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 2011 Arizona Instructional League - Final Stats

Here are the final statistics for the Cubs 2011 AZ Instructional League team.

There is no official scorer at AZIL games so the stats are “unofficial.”

POSITION PLAYERS:

JAVIER BAEZ, SS:
R/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 1st round ($2.625M bonus)
Arlington Country Day School - Jacksonville, FL
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.273 AVG
.273 OBP
.364 SLG
6 GAMES
23 PA
22 AB
6 HITS
2 2B
0 3B
0 HR
1 RBI
4 RUNS
0 BB
9 K
1 SH
1 SB (0 CS)
1 PO
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR (E-6)

JEFFREY BAEZ, OF:
R/R
Age 18
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Venezuela ($350K bonus)
Made U. S. debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.219 AVG
.278 OBP
.344 SLG
13 GAMES
36 PA
32 AB
7 HITS
2 2B
1 3B
0 HR
6 RBI
2 RUNS
3 BB
7 K
1 SF
0 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
1 OUTFIELD ASSIST

ELIECER BONNE, OF:
R/R
Age 24
2011 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Cuba
Made U. S. debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.200 AVG
.200 OBP
.200 SLG
3 GAMES
5 PA
5 AB
1 HIT
0 2B
0 3B
0 HR
0 RBI
0 RUNS
0 BB
1 K
1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: NO ERRORS

YANIEL CABEZAS, C:
R/R
Age 22
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Cuba ($500K bonus)
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.357 AVG
.419 OBP
.429 SLG
11 GAMES
31 PA
28 AB
10 HITS
2 2B
0 3B
0 HR
3 RBI
5 RUNS
3 BB
2 K
1 GIDP
0 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
1-7 CS (14%)
1 PO

JEIMER CANDELARIO, 3B-1B:
B/R
Age 17
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic ($500K bonus)
Made U. S. debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.297 AVG
.361 OBP
.459 SLG
14 GAMES
41 PA
37 AB
11 HITS
4 2B
1 3B
0 HR
5 RBI
7 RUNS
4 BB
5 K
2 GIDP
0 SB
DEFENSE: 3 ERRORS (E-5, E-5, E-5)

ZEKE DeVOSS, 2B-LF-CF:
B/R
Age 21
2011 DRAFT - 3rd round ($500K)
U. of Miami
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.231 AVG
.302 OBP
.231 SLG
11 GAMES
43 PA
39 AB
9 HITS
0 2B
0 3B
0 HR
2 RBI
2 RUNS
3 BB
14 K
1 HBP
2 SB (2 CS)
1 PO
DEFENSE: 4 ERRORS (E4, E4, E4, E4)

SHAWON DUNSTON, Jr, CF-LF-RF:
L/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 11th round ($1.25M “over-slot” bonus)
Valley Christian HS - San Jose, CA
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.143 AVG
.163 OBP
.214 SLG
14 GAMES
46 PA
42 AB
6 HITS
0 2B
0 3B
1 HR
4 RBI
3 RUNS
1 BB
6 K
3 SH
0 SB (1 CS)
1 PO
DEFENSE:
1 ERROR (E-8)
2 OUTFIELD ASSISTS

TAIWAN EASTERLING, LF-CF:
R/R
Age 22
2011 DRAFT - 27th Round ($150K “over-slot“ bonus)
Florida State
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.455 AVG
.538 OBP
.727 SLG
4 GAMES
13 PA
11 AB
5 HITS
1 2B
1 3B
0 HR
2 RBI
3 RUNS
1 BB
2 K
1 HBP
1 SB (2 CS)
DEFENSE: 1 OUTFIELD ASSIST

DUSTIN GEIGER, 3B-1B:
R/R
Age 19
2010 DRAFT - 24th round ($150K “over-slot“ bonus)
Merritt Island HS - Brevard County, FL
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.333 AVG
.407 OBP
.458 SLG
9 GAMES
27 PA
24 AB
8 HITS
2 2B
0 3B
1 HR
6 RBI
6 RUNS
0 BB
5 K
3 HBP
1 GIDP
2 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE: 2 ERRORS (E3, E5)

