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 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Just a Few Things to Say

- I like Lou. I think he does far more good than harm as baseball managers go. Yeah, he'll make some questionable decisions as all managers do, but he's been more right than wrong in his 2 years with the Cubs. Of course, no one ever notices the right decisions, they're just taken for granted as the way it's suppose to happen.

That all being said, STOP USING BOB "HOME RUN" HOWRY. Just knock it the fuck off. You're not turning him around, you're not gonna get him going before the playoffs. He's a lost cause and needs to be banished Scott Eyre style.

Lou says he's trying to figure out the middle innings and seems to not trust the youngsters. But how the hell do you trust a guy with a 5.43 ERA?

- On that note, Cubs are already in talks with Lou for a contract extension.  He's got one more guaranteed year and a team option for 2010, although it sounds like they'll wait for the playoffs to end to continue discussions. 

And if you're hoping for Jim Hendry to get axed with new ownership, well it's still possible, but highly unlikely. He's got an option for 2009 he can exercise and is guaranteed that year if the team is sold. And considering he's a major player in assembling the best Cubs team most of us have ever seen, I doubt new ownership will even consider firing him, especially considering how much debt the new ownership will already be taking on.

- Kind of a weird vibe from the crowd at last night's game, wasn't there? For a pretty big series, they seemed pretty quiet. They did seem to muster the energy to boo Fukudome and Howry though, which is borderline absurd. Despite my earlier rant and risking a lively discussion on the merits of booing, I'm not sure getting on Howry and Fukudome at this point of the season is really appropriate, especially when the Cubs are so close to clinching. This isn't Philly.

- Assuming the Cubs clinch during this homestand, how should they treat the final week of the season? They'll be playing against two potential playoff teams and can have a hand in knocking them out, but will surely want to rest some players. You can't sit your regulars completely and risk throwing off their timing, but two to three days off over that last week would be nice.

The bigger question is what to do with the rotation though.  I'm not sure you want to let potential playoff opponents see the starting pitchers too much. It's less of an issue with the Brewers who have seen the Cubs pitchers enough already, but we only play the Mets twice a year and don't see them during spring training. Would it be wise to give Marshall, Guzman and Randy Wells some of the starts in that series? The Cubs might also be playing for homefield advantage, so Lou might wait until that is secured before going to the scrubs. And I'm not sure how much rest the regulars would get, because on the flip-side you'd like them to get some AB's in against some pitchers they may see in the playoffs.

- As for the playoff rotation, Lou hinted that it would be Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster and either Marquis or Harden earlier this week. I assume that's him just being funny or that Rich Harden isn't quite healthy. Marquis has been pretty decent of late, but that makes no fucking sense. Even when Harden's not "healthy", he still gives up only one run in six innings. And with the way the first round is currently set up, the Game 2 starter would be able to go in Game 5 on four days rest. I know Lilly's been quite spectacular his last two starts, but I'd rather see Dempster or Harden as options for that game.

Also, how much rest should Z and Harden get down the stretch. Both seem to come back quite strong with long layoffs, so should either of them even pitch the last week? It's tempting to have Harden's last game of the regular season be Thursday and Z's final game be Friday and shut them down until the playoffs. 

 

Comments

"I like Lou. I think he does far more harm than good as baseball managers go." wait stop that, reserve that.

If Cubs clinch Thursday you pitch Marshall and Marquis every other day until their arms fall off. I still believe if Cubs win it all Lou walks away and starts cashing on free meals in Chicago until he dies.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

maybe, but I think the chance to go back-to-back would sure be tempting. Might as well take the extension and then re-evaluate at the end of each season if he still wants to do it for another season.

Just for fun, wonder if the Cubs would ever consider going to an unknown or inexperienced manager? Listach and Jody Davis seem to be pretty well-respected and Ryno is gunning for the job.

The Cubs should secure home field advantage, and then rest people. Marshall and Wells should get starts, Guzman shouldn't. Guzman should work in the bullpen, as I would like to see him get a chance at making the playoff roster, especially with Gaudin's injury issues and Howry's suckage. I also think that if there were injury concerns with Harden, he wouldn't be starting tomorrow.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Agreed, I'd like to see Marshall,Wells and dare I say.....Rich Hill get a start to save the rotation next week. Hopefully lots of Cotts and Wuertz in the pen as well. Hopefully Lou has the good sense to not use Marmol and Wood more than twice TOPS, per week from here on out. If Z and Harden are to start. I'd prefer them to stay on 75-80 pitch limits. No need to tempt fate at this point. Aaron B steps down off his soapbox. As you were.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

okay, fine not Guzman, but I could see Z and Harden being shut down until the playoffs and one more start for Dempster and Lilly. Say the clinch Friday or Saturday and the current rotation is:

W - Marquis, Th - Harden, Fri - Zambrano, Sat- Lilly, Sun - Dempster, Mon - Marquis, Tues - Harden, Wed - Zambrano, Thurs-  Lilly, Fri - Dempster, Sat - Marquis, Sun - Harden (possible Monday start would be Z)

 

So maybe something like...

