Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

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

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

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

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

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

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

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

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Davis Debut Spoiled by Cutspec

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Brice Cutspec (2010 NDFA - Azusa Pacific) clouted a three-run HR in the top of the 1st to spoil the Cub debut of newly-signed veteran LHP Doug Davis, as one squad of EXST Giants thumped one squad of EXST Cubs 9-6 on Field #2, while Jesus Morelli ripped a two-run double down the LF line in the bottom of the 6th to get the Cubs within one run and then scored the tying run on a Yaniel Cabezas RBI single, as the other squad of EXST Cubs and the other squad of EXST Giants played to a 4-4 tie on Field #3, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park in Mesa this afternoon

Both games were seven-inning affairs, and the games were played simultaneously on adjacent fields.

The 35-year old Davis (1-4 with a 7.51 ERA and 1.98 WHIP with MIL in 2010) underwent surgery last October to repair an injured elbow flexor tendon and to transposition his ulnar nerve after suffering through much of the 2010 season with elbow tendinitis. The Cubs signed him to a minor league contract yesterday, and wasted no time in getting him to Fitch Park and into a game.  

Davis got off to a rocky start in the top of the 1st inning, allowing a triple and a walk before the Cutspec HR. He settled down nicely in the top of the 2nd, however, mixing a slow curve with an 84 MPH fastball (cutter) to strike out the side on just 12 pitches. No question Davis is the prototypical "soft-tossing lefty."

Iowa Cubs OF Brad Snyder (strained oblique) continued his injury rehab, playing RF for and getting four AB with the EXST Cubs squad on Field #3. Snyder flied out three straight times to the warning track in dead CF, and then drew a walk in his last PA.

Three pitchers who just arrived at Fitch Park from the Cubs Dominican Academy saw game action today. 20-year old Dominican RHP Starling Peralta (who had an impressive AZ Instructs last Fall when he made his U. S. debut) worked an easy 1-2-3 inning, but 19-year old Venezuelan RHP Ramon Garcia and 18-year old Venezuelan LHP Luis Villalba (both of whom were making their U. S. debuts) did not fare as well, with Villalba hearing the dreaded "Roll It!" when he was unable to get a third out in the top of the 4th after throwing 24 pitches (only 13 strikes). 

In addition to the Cutspec clout off Davis, EXST Giants slugger Leonardo Fuentes slammed a solo HR in the top of the 6th, and EXST Cubs DH Max Kwan mashed a two-run opposite-field HR over the RF fence with two outs in the bottom of the 7th. 

Here are today’s abridged box scores (Cubs players only):

FIELD #2

SQUAD “A” LINEUP:
1. Vismeldy Bieneme, 2B: 0-3 (6-3, F-8, BB, 6-3, R)
2. Marco Hernandez, SS: 2-3 (K, 1B, 3B, R, RBI)
3. Wilson Contreras, 1B: 1-3 (4-3, K, 2B, RBI)
4. Dong-Yub Kim, DH #1: 1-3 (1B, L-8, F-7)
5. Hector Suarez, C: 0-1 (K, BB, BB)
6. Blair Springfield, LF: 0-3 (K, 5-4 FC, K)
7. Eduardo Gonzalez, RF: 0-3 (P-6, 4-6 FC, K, R)
8. Oliver Zapata, CF: 1-2 (1B, BB, K, R)
9. Gregori Gonzalez, 3B: 0-1 (5-4 FC, HBP, HBP, R, CS)
10. Max Kwan, DH #2: 1-2 (K-DP, BB, HR, R, 2 RBI)

SQUAD “A” PITCHERS:
1. Doug Davis: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 36 pitches (23 strikes), 1/0 GO/FO
2. Starling Peralta: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 18 pitches (11 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
3. Luis Villalba: 0.2 IP, 2 H 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 24 pitches (13 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
4. Joe Zeller: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 34 pitches (24 strikes), 4/3 GO/FO

SQUAD “A” ERRORS: 1
C Hector Suarez E2 – overthrow on SB attempt at 2nd base allowed runner to advance an extra base and eventually score unearned run on WP

