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

Team Ramirez Tags Russell at Fitch

Aramis Ramirez ripped a towering home run high over the LF fence onto 8th Street and Max Ramirez drilled a liner off the right-centerfield fence and almost took the pitcher's head off with a line drive up the middle, as James Russell was hit hard in a 25-pitch "live" BP session at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning.

Aram did not take "live" BP last year and did not hit against live pitching yesterday, either, but he looked very comfortable hitting against Ryan Dempster and James Russell today.

And Max Ramirez continued to show off his offensive skills today, battering Russell in a five-pitch AB. A one-time Texas Rangers Top 10 Prospect, the 26-year old Ramirez was acquired off waivers from Boston last month, and he is known as an offensive-first C-1B. Whether he will be able to beat-out Koyie Hill for the #2 catcher job is questionable, because the Cubs pitchers who matter seem to prefer throwing to K. Hill when Geovany Soto is not in the lineup. But if he keeps hitting the ball in Cactus League play as well as he has this week at Fitch Park, it might be tough to keep M. Ramirez off the Opening Day 25-man roster. His best chance to make the team would probably be if Geo's shoulder keeps him from handling a #1 catcher's work-load (at least at the beginning of the season), or if something happens to K. Hill. The other ways M. Ramirez could make the Opening Day roster would be if the Cubs opt to go with just four outfielders (Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome, and Tyler Colvin) and cut both Reed Johnson and Fernando Perez, or if they go with just one back-up infielder (Darwin Barney) and cut Jeff Baker.

Among the other pitchers who threw today, Jeff Samardzija got a lot of ground balls on Field #2 facing Fukudome, Perez, Bryan Lahair, and Brad Snyder, and Carlos Marmol was just plain filthy, with Josh Vitters managing to hammer the one and only ball hit hard off the Cub closer (a line drive). All of the Cubs position players except Koyie Hill had the opportunity to face "live" BP against Cubs pitchers today, although Hill did have a lengthy BP session hitting the offerings of Cub coaches on Field #1 after the "live" BP session had concluded.

It was "picture day" today, so the Cubs wore their home white pinstripe uniforms instead of the blue batting practice tops & grey pants they normally wear at Fitch Park.  

FIELD #2

PITCHERS 
Braden Looper
Carlos Silva
Jeff Samardzija
Jeff Stevens
Scott Maine
Scott Rice

CATCHERS
Koyie Hill (Looper & Silva)
Chris Robinson (Samardzija & Stevens)
Steve Clevenger (Maine & Rice)

GROUP 1 HITTERS (vs Looper & Silva)
Matt Camp
Steve Clevenger
Brett Jackson
Marquez Smith

GROUP 2 HITTERS (vs Samardzija and Stevens)
Kosuke Fukudome
Bryan Lahair
Fernando Perez
Brad Snyder

GROUP 3 HITTERS (vs Maine & Rice)
Jeff Baker
Darwin Barney
Lou Montanez
Augie Ojeda

FIELD #3

PITCHERS
Ryan Dempster
James Russell
Carlos Marmol
Sean Marshall
Chris Carpenter
Kyle Smit

CATCHERS
Geovany Soto (Dempster & Russell)
Welington Castillo (Marmol & Marshall)
Max Ramirez (Carpenter & Smit)

GROUP 1 HITTERS (vs Dempster & Russell)
Marlon Byrd
Tyler Colvin
Aramis Ramirez
Max Ramirez
Alfonso Soriano

GROUP 2 HITTERS (vs Marmol & Marshall)
Reed Johnson
Bobby Scales
Geovany Soto
Josh Vitters

GROUP 3 HITTERS (vs Carpenter & Smit)
Jim Adduci
Welington Castillo
Starlin Castro
Blake DeWitt
Scott Moore
Carlos Pena

