Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

'P' Stands for Pitching?

The first hint that it was not a normal night at Principal Park came when the national anthem was whistled.

Then a thing uncommon in the PCL, where there are typically lots of bombs bursting in air, broke out - a pitchers' duel! The scoreboard practically had the night off as Nashville, behind undefeated Mike Fiers, nipped the I-Cubs, 1-0.

All was not lost for the home team - hardly. The enigmatic Jay Jackson recorded his 6th consecutive quality start and matched a career high with 11 whiffs in his six inning stint. He was succeeded by Bobby [there's no Roberts in baseball!] Coello who continued his sparkling work out of the bullpen with three more scoreless frames. Since moving exclusively to relief duty Coello has worked 34 innings, allowing a mere 18 hits while walking 13 and fanning 46. The non-starter ERA is 1.04; the BAA .158! Significantly, he's been touched for no home runs after serving up 11 in 60 innings as a starter. If he keeps this up, call him Robert-0.

Watch out for Fiers in the NL Central. He's 7-0 since promotion from Double A and his cumulative body of work for the summer shows only 80 hits permitted in 120 innings. He never exceeded 90 on the scoreboard radar last night but complete game shutouts in this league are about as rare as whistled anthems.

As for record-breaking slugger Bryan LaHair, he was in the lineup after shoving Joe Hicks even deeper into franchise trivia with his 38th homer of the season the night before. He flew to the warning tracks in both left and right while playing 1B after a recent run in left. On my way to the park I heard him interviewed on the pre-game radio show where he strongly hinted that he has reason to believe any playing time he gets upon call-up to Chicago will be in the outfield. He also mentioned that, thanks to lots of vacancy in the right-field bleachers Tuesday night, it was his wife that was able to fetch his record-setting long ball. Ah, the charms of the minor leagues.

Andrew Cashner is on hand and slated to work an inning tonight after manning a post as bullpen sentry last night while Coello loosened.

Comments

Did the Cubs previously have teams playing simultaneously in Pringles Park and Principal Park? Too bad they didn't change the name to PK Wrigley Field. How hard was Jackson throwing in his last couple of innings?

still registering 91-92 on a speedometer thought to be a couple mph slow; just as fast as earlier but he was starting to seem out of rhythm despite only 96 pitches...

question i'm embarrassed to admit i cannot answer: in top of 4th w/ runner on 1st & less than 2 out, chris robinson made a nice grab on a foul pop near the i-cub dugout railing - the home plate ump then immediately waved the runner to 2nd - what gives?

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14912 Reggie Golden, OF, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, HR (6), R, 3 RBI. Toolsy 2010 draftee has gone deep in three straight games; .236/.328/.409 overall. Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 2-for-3, HR (5), R, 3 RBI; 2-for-3, RBI. Was dropped from leadoff spot and has ripped off three straight multi-hit games; .251/.275/.404 line since promotion has taken some bloom off the rose.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/39971/mlb-insider-keith-law Re: Theo Epstein I don't see why they wouldn't just hire his assistant GM, Ben Cherington. I would guess, without talking to anyone involved, that Theo's motivation if approached would be to use the interest from the Cubs to negotiate a better deal with Boston - he's from the area, after all. Plus it will cost the Cubs a mint in compensation to Theo and perhaps to Boston as well. Re: McNutt Difference is he's 100% now - had some blister issues, went on the DL with bruised ribs in June. Also scheduled to come to the AFL. Re: Brett Jackson He's also striking out at a really high rate, and he didn't hit well at all in AA. I'd probably still call him up if I were running the team, but just be aware there are red flags.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Jackson AA 2011: April: 100 PA's .317/.420/.537 May: 47 PA's .189/.362/.378 June:97 PA's .217/.309/.349 July: 51 PA .286/.412/.524 So he had 151 PA's of good hitting....144 PA's of crap hitting, with a hand injury in there to boot. Cool. Totals in AA 2010-2011 565 PA's, 92 R, 23 2B, 9 3B, 16 HR, 60 RBI, 33/43SB's, .266/.370/.454

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In reply to by mrcoach00

Scales is a damned good hitter. After LaHair's 1.070, Scales's .959 OPS was the highest in the Cub organization this year. (Jackson's OPS is .955 at Iowa but of course much lower at Tennessee.) What prevented Scales from being a major leaguer was that he didn't give you speed or defense.