W - Marquis, Th - Harden, Fri - Zambrano, Sat- Lilly, Sun - Dempster, Mon - Marquis, Tues -Marshall, Wed - Wells, Thurs-  Lilly/?, Fri - Dempster, Sat - Marquis, Sun - Marshall, possible Monday game to Wells

or flip-flop Marshall and Wells, which might be nice to have Marshall set-up for the possible Monday game versus the Astros since you don't want to make it seem like you're giving the game away. Also not sure about Lilly's start on Thursday. Do you really want the Mets to see him and then see him possibly again in the first round? 

I guess that's why they pay Lou the big bucks. You could also do something like Guzman and Samardzija for 3 innings each for a start. Gaudin might be back too by the end of the homestand.

Could call-up Mitch Atkins too, but that means 40-man roster moves and service time, etc...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

That projected rotation makes sense, Rob, depending on when the clinch happens. The Cub magic number for home field throughout the NL playoffs is only 5, so it very easily could be resolved this weekend as well. I do see them staying through the regular rotation through the homestand...if only to give Dempster a start before the home crowd. If the clinch has happened then, he could only go a couple innings and bring in Guzman to pitch three or four. After that, it's completely flexible, I would guess you're right that Z and Harden will respond well to a full week off while Lilly might need to keep in rhythm a little more. I could see Samardzjia starting the season finale. The Cubs are in the odd position of playing four games against the Mets next week...the team we would like to see get the Wild Card (I want no part of the Dodgers or Phillies in the NLDS). Interesting.

If I am advising Lou, I say: hang 'em up after next year. Good times don't last forever in sports (right, Bulls and Bears fans?). Your timing was great -- go out with a good feeling.

I think they may rest Harden against the Mets, on the theory that they have never seen him period. The last week might be a good opportunity to give Samardzija a start, but I kinda don't want the Mets, choking dogs that they are, to see him either. Wells definitely should get one. And hopefully it would be a good opportunity to get Gaudin some work, as he has been on the imaginary DL for the last two weeks. I'm kinda with jacos that Marquis and Marshall should be worked until their arms fall off the last couple weeks of the season. And I would toss in Guzman in as well. Except that it is likely that his arm would in fact fall off.

I don't think Lou ever hinted that would be his playoff rotation. Lou gave Wittenmyer his rotation for the rest of the year. Wittenmyer then just continued it into the playoffs. "Lou Piniella said he plans to keep the five in rotation the rest of the way, with left-hander Ted Lilly following Zambrano today and then Ryan Dempster, Jason Marquis and Rich Harden." Wittenmyer then says, "Barring injury or another scheduling glitch, that makes the playoff rotation: Zambrano, Lilly and Dempster, with either Marquis or Harden as the final one in a probable four-man rotation." So my reading is that Wittenmyer thinks the playoff roster will be the same order as they are pitching now - Z, Lilly, Dempster, Marquis, Harden. But I found that highly unlikely. With breaks between the season and playoffs and breaks within the playoffs, Lou can set this up how he wants. You probably can't have whoever pitches the last day of the season pitch the first playoff game, but other than that, everyone will have enough rest to reorder it depending on the opponent and how everyone is feeling. That being said, if a team hits lefties really poorly, it would not surprise me to see Lilly pitching game 2 or game 3. But you have to figure Z gets game 1 and they try to use Dempster at home in game 2.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Agreed, with hopefully a week or so to make any adjustment, Lou can have the playoff rotation be however he wants. And the only obvious no-brainer on this is to pitch Dempster at home. If they have home field in the entire playoffs, I'm guessing the rotation would be Z, Dempster, Lilly, Harden. That rotation gives Lou the option to start either Z or Dempster at home in Game 5 of the NLDS, if necessary. Not that I want Lou thinking about possible pitchers in Game 5 of the NLDS during Game 1 or Game 2.

Was Howry's booing due to the walk or due to him coming into the game. If it was the later, that's booing Pinhead, which is appropriate. If it's the former, I agree with Rob G. Right fielders get booed ever since Sosa's decline, I guess it's a new Wrigley tradition. The thing about the Cubs is that their bench is so good, unless they play like 6 non-starters, they're still a pretty damned good team, and those bench guys are going to get called on in the playoffs too. As far as the pitchers go, you just make sure that they all have 5 days rest for their playoff start, so use Marshall and Wells if necessary. Hardin's got a shot at the MLB ERA title, if he can get 9, 8, and 7 innings over his next three starts. If he gets the CG tomorrow, and we go with a 4 man playoff rotation, which looks likely, I am ok with letting him pursue that.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I don't think the Wrigley fans would boo Lou, he's quite appreciated right now and not to be too stereotypical, but they don't seem that smart as a collective mind. I'm pretty sure they were booing Howry. As for Fuku, he's been pretty awful, but striking out versus CC isn't worth get booed over.