SQUAD “A” CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Hector Suarez: 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)

FIELD #3

NOTE: Brad Snyder played RF and was the third batter in the bottom of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th innings

SQUAD “B” LINEUP:
X. Brad Snyder, RF: 0-3 (F-8, F-8, F-8, BB)
1. Pin-Chieh Chen, 2B: 0-3 (F-8, K, 4-3)
2. Johan DeJesus, DH: 1-3 (6-3, K, 1B)
3. Jesus Morelli, LF: 2-3 (F-9, 1B, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
4. Yaniel Cabezas, C: 1-3 (F-7, 6-3, 1B, RBI, PO)
5. Xavier Batista, 1B: 0-3 (K, K, 5-3)
6. Wes Darvill, SS: 0-2 (BB, K, P-6, R)
7. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 1-3 (K, K, 2B)
8. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 2-3 (1B, 1B, 4-6-3 DP, R, RBI, SB)

SQUAD “B” PITCHERS:
1. Ramon Garcia: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 20 pitches (10 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
2. Jin-Young Kim: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 56 pitches (36 strikes), 7/0 GO/FO
3. Jose Rosario: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 39 pitches (19 strikes)

SQUAD “B” ERRORS: 2
1. 3B Dustin Geiger E5 – fielding error allowed batter reach base safely
2. P Jin-Young Kim E1 – errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 3rd base.

ATTENDANCE: 8

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 70’s

=====================================================

2011 CUBS EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER:

MANAGER:
Mark Johnson

COACHES:
Juan Cabreja
Frank Castillo
Jason Dubois
Gian Guzman
David Rosario
Min-Kyu Sung
Rick Tronerud
Desi Wilson

ACTIVE LIST (54):

* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS (30):
* Hunter Ackerman
* Kyler Burke (ex-OF)
* Doug Davis (ACTIVE REHAB)
Dustin Fitzgerald
Ramon Garcia
Angel Guzman (ACTIVE REHAB)
Ty’Relle Harris (ACTIVE REHAB)
* Casey Harman
Ryan Hartman
Jay Jackson (ACTIVE REHAB)
Alvido Jimenez
Su-Min Jung
Jin-Yeong Kim
Luis Liria
Matt Loosen
Hector Mayora
Tarlandus Mitchell
Jon Nagel
Starling Peralta
Austin Reed
Colin Richardson
Jose Rosario
Alvaro Sosa (ex-C)
Larry Suarez
Charles Thomas (ex-3B)
* Luis Villalba
Tzu-An Wang
Yao-Lin Wang
Ben Wells
Joe Zeller

CATCHERS (6):
Yaniel Cabezas
Johan DeJesus
# Brian Inoa
Max Kwan
Carlos Romero
# Hector Suarez

INFIELDERS (9):
Gioskar Amaya
# Vismeldy Bieneme
Wilson Contreras
* Pin-Chieh Chen
* Wes Darvill
Dustin Geiger
Gregori Gonzalez
Dustin Harrington
# Marco Hernandez

OUTFIELDERS (9):
Xavier Batista
Reggie Golden
* Eduardo Gonzalez
Dong-Yub Kim
Jesus Morelli
* Kyung-Min Na
* Brad Snyder (ACTIVE REHAB)
Blair Springfield
# Oliver Zapata

Tags
Extended Spring Training
Brad Snyder
EXST Cubs
Jesus Morelli
Doug Davis

Comments

Submitted by tim815 on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:00 am

You have mentioned Hartman (or is it Harman) and Loosen as the first arms to Peoria from Extended Spring Training. I would guess Kwan or Cabezas as the first catchers. Chen would be my guess as the first infielder. Springfield or Morelli would be my guesses as the first outfielder. Sadly, I see two Peoria outfielders that may get a quick bump (Szczur and Silva), but I don't see anybody that appear ready to inherit their at bats. Correct me where I'm wrong. Thanks as always.

