Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

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Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7

Carlos Zambrano threw three shutout innings, Blake DeWitt doubled, singled, drove-in a run, and scored another, and Augie Ojeda smacked a bases-loaded two-run double, but a split squad of Texas Rangers rallied from a 5-1 deficit to edge the Cubs 8-7 in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in Mesa this afternoon.

box score

Although he did not allow a run, Zambrano did allow five baserunners (two singles, two walks, and a HBP) and struggled with his control (41 pitches - only 20 strikes), consistently missing up. But he made pitches and threw strikes when he needed them most, and was able to survive unscathed.

Braden Looper followed "Z" to the mound and worked two innings (24 pitches - 14 strikes). He was hit hard in his first inning, but threw more effectively in his second inning when he retired the Rangers 1-2-3. 

Meanwhile, the Cubs were assuming a 5-1 lead.

Blake DeWitt doubled into the LF corner to lead off the bottom of the 1st, and then with two outs, Aramis Ramirez single to left to score DeWitt from 3rd base with the first run of the day.

The Cubs then scored four more runs in the bottom of the 4th.

Carlos Pena walked and Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto singled to load the bases, before Augie Ojeda smacked a double past the 1st baseman and down the RF line and into the corner, scoring Pena and Soriano. Braden Looper then lined a sacrifice fly to score Soto from 3rd (as the ball almost sailed over the head of RF Doug Deeds), and DeWitt followed the Looper SF with an RBI single to score Ojeda, as the Cubs took a 5-1 lead. 

But RHP Rafael Dolis had a bad day, as the 23-year old fireballer was only able to retire one batter in the top of the 6th before being relieved. It wasn't so much that he was hit hard, it's just that he threw a boatload of pitches to get just one out (32 pitches - 20 strikes). Dolis allowed two hits (including a Mitch Moreland monster three-run jack that landed just in front of the Party Pavillion located well beyond the RF fence) and two walks, but he was also hurt by an error (dropped catch) by 1st baseman Scott Moore on what should have been an easy 6-3 put-out to open the inning, and then the next batter (Omar Quintanilla) had a 13-pitch AB that featured two sprawling unsuccessful attempts at spectacular catches by LF Matt Camp in foul territory down the LF line. Esmailin Caridad eventually relieved Dolis and got the final two out of the inning easily, but not before the Rangers had tied it up at 5-5.

Texas took the lead off Thomas Diamond in the top of the 8th, as PH David Paisano tripled off the right-centerfield fence, driving in two runs before being thrown out at the plate trying to stretch the triple into an inside-the-park HR. Like Zambrano earlier in the game, Diamond struggled with his control, throwing 20 pitches (but only ten for strikes) in his one inning of work. 

The Cubs did score two runs with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, as Marquez Smith doubled down the LF line, and Scott Moore and Matt Camp followed with RBI line-drive singles. So the Cubs had the potential tying run on base and the potential winning run at the plate, but the batter was Koyie Hill, and he popped-out weakly against LHRP Ben Snyder (Brad's younger brother) to CF to end the game.

The Cubs defense was marginally better today. Besides the Scott Moore dropped throw that led to two unearned runs, the Cubs also were unable to turn double plays twice in the first three innings that might have helped Zambrano to get through his three innings with a bit less stress. 

Michael Young got the start at 2B for the Rangers today (perhaps as a showcase for a possible trade with the Cubs?), and he had a line-drive single and a walk in his two Plate Appearances. Interestingly, Rafael Dolis was rumored to be on the Rangers radar during the off-season in a deal that would have sent Dolis and C Robinson Chirinos to Texas for RHRP Darren O'Day and 1B Chris Davis, as a precursor to the Rangers acquiring Matt Garza from Tampa Bay (with Chirinos one of the players who would have gone to TB). 

Comments

Unless the Rangers intend to take some salary back (fukudome + Silva), I don't see the Cubs mucking up their books with Young for the next 3 years.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

wish they would have been committed to Kelly Johnson in 2011, but no, must not trade James Russell!!! --- If Bruce Levine had posted the above he would have worded it eggs-ackley the same except for him inserting The OC. (where OC goes, so go the playoffs...so this year will really be the test given he's with the Tribe)

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I could see Marlon Byrd and Carlos Silva ($11.5M in combined salaries in 2011 and $8.5M in combined salaries in 2012 if you include Silva's $2M 2012 buy-out) going to TEX for Young, with the Rangers paying the $9M in post-2013 deferred salaries ($3M deferred each year 2011-13). The end result would be that the Cubs would add $20M in payroll over the next three years above what they have to pay now ($2.5M more in 2011 and $4.5M more in 2012, and then $13M more in 2013 when Dempster and Zambrano come off the books).

