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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
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Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
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Colten Brewer 
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Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
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Joe Hudson 

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* Michael Busch 
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David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

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* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
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* Mike Tauchman 

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* 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 

 



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Zambrano Hints at Retirement, Cubs Ready Gold Watch

Since this will be the talk of the weekend comments, let's recap tonight's festivities...

Carlos Zambrano started the game, he gave up five home runs in 4.1 IP and 8 ER, then decided he didn't want to wait for Q-Ball to take him out and just threw at Chipper Jones.  At least he had the deceny to not throw at his head. With the calmness of a serial killer, he walked off the mound, seemed to say a few words to someone on the bench and then proceeded to pack up his locker, go home and apparently told a few folks he's retiring.

There's even a silver lining in the Cubs 2011 cloud.

Because if he retires, he saves the Cubs $18M next year, not to mention the roughly $4.5M he's owed for the rest of this year.

Jim Hendry's comment from Tennessee where he was watching the Smokies play was, ""We will respect his wishes and honor them and move forward."

(Ominous drum hits)

I've always liked Z, the player and the personality. A few unfortunate antics aside, he played hard, was for the most part good at his job and was just frankly entertaining. It's a shame he never recaptured the numbers that helped him earn his contract, it's hard to imagine a player declining at age 26, but that seems to be the case.

But for the good of the Cubs (hopefully), Z and the organization just weren't getting along and that $22M that the Cubs may suddenly find under their pillow will hopefully be put to good use and get the Cubs back to relevancy a little quicker. (update: Levine says he's owed $24M).

I'm sure more is to come.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

For me too... he always wore his emotions on his sleeve but at least you knew he cared, albeit a little too much at times... He really did well as a Cub when he didn't have to be the man... once he was seen as a #1 starter and got the contract for one but couldn't live up to it, I'm sure that was frustrating and disappointing for him, and the theatrics ensued... If he doesn't retire now, I would love to see him finish out his contract and retire as a Cub rather than going somewhere else and declining even more. I'm not even sure what his market value would be once he is a FA but a helluva lot less than $18 million, to be sure... maybe half that

seems there's 4 ways out of this if he doesn't just come back and honor the rest of his contract... unconditional release from the cubs (dumb, expensive and useless move, imo) negotiated retirement release (saves loot at least) negotiated FA release where he can sign with another team (same as above) Z walks away and retires "fuggit, i dun care" style (dumb, and his agent would crap himself)

Hard for me to imagine any Cubs fan managing to block out the last few years with Zambrano and maintaining positive thoughts or respect for the player. 2003 through 2006 he was nothing short of great but since then he's regularly been out of shape, injured, and / or unprofessional. I have no respect for "professional" athletes behaving as he regularly has. You can claim he cares with his firey attitude but his unwillingness to stay in shape and seeming belief that calling out teammates in public is acceptable indicate otherwise to me. If he does end up walking away it would be an unexpected gift to the organization and we should swallow as much of the Soriano contract (assume almost all) in the summer to turn the page on this toxic roster.

B Jackson homered again and Casey Coleman pitched well for Iowa, and Flaherty got three hits to raise is batting average to merely crappy. Sczur got on base twice for Daytona, and Jockish won again, getting 8 K's in five plus for Peoria.

I think the link for Q's postgame was in the last thread, but this kind of sums it up (HireJimEssian on Twitter): "Quade's reaction to Zambrano's "retirement" was as pussified as one might expect." I was pretty surprised at how well, I guess, he controlled his emotions. Or didn't have any, I'm not sure which. It seemed very controlled. Maybe he's just tired of Z's BS, but we've had tired running this team for years, and it hasn't gone overly well.

It may be a good idea to sign or acquire Dontrelle Willis during the winter and teach him to play left of first base.

no wonder d.lee was having a hard time staying healthy and coming back after getting hit in that game vs. cubs... out 2-4 weeks with a broken wrist...finally got it right at least PIT don't need him anymore. they went from 1st to 5+ games back in like 10-12 days or something.

and THIS is just what I suspected. According to Olney's source, Zambrano only made some PRIVATE, PERSONAL remarks to Cubs staff in the locker room Friday. Within two hours of the end of the game the Cubs were told by Z that he DEFINITELY WAS NOT retiring AND he returned his equipment to the locker room Friday night. Chew on that.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

he walked out in the middle of a game and hendry hasn't been able to contact him since his blowup according to multiple sources. now hendry's had a commissioner sign off on a disciplinary move...and now the union will step in...and it will probably all end early. that's where it seems to be at no matter who said or did whatever.

