Cubs MLB Roster

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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

DeVoss Walk-off Debut a Hit for AZL Cubs

Making his pro debut, Cubs 2011 3rd round draft pick Zeke DeVoss (U. of Miami) laced a two-out walk-off RBI double off the RF fence in the bottom of the 10th inning to score PR Gregori Gonzalez with the winning run, as the AZL Cubs edged the AZL Rangers 4-3 in Arizona League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park last night.

A speedy switch-hitting 2B-CF, DeVoss is the only Cubs 2011 draft pick selected in the first 15 rounds to sign so far. (He was a so-called "draft-eligible sophomore," because he turns 21 within 90 days of the draft).

DeVoss was the DH in his first professional game, hitting 7th in the order. He struck out (swinging) in his 1st and 3rd ABs, grounded out to short in his 2nd AB, and flied out to the warning track in RF in his 4th AB, before crushing his game-winning walk-off double off the RF fence in the 10th. DeVoss displayed more power and loft in his swing (at least hitting LH) than I had thought he would show.

Meanwhile, Cubs 2011 27th round draft pick Taiwan Easterling (Florida State) lined a single with two outs in the bottom of the 9th to extend his hitting streak to six games (he is now hitting 500/517/714 through his first seven pro games covering 29 PA). The 22-year old FSU Seminole also made a slick diving catch in CF for the first out in the top of the 3rd, and threw out a runner trying to advance from 2nd base to 3rd base on a pick-off attempt overthrow to end the top of the 3rd.

Easterling is clearly more advanced than might have been expected, considering he did not play baseball his first two years at Florida State. But he was named "Mr. Baseball" in Mississippi in his senior year at Oak Grove HS and played on several post-season HS All-Star teams and in showcase games, and was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 6th round of the 2007 June Draft, before deciding to enroll at FSU. So it's not like he's just now learning how to play baseball.

Easterling received a reported $200K signing bonus (about equivalent to "4th round money"), which can be spread over five years since he is a two-sport player (he is also a WR on the Seminole football team). It is unclear at this time whether Easteling will return for his senior season at FSU to play football (and if he does, he would be a 5th year redshirt senior).

The AZL Cubs actually should have won the game in regulation, which would have ended Easterling's hitting streak and left DeVoss with an 0-4 pro debut. But the defense fell apart with the Cubs leading 3-2 with two outs and nobody on base in the top of the 9th, as SS Marco Hernandez bobbled a ground ball (which the official scorer generously ruled a hit), and then 2B Gioskar Amaya fell down fielding what should have been the 4th out of the inning (also ruled a single), before throwing the ball past the first-baseman, after-which catcher Yaniel Cabezas recovered the ball near home plate and proceeded to fire the ball into LF trying to nab the Ranger base-runner who was trying to advance from 2nd to 3rd, thus allowing the runner to score (Keystone Kubbery at its best!). Inexplicably, the only error charged in the inning was Amaya's bad throw, although it should have been obvious (even to the official scorer) that the only reason the runner scored from 3rd base with the tying run was because of the Cabezas errant overthrow at 3rd base.

AZL Rangers pitchers struck out 15 AZL Cubs in the game, with 13 out of 14 outs between the 4th and 8th innings coming via the punch-out, including Gioskar Amaya and Dustin Geiger three times a piece. One Cub hitter the Rangers pitchers could not get out (until striking him out with one out in the bottom of the 10th) was 19-year old Venezuelan LF Eduardo Gonzalez, who singled in each of his first four AB, scoring a run and driving-in another, while also stealing three bases (one CS).

The lefty swinging E. Gonzalez is a slash hitter who sprays the ball all over the field (he also had a bunt single last night), but he has no HR power (unless he manages to line the ball over the fence). While he's not a "burner" he does run well and seems to get a pretty good read when stealing bases, and he plays a passably-adequate defense at all three OF positions with a so-so arm.

18-year old LHP Brian Smith (Cubs 40th round draft pick - Canadian Junior National Team) got the start for the AZL Cubs and threw four innings of one hit shutout ball (57 pitches - 33 strikes), with two walks and a HBP (and no strikeouts and 4/7 GO/FO). Smith breezed through three of his four innings, but he labored in the top of the third, needing 29 pitches (while throwing only 14 strikes) to get through the inning.

box score

Comments

Thanks, Phil. Seems like Easterling and Geiger are a bit out of place in the AZL, though the players in Boise haven't even been there for a month, so it may be hard to do anything with them at this point...