MICAH GIBBS, C-1B:
B/R
Age 23
2010 DRAFT - 3rd round ($350K bonus)
LSU
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.448 AVG
.541 OBP
.758 SLG
13 GAMES
37 PA
29 AB
13 HITS
2 2B
2 3B
1 HR
8 RBI
7 RUNS
6 BB
4 K
1 HBP
1 SF
0 SB
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
3-3 CS (100%)

REGGIE GOLDEN, RF-CF-LF:
R/R
Age 20
2011 DRAFT - 2nd round ($725K bonus)
Wetumpka HS - Wetumpka, AL
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.214 AVG
.267 OBP
.429 SLG
9 GAMES
30 PA
28 AB
6 HITS
3 2B
0 3B
1 HR
8 RBI
7 RUNS
2 BB
9 K
1 GIDP
1 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE:
1 ERROR (E-9)
1 OUTFIELD ASSIST

DANNY LOCKHART, SS-2B-3B:
L/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 10th round ($395K “over-slot“ bonus)
Hebron Christian Academy - Dacula, GA
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.231 AVG
.326 OBP
.283 SLG
14 GAMES
46 PA
39 AB
9 HITS
2 2B
0 3B
0 HR
3 RBI
6 RUNS
5 BB
7 K
1 HBP
1 SH
0 SB (3 CS)
DEFENSE: 2 ERRORS (E6, E6)

RAFAEL LOPEZ, C-1B:
L/R
Age 24
2011 DRAFT - 16th round
Florida State
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.278 AVG
.435 OBP
.389 SLG
8 GAMES
23 PA
18 AB
5 HITS
2 2B
0 3B
0 HR
3 RBI
3 R
5 BB
0 K
0 SB
DEFENSE:
1 ERROR (E-2)
3-11 CS (27%)
1 PB

MARK MALAVE, C-3B:
B/R
Age 16
2011 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Venezuela ($1.6M bonus)
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.143 AVG
.250 OBP
.143 SLG
10 GAMES
24 PA
21 AB
3 HITS
0 2B
0 3B
0 HR
0 RBI
0 R
3 BB
7 K
1 GIDP
0 SB
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
1-4 CS (25 %)
1 PB

JUSTIN MARRA, C:
L/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 15th round ($110K “over-slot“ bonus)
Michael Power/St. Joseph SS - Ontario, Canada
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.261 AVG
.370 OBP
.304 SLG
11 GAMES
27 PA
23 AB
6 HITS
1 2B
0 3B
0 HR
3 RBI
3 RUNS
4 BB
5 K
1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
0-2 CS (0%)
1 PB

TREY MARTIN, LF-CF:
R/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 13th round ($250K “over-slot“ bonus)
Brookwood HS - Snellville, GA
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.208 AVG
.240 OBP
.250 SLG
9 GAMES
25 PA
24 AB
5 HITS
1 2B
0 3B
0 HR
3 RBI
2 RUNS
1 BB
5 K
2 GIDP
1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: NO ERRORS

ALBERTO MINEO, C:
L/R
Age 17
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Italy ($225K bonus)
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.500 AVG
.556 OBP
.500 SLG
4 GAMES
9 PA
8 AB
4 HITS
0 2B
0 3B
0 HR
2 RBI
0 R
1 BB
2 K
0 SB
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
1-1 CS (100%)
1 PB

CARLOS PENALVER, SS-2B-3B:
R/R
Age 17
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Venezuela ($550K bonus)
Made U. S. debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.158 AVG
.180 OBP
.158 SLG
40 PA
38 AB
6 HITS
0 2B
0 3B
0 HR
4 RBI
3 RUNS
1 BB
7 K
1 SH
2 GIDP
2 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE: 4 ERRORS (E4, E4, E6, E6)