Comments

awesome as always... probably haven't seen much of it yet, but isn't M. Ramirez pretty much a black hole defensively as a catcher? At least that was the scouting report, that he has to hit a ton to justify a job as a backstop. Doubt the Cubs would keep an offensive-minded back-up catcher... If anything, he might make good trade bait or Cubs are hoping that 40-man rosters are filled by end of spring training that he can get through waivers.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 2:29pm. awesome as always... probably haven't seen much of it yet, but isn't M. Ramirez pretty much a black hole defensively as a catcher? At least that was the scouting report, that he has to hit a ton to justify a job as a backstop. Doubt the Cubs would keep an offensive-minded back-up catcher... If anything, he might make good trade bait or Cubs are hoping that 40-man rosters are filled by end of spring training that he can get through waivers. ============================= ROB G: Max Ramirez has the reputation as being a sub-standard defensive catcher, but we'll have to wait until the Cactus League games to see if it's true. I could see M. Ramirez being kept around more as a 3rd catcher, back-up 1B, and RHPH (taking either Baker's or the Perez/Johnson slot on the 25-man roster) than as the #2 catcher. It would help Ramirez's chances if the Cubs had a true "25th man" IF-OF supersub on the roster who could do everything presently expected of Jeff Baker and Perez/Johnson. I doubt that M. Ramirez would clear waivers, but you never know.

AZ PHIL: As you have stated on several occasions that the Cubs pitchers like throwing to Hill. Also, the Cubs not only spent $800K+ in a new contract to him but Hendry touts how "valuable" K Hill is at every opportunity. Koyie Hill can't hit a lick, and at what point does an automatic out in the lineup matter? Since Max "Rammy" is new to the team, and Hill is already familiar with the pitchers, isn't he automatically at a tremendous disadvantage regardless of what he does with the bat? Does Max have any options left? Or - would he have to clear waivers? Thanks PHIL.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 2:38pm. AZ PHIL: As you have stated on several occasions that the Cubs pitchers like throwing to Hill. Also, the Cubs not only spent $800K+ in a new contract to him but Hendry touts how "valuable" K Hill is at every opportunity. Koyie Hill can't hit a lick, and at what point does an automatic out in the lineup matter? Since Max "Rammy" is new to the team, and Hill is already familiar with the pitchers, isn't he automatically at a tremendous disadvantage regardless of what he does with the bat? Does Max have any options left? Or - would he have to clear waivers? Thanks PHIL. =========================================== E-MAN: Max Ramirez is out of options, and I don't think he could clear waivers unless he has a really bad month at the plate and in the field in Cactus League play. As to why the Cubs pitchers like Koyie Hill so much despite his poor hitting skills, pitchers are kind of selfish and a bit superstitious and have almost tunnel-vision when it comes to their performance on the mound. If they believe a certain catcher helps them perform better, then they want that guy to be their catcher, even if the alternative would be to have a catcher in the lineup who can generate some offense and/or throw-out base-stealers. Geovany Soto is so good offensively that he is not going to be replaced by Koyie Hill no matter what the pitchers think, but the back-up catcher (especially the back-up catcher) is another story. A manager and a GM will listen to the pitchers when it comes to deciding which back-up catcher to keep. And the Cubs pitchers (at least the ones who matter) really like to throw to Koyie Hill. That's why I think Hill is a virtual lock to win the #2 job even if he is clearly outhit by M. Ramirez and even though Welington Castillo quite obviously has a much stronger arm.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 4:03pm. Thanks PHIL. If Baker were to get cut, which I would say is unlikely, would he get to hang onto all of that $1.175MM salary the Cubs signed him to? ====================================== E-MAN: It depends on whether he signed a guaranteed contract or not. If the Cubs had gone to an arbitration hearing with Baker, he definitely would have received a non-guaranteed contract. But since he signed prior to a hearing, it's possible he got a guaranteed contract in exchange for signing. If the contract is not guaranteed, the Cubs could release Baker prior to Opening Day and only have to pay him 30 days salary (about $200K) if he is released more than 15 days prior to Opening Day, or 45 days salary (about $300K) if he is released less than 15 days prior to Opening Day. But again that is only if he signed a non-guaranteed contract. If Baker has a guaranteed contract, then the Cubs would be on the hook for the entire $1.175M, minus the pro-rated portion of the MLB mininimum salary should he sign a major league contract with another MLB club after getting released, so the Cubs could save as much as $414K (and be on the hook for about $760K) if he signs with another MLB club by Opening Day. The Cubs could also try and outright him to the minors, and if he gets through waivers the Cubs would be paying him $1.175M to play at Iowa, but at least he would be available later in the season if needed. Because Baker has accrued at least three years of MLB service time he would (under CBA Article XX-D) have the right to refuse the Outright Assignment and become a free-agent immediately (BTW, this does not apply to Baker, but note that players who have accrued at least five years of MLB service time must give their permission before they can be optioned or outrighted to the minors), but if he did that his contract would be voided and he would receive no termination pay. Therefore if he were to get outrighted, he would probably accept the Outright Assignment (and collect his $1.175M) and defer his right to be an Article XX-D minor league FA until after the conclusion of the regular season. However, if the Cubs were to outright Baker to the minors and he accepts the Outright Assignment, he would NOT be eligible to be an Article XX-D minor league FA post-2011 if the Cubs add him back to their 40-man roster prior to the conclusion of the MLB regular season. If Baker were to be placed on Outright Waivers and get claimed, the claiming club only has to pay him the pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary, same as if he were released and then signed with another MLB club. (NOTE: If a player is claimed off Optional Waivers or Trade Waivers, the claiming club assumes 100% of the contract and salary). BTW, this would also be true for Jeff Samardzija if he waives his "no trade" rights and is placed on Outright Waivers. The Cubs would be on the hook for his entire 2011 salary (minus the pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary) if he were to get claimed, which is why The Shark is likely to remain with the Cubs for the entire 2011 season. Once the season is over the Cubs can opt out of the contract and then Samardzija becomes an "Auto-Renewal" player (he won't be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2012 season), although he can't be cut more than 20% ($560K) if he is tendered a 2012 contract. So even if Samardzija pitches OK for the Cubs in 2011, he still might get non-tendered if the Cubs don't want to pay him at least $2.24M in 2012.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 02/23/2011 - 9:58am. Thanks PHIL. So, I guess we can assume that unless there is a dramatic situation of another player, take Max Ramirez for example, playing "out of their skull", Baker will be on the club - as throwing money away is not Rickett's M.O. Since we know the likelihood of Baker getting a guaranteed contract, with Jim Hendry as the G.M. is almost a lock. ========================================== E-MAN: If Baker has a guaranteed contract, then the Cubs would obviously prefer to trade him rather than release him and eat at least $760K, and actually it is conceivable that there would be a club looking for a player like Baker at the end of Spring Training, and if so, that club would probably be willing to pay Baker $1.175M (which isn't all that much if he's actually on an MLB 25-man roster).