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

Submitted by Jace on Thu, 07/14/2011 - 11:45am. Thanks, Phil. Seems like Easterling and Geiger are a bit out of place in the AZL, though the players in Boise haven't even been there for a month, so it may be hard to do anything with them at this point... ================================= JACE: True. Although I would be VERY surprised if Taiwan Easterling and Dustin Geiger (and now Zeke DeVoss) aren't promoted at least to Boise (if not to Peoria) before much longer. If Kenny Socorro can get moved up to Boise after playing only one AZL game, and if P. J. Francescon, Pete Levitt, and Ben Klafczynski can get a ticket to Peoria just a month after getting drafted, so can others with more upside. Generally speaking, unless a player signs right after the draft and gets a week's worth of work-outs at Fitch Park prior to the start of the short seasons (as happened with Klafczyunski, Hoilman, and Zapenas), he will have to spend some time playing in the AZL, even if the player is clearly too advanced for "rookie ball."

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

BTW, if they don't sign him by the 8/15 deadline, the Cubs will retain negotiating rights to 37th round pick RHP Steven Maxwell (TCU) until one week prior to the 2012 June Draft, because Maxwell is a 5th year college senior with no college eligibility left. (This is the only Cubs 2011 draft pick not yet signed who falls into this class of draft pick). Maxwell was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and a 2nd team All-American in 2010 (and started a game in the 2010 College World Series), but has had his college career interrupted with TJS in 2008 and a sore arm in 2011. He turns 24 in September, so I hope he realizes that the meter is running.

I'm always amazed at what I learn from Arizona Phil. Thanks. For those interested I attended a 3 day Peoria series in Cedar Rapids over the week end. People have been discussing Austin Kirk's fastball on this blog recently. He registered 87 pretty consistently which doesn't knock your eyes out but it's hard to knock success as he followed up a 9 inning no hitter with six shutout innings. Jokish pitched at 84-85 most of the time but hit 87-88 now and then. How accurate are ball park gun readings? Peralta ran it up to 91-92. Both Kirk and Jokish looked like they are getting some polish from coach Jeff Fassero. Other observations were that Alcantara can really pick it and throw it and that Sergio Burruel looks like a better hitter than indicated by his .220 average but what can you tell from seeing him in one game!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/sports/baseball/mets-traded-rodriguez… K-Rod switched agents last month and previous agent (Paul Kinzer) had never submitted to Mets the 10 teams on K-Rod's NTC. When he moved to Boras, he never got around to doing it either. and then according to Heyman, the original list that I guess Kinzer had, did have Brewers on it, it was just never given to the Mets. And apparently why the Brewers made out like bandits in the deal cause the Mets wanted to move him to the first team they could. My first thought is they could just nullify the deal, but apparently it's all on the up and up and nothing K-Rod can do.

Fukudome RF, Castro SS, Ramirez 3B, Pena 1B, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Soto C, Barney 2B, Garza P

A. Kirk falls back to Earth 4 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K Flaherty and Jackson each with doubles in their AAA debuts Szczur 0/5 in Daytona, Ha with a double for the Smokies

they say who is going down when Z gets activated? Yahoo shows Ramon Ortiz starting Monday, and I don't think they'll cut Lopez. Probably Cub Carpenter?

Fukudome, RF Castro, SS Ramirez, 3B Pena, 1B Byrd, CF Soto, C Soriano, LF Barney, 2B Dempster, P http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/6001 Marmol hasn't had a K in 5 straight appearances... Colvin with his 7th HR for Iowa last night

Fukudome starts the day at .270. Is this the highest his average will be the rest of the season? He's quietly fallen off of late, after quietly not producing all season, despite the decent avg/opb for most of it.

Apparently this kid has upset the front office in Florida? I wonder what it would take to pry him loose? Would it be worth trading Bjax and Szczur to have Logan Morrison and Ian Stewart manning the infield corners next summer?

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

no? you don't give up your two best prospect for no-names. Even if you don't think they're all that good, generally the guys on the top of your prospect list should only be dealt for bigger deals. Maybe for Morrison, but hell no for Stewart. I like Morrison, but they haven't shown a huge push to want to trade him. I don't get why anyone would want to give up anything worthwhile for Ian Stewart. anyway, neither Jackson or Szczur are going anywhere...

