddy Garcia in their rotation.

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In reply to by big_lowitzki

"Ever heard of Andrew Cashner? And the Cubs recent #1 picks have mostly been hitters, which makes it pretty tough to have #1 picks turn into "up-and-coming starters." Who? I would rather have Freddy Garcia right now than David Wells as a number 5. Not that it would have made that much difference. But Wells as a converted catcher , and having to be absolutely perfect in order to succeed in a game - all I can say is "Blech". At 144 innings pitched, the lowest among the starters by 30+ other than Peavy, I think "relying on him" is a bit of a stretch. More so, its, "if he can pitch .500, great. Better than that - fantastic."

Bobby Scales on Sandberg: "He never aired us out." Isn't the perception among Sandberg lovers that Sandberg WILL air players out and Sandberg will make those "mollycoddles" "accountable?" And isn't the perception that there is no worse insult than to be called a "player's manager?"

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In reply to by Ryno

Of course, Sandberg has had success at every level he's managed, so naturally he'd be mediocre with the Cubs. At the very least, he knows the young talent coming up in the system, and can maybe utilize some of it? This is not a team that is close to competing, so why try to pretend it is? The Cubs need to suck it up and realize this..there are too many holes to think they can patch it up and contend in 2011. 1B...2 SP, the flammable bullpen except Marshall and Marmol...a back-up catcher, a definite 2B (DeWitt?)...And the hope that Ramirez and Soriano can be at least solid next season rather than a pile of "meh"."

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Work toward 2012 while Colvin, Castro, and Cashner get used to the bigs and some of our other young players (Jackson, Vitters, Castillo, Carpenter, etc.) hopefully continue to develop. Where do the Cubs get Dunn and a #3 hitter and pitching? I won't be angry if it happens (without crippling the Cubs with more Soriano/Fukudome/Bradley-esque contracts), but I don't see it right now.

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In reply to by crunch

doubtful that they are Guthrie was 1st time arb-eligible this year. Will have right at 4 years of service time at seasons end. Makes 3 million. So he's likely a 5 million dollar pitcher, with 2 more years of club control. Vazquez is finishing a 3/34.5 contract. His having a terrible year this year makes him a prime "buy low" candidate. 1 year incentive laden contract, with him moving back into the NL would surely be something he'd consider. Maybe 1/5 with the potential to earn another 5 in performance bonuses?

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Well, in 2012 Brett Jackson will likely be in the majors, Jay Jackson may become a back of the rotation starter, Chris Carpenter may turn into a high risk rotation guy, Castillo may be ready to take over at Catcher, thus moving Soto 1B or making him trade bait, Guyer might be ready to be a supers-sub who can hit lefties, Chris Archer will be 23, McNutt will be 22, Dolis will be 23, Nick Struck will be 22, and Robert Whitenack will be 23. Josh Vitters will turn 23 in August 2012. Ryan Flaherty and/or DJ Lemahieu may get more consistent at the plate (or they may not, of course). Dae-Eun Rhee, who had a pretty poor year coming off of TJ Surgery, but who knows, will be 23. Hak Ju Lee will be 21. At that point the organization should have a better idea what to expect of these guys long term. But, much more importantly, don't we have a few guys coming off the books in 2012? We'll be done with Fukudome, right? Dempster's contract, I think, ends after 2011. Silva will have one year left, I think? What does Zambrano have left? Aramis will be gone. Byrd won't have much time left on his contract. It's a better time to do the big fixes that this club needs. If they go out and sign more guys to long-term contracts this year, they might just make this mess stretch even farther into the future. Why do it? I don't see any problem with playing Colvin or Hoffpauir at first and waiting for a bargain to become available, if one does. If Dunn is cheap, great. If Vasquez is cheap, great. Go for it. But they Cubs should not sell out the future for 2011, which isn't particularly promising. And we dont' really know what players will cost yet. I'm not really saying the Cubs should absolute not, under any circumstances, try to be competitive in 2011. I'm saying that they should be cautious.

