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

Cubs vs. Dodgers—Stacking Up the Stats

How the Cubs and their NLDS opponents stacked up in a variety of statistical categories. (Team's National League rankings appear in parens; "DER" refers to Defensive Efficiency Ratio and "RZR" refers to Revised Zone Rating. Throughout, * means stats are through Saturday, 9/27. ) 

CUBS
  L.A.
 Hitting
855 (1st)
RS
700 (13th)
184 (5th) HR
137 (13th)
.355 (1st)
OBP
.333 (6th)
.445 (1st)
SLG
.400 (13th)
 800 (1st)
OPS
733 (11th)
     
 Pitching
668 (2nd)
RA
645 (1st)
3.87 (2nd)
ERA
3.68 (1st)
2.30 (3rd) K/BB
2.51 (2nd)
711 (2nd)
OPS vs.
691 (1st)
66% (4th)
SV %
65% (5th)
     
 Fielding*
.706 (1st)
DER
.693 (9th)
.832 (6th)
RZR
.825 (12th)

 

Here's another interesting set of numbers—the performance of the Dodgers offense before and after the acqusition of Manny Ramirez:

PRE-MANNY
  POST-MANNY*
108
G
53
4.17
RS/G
4.70
.69
HR/G
1.19
3.10
BB/G
3.89
.321
OBP
.357
.376 SLG
.446
697
OPS
803

 

Baseball may not be a one-man game, but Ramirez, .489 OBP/.743 SLG/1232 OPS in 53 games for the Dodgers, is obviously one man who made a significant difference for his new team. The two Dodgers who have had the most plate appearances batting right in front of Manny, Jeff Kent and Andre Ethier, have been particular beneficiaries.

Jeff Kent
GP
OBP
SLG
OPS
Pre-Manny
91  .307 .406
 713
Post-Manny*
30
 .388 .455
843
         
Andre Ethier
 GP OBP
SLG
OPS
Pre-Manny
90
.338
.442
780
Post-Manny*
44 .442 ,640
1082

 

Funny thing is, both Kent and Ethier were able to punish the Cubs even without Ramirez this year. In 23 AB's, Ethier hit .348 with a .423 OBP vs. the Cubs, and Kent, in 19 AB, hit 2 HR, with a .421 OBP and an OPS of 1211.

 

 

Comments

Here is my concern. Look at what Sabathia and Santana did over the weekend. Dominating, complete game performances on short rest. That's what you need this time of year, particularly in the playoffs, and we don't have a starter who can do that. Our rotation overall may be the best in the NL, but that helps in the 162 game schedule. In some ways, the question over the course of the season is not how good your 1 and 2 are, but how bad your 3, 4, and 5 are. But in the playoffs, the question is how good your 1 and 2 are. And ours are good, not great. If we can hit our way through the playoffs that will make the difference, but we will see some good pitching. Dodgers in 5.

I'd say your assessment is pretty much spot on as far as the starters/course of the whole season as opposed to a 5 game set. But it's not as if the Dodgers have the CC/Johan type #1. Personally with the cubs lineup against Lowe/Billingsly/Kuroda/Maddux/Whoever they run out their in the 3rd game, i'm not too worried for this series. Cubs in 4, count it.

Has anyone seen the playoff roster? I cant find it on cubs.com or in the tribune...My hope is that howry is left off so he can practice a new grip for his fastball so it atleast moves.

I don't think the Playoff roster has been announced. Or else you'd see many Howry posts. Arguably, the 2nd half moves of Manny, CC, and Harden helped catapult their new teams into the Playoffs. Without the addition of Manny or Sebathia, neither Dodgers or Brewers would have made it. So, indeed, in these cases, one man DID make the difference. Can Sebathia just pitch every other day?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

If CC could pitch every other day, he would. Being a Tribe fan also, he was a gamer and as seen in MIL, he'll take the ball everyday if the manager would allow him. here's the question, i know its looking forward, but who would you rather see the cubs face in round 2? CC and Mil, or Johan and NYM? I'd vote for neither if I could, because i can see both of those being a very very tough series to win. Perhaps i'd rather see the Brewers seeing how familiar the teams are with one another. And Wrigley Field North will be rocking

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

While your hypothetical question is interesting...it is moot, the Mets are not in the playoffs and the question should be: Who would you rather face, the upstart Brewers or the Phillies with that mashing lineup and Cole Hamels? While the acquisitions of Manny and CC propelled their teams to the playoffs, Johan was unable to pulloff the same result with the Mets...Maybe they should have held him back until the second half instead of pitching him the entire season.

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

Absolutely. Hamels has been death for the Cubs this year, and while CC has also been pretty good against us, the Cubs have managed hold back the Brewers offense in those games. Plus, who pitches after Sabathia? What are the Brewers chances of winning playoff games not started by CC? I think the Cubs' deep rotation could potentially make a bigger difference in games against the Brewers than any other team in the post season. The Phil's rotation isn't amazing after Hamels, but their offense could make the Cubs rotation not look so "deep," especially if they can get to the bullpen.