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In reply to by Rob G.

Bobby Scales' .743 career OPS is better than our current second baseman's OPS. He had an incredibly successful season in AAA Iowa in 2011 with a .959 OPS and, as mentioned above, is doing very well in Japan. So, I don't really get the Bobby Scales animosity. I never have. My hunch is fans are just too god damn worried about batting average. ...Which is unfortunate because batting average won't get you wins. And the data are not a fluke... he's been successful because he has a great approach at the plate and a nice, balanced swing. The hole in his game was never offense, it was that he only played second base.

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

I agree, the Cubs have made a tradition of playing all kinds of AAAA and even AAA guys on the Chicago Cubs in recent years... so why is Scales the unlucky one that doesn't get the call up? It's a double-standard. If I have to watch shitty baseball, I should at least get to see the shitty players I want to see.

in good news, Royals and A's win today O's lose though and Pirates already losing 3-0 in 2nd.

Cashner in the 8th for Iowa vs. Brewers affiliate M. Gamel strike looking, ball, foul, foul, foul, GO 4-3 M. Rivera strike looking, strike looking, K looking B. Boggs GO 1-3 10 pitches, 9 strikes

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In reply to by QuietMan

I think last time AramRam had to climb over eight guys, now it's only six. Pena's is 4 from none, so I guess he has to keep playing, assuming the new GM wants to take the risk of offering him Arb for a 2nd round pick... That feels like a decision that will bite the Cubs in the ass. If no one wanted him at the trade deadline, no one is going to want him for better than a year and $10 million. Edi* Here's the stats that you use to come up with Placido Polanco being a way better player than AramRam. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/10/stats-used-for.html Have to figure at some point they'll just use a WAR like stat. I love the way they consider center fielders and designated hitters to be equal defensively.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

I would think the new GM would be able to discuss arbitration with Pena as to whether or not he would be inclined to accept. Boras is his agent, so that might not be worth anything. I believe that Pena (and Boras) will insist on a multi-year deal, but who knows. Ramirez should definitely be offered Arb. Demp isn't likely to opt out based on recent comments, but I would certainly offer him arb if he did.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

the cure to all this is signing Pujols or Fielder. So even if they do offer Pena arbitration and numbnuts accepts it, they'll have no problem showing that they have a better option in camp and cut him. Most likely he declines though... I assume Boras is smart enough to know that a team that doesn't want one of his players and being cut in camp means less options and less money. On the other hand, if Cubs don't get Pujols or Fielder, they may want Pena back.

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In reply to by Jumbo

I'd be shocked if Dempster didn't opt out. 2012 is his age 35 season. So the choice for him is probably 4/48 on the open market or 1/14 from the Cubs. Especially when it's probably his last shot at a long term deal. Not to mention he's probably the 2nd best SP on the market after CJ Wilson.

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In reply to by Charlie

if Dempster declines his option, he's obviously expecting a multi-year deal. No risk of him accepting it. For Ramirez, if Cubs buy him out for $2M, then offer arbitration, he could presumably change his mind and accept it. It's not like he'd get much more than $16M and a risk the Cubs might want to take. Ramirez is also one of the few power bats on the FA market. If Cubs pick up his option, and he then opts out, obviously he's seeking a multi-year deal and he won't accept.

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In reply to by Rob G.

I absolutely think both of those are worth the gamble. The worst case scenarios are that you get Dempster, Pena, and Aramis back on one year deals that are not significantly higher than what the Cubs have already been willing to pay them. Best case scenario is that the Cubs free up a bunch of payroll and get draft picks in return. It certainly wouldn't be terrible to have Dempster next year, too. Not like there are a line of pitching prospects ready to take his place. McNutt, Whitenack, etc.--nobody's ready to step into the rotation yet.

Lahair gets the Sept. callup.

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In reply to by The E-Man

Yeah he told a reporter this a day or two ago, also said he expected to play mostly outfield. Not in the lineup against a rookie lefty. 1. Castro, SS 2. Johnson, RF 3. Ramirez, 3B 4. Pena, 1B 5. Soriano, LF 6. Byrd, CF 7. Soto, C 8. Barney, 2B 9. Dempster, P

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In reply to by The Real Neal

jeebus, sorry that I dared to question your awesome brain, I know it has yet to make an error...ever. compare away, and since this is an ongoing discussion on the Internet, I will continue to comment where I see fit. It's kind of how it works. here's some other comps for Bryan LaHair...Hoffpauir, Dubois, McClain, Paul McAnulty.