Quade reminds me of Dusty.... Cubs manager Mike Quade said Tyler Colvin will have to earn playing time rather than have it be given to him because the team is well out of the playoff race. "I won’t throw my veterans, who have been battling all year, [on the bench],’’ Quade said. "Especially Reed [Johnson] — what a year he’s had — and say, ‘You’re going to sit down for a week.’ No... And these kids will get their at-bats and opportunities, but to me it’s not just, ‘Here it is, go get it and the rest of these guys can watch you play.’’’ GM Jim Hendry said the reason Kosuke Fukudome was dealt was to get a two-month evaluation period on Colvin, but evidently he and Quade don't see eye to eye in that regard. The Cubs have shown zero foresight all year from what has been a sinking ship, so we can't be surprised that they continue to refuse to look to the future. I don't really think Colvin will ever be the answer but hell what do you got to lose in giving him a shot? I bet the Cubs didn't even put Reed Johnson on waivers because he is supppppper important to our future. I would rather just give the job to Colvin, watch him fail, and be done with it, instead of dragging on this little fantasy of maybe he can still be good into 2012. But Quade? Geez dude is dumber than Lou Pinella's jock strap. Cheaper isn't better or hell isn't even qualified to run a major league roster. What a god damn disaster he has been. And he was hired by Hendry.

@KendallRogersPG Kendall Rogers Big night for #cubs fans. Just learned 1st-rdr javier baez has agreed to terms. No surprise at all there. KendallRogersPG Kendall Rogers The #cubs have agreed to terms with 2nd-round pick and #florida signee dan vogelbach. Signing should be announced tonight. (Perfect Game USA) But... @PWSullivan Cubs have not agreed to terms with Baez, contrary to web site's tweet.

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

Submitted by Newport on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 8:18pm. Hopefully the $3m they save on Z this year will help get both of these deals done. See, Z is a good team player! ========================================= NEWPORT: I would be surprised if the Cubs placing Zambrano on the Disqualified List and essentntially fining him $4M+ (the balance of his 2011 salary) passes muster with an arbitrator after the MLBPA files the grievance on Z's behalf (which is a given). It will probably end up being a substantial fine (but nowhere near $4M), and then the Cubs tell Zambrano to just go home (like they did with Milton Bradley the last month of the 2009 season), with full pay. That means Jim Hendry will go into the off-season with a similar situation as post-2009 with Bradley, except Zambrano is making $18M (guaranteed) next year, with a full "no trade" (something Bradley did not have). The White Sox (and Ozzie Guillen) would seem like a possible match, because Guillen likes Z, and the White Sox have a couple of albatross contracts of their own that they would probably like to move (Alex Rios and Adam Dunn). But from what I know of Zambrano, he likes hitting MUCH more than pitching, so I doubt that he would OK a deal to an American League team where he would not be hitting, even if it means staying in Chicago and playing for Ozzie. The one N. L. team that has shown interest in Zambrano in the past is the New York Mets, most recently last year after Z's implosion at The Cell, when the Mets reportedly offered LHP Oliver Perez and 2B Luis Castillo (who combined were making exactly what Zambrano was making 2010-11) in exchange for Zambrano (Cubs turned it down). With O. Perez and L. Castillo having been releaed, the lone "bad contract" currently owned by the Mets is OF Jason Bay, who is making $16M in 2012 (contrasted to Zambrano making $18M in 2012), 16M in 2013, and $17M or a $3M club option buy-out for 2014 that vests with 600 PA in 2013 or 500 PA each in 2012 and 2013. The $3M Bay buy-out for 2014 essntially cancels-out the $2M differential in the Zambrano ($18M) & Bay ($16M) salaries next season, meaning the $16M Bay salary in 2013 would be the lone problem (for both teams). $8M would be the middle-ground, and either the Cubs and Mets could just split the difference (each paying $8M) with the Cubs sending the Mets an outfield prospect back in the deal, or the Cubs could send an MLB contract to the Mets that pays a large chunk of the $8M differential, such as Marlon Byrd (who is making $6.5M in 2012), which also would free-up CF for Brett Jackson. Of course a deal such as this would depend on Zambrano and Bay waiving their respective NTCs, and it does not address the fact that Bay has basically been a bust for the Mets over the last two seasons, and could turn out to be just as bad in Chicago in 2012 & 2013. But it would at least solve the problem of getting rid of Zambrano without just releasing him (something Hendry does not like to do, which is why he traded Todd Hundley, Sammy Sosa and Milton Bradley instead of just releasing them and eating their contracts), and could possibly benefit the Cubs (a la the Cubs acquiring Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek for Todd Hundley post-2002) if it's a case of Bay just needing a change of scenery to get back somewhere closer to where he was with the Red Sox in 2009.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 1:00pm. The other problem with Bay is that he's essentially a left fielder only, and the Cubs already have their designated albatross there. A Zambrano for Michael Young trade would make sense for both teams, again if Zambrano will accept a trade to the AL. ================================== TRN: My concern about Jason Bay is with his drop in offense (SLG) over the past two seasons, and whether he would even waive his NTC if the Cubs thought it was worth the gamble to trade Zambrano for him. As for playing RF, Bay came up through the minors as a five-tool OF who played CF and RF, and while he has enough arm to play RF (he had 46 OF assists playing LF 2006-09), he was moved to LF after he was traded to the Pirates because playing LF in PNC Park (Pittsburgh) required the range of a CF (which Bay had at the time). Then when he got to Boston, J. D. Drew was playing RF, and Jeff Francoeur (2010) and Carlos Beltran (2011) played RF for the Mets after Bay arrived in NY. So I don't think Bay would be a defensive albatross in RF, and while he still runs well and has above-average patience at the plate, I would worry about his sudden drop in power over the past two seasons (age 31 and 32), because in his good years (2003-06 and 2008-09) he was always a 500%+ slugger.