As for Harden, he would need 161 or 162  innings to qualify for the ERA title (depends on how many games the Cubs play), don't think he can reach that and I doubt he'll get the starts to even get close. I guess it's possible, but I don't see anyone risking Harden to try and accomplish that.

They're gonna try to limit Harden as much as possible, don't you think? There's no way they extend him to complete-game level just for some bogus ERA title.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Well, yeah, he would need to have some pitch efficiency. I actually thought he was more efficient in his low K start last time out, but he wasn't. I would guess they'd like to have him around 100, 90, and 85 pitches for the last three starts, if he makes them all. If he's one inning from the ERA title on the final Sunday of the year, I would bet Lou let's him get up to 100 pitches.

I missed last night's game (like I do all night games). What did Howry do? The box score shows he only walked a guy.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

fine, clearly he's on the turnaround, a good outing and a smart decision by Lou.

/sarcasm

God I hope he doesn't end up on the playoff roster. Don't even want him around to tempt Lou with his veteranness and hard-working ways...

speaking of playoff roster:

C - Blanco, Soto

INF - Lee, Ward, Hoffpauir, Cedeno, DeRosa, Fontenot, Theriot, Ramirez

OF - Fukudome, Soriano, Edmonds, Johnson

SP - Z, Harden, Lilly, Dempster

RP - Wood, Marmol, Samardzija, Cotts, Marquis, Gaudin (if healthy), and ????

Marshall if opposing team has a lot of lefties I would think, otherwise Guzman or Howry?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I wasn't arguing he shouldn't have been put in, just pointing out that loud outs to Sabathia aren't anything to be embarrased about. I actually disagree with the comparison about Eyre. I think the Cubs didn't give him a sufficient chance to right his ship. Certainly they didn't give him as many chances as 'Throw it Back Bob'.

Also, as far as the booing, can you imagine how bad it will be if the Cubs don't win the World Series, esp. if they lose it in grand fashion? It will be something to see (or hear) this great team booed off the field if they blow it like they did in '03.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I agree on the Boras hate. The Manny Ramirez situation this summer is all you need to know about Boras. Having Manny opt out of 40 million in guaranteed money. Just to ear a commision is the height of Dickheadedness.

rob, i was at the game last night and i have to disagree...it was really really loud, about as loud as i've heard all year. people are extremely excited here in wrigleyville for the clinch, and want it to happen ASAP.

also, the booing of howry was a bit over the top but people are really tired and some of the heavier groans was when he was introduced....people can't believe that he's still being used in close games, and i can't say i blame them. fukudome didn't get booed too bad, esp considering that was possibly the worst looking MLB at bat i've ever seen.

Thanks to Rob for echoing most everyone's Howry sentiments. What is it that Lou doesn't get? Is there not ONE RH arm on the relief staff that can perform equally or better? Or, is his soft spot for a "veteran" just so "Dusty-ish" that it is impossible? On another note, my last year's hated bullpen arm Will Oh-Man! has done pretty well for the Braves with a 1.29 WHIP in 80 games and a 3.79 era. Neal Cotts is sporting a 1.33whip and a 3.90 ERA, in 44 games. And then, Scott "Stevie" Eyre - 1.59ERA and a 0.79 whip, in 15 games for the Phils, which is the team I fear most - and stated so - prior to them whipping our asses last time they were in town.

How is a 2-2 split with the Phillies "whipping our asses"? I stand corrected. They split here and lost the series in Philly - indeed, I do not believe that the Cubs have won the season series from the Phillies in a number of years. This year, the Phillies pen is improved, they have soft tossers that the team usually has difficulties with, and a dominating Cole Hammels - combined with a terror of a lineup. All in all, imo, they would be the strongest opponent in the NL this year.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

True, but the Dodgers are certainly clicking as well. The Phillies offense is better, but I'm really only worried about Hamels for pitching. The rest are pretty beatable. After him, it's what, Myers, Blanton, Moyer, Kendrick? I can't even figure out who their #2 is. LA at least has a really good 1-2: Lowe and Billingsley then Kuroda who the Cubs haven't been able to hit.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Yeah, well, I still think we're better than both teams, but LA just seems like a much better team since Manny joined the team. I was thinking Kuroda beat us twice this year (one was a 9IP shutout, I think). Whatever, it's just a comparison of two good teams. I don't particularly want to face Howard or Manny, the way they're both hitting. Hopefully it'll be the Mets in the first round.

if lou is looking for someone to make a unintentional intentional walk then m. wuertz is his man always gaurentied to walk the first hitter.

Recent comments

  • 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)

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  • crunch (view)

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    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.

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022.