[ ]

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:29 am

Aren't the Cubs being pretty cautious with Szczur early on? Something about a lingering ankle injury? I'm not sure he'll get promoted very quickly if the ankle still isn't 100%. Not real happy to see Kim give up 7 hits and 3 ERs in only 3 IP. But on the other hand, the 7:0 GB/FB ratio is outstanding and the 2:0 K/BB ratio is nice.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:17 pm

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 10:29am. Aren't the Cubs being pretty cautious with Szczur early on? Something about a lingering ankle injury? I'm not sure he'll get promoted very quickly if the ankle still isn't 100%. Not real happy to see Kim give up 7 hits and 3 ERs in only 3 IP. But on the other hand, the 7:0 GB/FB ratio is outstanding and the 2:0 K/BB ratio is nice. =================================================== HRUBE: Matt Szczur suffered a leg injury (I think it was his ankle) in a game the last week at Minor League Camp, and it was 50-50 iffy whether he would even be able to start the season with Peoria. I doubt that he is 100%, but he has a football player's mentality of trying to play-through an injury, and so I suspect that's why he is in & out of the lineup so much. Jin-Young Kim gave up seven hits (two doubles and five singles) in his three innings, but three of the hits he allowed were back-to-back-to-back ground ball singles in the 5.5 hole between the diving Dustin Geiger and Wes Darvill. JY Kim has an outstanding sinker that he throws 88-89 MPH (tops), but he can throw it (and his curve ball and change-up, too) fairly consistently for strikes. He has tremendous poise for an 18-year old kid (he turns 19 on Saturday), and he also has the stamina to handle the workoad of a starting pitcher. I wouldn't say he is a top pitching prospect at this point, but he has some promise and could get better as he matures.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:58 am

Submitted by tim815 on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 7:00am. You have mentioned Hartman (or is it Harman) and Loosen as the first arms to Peoria from Extended Spring Training. I would guess Kwan or Cabezas as the first catchers. Chen would be my guess as the first infielder. Springfield or Morelli would be my guesses as the first outfielder. Sadly, I see two Peoria outfielders that may get a quick bump (Szczur and Silva), but I don't see anybody that appear ready to inherit their at bats. Correct me where I'm wrong. Thanks as always. ============================================ TIM: As of right now I would say RHP Matt Loosen, LHP Casey Harman, and RHP Luis Liria would be the pitchers most-likely to get moved-up to Peoria if and when there is an opening there. Both Loosen and Liria can either start or relieve (or "piggyback"), while Harman has been primed strictly as a lefty reliever going back to AZ Instructs last fall (when he made his pro debut). Kyung-Min Na and Jesus Morelli are probably the only two OF now at EXST who might get moved up to Peoria. Na is the most improved player at Fitch Park (he's another Tony Campana), and he actually was with the Peoria squad right up until the last day of Minor League Camp, until he got bumped so that Smaily Borges could mentor fellow Cuban defectors Silva and Serrano. Morelli was with the Daytona squad for most of Minor League Camp, but he was bumped by Ha, Crawford, Burgess and N. Perez at Daytona and then by Silva, Szczur, Borges, and Fitzgerald at Peoria, and was ultimately left at EXST as a potential injury replacement for Peoria or Daytona. Morelli is a good hitter and can play all three OF positions, but if he doesn't develop some HR power he probably has little future in pro ball, because he doesn't have much plate discipline, and he isn't particularly fast either. However, OF Jose Valdez is on the Peoria DL (don't know why, though) and is at Fitch Park on INACTIVE REHAB. Once he is healthy he would probably move ahead of both Na and Morelli on the depth chart if there is an opening at Peoria or Daytona. Blair Springfield has been a bust so far and will be lucky to make it to Boise. The Cubs may try moving him back to the infield (he was a SS-CF in HS) before they give up on him, with 2B the most-likely position. Also, 2010 #2 draft pick Reggie Golden is fat and out of shape, and it is a foregone conclusion that he will probably play with a short season team this summer, the only question being whether it will be AZL Cubs (Mesa) or Boise. He really needs to lose some weight. As far as the infielders are concerned, both Pin-Chieh Chen and Wes Darvill spent most of Minor League Camp with the Peoria squad, and so either could get moved up to Peoria if needed. Darvill can play SS-2B and Chen can play 2B-LF-CF. Switch-hitting Vismeldy Bieneme is a versatile player (2B-3B-SS-LF-CF) with plus speed, and guys like that will sometimes get a promotion just because of their versatility. Because he is an older player with college experience (at East Carolina), Dustin Harrington was with the Daytona squad for a while at the beginning of Minor League Camp as the D-Cubs primary utility infielder (2B-3B-SS), before getting moved quickly downward, first to Peoria, and then to Boise/Mesa. Harrington is the type of "A"-ball "roster filler" who could be an injury replacement at either Peoria or Daytona if needed. Brandon May is out with an undisclosed illness, but if and when he returns to action (and gets into playing shape) he would be a very good candidate to eventually become the everyday 3B at Peoria. He was also on the DL two or three times last year. He needs to stay healthy. Max Kwan was signed as a NDFA college senior (U. of Washington) after the 2010 June draft and (like Dustin Harrington) could be an injury replacement at either Peoria or Daytona should the need arise, although I doubt that he will be around this time next year. Kwan was not at all impressive offensively or defensively at AZ Instructs post-2010 (when he made his pro debut), but he has played much better this year. Kwan benefitted from injuries to Jose Guevara and Carlos Romero during Minor League Camp. (Both Guevara and Romero are still out of action, but while Guevara is still on crutches, Romero is healthy enough to be the bullpen catcher at EXST games). It was a battle between Yaniel Cabezas and Sergio Burruel for the #2 catcher job at Peoria for most of Minor League Camp, and I thought that the Cubs might assign Cabezas there with the other Cuban players, but at the end they decided to leave Burruel with Peoria and keep Cabezas at EXST (at least for a while).