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In reply to by Rob G.

Played that silly card one too many times is all. I could have pointed out that Corey Patterson wasn't the 3rd best prospect in baseball. Being on BA's list, or having a nice season in Low A while someone else is in college shouldn't prevent you from being compared to another player.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

well let me clarify my skepticism then... the list of old minor leaguers that suddenly become even average major leaguers is very short and usually were at the very least, pretty good prospects when they were young and either were hurt or had some development hiccups along the way. LaHair seems to be neither. Per usual, I hope I'm wrong.

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In reply to by Rob G.

My point is that if you do very well at AAA (BABIP stuff aside) you're likely to do passably well at the minors. There's a strong degree of descrimination against guys who weren't higly regarded as they worked their way up, and to me that has at least as much to explain about their lack of success in the major leagues as their inability to do so. Who do you think is more likely to be a better major league hitter, LaHair or Andy Marte? Marte has had parts of five seasons at AAA and hit .267 .332 .470, and has been given 924 PA's. LaHair has 136 PAs (better OPS+ than Marte), and hit .297 .368 .528 in AAA (mostly PCL). Why has one guy got six times as many chances as the other? Because of scouts. But who did better at MLB and AAA? I don't take "he didn't get called up" as proof that he wouldn't do well.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

I was talking about old minor leaguers, putting up great numbers in AAA. You're talking about something completely different. If Andy Marte was hitting like Bryan LaHair in AAA, then we'd be talking about the same thing and I'd be putting my money on Marte being the better major league player. But he's not and the comp is pointless. This isn't some scouts vs. stats argument I was trying to make. Although good prospecting is of course the combination of both. It's the skepticism of a 29-year old that's been in AAA for 6 years putting up big numbers and why is he still stuck there? Is there some discrimination? maybe... maybe the Cubs and 29 other teams have see something in his swing or bat speed or something else that is apparent that he won't be much in the majors.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The same thing they saw in Cust, right? This isn't some scouts vs. stats argument I was trying to make. Then why are you using BA prospect rankings? Because until maybe 3 years ago, that info is 95% fed by what scouts say. Regardless, you're still using a negative as proof, and it isn't and it will never be, no matter how often you stick your fingers in your ears and "nah nah nah nah nah".

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In reply to by The Real Neal

The same thing they saw in Cust, right? Cust went through 5 organizations, teams saw something, just not enough to stick with him. Then why are you using BA prospect rankings? Because until maybe 3 years ago, that info is 95% fed by what scouts say. because ...good prospecting is of course the combination of both. We've got his numbers, I know they're good. Need to get some picture on the other side of the equation. Regardless, you're still using a negative as proof, and it isn't and it will never be, no matter how often you stick your fingers in your ears and "nah nah nah nah nah". I have no proof, I have skepticism and a feeling that I personally don't think he'll amount to much in the majors. I could be wrong.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

talk about anyone you want, I just don't think Jack Cust is a good comp to LaHair. You're using hindsight scouting. a bit, be nice if I heard something about LaHair changing his swing or something, but I have not. a lot of scouting is projecting, doesn't mean they always nail the timetable. I certainly believe in late developers, but they probably flashed some tools early on. I don't quite believe in 29 year old AAA's that no one seems interested in giving a shot in the majors.

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In reply to by 10man

yes, and rob told us to stop it :( it was epic and pointless at the same time...actually, it was just pointless. we're also not allowed to break formatting by doing really stupid stuff that has nothing to do with baseball. this place is no fun. when i turn 18 i'm moving out of this fascist prison.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

lahair is pointless. numbers are pointless for causing most of this. the only good thing anyone has had to say about lahair's "i can't even break with SEA as a 1st or 1st/LF/RF bench" self is that he could be a 20-25HR .275 hitter in the bigs. his swing isn't that pretty. hell, he can throw...he's got a decent enough OF arm...still can't find work. it'll be fun to see him get his 30-50+abs this month...maybe he'll end up seeing bench work with the cubs or another pro team in 2012. it probably wont be fun to see him fight against 15-30Ks doing it, though. he's got his sudden power surge this season...willy mo pena would be proud.