NEFTALI ROSARIO, C:
R/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 6th round ($150K bonus)
Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.107 AVG
.167 OBP
.107 SLG
10 GAMES
30 PA
28 AB
3 HITS
0 2B
0 3B
0 HR
0 RBI
3 RUNS
1 BB
14 K
1 HBP
1 GIDP
1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE:
1 ERROR
1-8 CS (13%)
2 PB

GARRETT SCHLECHT, LF-RF:
L/L
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 9th round ($235K “over-slot“ bonus)
Waterloo HS - Waterloo, IL
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.250 AVG
.455 OBP
.292 SLG
14 GAMES
33 PA
24 AB
6 HITS
1 2B
0 3B
0 HR
1 RBI
5 RUNS
9 BB
9 K
0 SB
DEFENSE:
NO ERRORS
1 OUTFIELD ASSIST

RUBI SILVA, 2B-RF-SS:
L/R
Age 22
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Cuba ($1M bonus)
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.317 AVG
.349 OBP
.366 SLG
12 GAMES
43 PA
41 AB
13 HITS
0 2B
1 3B
0 HR
3 RBI
10 RUNS
2 BB
6 K
3 SB (1 CS)
1 PO
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR (E-4)

DAN VOGELBACH, 1B:
L/R
Age 18
2011 DRAFT - 2nd round ($1.6M bonus)
Bishop Verot HS - Ft. Myers, FL
2011 INSTRUCTS:
.261 AVG
.393 OBP
.413 SLG
16 GAMES
56 PA
46 AB
12 HITS
2 2B
1 3B
1 HR
7 RBI
6 RUNS
10 BB
12 K
2 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR (E-3)

PITCHERS:

JOSE ARIAS, RHP:
Age 20
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
Made U. S. debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
2.45 ERA
0.82 WHIP
.154 OppBA
5 GAMES (2 GS)
7.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 12 K, 1 HR

KYLER BURKE, LHP:
Age 23
2006 DRAFT - 1st round (Supplemental) by San Diego Padres
Traded with Rob Bowen to Cubs from SD for Michael Barrett in 2007
Cubs 2009 Minor League Player of the Year (as OF)
Ex-OF - Converted to LHP Spring Training 2011
2011 INSTRUCTS:
2.70 ERA
1.05 WHIP
.182 OppBA
4 GAMES (1 GS)
6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 WP
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR

CHRIS CARPENTER, RHP:
Age 25
2008 DRAFT - 3rd round
Kent State
2011 INSTRUCTS (AFL PREP):
0.00 ERA
2.00 WHIP
.500 OppBA
1 GAME
1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP

FRANK DEL VALLE, LHP:
Age 22
2011 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Cuba ($800K bonus)
2011 INSTRUCTS:
1.80 ERA
0.70 WHIP
.152 OppBA
6 GAMES
10.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 14 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 1 BALK

IAN DICKSON, RHP:
Age 21
2011 Draft - 35th round ($100K “over-slot” bonus)
Lafayette College
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
1.69 ERA
1.50 WHIP
.211 OppBA
4 GAMES (2 GS)
5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 4 K, 1 GIDP

DUSTIN FITZGERALD, RHP:
Age 21
2010 DRAFT - 19th round ($110K “over-slot“ bonus)
Hill JC
2011 INSTRUCTS:
4.15 ERA
1.38 WHIP
.290 OppBA
7 GAMES
8.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R (4 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP

MARCUS HATLEY, RHP:
Age 23
2006 DRAFT - 39th round (Draft & Follow signed in May 2007)
Palomar JC
2011 INSTRUCTS (AFL PREP):
0.00 ERA
1.00 WHIP
.000 OppBA
1 GAME
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

DAVID HENRIE, RHP:
Age 20
2011 NON-DRAFTED FREE-AGENT - Trinidad State JC
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
12.15 ERA
2.40 WHIP
.387 OppBA
5 GAMES (1 GS)
6.2 IP, 12 H, 11 R (9 ER), 4 BB, 5 K, 2 WP, 1 HR
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR