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Would it be worth trading Bjax and Szczur to have Logan Morrison and Ian Stewart manning the infield corners next summer? ------- Stewart has really struggled. I could see the Cubs doing what AZ Phil has said for next year, running Flaherty and LaMaheui out there in a 3b platoon.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Morrison for Jackson in a fantasy trade? You trade a CF'er for a LF'er, but offensively probably about the same. Morrison is only a year older. Cubs would never do it though. Can't say I would either, but I'd think about it. Stewart isn't worth much imo, not particularly good defensively and never been able to get it together in Colorado, doubtful it would happen in Chicago. He's worth a low risk move maybe as competition for Flaherty or whomever they try for 3b next year.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

You really like comparing today's BA and BP Cubs prospects with what you believe are the club's past past failures in your view. The comment, which AZ PHIL answered in detail when you went on the "Carlos Marmol was signed for too long" mantra (and you always close with a ?, as in, "But, he's still a good pitcher?) was directed at you. Have you ever regularly spent time watchiing any of the Cubs top 15-20 prospects in the lower minors, or talked to scouts who evaluate them? I'd probably be on the side of "correct" if you said no, right? Its great that you want to play arm chair GM. We all do. But some of your shit is just crazy talk. What kind of Dr. are you anyway?

Who's going to close it out? It's not like Wood has been all that sharp this year, either.

15 straight scoreless by the starting staff vs. the 4th worse offense in the league. Q-Ball's magic job saving powers may be back in play...

#Cubs Q says he'll use Marshall, Wood as closer and give Marmol chance to work on his mechanics for a couple days. No set timetable

speaking of Q-Nuts, Sheehan also brings up this point Is Mike Quade this bad? If LoMo was going to be Marmol's last batter, why not just use Marshall? You're punting the platoon advantage 2x?

so if I understand this right from what I heard on XM at lunch... Boras got K-Rod's buyout to go up to $4M with Brewers paying the extra half million. In return, he gives up the vesting option. Boras gets the commission on the buyout (or at least the half million bump) and can get him a new contract this offseason where he gets the commission. If the vesting option kicked in, the commission would go to his old agent. Plus, now the Brewers will be more willing to use him as a closer which would in theory up his value, at least a little.

Dan Bernstein, WSCR, claims #Cubs source tells him Hendry and Q are gone, day after the season ends. cubnut heard it on the radio as someone else noted, then just fire them now and start preparing for next season.

Callis doing a rundown of the top bonus money per round in the top 10 rounds so far, of which much will change. but at this point Zeke DeVoss's $500K is the most of any 3rd rounders signed.

From Baseball America's prospect chat: Nick (Chicago): I saw ryan flaherty recently got promoted. whats your opinion on him Ben Badler: I don't know where he plays, but he has huge power to the middle of the field, he has a good approach and he's a solid hitter. I don't know that his defense is ideal at second or third base so I'm not sure where he ends up playing, but I could see him being an offensive-oriented guy who moves around the field a la Ben Zobrist. I've seen that Tennessee club this year, and why the Cubs brought up D.J. Lemahieu when Flaherty was available was a bit puzzling.

Flaherty hits one out for Iowa, Jackson 2/3 so far with a 2b and a 3b. J. Jackson with 5 shutout innings and Caeser 2/4 on the night for Daytona

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Does keeping Baker speak to the Cubs plan on (not) keeping Ramirez for 2012? Or is this just all talk to try to drive up his price a little bit? I'm on board with a Flaherty / LeMahomilongindingdong platoon for 2012. Thinking project 500 may have a better shot then. Maybe they want half the platoon to have some real big league time in 2012. But I always think we have a better chance to win in the NEXT year. Baker's trade value has to be considerably higher now than during the off season.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Submitted by QuietMan on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 9:18pm. Does keeping Baker speak to the Cubs plan on (not) keeping Ramirez for 2012 ======================================= Q-MAN: Even if they think they don't have a shot to sign Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, I still can't see the Cubs picking-up Aramis Ramirez's $16M option for 2012. What I think will more-likely happen is that the Cubs will pay A-Ram the $2M buy-out after the season, and then offer him maybe a $10M one-year deal for 2012 IF they can't sign Pujols or Fielder (presuming Ramirez hasn't signed elsewhere by the time the Pujols and Fielder sweepstakes have concluded). But I doubt very much that the Cubs will pay Aramis $16M in 2012, even if it means they end up with a Flaherty/Baker or Flaherty/LeMahieu platoon at 3B in 2012 (while waiting to see if Josh Vitters can develop into a big league third-baseman).