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In reply to by Charlie

Even IF all those guys pan out (which ain't happening). You still are going to have a ton of holes. Dempster comes off the books. Where do we get the replacement #3 starter? Why does every player on the roster need to be cheap and cost controlled? This is a 140 Million payroll outfit. No need to go bargain hunting for every piece we roster. Just because we have made some Free Agent mistakes in the past. Doesn't mean we swear off Free Agency from today forward. I'd much rather we follow a "Red Sox Model". Have a strong farm system. Once kids show star potential you find a spot for them. If you don't have a top level kid to take a job, then you find a top level guy on the trade and free agent market. You seem to advocate filling our roster with Minor League filler. Then hoping that all of them exceed all expectations and turn into stars. That isn't any kind of strategy to winning anything.

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

"You seem to advocate filling our roster with Minor League filler." Not at all. Of course not all of those guys will pan out as productive major leaguers--that's ridiculous. But by 2012 the Cubs will have a better idea what to expect of them and they will also have a few of the prohibitive contracts coming off the books. That adds up to having a better sense of what the organization leads long term and having resources (dollars and prospects) available to fill those needs. If that means that a minor leaguer fills an important role on the team, fine. If not, then they know what there needs are long term and they can trade off valuable player-resources in order to get the player they want because he's best for the organization. Of course the roster isn't going to be composed entirely out of Ryan Flaherties and Jay Jacksons. But But it only takes a couple more Fukudome/Bradley(Silva) contracts to screw the team for a few more yeas.

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In reply to by Paul Noce

Submitted by Paul Noce on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 10:41am. Agreed, but Adam Dunn sucks. ============================ Paul N: The big problem with Adam Dunn is that fans expect him to be a traditional middle-of-the-order run producer, while he has the mindset of a lead-off hitter. He looks at a lot of pitches, works deep into counts, and is willing to get called out on strikes if he doesn't get the pitch he wants. He is one of the least-aggressive power hitter I've ever seen. He does take a lot of walks, but again, that's because he takes a lot of pitches and won't swing at pitches out of his "zone." I remember when Dunn was acquired by the Diamonbacks a couple of years ago, D'backs fans I know would go crazy because Dunn would come up in an RBI situation and invariably either take a walk or get called out on strikes. He did hit home runs (a ton of HR), but it was the lack of passion hitting in RBI situations that drove D'backs fans up the wall. I talked with somebody who managed Adam Dunn in the minor leagues, and he said Dunn was the worst defensive player he had ever managed. At that time Dunn was playing LF, and on every pitch he would take one step back and one step to the right, just like he would do when he was in the shotgun formation when he played QB in HS. It took the Reds two years to break Dunn of this habit. He probably is best-suited to play 1B (or DH) and hit 3rd in the order, but you have to make sure that there are at least two RBI guys hitting behind him, because Dunn is not a traditional run-producer type. He is a #1 or #2 hitter in a lug's body.

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In reply to by Arizona Phil

The thing is, because of these perceptions. His cost will be lower than it probably SHOULD be. The guy is a 900 ops hitter. That is valuable in any era in baseball. We are talking about signing the guy to Fukudome/Dempster type of money. I think he's way more valuable than either of those guys are. So you need to put a couple of good hitters around him? Other than Barry Bonds, who doesn't fit that description?

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

"The guy is a 900 ops hitter." OPS is one-half OBP, which in Dunn's case, with the low BA, is largely walks--so you're basically saying what Phil is saying: The guy tries to draw a lot of walks and is successful. I thought Phil's description of what's wrong with Dunn was dead-on. Also reminded me of Bradley, except for the home runs. Boswell had a nice piece on the pros and cons of Dunn in the Wash Post the other day.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

Yup... as a 21/22 year old. Again - his numbers in the minors (i.e. when he "came up") looked nothing like a slap hitting anything. Further, Thome did nothing during the Indians' prime years in the mid-90's (which is what you originally referred to) that resembled a slap hitting 3b. He quickly became an excellent MLB hitter with very good patience and power, decent/mediocre average, and a lot of strike outs. That sounds a lot like... Adam Dunn.