MICHAEL JENSEN, RHP:
Age 20
2011 DRAFT - 26th round ($225K “over-slot“ bonus)
Hartnell JC
2011 INSTRUCTS:
0.00 ERA
1.20 WHIP
.182 OppBA
3 GAMES
3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP

LUIS LIRIA, RHP:
Age 21
2007 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
2011 INSTRUCTS:
0.82 ERA
0.82 WHIP
.121 OppBA
6 GAMES (1 GS)
11.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 5 BB, 4 K, 2 WP

DILLON MAPLES, RHP
Age 19
2011 DRAFT - 14th round ($2.5M “over-slot” bonus)
Pinecrest HS - Southern Pines, NC
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
4.91 ERA
1.91 WHIP
.231 OppBA
3 GAMES (1 GS)
3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP

ANDREW McKIRAHAN, LHP:
Age 21
2011 DRAFT - 21st round
U. of Texas
2011 INSTRUCTS:
4.70 ERA
1.43 WHIP
.290 OppBA
7 GAMES
7.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 2 HR, 1 PO

TREY McNUTT, RHP
Age 22
2009 DRAFT - 32nd round ($115K “over-slot” bonus)
Shelton State CC
2011 INSTRUCTS (AFL PREP):
9.00 ERA
1.50 WHIP
.250 OppBA
1 GAME (1 GS):
2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K

TARLANDUS MITCHELL, RHP:
Age 21
2008 DRAFT - 22nd round
Alto HS - Alto, TX
2011 INSTRUCTS:
5.40 ERA
1.80 WHIP
.222 OppBA
5 GAMES
5.0 IP, 4 H, 7 R (3 ER), 5 BB, 5 K, 1 HBP, 4 WP, 1 PO

AMAURY PAULINO, RHP:
Age 21
2009 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
2011 INSTRUCTS
11.81 ERA
1.88 WHIP
.364 OppBA
5 GAMES (1 GS)
5.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP

FELIX PENA, RHP:
Age 21
2009 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
2011 INSTRUCTS:
6.52 ERA
1.55 WHIP
.325 OppBA
5 GAMES (1 GS)
9.2 IP, 13 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 9 K, 1 BALK

STARLING PERALTA, RHP:
Age 20
2008 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
2011 INSTRUCTS:
2.16 ERA
1.08 WHIP
.207 OppBA
4 GAMES (2 GS)
8.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HR, 3 WP, 2 GIDP
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR

CHRISTOPHER PIETERS, LHP:
Age 17
2011 INTERNATIONAL FREE- AGENT - Curacao ($350K bonus)
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
9.64 ERA
2.57 WHIP
.263 OppBA
4 GAMES (1 GS)
4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 7 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 1 WP

AUSTIN REED, RHP:
Age 19
2010 DRAFT - 12th round ($150K “over-slot” bonus)
Rancho Cucamonga HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
2011 INSTRUCTS:
0.00 ERA
0.60 WHIP
.138 OppBA
5 GAMES
8.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
DEFENSE: 1 ERROR

JOSE ROSARIO, RHP:
Age 21
2008 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
2011 INSTRUCTS:
2.25 ERA
1.75 WHIP
.226 OppBA
6 GAMES (1 GS)
8.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R (2 ER), 7 BB, 5 K

ZAC ROSSCUP, LHP:
Age 23
2009 DRAFT - 28th round (by Tampa Bay Rays)
Traded to Cubs from TB in multi-player deal in January 2011
2011 INSTRUCTS:
4.91 ERA
1.64 WHIP
.267 OppBA
3 GAMES (2 GS)
3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP

ALEXANDER SANTANA, RHP:
Age 17
2010 INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENT - Dominican Republic
Made U. S. debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
7.94 ERA
1.59 WHIP
.261 OppBA
4 GAMES
5.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 5 K

TAYLER SCOTT, RHP:
Age 19
2011 DRAFT - 5th round ($280K bonus)
Notre Dame Prep - Scottsdale, AZ
2011 INSTRUCTS:
2.16 ERA
1.20 WHIP
.225 OppBA
5 GAMES
8.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 6 K, 1 GIDP