holy crap soriano...bad OF play by a bad OF'r is expected, but holy shit soriano...you have to slide there. that doesn't even take any "skill" or practice aside from paying attention and eyesight. tie game at least.

Saw in a CBS sports blog that Soriano reamed Z en espanol when he stomped off into the locker room. If that's true, that's the first time I've ever heard of Sorryano confronting anyone. Mildly interesting.

j.marquis (ARZ) out with a broken leg...he pitched an inning on it before he finally crumpled after a pitch (and walked off the field on his own). earlier, he took a comebacker off his leg. gamer. note: they also lost x.nady in this same series with a broken hand

Cubs hitters struck out 18 times today --no walks. What can you say?

p.sullivan posted a pic of Z's bags being loaded with the other team bags en route to HOU. at least they're not stranding it in ATL...weird that no one's picked it up yet. Z flew out of ATL yesterday, supposedly. also... "Zambrano's agent now recanting story that Z personally returned stuff to his locker late Friday night. Spin control is out of control."

Anyone else heard this (from a UNC chat on Scout.com)
UNCNut Posted: Today 5:11 PM Re: Seven Days and Counting to Signing Deadline Maples left after the football scrimmage and told the team he was signing with MLB. He was doing great as punter and kick off guy. He stood to be granted a scholarship. Good luck to him with the Cubs. Must have gotten over the slot, life changing kind of money. Can't blame the fellow.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Last year the Cubs signed four draft picks (7th round pick RHP Ben Wells, 9th round pick RHP Kevin Rhoderick, 29th round pick LHP Casey Harman, and 40th round pick LHP Brian Smith) on the last day before the signing deadline. Rhoderick was an interesting one, because he had already told the Cubs that he was positively, absolutely going back to Oregon State for his senior year, but then he called a Cubs scout with just a few hours left until the deadline and asked if the "final offer" was still on the table, and it took several phone calls to get approval to sign him. BTW, players signed by the Cubs at the deadline will make their debut in AZ Instructs or 2012 Minor League Camp. That's because a player does not need to be added to a minor league reserve list until 15 days after being signed, and by that time the AZL season will be over. No reason to rush him into the lineup.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Submitted by QuietMan on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 10:19am. KendallRogersPG Kendall Rogers #Cubs 14th-rdr and #UNC signee Dillon Maples didn't show up for football today, took physical yesterday. He will be signing KendallRogersPG Kendall Rogers The number I'm hearing attached to Maples is huge for his round ..... waiting for a second confirmation right now ========================================= Q-MAN: Really no reason for Dillon Maples to quit the UNC football team. The Cubs would probably be OK with Maples playing college football this year (since he's a punter), and then he can make his pro baseball debut at Minor League Camp next March. That way the Cubs could spread his signing bonus over five years, as they did with Taiwan Easterling.

"I guarantee you in two or three more days he'll be thinking 'Oh my God, what I did?' I know that. " Yes Ozzie, I believe you're right, and that's exactly what he'll be thinking.

I don't know about the "he is not very good" comment. This is his first year he will finish with an ERA over 4.00.....ever. Which is a hell of an accomplishment no matter how you look at it. He just needs a change of scenery and get away from the losing and really craptastic defense the Cubs play. Cubs pitchers tend to get into this mentality that they have to do it all themselves because the offense stinks and the defense is only going to help the other team. Even Dempster is having a shitty season. Garza is having a pretty good season yet sits at 5-9....it goes back to shitty defense and poor offense. As a pitcher your trying to over throw and make every pitch count.

dimitri young apparently preparing for a MLB comeback...odd timing...mid-August. announced it at a card convention... he's like 36 years old, fwiw...but always a hell of a hitter. he probably misses the game and wants to do some bench/pinch-hitting for someone. he retired due to health/diabetes issues too young... even though he's been out of baseball for years, he only officially retired a bit over a year ago.