[ ]

Submitted by navigator on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:39 pm

Here's Goldstein on Sports Central winter of 2009,
Castro was recently named the top prospect of the Cubs' system by Jim Callis at Baseball America, but Goldstein said Josh Vitters is still the best prospect in the Cubs' organization. Goldstein is not sure why Starlin Castro is being "blown up" the way he is this winter. Goldstein explained Castro is a very good prospect but is not the elite-level prospect that many are making him out to be. Goldstein said Castro's range is below average; he is slow on the bases and has no power.
hat tip to ChicagoCubsOnline Castro 562 major league AB's .309 .353 .418 .771 Castro minor league totals .310 .362 .421 .783 Vitters minor league totals .276 .319 .438 .756

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:20 pm

2010 OPS by NL RF and most games played or top 2 GP Werth .902 Morse .870 or Bernadina .691 Heyward .845 Stanton .837 or C. Ross .727 Francouer .672 Hart .867 Bruce .853 Colvin .816 (fukudome was .809) Pence .785 Ludwick .744 Jones .720 or Milledge .712 Ethier .863 Upton .790 Hawpe .756 or Spillborghs .797 Venable .711 or Ludwick (see above) Schierholtz .676 still puts him 8th, not going to bother adding LF cause it'll be about the same result. Colvin is also 25 and playing at the league minimum. *note* some of those OPS numbers are what they got playing RF, some were they're overall numbers. I was jumping between ESPN and BR and didn't feel like being perfect about it.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:04 pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/04/minor-league-tran… don't think any of that is new... Signed: LHP Doug Davis, LHP Polin Trinidad (re-signed) Released: OF Brandon Watson Placed on restricted list: OF Melvin Camarena Recalled: RHP Casey Coleman, RHP Jeff Stevens Option transferred: C Welington Castillo (Triple-A to Double-A) Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Manolin de Leon, RHP Angel Guzman, RHP Gian Carlos Guzman, RHP Ty'Relle Harris, RHP Randy Jackson, RHP Dylan Johnston, RHP Su-Min Jung, RHP Oswaldo Martinez, RHP Trey McNutt, RHP Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP Todd Wellemeyer, 1B John Urick, 2B Carlos Figueroa, 2B Augie Ojeda, OF Brad Snyder