Sounds like the Cubs are lucky not to have traded for Zack Greinke, only because the Chicago media and fans would have overwhelmed him, based on how he avoids both as much as possible. Rea the Milwaukee interview with him, it's interesting. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/116683129.html A couple of excerpts on his anxiety problems: Greinke doesn't like talking to reporters, fans, or even teammates because 'it wastes time' he could be focusing on baseball. Fans can be 'annoying' for their constant desire for autographs and player's time. "“To talk to people, I have to spend energy talking to them,” he said. “If I expend my energy on talking to people and making friends, it takes away from the energy I could focus on getting ready to pitch. I try to avoid nonsense talk. “It wears me out to do stuff like our meetings every day. If I actually listen to the person talking, it’ll wear me out. So I kind of go into a little daze. Then I’m still refreshed from it.” ..."I don’t like to go to dinner (with teammates) too much because sometimes that wears me out.”" I'm not picking on the guy at all, I just think with his anxiety problems being in a smaller market like Milwaukee is better for him.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

He sounds like he has Aspberger's.
* Average or above-average intelligence * Difficulty with high-level language skills (reasoning, problem solving, being too literal) * Lack of empathy * Inability to see another person's point of view * Problems engaging in "small talk" * Lack of emotional control, particularly with anger, depression, and anxiety * Strict adherence to routines which can lead to anxiety when something unexpected happens * Extreme focus on a particular interest or hobby

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

You know what would be an interesting study? To see whether going to college, financially, is a good or bad idea for these kids. For Gray, assuming his shoulder doesn't explode, it probably got him an extra $2 million in signing bonus... but it may have cost him $10 million in a year lost from his MLB career. It's really intriguing to me, but I suspect that the player almost always makes the "right" decision, because they get to what they really want to do - go to college or start trying to live like a grown-up at the age of 18.