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In reply to by crunch

Only 3 kinds of players I want this organization to focus on. 1. Relievers with one pitch that we can stretch out into starters and teach 3 more pitches to 2. Guys who look like ballplayers who start swinging from the dugout. 3. Guys who could have been Arena league football players. Hopefully we can turn these guys into #2's

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In reply to by The Real Neal

"I would guess the plan is to platoon [LaHair] with Soriano" I'm thinking he would take starts away from Byrd and play right field while Colvin plays center. Why? Because the Cubs would love to see Soriano with an HR number close to 30 when they push hard to get rid of him this winter. Byrd's cumulative stats (HRs, runs, RBI) can't be salvaged and his BA is okay the way it is. The Cubs are indifferent about trading Byrd, anyway.

Don't know if this has already come up, but Muskat says that Josh Vitters is going to replace Brett Jackson in the AFL. Jackson has another obligation, which she says will be announced at a later time... (WTF?)

I don't see why Pena would get a multi year deal since he didn't get one last year and he didn't have a significantly better year. If he is offered arbitration, he would be crazy not to accept. Maybe if there are enough losers in the Pujols/Fielder derby Pena could drum up some interest, but I think we will be the only ones interested.

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In reply to by TJ

I don't see him getting a multi-year deal either, but he's a good DH/1B option for a power-starved team. But at his age, more in the $5-$7M range. My feeling is, most players decline arbitration, especially if it's clear you really don't want them, you can always release a player in spring training even if they accept and ultimately the Cubs may want him back. There's risks, sure, but there's something to gain there as well.

Zambrano off suspension next week. Cubs will pay him, but tell him to stay away. According to WSCR

I went to Parachat to see what we did to McClutchen... Doesn't Dempster get the point of the season is to keep them ahead of us?

how the Cubs ever let Josh Harrison get away? 3 BB's in 151 PA's he better make Ron Santo look like Bobby Scales at 3b. Levine tweets that Byrd nailed two fans with a liner behind the dugout

Cubs Aflac trivia question - How may times have Cubs been in first or within 4 games of first on Sept 1 in last fifty years? I guessed 5

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In reply to by Rob G.

I am going to watch our 2012 first basemen club the Astros like baby seals tonight. I'll have to get a picture and post it. So far this week actual attendence has been about 1/5th of paid. It would be really depressing if I was an Astros fan. Hard to imagine the Cubs doing as well in season tickets without making a splash in FA this off-season.

no Brett Jackson tonight for Iowa... L. Montanez batting leadoff and playing CF, seems like a late scratch type move

C. Archer with 2 starts, 13 IP, 1 ER, 6 BB, 12 K Lee in AA; 200/267/333 4/6 SB in 101 PA's Guyer in AAA: 312/384/521 14 HR, 29 2B, 5 3B, 35 BB, 79 K in 443 PA Chirinos in AAA: 268/350/390 in 307 PA's, 6 HR (nice July and August in limited PA's though) imagine Guyer and Chirinos get call-ups once the playoffs end

Don't look now but Samninja is knocking on the door of a sub 3.00 ERA. What say you BABIPITES? Is he just lucky or what?

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In reply to by The Real Neal

tom glavine agrees...wait... imo, they make SIERA too powerful in favor of defenders...you get a slew of good defenders on a team it almost negates any SIERA effect regardless of the talent of the pitcher. SIERA is better at obviously-good/bad pitchers, imo...guys in the middle or middle-top of good can get muddy.

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In reply to by crunch

The thing that none of the aggregate systems do is take into account pitchers who get flyballs when they want flyballs and get groundballs when they want groundballs. Glavine and Maddux were pretty good examples of that, but they're exceptions rather than rules. Talking about a guy like Smmaradasjza, who is just trying to get any pitch near the strike zone, with little regard for what happens if they connect, it may not be as accurate as xFIP. It's the guys who always get groundballs or fly balls where it really does a good job.

no mention on TCR about castro caught napping in the IF today giving mccutch 2nd base? i missed the game...catching highlights now.

Horrible dogging by Aramis Ramirez going 1st to 3rd on what should have been a triple by Carlos Pena. ARam should have scored easily.