17-year old DSL Cubs #1 RHP Yomar Morel gets nailed with a 50-game PED suspension. In his last outing prior to the suspension (this past Wednesday), Morel threw 4.1 IP of no hit ball with six K. There are currently five DSL Cubs serving PED suspensions (four with a 50-game suspension and one serving a 100-game suspension). All players who are suspended for PED violations are automatically placed on the Restricted List.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Submitted by QuietMan on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 9:27pm. AZ Phil - How is Easterling once he reaches base? I know his first game he had some real problems. Has that continued? Thanks! I'll hang up aand listen for my answer =============================== Q-MAN: Taiwan Easterling runs the bases like he does everything... like a hyper-aggressive gambler, like Devin Hester returning a punt. He likes to take chances on the bases and in the field. He's also a classic first-ball fastball hitter. He may have plate discipline, but I haven't seen it yet. Easterling needs to refine all aspects of his game, but he absolutely has some baseball skills. He seems like a fairly sharp kid, too. From what I have seen of him, he is defintely coachable.

Over the past month, Iowa Cubs RHP Jay Jackson has gone 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in five GS, throwing at least six innings in each start. 33.1 IP, 37 H, 13 R (13 ER), 10 BB, 25 K, 2 HR While that might not seem like eye-popping numbers, it is very good for the "hitter's league" that is the PCL. In fact a 3.51 ERA extended over a full-season would put him 2nd in ERA among PCL starting pitchers. One of the best-hitting pitchers in minor league baseball, J-Jax is hitting .286 with three doubles, one HR, and five RBI so far in 2011 (career 266/284/456 in 91 PA). J. Jackson is eligible for selection (first time) in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, so he will very likely be added to the Cubs 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline (if not sooner), and if he doesn't rack up too many innings during the regular season, he would be a good candidate to pitch in the AFL post-2011. But if he continues to pitch as he has over the last month, he also could be the Cubs #5 starter by September.

Youngest players on Cubs minor league rosters (not including DSL): IOWA: 1. Nick Struck, RHSP - 21 2. Marwin Gonzalez, IF-OF - 22 3. Alberto Cabrera, RHSP - 22 4. Brett Jackson, CF - 22 5. Jay Jackson, RHSP - 23 TENNESSEE: 1. Jae-Hoon Ha, CF - 20 (was also youngest at Daytona before promotion) 2. Junior Lake, SS - 21 3. Josh Vitters, 3B-1B - 21 4. Trey McNutt, RHSP - 21 5. Ryan Searle, RHSP - 22 DAYTONA: 1. Aaron Kurcz, RHRP - 20 2. Matt Cerda, 3B-2B - 21 3. Jeffry Antigua, LHRP - 21 4. Larry Suarez, RHRP - 21 5. Logan Watkins, SS-2B - 21 PEORIA: 1. Arismendy Alcantara, SS-2B - 19 2. Sergio Burruel, C - 19 3. Robinson Lopez, RHRP - 20 4. Starling Peralta, RHSP - 20 5. Austin Kirk, LHSP - 20 BOISE: 1. Ben Wells, RHSP - 18 2. Wilson Contreras, 3B - 19 3. Jin-Young Kim, RHSP - 19 4. Kyung-Min Na, OF - 19 5. Austin Reed, RHSP - 19 AZL CUBS (MESA): 1. Gioskar Amaya, 2B-3B - 18 2. Brian Smith, LHSP - 18 3. Oliver Zapata, OF - 18 4. Marco Hernandez, SS - 18 5. James Pugliese, RHSP - 18

Is Hendry actively involved with on-going negotiations with the remaining unsigned top 15 draft selections? If so, I would be surprised if he's relieved of his duties prior to the Aug 15th signing deadline.

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

Unless it involves a major league deal, I don't think hendry has a whole lot to do with signing draft picks. I recall when ninja was signed him mentioning that other than that deal he doesn't have much to do with the draft.