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

Signed through 2010... you are off the hook. And btw, we're signing up prior-year teams for the tcr keeper spinoff league right now. You have to pay dues before you get invited this year... yeah... but I sent out the instructions. If you didn't get them check your spam folder. If you did get them but are sick of trying to figure out how contracts work, just ignore it. :-p There will be at least three openings in our league, so if you are wanting to get into a keeper league, stay tuned, we'll announce that in a few weeks.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Pssst...........I like McNutt better than Archer, and I think I'm not the only one. Archer has tremendous upside if he can ever harness his control, but does that EVER happen for a pitcher at this stage of his development? If he needs to become a reliever as a result, his value his much less. That's why I think McNutt deserves the nod, I'm glad the Cubs chose him over Archer if the Rays gave them that choice. Vitters not ranked anymore, telling.......

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

So? All we have is the body of work, that he has pitched so far. He's also 21 years old. He pitched 142 innings, and gave up only 102 hits to go with his walks, a 1.173 WHIP Silva's K/BB ratio is stellar, but his career record is 70-70. His career WHIP is 1.373. So he doesn't walk a lot of guys, but he gives up a bunch of hits? Zambrano's K/BB ratio in the minors? 1.77 Dempster's? 2.44 Heck the kid misses bats. He doesn't give up a ton of hits, and he seems to be improving.

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

I am....because that's all we have to compare, for Archer. also...Dempster at 20-21, and Zambrano at 20-21...weren't much better than Archer is you look at their numbers. I'm saying, I'll take a pitcher...who might walk a few more guys, but who will not give up the long ball, and won't give up a bunch of hits. I'm also saying that it's not like Archer is 26 and doing this....he turns 22 this season. He also isn't striking out 110 walking 90.....then I'd be more worried.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Of course, Rob....let's also consider that he gives up fewer hits/9 innings too...and that he's only 21. Would you rather have a guy who walks fewer people, but gives up more hits? Archer also only gave up 6 HR in 142 innings last season, and 0 in 109 innings at Peoria the year before. And I'd take a regression like that in AA: 70 innings, 2HR allowed, 48 hits, 67K/39BB. ..which is a regression from his time at Daytona... 8-2 with a 1.80 ERA. His K/BB the last 2 seasons is 2.05. He's 22 this season. Again, I like Garza, I think the Cubs have prospects to deal with trading Archer....but with all the pitching talent the Rays have developed, do you think they're not seeing something in Archer?

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

you asked why people were worried about his control and then brought up all the reasons beyond his control on why he's good, that no one really brought up or is arguing about. I generally never look at H/9 myself, too many factors in there out of the pitchers control. Usually stick to BB, K and HR rates. No matter how many guys he K's or home runs he doesn't allow, if he's putting 5 guys per 9 innings on base, it'll get worse in the majors and he'll be pitching out of the stretch too much and throwing too many pitches to be an effective starter. He may continue to improve, he may not...life of a prospect. The concerns over his control though are very legit, whether they come to fruition is why we watch and why they play the games.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