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In reply to by navigator

I doubt that Randy Bush has any authority to do much of anything. He's a "caretaker" GM. Any decision to extend Oneri Fleita four years had to come from Ricketts, and it's very strange that this happened now considering the Cubs have not hired a new GM yet, and usually the new GM is allowed to bring his own people on-board. It almost sounds like Ricketts is looking more for an MLB Player Personnel Director (primary responsibility would be making trades & signing free-agents) rather than an all-powerful Dallas Green-type Baseball Operations Boss. If that is indeed the case, then some of the names mentioned (Cashman, Epstein, Beane, et al) would probably not be interested in the job, meaning Ricketts is probably targeting a less-established young guy who would be satisfied with more limited responsibilities (at least for now) and with sharing power with Fleita (Player Development & International Scouting) and Wilken (Professional & Rule 4 Amateur Scouting).

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In reply to by Arizona Phil

Rosenbloom has a column up on the Trib's website that really lays out Ricketts for F-ng up the GM search with this hire. You really have to ask yourself about the short and long term direction of the Cubs if this is how he's approaching his most important decision since buying the team. I'm not a fan of this decision, Ricketts, or the direction this is going. Hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

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In reply to by George Altman

that's a retarded as hell statement about a guy who's well regarded by many clubs for everything but his short, yet harmless, temper. fleita is a great baseball man and it's got nothing to do with being "hendry's buddy at Chreiton" if he was let go there's more than 1 team that would love to have him. he's got more than pencil pushing skills and he's far from afraid to get his shoes on the field and work with kids when he's not busy trying to watch 40+ of them play/practice at once.

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In reply to by navigator

Though Ricketts has said the new general manager will have authority to hire a manager and other operatonal personnel, he felt strongly enough about keeping Fleita to extend a new contract in the face of overtures by the Detroit Tigers to seek permission to try to lure him away for a similiar position with them.

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In reply to by QuietMan

Like Fleita, Wilken will have a number of teams interested in his services. If the Cubs decide to make a further commitment to Wilken, the next general manager will have two vital positions in place when he takes over. There will, however, be some flexibility for Ricketts and his next general manager to make changes to those spots in the near future. Fleita’s deal (and a possible one for Wilkens) will be structured creatively with buyouts and options to benefit both the team and the executives. Everyone feel better now?

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In reply to by Rob G.

If there is buyouts and latitude for the next guy to make his own choices. Then I don't feel quite so bad about any extensions given to Wilken and Fleita. I do think the praise they get is completely unfounded at this point however. Neither guy has drafted or developed anything resembling a star player.

Google is putting up a warning to visitors about the Daily Herald web site: //Warning: Something's Not Right Here! www.dailyherald.com contains content from flash7.co.in, a site known to distribute malware. Your computer might catch a virus if you visit this site.//

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In reply to by Rob G.

one of lahair's hits was a bloop single to LF. it would be nice to see him actually putting a ball in LF if it wasn't for the fact he was trying to pull it toward RF and got jammed. i'd like to see the guy see some time in RF to see if he can handle it and brought in to PH off the bench to see if he can handle being a bench guy in 2012. colvin has the power, but he's had such a horrible 2011 trying to make contact. the cubs need a power option off the bench.

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In reply to by Old and Blue

probably...i truly would like to see the guy get 30-50ab's before the season is over, though. he probably won't pry too many games from pena at 1st, so he'll have to get OF time somewhere. they know whether his arm is good enough for RF, but i'd like to see it or have that info shared. when he was still with SEA in their minors his arm was still decent enough, supposedly.

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In reply to by Old and Blue

whatever's going on with c.pena and the cubs weirded that up...they can't sit a guy like that for an extended period of time that's performing to expectations and playing for a contract next year. in the OF they have to find time for colvin and to a lesser extent, campy. campy shouldn't steal too much time (hopefully), but colvin deserves some starts, too.

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

The kid is clearly having problems this year, but he showed enough last year to still be intriguing. And he's still got drastically more upside than LaHair because he can play RF and CF and more upside than Campana because he showed 20+ HR power. I wonder whether they will ask him to play winter ball or just send him home at the end of the season to break from whatever bad habits he's learned this year.

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In reply to by Charlie

I think Colvin's "upside" is really that of a 4th outfielder at this point. He isn't more than a passable defensive Center Fielder. His bat isn't good enough for a corner. At least LaHair has a bat that COULD be passable in a corner spot. Campana is probably a 5th outfielder, Pinch Runner, Sam Fuld type of late inning defensive replacement.