AZ Phil, which Cubs minor leaguers do you think are most likely to get a September call-up? And are there any others who need to be added to the 40 man roster before November but likely won't get called up this year? I am eager to see Flaherty and Marquez Smith, and hopefully a few pitchers. Is Blake Parker still considered a prospect? I'll hang up and listen to your answer. :)

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

Submitted by Paul Noce on Sat, 07/16/2011 - 1:25pm. AZ Phil, which Cubs minor leaguers do you think are most likely to get a September call-up? And are there any others who need to be added to the 40 man roster before November but likely won't get called up this year? I am eager to see Flaherty and Marquez Smith, and hopefully a few pitchers. Is Blake Parker still considered a prospect? I'll hang up and listen to your answer. :) ============================================= PAUL N: A lot depends on who gets traded during July and August, because a trade could mean an earlier call-up for some of these guys, but I think Welington Castillo, D. J. LeMahieu, Chris Carpenter, Casey Coleman, John Gaub, Scott Maine, Tyler Colvin, Ryan Flaherty, and Jay Jackson are likely to get a call-up to Chicago in September (Flaherty and J. Jackson will be eligible for the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, and so even though they don't need to be added to the 40 until 11/20, both could get a look in September), and Bryan LaHair, Dave Bush, and Angel Guzman will probably get added to the 40-man roster and brought up to Chicago in September for a look. (Bush could be brought up even sooner, as would LaHair if Pena gets traded). So that's probably five additions to the 40-man roster in September (Flaherty, J. Jackson, LaHair, Bush, and A. Guzman). Also, Marcos Mateo and Andrew Cashner will probably be reactivated on September 1st if they are healthy, so that might mean six slots on the 40 will be needed (because Cashner is on the 60-day DL). Bush is eligible to be an Article XX-B MLB FA post-2011, but LaHair would probably remain on the 40-man roster during the off-season (at least until the Cubs sign or acquire a 1st baseman). Guzman (who will be eligible for salary arbitration if added to the 40-man roster or else he will be a minor league FA if he's not added to the 40) will have to show something in September to remain on the 40-man roster into the off-season. As for where the five or six 40-man roster slots neded in September will come from, Ramon Ortiz will probably be released by September (or even sooner), and it's likely that several players presently on the 25-man roster will be traded over the next few weeks, and that should open up some 40-man roster slots, too. Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Lou Montanez, and Kyle Smit are the most-likely to get outrighted if additional roster slots are needed in September. After the season, Grabow, Johnson, Lopez, Ortiz, Pena, and Wood (if they aren't traded) are eligible to be Article XX-B MLB free-agents, Ramirez will be a FA if the Cubs choose not to exercise the 2012 $16M club option (and instead opt to pay him the $2M buy-out), Dempster could be a free-agent (player option with no buy-out), and Bush would be eligible to be an Article XX-B MLB FA if he is added to the 40-man roster or a Rule 55 Minor League FA if he isn't. Unlike Pena, Wood, Grabow, et al, Kosuke Fukudome is not eligible to be an MLB Article XX-B free-agent after this season, but he does have the right to demand his Outright Release if he has not signed a contract extension by 11/15. And with 4+00 years of MLB Sevice Time accrued by the end of the season, Fukudome would be eligible for Salary Arbitration if he does not demand his release, but if that happens, the Cubs would almost certainly non-tender him on 12/2 rather than go to arbitration where the absolute minimum Fukudome would get in 2012 is $10.8M (that's the max 20% cut from his 2011 $13.5M salary). Besides Flaherty and J. Jackson (who I suspect will be added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster and brought up to Chicago in September), 3B-1B Josh Vitters, OF Matt Szczur, LHRP Jeff Beliveau, IF-OF Marwin Gonzalez, and C-1B Steve Clevenger (probably in that order) are the other Cub minor leaguers eligible for selection in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft most-likely to get added to the 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline, as things stand right now. (I didn't put Bush, LaHair, and Guzman in this group because they will be Rule 55 minor league 6YFA if they aren't added to the 40-man roster). I suspect Jeff Beliveau will be assigned to the AFL so the Cubs can a better read on him prior to making their final decision (although he is VERY likely to get added to the 40-man roster post-2011), and Clevenger and Gonzalez will probably play Winter Ball in Latin America and the Cubs will evaluate them further down there, although both (especially Gonzalez) are likely to get added to the 40. Besides Beliveau, I would say some combination of catcher Luis Flores, 1B-OF Matt Spencer, 1B Rebel Ridling, INF D. J. LeMahieu, 3B Marquez Smith, OF Brett Jackson, OF Matt Szczur, RHSP Trey McNutt, RHSP Nick Struck, LHSP Chris Rusin, and RHRP Kevin Rhoderick will be the Cubs prospects assigned to play in the AFL post-2011 (Flaherty played in the AFL last year, Gaub has been there once before, Vitters and Clevenger have played there twice, and J. Jackson would probably only be a possibility for the AFL if he doesn't get called-up to Chicago in September).

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).