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 10:09am. It's not impossible to think we can be competitive next season with a couple of additions. A full season from Z and Aramis, added to a Dunn and a solid #3 starter. Who knows? 87 wins usually puts you in the NL central race =================================== DR AARON B: If I had to bet on what the Cubs will do post-2010, I would say that signing Adam Dunn will be Hendry's #1 priority, and that Dunn will end up with the Cubs as long as he is willing to accept no more than a three-year deal (something like 3/39). It would help Hendry if he could move Fukudome and just give Dunn Fukudome's money ($13.5M), but that isn't goining to happen. I believe Hendry will do whatever he can to move Fukudome, but if the Cubs have to eat too much salary to get a deal done, they'll just keep Kosuke as the 4th OF, with Colvin playing RF most every day. . I don't thnk the Cubs will be going after a starting pitcher, because I think that (barring injuries) they will go into the 2011 season with Dempster-Zambrano-Wells-Gorzelanny-Silva as the rotation, with J. Jackson, Carpenter, and Coleman at AAA and Archer, McNutt, and Rusin at AA to start the season, with all six projected as future MLB starters. So I don't think the Cubs will look to sign a FA starter anytime soon. I do think Hendry will once again attempt to acquire a combo back-up closer/RHP set-up man, though, possibly Jason Frasor (who will be a FA post-2010), with a likely 2011 Opening Day bullpen of Marmol-TBD-Marshall-Cashner-Grabow-Samardzija-TBD. In talking to the Cubs Player Development people, the organization believes Angel Guzman going down with a shoulder injury was a key loss, because the Cubs went into ST counting on Gooz to be their 8th inning set-up guy/back-up closer after they were unable to sign Matt Capps or acquire Jason Frasor.

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In reply to by Jumbo

Submitted by Jumbo on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 5:14pm. So Phil, it's your impression that Cashner will permanently be a reliever for the Cubs? No chance to become a starter? ================================== JUMBO: I think Andrew Cashner will remain a reliever in 2011, although he could be moved back to the rotation if the other starter prospects (J. Jackson, Carpenter, Coleman, Archer, McNutt, Rusin, et al) don't develop. But Cashner was the #1 closer in college baseball in 2008, and he can touch 100 MPH when he throws just one inning, so I suspect the Cubs will keep him in the bullpen unless they see some over-riding reason to move him back to the starting rotation. He is projected as an 8th inning set-up guy or closer.

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

"Sandberg has had success at every level he's managed." I keep reading that, but I can't seem to verify it. Peoria 2007: 71-68 Peoria 2008: 60-78 Tennessee 2009: 71-69 (strong second half, made the playoffs, beat Huntsville 3-1, lost to Jacksonville 3-1) Iowa 2010: 82-62 (tied for best record in PCL, but no playoffs) His four teams overall: seven games over .500. In the same time period, Jody Davis won the FSL championship with Daytona and Bill Dancy has a shot with Tenn this year. Peoria made the playoffs the year after Sandberg left. I like Sandberg because he's feisty and classy and seems to be smart--but it's hard to tell without watching pretty closely--and mostly because he's aggressive and likes to send runners. That's why I wish he had stuck around to manage that 15-inning game that they lost. He'll have quite a few runners, like Jackson, Colvin, Guyer, Castro, Lee, maybe Campana, that he can send. Girardi--I know he's smart.

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In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Fuck...Joe Girardi...would be the dumbest man alive to leave a team that is a threat to win the World Series every season, that has limitless resources, and a team that is stocked. A team that doesn't rebuild, but goes and actively gets good players to replace ones that leave. To leave that, to come to a Cubs team with holes in the rotation, lineup, bullpen, and bench...but other than that, they're ready to contend in 2011!

Billy Williams was once again described as "classy." Isn't that a euphemism for "Thanks for not getting too bitchy when we passed you over for the manager's job time and time again?" I was born in 1973, so I don't remember Billy Williams all that well. But it sure seems that personality-wise that he and Derrek Lee have similar personalities. Durable, unemotional, fairly consistent from year to year. Not that Lee was as good as Williams, but did any fans dislike Billy Williams for "not showing fire?"

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In reply to by Mitterwald

No, I don't ever recall any fan dissatisfaction about Billy for "not showing fire". Occasionally Billy would express displeasure about something, so you knew he could get ticked off about things. Overall, Billy's consistency was at a little higher level than Derrek's (received MVP votes in 8 different seasons vs. 4 for Derrek) and he never had a season with 27 GIDP, so there was never a particular area of under-performance for the fans to focus on. In addition, Derrek made the mistake of having a monster season early in his Cubs career, thereby setting up high expectations that couldn't be matched later on whereas Billy's two biggest seasons came at ages 32 and 34 (1970 and 1972), so his career was a nicely progressing climb to excellence.