The Chicago Cubs will promote left-handed pitcher Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa on Monday to temporarily fill the spot left open by Carlos Zambrano being placed on the disqualification list, according to a major league source. Mike Quade’s bullpen was depleted over the weekend as the Cubs had 12 bullpen innings over the last three games. On Wednesday, the Cubs will change their focus and promote Casey Coleman from Iowa to pitch in Zambrano’s rotation spot, according to a source familiar with the situation. http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/5947/source-cubs-to-call…

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

i understand you gotta pay a little more for the face-of-franchise guys...but this was a hell of a lot of money for a guy way too early. they gave him the mega-extension in spring training 2010. they would have saved 5-8+ million per year on the same contract if they would have waited just 6 more months...and it had nothing to do with injury. he got a huge bump in pay due to his breakout power year he didn't show much of before or after 2009. people have been asking since 2007 just how much time does he have left playing C full time. it's going to make their 1st/C plan they have for him very interesting as the years go on if he's only able to put in 80-100 games at C a year...right now there's not much reason to believe he can't go 120+, though. at least they're in a DH league giving him a 3rd roster spot to slide into. even without high-end power he's never a fun AB for any opposing team.

jimcallisBA Jim Callis #Cubs sign 4th-rder Tony Zych for $400k. Louisville RHP has big arm (94-97 to 99), possible closer if he refines his slider. AZ Phil's draft day write up: ROUND 4 (129): Tony Zych, RHP (U. of Louisville) R/R, 6'3, 190, 20 years old COMMENT: College junior... Was selected by Cubs in 46th round of 2008 draft out of St. Rita HS in Chicago but did not sign... Rated the 50th best prospect in 2011 draft by Baseball America... One of the top closers in college baseball, was voted the #1 prospect in Cape Cod League in 2010 when he led league with 12 saves... Had 13 saves for Louisville in 2011... Two-pitch pitcher... Throws 94-97 MPH fastball that tops out at 99 and a mid-80's slider... Good hitter and fielder, he also played some infield for the Cardinals in prior seasons...

Kaplan on WGN Radio interviewed Zambrano today, it will air on Chicago Tribune Live on Comcast, I think is what he said. Anyway, he gave a teaser/summed up the interview on the radio, and it really pissed me off. Z said he didn't throw at Chipper. The ball got away from him. He said something 'in passing, in private' to someone on the team and they leaked it to the press. He didn't retire, didn't take his stuff from the stadium, and was on the way to the stadium on Saturday for the game when his agent called and said he had been suspended. He said he has no problems with Quade or the Cubs. He said he was sorry. And that he'll always be a Cub and wants to stay with the Cubs the rest of his career. -- After hearing his line of bullshit, it just confirms that they should do everything they can to get rid of this lying, schizophrenic sack of shit.

[ ]

In reply to by ced landrum

No, I've never watched him pitch. You can do that? Actually, I didn't intend to pick a fight and don't really care if he intended to or not, but your argument reads like a piece from the non sequitur handbook. "He is as easy to read as anyone. I have seen him throw at guys a number of times and he always hits them in the thigh." "I have seen him..a number of times...and he always". Moving on. "As far as the because my aim sucks. That is just silly." It's silly to presume that sometimes Z misses his spots? Really? He's not exactly Maddux. Missed hit-batters are called brushbacks or inside pitches. No one admits to missing a batter...that's hyperbole, I suppose someone might. "Zambrano even says in his interview that when he has tried he has succeeded. So he admits to throwing at people." No kidding, it doesn't surprise me in the least that he's thrown at people, nor that he'd admit it. It's like the old "No, I didn't fart...you'll know it when I fart"...I just admitted that I do fart sometimes, which proves that I didn't fart this time. I pull that one all the time. That's irrelevant, what's relevant is that he is in extreme ass-covering mode and everyone in baseball thinks that throwing at Chipper was a classless move. Hitting a batter is accepted sometimes (no problem admitting past actions) but this time is perceived as wrong, THEN he pulled another unacceptable Z-move...THAT is why he's denying it. If he threw at Chipper that is the least of his problems right now. So why not just say I threw at him because they were too comfortable. Because he's a fucking idiot? A fucking idiot whom I love...but still.

[ ]

In reply to by JoePepitone

same...only i'm not a joe. for as much as he's run his mouth, he's also quietly done his job. i don't have to work with the guy 200+ days a year, though. he's old enough he should be over some of his tantrums...and he's thrown a lot in the same place around the same people. when he no longer was the 97mph throwing Z he learned to be effective throwing 88-90...and now he's managed to get his fastball in the 90-93 area pretty consistently. he obviously isn't just sitting around collecting a check even if he's not the same pitcher he was when he actually earned his kind of pay. his fire just burns a bit too combustible.

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).