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:35 pm

Iowa: already won 10-6 over Albuquerque, F. Perez with 3 runs scored, a SB and 3 BB's. M. Ramirez goes 1/3 with 2 BB. C. Carpenter w/ 2 shutout innings. Smokies: Jackson CF, Flaherty 2B, Ridling 1B, Spencer RF, Vitters 3B, Clevenger C, Adduci LF, Lalli DH, Gonzalez SS Chris Archer vs. Rafel Dolis Daytona: Crawford LF, Watkins 2B, Ha CF, Bour 1B, Castillo DH, Burgess RF, Lake SS, Cerda 3B, Noble C, RHP Kurcz Peoria: Szczur 8, LePage 4, Rohan 3, Jones DH, Borges 9, Fitzgerald 7, Giansanti 5, Burruel 2, Soto 6, Beeler 1 followed by Lopez

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:35 pm

Dolis with a 1-2-3 top of 1st... Archer: Jackson FO-8, Flaherty 2B, Ridling K, Spencer 2B, Vitters FO-8 1-0 Smokies

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:19 pm

4th: Dolis gives up a 2-out single, a wild pitch but gets out of it with a K 55 pitches, 36 strikes, 19 balls Archer: Vitters BB, Clevenger sac bunt, Wild pitch, Adduci RBI GO 6-3, Lalli GO-3 60 pitches, 37 strikes, 23 balls 2-0 Smokies

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:43 pm

5th: Dolis gives up a 1-out triple, scores on a groundout Archer: Gonzalez GO-3, Jackson INF 1B, Bunch of pickoff attempts at 1B, but Jackson still steals 2B, but then thrown out trying to steal 3B and Jackson gets ejected, Flaherty BB and steals 2B, Ridling BB and a wild pitch and Archer is done in favor of Neil Schenk Spencer K's but a wild pitch scores Flaherty Archer 76 P, 42 S, 34 B - 6 GO/3 FB 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K 3-1 Smokies

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 04:23 am

Rotoworld stuff... Q-Ball would "love" for Castro/Barney to be the 1-2 combo. Fukudome probably not ready for Friday. Pena still bothered by thumb injury.

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 04:26 am

Wasn't he talking about moving Castro in the lineup just a few days ago? I mean if he is this fickle, it sounds like he will run the team like I run my fantasy baseball team- poorly. Either way, you don't mess with the 1-2 guys when they're hitting like this. You just ride it out. If you have to reassess in a month, so be it, but let's not change our minds from series to series.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 04:04 pm

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=13595 Cubs Rafael Dolis, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K. No. 15 prospect in the system had mid-90s velocity but needs to deepen the arsenal to avoid a relief profile. Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB. Hitting .360 in three games with three walks; it took him 30 games to draw his third Double-A walk in 2010. and for crunch Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 1-for-2, HR (5), R, RBI, BB, K. Maybe that crazy season in the Cal League was for real after all. At least maybe, don't want to make too many conclusions on his impressive .381/.536/1.143 line in seven games.

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 04:18 pm

Bobby Scales 4th in OPS in the PCL, LaHair 11th, Montanez 16th and Scott Mooore a little behind that Tennessee has 5 of the top 7 in OPS in Southern League (Goldschmidt is 1st) Jackson, Clevenger, Ridling, Vitters, Spencer all over 1.000 with LeMahieu at 929 Cerda and Burgess over 1.000 in FSL and rank #10 and #12. Pierre LePage and Rubi Silva over 1.000 in Midwest League (#2 and #10)

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    cubs getting crazy good at not having player moves leak.

    taillon we 100% know is pitching tonight.  who he's replacing and any additional moves are unknown as far as i can tell.

    p.wisdom was not in today's lineup in iowa (rained out) and he was removed from the game last night mid-game, but not for injury.  good bet he's with the team in the bigs, too.

  • Bill (view)

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

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

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

     

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

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

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

  • Childersb3 (view)

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

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

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

  • Arizona Phil (view)

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

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

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

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

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

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

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

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

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

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

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

Click HERE for the last 50 comments