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Submitted by MikeC on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 5:54am. One problem wellllll actually 2.....1) Texas doesn't need another OFer. 2) Their rotation already has way better options than Silva. ===================================== MIKE: It isn't that the Rangers would want or need Carlos Silva, it's that they would have to take his contract ($6M in 2011 and $2M buy-out in 2012) back as part of the deal. Then they can release him if they don't want or need him. As for Marlon Byrd, the Rangers don't "need" another outfielder, but they don't need Michael Young either and would like to get out from under at least part of their future salary obligations to him. Young wants out if he isn't an everyday player. Byrd would have some use to the Rangers as a 4th OF who can play CF and occasional RH DH. He might even become the starting CF. Byrd had prior success in Texas and apparently liked playing there, he just didn't get the contract offer he wanted when he was a FA post-2009. Byrd gets $12M over the next two years, and that would help make it possible for the Cubs to afford to add Young's salary. And if the Cubs were to make the deal, it would open up a starting OF spot for Tyler Colvin immediately and then for Brett Jackson whenever he's ready. Blake DeWitt would be a back-up 2B-3B-LHPH, and Jeff Baker would not be needed at all, allowing the Cubs to keep Max Ramirez as a 3rd catcher, RH back-up 1B, and RHPH. And Andrew Cashner could be the 5th starter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6181557 "That was a very hard inning," Silva said Friday, addressing the incident for the first time after refusing previous requests. "I gave up those two homers, I came to the dugout and tried to take it easy. I tried to relax and let it go. The only thing I said was, 'We need to start making plays here.' "He took it personally. I knew it was my mistake. It was my fault. You shouldn't say anything. But he took it personally. We argued in the dugout." He seems to have backed off believing that he's already earned a rotation spot as well.

So, today we have Castro throwing to Colvin at first. Things could get real ugly. Soto bats cleanup...where he belongs in the regular season. RF Fukudome SS Castro 1B Colvin C Soto 3B Moore 2B Baker LF Johnson CF Jackson P Garza

Colvin solo HR in 1st, not bad for his first 1B start. Also got two putouts (on the first two batters) in the bottom of the inning.

gameday has garza throwing 94mph. this early? i doubt it... gameday has been too flaky to trust so far, dunno if i buy that.

twitter sez Garza knocked by Francouer line drive Gordo says rib/kidney Sully says back of shoulder Muskrat says somewhere in the back He stayed in to finish the inning

KC has made about 1000 pickoff attempts at 1st pretty much any time anyone's on 1st...fun stuff.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I think it's too soon to call it a closed case on Weiters, but it's sort of funny how people here were saying the Cubs blew it by not taking him in the draft a month ago.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_ge… nice hacky column by Wojo
Zambrano didn't have "little" anger issues, as Soto said, but very public ones. And does anybody really think Zambrano's outbursts, usually directed at showing up his teammates, were limited to what Cubs fans saw on the field?
Does he bother to be a journalist and get some answers to the question he posed? Nope. Just dangeles it like he went to the school of Jay Mariotti writing. also video preview from ESPN that couldn't get the lineup right. Eduardo Perez, or whatever producers told him to say, doesn't seem to like the Cubs.

olney on twitter sez Angels looking for a left-handed bat. I'm sure they could use another outfielder.

So, can we safely say that John Gaub will be only a memory in the trade for DeRo after March 19?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:55pm. So, can we safely say that John Gaub will be only a memory in the trade for DeRo after March 19? =================================== E-MAN: I suspect it's headed that way. I was kind of surprised Gaub wasn't outrighted during the off season, but I guess the Cubs were hoping he could get straightened out in Spring Training. Gaub spent the last half of last season at Fitch Park trying to hit the broad side of the clubhouse, and it wasn't pretty. He got into one AZL Cubs game in July or August and then that was it. He did not return to Iowa, and he didn't play winter ball, either. We really need to find a cure for Steve Blass Disease. Perhaps a telethon?

... trying to hit the broad side of the clubhouse, and it wasn't pretty. HAHA! You have a helluva sense of humor, PHIL! I had asked you on several occasions over the last year what was up with Gaub, as on the occasions I had seen him pitch as he was pretty dreadful. I guess at one time he showed promise? If its a telethon, we gotta get Jerry Lewis in on it. Since Stevens, in my estimation, will not amount to much either, the three-for-one deal of Gaub/Stevens/Archer for De Rosa, was really just DeRo for Archer. And now as we know Garza takes his place in what is currently a one-year deal, right? I wonder, if you were to calculate the amount of wasted time spent by staff trying to train these two untalented pitchers since December 2008, that the deal came out worse than a wash for the Cubs?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

so much depends on what both garza and archer do at this point...and to a lesser extent hj.lee (imo, since his hitting is theriot-esque...still young, though). so far all garza has done is save the cubs 4-6m on a pitcher of similar caliber...which given the 2011 payroll constraints is something. it could be big win or big bleh... -edit- before this starts a pro-archer shitstorm...or a negative-garza shitstorm...or a useless pro-chinirrioiroiroros shitstorm... long story short, this is something probably best assessed in Oct/Nov as of now.

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In reply to by crunch

Funny thing that you didn't even pick out the mentioning of Gaub as a "untalented" pitcher. I guess Dale Murphy was an untalented catcher. One scout called Gaub the best left handed reliever in the minors prior to 2010. Catching Steve Blass disease doesn't have anything to do with talent - in fact it's probably evidence of talent.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

You have to keep in mind though that DeRo was simply a FA signing in the first place, he cost the Cubs nothing to acquire him other than some money. So regardless of what happens with Archer, you can almost think of the trade as HJ Lee, Chirinos and Guyer for getting 3 years of Garza's services at a below-market rate relative to similar quality pitchers. Are those three prospects worth approximately $3-$5MM in major league payroll savings? It all depends on whether Lee pans out or not.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"The glass shattered on my head and I started to bleed..." Monique is requesting that she be given legal and physical custody of the boys, and that Milton be given visitation. She is seeking child support and cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
So he's not feeling like $30 million bucks anymore? Hopefully, she and the kids are.

matt garza on taking a comebacker and the bruising... “I’ve got a lot of tattoos over there,” Garza said. “It’s nothing really. It hit the lower lat under my rib. After I took a deep breath, it didn’t hurt.”

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

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

  • Arizona Phil (view)

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