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 11:47am. I think Colvin's "upside" is really that of a 4th outfielder at this point. He isn't more than a passable defensive Center Fielder. His bat isn't good enough for a corner. At least LaHair has a bat that COULD be passable in a corner spot. Campana is probably a 5th outfielder, Pinch Runner, Sam Fuld type of late inning defensive replacement. ================================= DR AARON B: As things stand right now, I think it will probably be LaHair vs Colvin for one roster spot in 2012, with the edge going to LaHair mainly because Colvin will have one minor league option left in 2012, while LaHair is out of options.

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In reply to by Arizona Phil

I think I can agree with that roster situation. I honestly think Colvin would benefit from a full year of being left alone in AAA. In typical Cubs fashion they really rushed him up to the bigs the first chance they had. He's never really ever gotten the full AAA consolidation season that most guys require. 500 at bats in Des Moines without the Chicago/Des Moines shuttle pass might be just what the doctor ordered.

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In reply to by Charlie

The kid is clearly having problems this year, but he showed enough last year to still be intriguing. It's not like it was hard to predict the epic flop of 2011 for Tyler Colvin. He has never dominated at any level in the minors and has a hole in his swing large than the hole in the Titanic. Once the league adjusted it was the end of Colvins career, as he has yet to adjust. His 2011 minor league stint is comically bad. .256 BA, .270 OBP, 5 BB, 55 SO's in 212 AB's. That goes along with a career .275/.315 in the minors which adds up to just a really shitty player. But atleast we got the soon to be 29 year old LaHair to save the day.....yeeeesh the minors are god awful.

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In reply to by MikeC

"a hole in his swing large[r] than the hole in the Titanic." First time I've heard of a hole in Colvin's swing. I think his swing is magnificent, and produces such anomalies as a .205 BA in August, where 10 of his 16 hits were for extra bases including 4 homers and 2 triples. The flaw is in Colvin's approach. He thinks his job is to swing at every pitch in the strike zone. Smarter hitters are quite comfortable taking strikes if they don't like the bend of the pitch or the location. I don't know how Wilken could have drafted a better tool-set in the first round. Colvin has everything except a brain, and they don't give IQ tests to hitters, because it's usually not necessary. It's not rocket science, or even NFL quarterbacking. I do like the idea (above) of using all of Colvin's options, buying time, hoping he gets a clue before the Cubs have to give him up.

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In reply to by crunch

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 7:24am. probably...i truly would like to see the guy get 30-50ab's before the season is over, though. he probably won't pry too many games from pena at 1st, so he'll have to get OF time somewhere. they know whether his arm is good enough for RF, but i'd like to see it or have that info shared. when he was still with SEA in their minors his arm was still decent enough, supposedly. ========================================= CRUNCH: Bryan LaHair played more games in LF than at 1B in both 2009 (with Tacoma) and 2010 (with Iowa), so he's certainly not a stranger to the position. But if he had the arm to play RF, I suspect he would have played more than 23 career games there. Also, LaHair is at best an average defensive 1B, so while he could play 1B for the Cubs if necessary (as a default), LF is probably the best place for him in MLB. It's just that the Cubs already have a LF who is locked-in through 2014 (or through 2013 if the Cubs decide to cut bait after the 2013 season).

The Cubs must win all the rest of their games to finish above .5OO (the mark by which all great Cub teams are judged since pennants are out of the question)

"it would be nice to see him actually putting a ball in LF if it wasn't for the fact he was trying to pull it toward RF and got jammed." For the record, LaHair stroked a single to left on a 1-2, outside-corner breaking ball in the 3rd inning. "I didn't see them but saw one was an infield single?" He hit a ball that the pitcher deflected to Cedeno, who could have fielded the ball and stepped on second for a force, but booted it. Later on, the scorer changed his initial ruling of a base hit to an E-6.

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In reply to by VirginiaPhil

yes, but he was trying to pull it and he was a little late with his swing...that's what jammed him a bit. he still made good contact, though. if he can pull that off with a pitch lower in the zone as well as that high in the zone then that's a special talent...rarely works out that way. you could make and argument that he was just really quick getting his hands inside after starting late, but even then that's an awkward approach to a fastball in the zone. found a video...slow mo around the 25 second mark http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18828181

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).