when in doubt bring up a Hall of Famer... the theory is if you're giving up a lot of walks and then relying on strikeouts to get out of it, to still be effective enough to stay in the big leagues, you probably have to throw a lot of pitches. Then it will be up the organization on how patient they want to remain with 5-6 inning starter or if they think he should move to the pen. I'm certainly not the first to suggest that Archer may be headed to the pen at some point for that very reason, doesn't mean it will happen.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Dempster and Brown didn't walk as many as Archer in the minors though. The list of pitchers that walked over 5 guys per 9 in the minors with any significant innings and were successful starters is gonna be a very short list. But there are always some exceptions.... I found 3 starters that qualified last year with a walk rate over 4 per 9 in the manjors. None over 5. Sanchez, G. Gonzalez, CJ wilson all had significantly lower walk rates in the minors though. Maybe the Rays will be super patient with him in the rotation if he continues to walk guys at a 4 to 5 per 9 rate, but it sure wouldn't be the norm. And back to the original point, the concerns over his control, him being a good starter in the bigs are all very legit as you can see that guys that walk as many as Archers has so far and are successful starters is the exception, not the norm.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Yes, I agree, if you act likewalk rate is the only thing to go on, ignoring the fact that walks aren't as bothersome for groundball pitchers, that the pitcher's cotnrol is improving every year, that he doesn't allow HR's, strikes out more than a batter an inning, and if you just look at one thing you're right. In the real world with the rest of us, he projects as a #2 starter. Garza gave up HR's at a six times the rate that Archer has, therefore he will unlikely reach the majors. If you look at the track record of guys who give up 1 HR per 9 inning in the minors, it's not very good.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Garza's not my boy, I am just trying to correct you when you spout bullshit, because people may think you know what you're talkinga bout. Compare apples to apples. Let's talk abou their 21 seasons. Just because you can't follow an discussion for 3 posts doesn't mean that I am making things up. Technically, his HR rate was 4.429 times that of Archer's = you win the internet. Garza was not even in the top 100 BA prospect list until after he reached the majors, talking about making things up. Try not to be both a hypocrite and ignorant simultaneously. I am not going to explain the K rate for hitters things to you a fourth time, let's just file that into the ever expanding "things that are too complicated for Rob G to understand" folder.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Garza's not my boy I said Archer, try to follow a discussion from one comment up. I am just trying to correct you when you spout bullshit, you didn't correct anything, you're the one that made up shit. because people may think you know what you're talkinga bout. they may, they may not, I trust they can make up their own mind based on the merits of my arguments and evidence I use to support it. I'd venture an educated guess that most folks around here take more from my posts and comments than yours though. Compare apples to apples. Let's talk abou their 21 seasons. 21 seasons? Just because you can't follow an discussion for 3 posts doesn't mean that I am making things up. you did make something up, Garza's HR/9 is 0.6 in the minors, you said If you look at the track record of guys who give up 1 HR per 9 inning in the minors, it's not very good. Garza was not even in the top 100 BA prospect list until after he reached the majors, talking about making things up. I didn't mention Garza in this post until replying to your comment. And I was never doing a compare and contrast of Garza vs. Archer. I am not going to explain the K rate for hitters things to you a fourth time, let's just file that into the ever expanding "things that are too complicated for Rob G to understand" folder. right next to why I still let Real Neal on this site despite everyone hating him.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Their age 21 seasons. Why are you bringing up Garza's age 22 season in comparison to Archer who hasn't had one yet? Oh, because you don't know what you're doing. Up until Garza's age 22 season, when he was not a TOP 100 PROSPECT (so at least ranked 63 spots below Archer at the SAME AGE), he didn't have a .6 HR/9 inning rate. The funniest thing is that the minor league season that is shown to be a fluke was Garza's age 22 season, when he had an unsustainable HR/Flyball ratio and instead of looking at in in retrospect and seeing what it is, you still think Garza "was also a projected ace." He was projected to be an ace because people didn't understand that season was a fluke. You want to say that Archer's season 2010 season was a fluke control wise, but it just showed progression from his previous two years with allowing fewer walks (and HBP and WP). Seriously man, you are way off base in everything regarding this topic. The personal attacks may make you feel good, but Tyler Colvin can still hit big league pitching and Chris Archer has shown to this point that he is a better prospect than the guy he was traded for in similar stages of their careers, regardless of your Voodoo logic regarding their walk rates.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Why are you bringing up Garza's age 22 season in comparison to Archer who hasn't had one yet? because I didn't... speaking of hypocrites, believe you were of the belief that age doesn't matter so much with pitching prospects? Oh, because you don't know what you're doing. if TRN says so, it must be true. The personal attacks may make you feel good I'm not sure where I personally attacked you other than pointing out some things about how you're perceived around here by others who comment and email me. Sorry if the truth hurts. But no, it doesn't make me feel good. Very rarely I do get frustrated with someone's stubborness and inability to read and comprehend because they're too wrapped up in being right then listening(usually you) and say some stuff I probably shouldn't. Do they make you feel good whenever you do them? Seriously man, you are way off base in everything regarding this topic Glad you think so, but despite what you've convinced yourself, I and I believe others, have not appointed you the decider on what is right or wrong. Archer has shown to this point that he is a better prospect than the guy he was traded for in similar stages of their careers if you say so, Archer did have his breakout season a year younger than Garza. I'll happily put $20 though on Garza having a better career than Archer even with the caveat that the bet is off if Archer's arm blows up. As I believe Stevens so graciously put it, the last word can be yours as I'm done with this one.

Who was involved in that fisting celebration a few years back in the Cubs dugout? Was that Aramis doing the fisting? I couldn't find it on YouTube or other internets. I would like to watch that again.

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).