If the Cubs sign Adam Dunn (and I think there is a fairly good chance they will), I suspect the 2011 Opening Day lineup will be: Byrd, CF Castro, SS Dunn, 1B Ramirez, 3B Soto, C Colvin, RF Soriano, LF DeWitt, 2B Dempster, P

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In reply to by The Real Neal

The manager will most likely want Colvin somewhere near the middle of the order, around 6th probably if Dunn is batting 3rd. Handedness. Colvin batting 8th sounds like a recipe for failure to me. I'd rather see DeWitt batting 1st or 2nd, though. I'm not that excited about Byrd as a top of the order guy--maybe a number 2 on a team with lots of power and very little OBP, but not #1 in this lineup. Dunn batting second could work, too. If you push Fukudome to a backup role, do you still make him the April starter? How much do we believe in the patterns he established in his first two years, even when there is no apparent reason for them (like hitting extremely well in April)?

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In reply to by crunch

Dunn is probably a 12 or 13 per guy. Guthrie is an arbitration case. So he isn't going to jump from 3 to 10 during the 2nd round of arbitration. Vazquez MIGHT still get 10 from someone, But who? He was dominant last year in the NL. Terrible this year in the AL. Those signs point to a 1 year "Rebuild value" type of contract. Maybe Kevin Millwood might be worth taking a 1 year gamble on? Surely he could be had on a cheap 1 year deal?

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In reply to by Charlie

Submitted by Charlie on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 12:51pm. AZ Phil Any thoughts on possible backup catchers for next year? I know that's a pretty late order concern, but I wonder what the possibilities are ==================================== CHARLIE: I don't know if the Cubs are going to want Welington Castillo to get more time at AAA or if they think he will be ready for MLB next season, but based upon how he is being used right now (or not being used), my guess is W. Castillo will get another year at Iowa before we see him in Chicago for a full season. He's only 23 and still a bit raw, so it would not be the worst thing to let him get more-regular playing time at AAA at least until the rough edges have been smoothed-out. I think the Cubs will almost certainly add Robinson Chirinos to their 40-man roster post-2010 (they have only until the 4th day following the conclusion of the World Series to do it, though, because otherwise he can be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent), and he could be the Cubs back-up catcher next season. The thing about Chirinos is that he can play 2B and 3B, too, so he has more versatility than does Welington Castillo. C-1B Steve Clevenger made the Southern League All-Star team this season (his second straight year at AA), and he is a possibility to get added to the 40-man roster on 11/20. Clevenger was a shortstop in college, and then was immediately moved to 2B after he signed with the Cubs. Then he was converted to catcher at Instructs after just one season in the minors. Clevenger is a savvy kid (probably will be a coach or manager some day), and pitchers like throwing to him because he really knows how to work hitters (he's like a pitching coach on the field). But his catching mechanics still need work, and I'm not sure he will ever be anything more than a back-up C-1B-LHPH at the big league level. Perhaps a Chirinos/Clevenger combo as a back-up to Soto (with Chirinos filling Jeff Baker's role plus back-up catcher and Clevenger also the #1 lefty PH in addition to being a back-up catcher) could be a possibility in 2011, but for that to happen both Chirinos AND Clevenger would have to hit enough in Spring Training to make the 25-man roster, and that also assumes that Clevenger will get added to the 40-man roster by 11/20, because otherwise he is a good candidate to get selected in the Rule 5 Draft. As for Koyie Hill, Jim Hendry likes him a lot and probably will try to keep him around in 2011 in some capacity. What I think with probably happen with K. Hill is that he will get non-tendered on 12/12 (although he could get outrighted next month if they need his spot on the 40-man roster right away), and then the Cubs will offer him "major league money" ($700K) to sign a 2011 minor league contract with an NRI to ST, so that if other options don't work out, K. Hill could be the back-up catcher again in 2011, or at least until one of the young guys proves he's ready to take the job. And if it turns out that W. Castillo, Chirinos, and/or Clevenger do win the job in Spring Training, K. Hill could go to Iowa and be available as an insurance policy in case a veteran catcher is needed in Chicago during the 2011 season. Chris Robinson got an NRI to Spring Training this past March and he probably will get another one next March, but he will likely spend the 2011 season back at AAA (or even at AA if there is a roster crunch at Iowa), and then he can be a Minor League FA post-2011. He's probably best-described as a "4-A" type. Michael Brenly will almost certainly be the #1 catcher AA next season, and will probably get an NRI to ST. He developed as a hitter in 2010 to the point where he looks like he might be an MLB prospect, although he is still at least a year or two away from contending for a big league job. The Cubs are very weak at catcher below AA, and so they may try and re-sign Mark Reed and/or Mario Mercedes (both are eligible to be minor league free-agents post-2010). Offensively-challenged Luis Flores will likely be the #1 catcher at Daytona in 2011, and 2010 3rd round pick Micah Gibbs (who struggled at the plate at Boise) will probably be the #1 receiver at Peoria, with either Chad Noble or Jeff Vigurs the back-up. I wouldn't be surprised if one or two players are converted to catcher at Instructs (the Cubs tried to convert both Jae-Hoon Ha and Brandon May to catcher last year at Instructs, but it didn't work out for either player). AZL Cubs IF-OF Jake McAloose might be one guy they'll try there this year, and Boise 3B Dustin Harrington might profile as a catcher (third-baseman's arm and a thick lower-body).