PLAYOFF ROSTER - here is a bit from Muskrat's late last-night entry: "Whether DeRosa is ready will not affect the final decisions on the playoff roster, which will be announced Tuesday. Piniella was to meet then to set it with general manager Jim Hendry and assistant general manager Randy Bush." Also, DeRosa is claiming "he'll be fine" for Wednesday's start...

An overlooked factor in the Pre- and Post-Manny Dodgers, and their offensive improvement, is that around that time they stopped playing offensive sinkholes like Andrew Jones, Pierre, and Nomar. Benching Andrew Jones alone had to be worth many runs. He would have been released in ST if not for the financial commitment.

I'm trying not to be doom and gloom here. I am concerned with D(ouble play)Lee's hitting propensities, particularly with Derek Lowe on the mound. I thought hitters made in-game adjustments to pitchers? I just hope this team can get itself back up if they find themselves behind the 8-ball (a'la 2004 RedSox). This post season is not going to be a cakewalk. If we beat the Dodgers, I'm not so sure we can beat the Phillies when we not only have to deal with Cole Hamels, but Jamie Moyer(!?), who shut us down. Jamie Moyer is not supposed to be tough but he is to us. Their offense is downright scary too. I'm not on the ledge, but somebody talk me out of this.

That's a good point on D-Lee, but I worry alot more about the bullpen. If we lose this series, I predict it will be in the 6th and 7th innings. Wood and Marmol are good, but beyond that as you all know, we have been struggling. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have Saito and Broxton late, plus Kuo, Wade, Park, Bemiel....lots of RH/LH solid guys, with some strikeout guys, for those middle innings. We definitely need someone to step up in this space, be it Samardzija, Marshall, or someone else. Gaudin's back problems really hurt us, because he was pitching well until then, and providing that solid middle relief.

to charge a good $30 in bullshit fees for 2 tickets to a major league baseball game? F U Frank McCourt. And I still have to add an extra $15 each day for parking.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Yup, I about screamed when I saw how much fees were being added to the tix. Although some of that is ticket master. FYI, I have tickets in the all you can eat pavilion on Sunday too. Would have prefered to buy my own food in cheaper seats.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'd say gouging customers is pretty normal behavior for a crook. Frank McCourt was born, to Malachy & Angela McCourt, in Brooklyn. Unable to find work in the depths of the Depression, the McCourts returned to their native Ireland in 1934, where they sank deeper into poverty. McCourt's father, an alcoholic, was often without work, and drank up what little money he earned. When McCourt was 11, his father abandoned the family leaving Frank's mother to raise four children. After quitting school at age 13, Frank alternated between odd jobs and petty crime .... --- wikipedia So, he just graduated from petty juvenile crime to bigtime bring the country to its knees kiss your 401k goodbye "legal" crime, i.e. Real Estate Investment.. Where's it going?--- http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Frank_McCourt.php me, I'm gonna riot if they run out of food in the RF pavilion.

released... Yovanni Gallardo going Game 1 for the Brewers.

The Cards give Kyle Lohse a four-year contract. As a Cubs fan, I'm tickled. Now they're stuck with Lohse, who had a career year in '08, through 2012. Didn't they realize that Lohse was trolling for work during spring training? And didn't they give Pineiro a long-term deal last year? As long as they have Pujols, they'll win 85 games or so, but by signing Pineiro and Lohse, we won't have to worry about them winning 100 games anytime soon.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I have a hard time faulting A-Ram too much for not hitting in the three games the Cubs played last October. Pretty small sample size. Who DID hit that series? Derek Lowe does worry me, though. I'm hoping the Cubs patience will help them squeak out a few runs and they'll somehow avoid grounding into too many double plays. I'm also hoping Dempster can shut down the Dodger's offense.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

To answer my own question like a jerk: Soto went 1 for 6 with a home run and two of the Cubs 4 total RBI. Lee was 4-12, all singles, plus a walk. DeRo went 3-9 (singles) with two walks. After those two the next highest averages were Theriot, Kendall, and Murton with .250. Jacque Jones and Geovany Soto accounted for the only Cubs extra bases (a Soto homer and a Jones double). They did manage 13 walks in three games, which isn't terrible, but the power and the averages were not there. The pitching was less than amazing, but not as bad as the hitting. No wonder I've forgotten most of that series.

It finally dawned on me that game times aren't pacific time and that I'll miss half of Wednesday's game and all of Thursday's because of class. Fuck. Also, I don't have TBS so I'll have to watch the games on a shitty feed from China on the internet. This might be good luck for the Cubs, though.

carol slezik in suntimes today headline so its been a hundred years since the cubs have been to the world series have you heard huh dont they proof read these things she should be sent to the wood shed. how emberrasing to cub fans everywhere.

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).