via CM: 2B DeWitt, SS Castro, CF Byrd, 1B Nady, RF Colvin, C Soto, LF Soriano, 3B Barney, P Wells via P.Sulivan...paraphrased via a series of tweets... the ricketts are filming a reality show episode today at wrigley. for those wondering how tom ricketts has the time between asking people if they want his autograph or a photo with him...well, evidently it's todd ricketts reality appearance.

MLBTR writer Ben Nicholson-Smith has a post about Geo Soto as a contract extension candidate basing his stats midway between Brian McCann and Chris Iannetta at the start of their arbitration years. Apparently McCann got $15M and Ianetta got $7.8M. Somehow I don't see Soto at $9-12M yet but the author speculates that Soto's 2011-14 seasons might go for McCann money, estimating $14M (as McCann signed his deal earlier in the process, implying Soto has more leverage than McCann had) . http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/09/geovany-soto-extension-candidate…

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In reply to by Cubster

Geovany Soto can't be a FA until after the 2013 season, so I wouldn't expect the Cubs to start talking multi-year deal with Geo until Spring Training 2013 (at the earliest). There is really no reason to sign an arbitration-eligible player to a long-term deal unless the player is a slam-dunk sure-thing to stay healthy AND not go into a prolonged slump, and based on how he performed in 2009 and the likelihood of injury at the catcher position, I would say it would be an unnecessary risk to do anything but go "year-to-year" with Soto until he gets a lot closer to free-agency, even if it might mean losing an arbitration hearing somewhere along the way.

Az. phil obviously cubs have alot of time and money tied up in Samardzjia 1. Will they let him start this September. 2 Would they not want to give him every chance to start next year? I dont expect success but why put him in pen when they made decision to start all year.

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In reply to by rokfish

Submitted by rokfish on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 9:19pm. Az. phil obviously cubs have alot of time and money tied up in Samardzjia 1. Will they let him start this September. 2 Would they not want to give him every chance to start next year? I dont expect success but why put him in pen when they made decision to start all year. ============================================== ROKFISH: I expect Jeff Samardzija to get two or three starts before the end of the 2010 regular season. He will also probably be given a chance to start in Spring Training next March (just like he did this past ST), although if Dempster, Zambrano, Silva, Gorzelanny, and Wells all come out of ST healthy, I suspect Samardzija will end up in the bullpen. One thing we do know is that if the Cubs want to get rid of Samardzija before the start of next season (and this is presuming he does not waive his "no trade"), they will have to release him and eat his 2011 $2.8M salary, minus a pro-rated portion of the $400K MLB minimum salary if he subsequently signs with another MLB club. Otherwise, Samardzija WILL be on the Cubs 2011 25-man Opening Day roster, and he will likely spend the entire season with the Cubs, no matter how badly he pitches.

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).