MATT SPENCER, LHP:
Age 25
2007 DRAFT - 3rd round (by Philadelphia Phillies)
Traded to Cubs from OAK in multi-player deal in January 2010
Ex-OF - Converted to LHP at 2011 INSTRUCTS
2011 INSTRUCTS:
7.36 ERA
2.18 WHIP
.214 OppBA
3 GAMES
3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 5 BB, 4 K, 5 WP

CHARLES THOMAS, RHP:
Age 23
2009 DRAFT - 10th round ($60K bonus)
Edward Waters College
Ex-3B - Converted to RHP at AZL Cubs 2010
2011 INSTRUCTS:
4.05 ERA
1.20 WHIP
.280 OppBA
5 GAMES (1 GS)
6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 10 K, 2 WP

SCOTT WEISMANN, RHP:
Age 21
2011 DRAFT - 46th round
Clemson
Made pro debut at Instructs
2011 INSTRUCTS:
2.84 ERA
1.11 WHIP
.227 OppBA
5 GAMES (1 GS)
6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 8 K, 1 WP

TONY ZYCH, RHP:
Age 21
2011 DRAFT - 4th round ($400K bonus)
U. of Louisville
2011 INSTRUCTS:
8.10 ERA
1.80 WHIP
.296 OppBA
7 GAMES
6.2 IP, 8 H, 10 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 13 K, 2 HBP, 3 WP

Comments

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/8272985-573/theo-epstein-d… Cubs sources with knowledge of the talks between the Cubs and Boston Red Sox don’t expect their haggling over player compensation to keep Epstein from becoming the Cubs’ next general manager. ~snip~ The sense of inevitability cuts a swath from Wrigley to Fenway, where sources say Ben Cherington already has been internally appointed GM and other members of the Red Sox’ front office are in the process of being shuffled and/or promoted according to that and other falling dominoes anticipated with Epstein’s departure.

Phil, I was going to ask for your impressions on a couple of guys, but then I figured, and I am sure others, would love to get your take on just about all of them. I know in the game writeups you've done a few already.

AZ PHIL: Thanks for this. I am wondering, is there one or two pitchers, and one or two postion players that you felt showed outstanding talent? I know it is still rough, but... This whole Theo thing has reminded me we really don't have a bushel basket of MLB starting pitching prospects - particulrily front end.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:17am. AZ PHIL: Thanks for this. I am wondering, is there one or two pitchers, and one or two postion players that you felt showed outstanding talent? I know it is still rough, but... This whole Theo thing has reminded me we really don't have a bushel basket of MLB starting pitching prospects - particulrily front end ==================================== E-MAN: Micah Gibbs was at Instructs specifically to work on improving his hitting and his throwing, and there is no question he did that. His bat speed is still a bit sluggish, but he learned to load-up with some elevation in his swing and he got really good results from both sides of the plate. He is also a more patient & relaxed hitter, and that should result in more walks. What with Luis Flores on the Restricted List while serving out his 50-game PED suspension, Micah Gibbs could get jumped to Tennessee out of Minor League Camp, at least until Flores is ready to return to action sometime in May. Gibbs is already the best receiver in the Cubs system, the pitchers love throwing to him, and he was a "Big Brother" to a lot of the younger kids at Instructs. A great role model for the youngsters. 17-year old switch-hitting 3B-1B Jeimer Candelario is an advanced hitter for his age. He has one of the those classic sweet lefty swings that produces line-drives from line-to line. He is OK RH, too, but it's more of a punch (NOT slap) swing. He has a large frame that could mean he will develop some significant HR power (probably more from the left side) down the line as he fills out and matures. I don't know if he can remain at 3B long-term, though. He might have to move to 1B, LF, or RF at some point. Candelario loves to talk on the field (he speaks very good English), and I don't think a pitch goes by where you don't hear him shout something to the pitcher or to the other players. Despite being only 17, he seems to fancy himself a coach on the field. 1B Dan Vogelbach has awesome power (especially for an 18-year old), but he also will take outside pitches the other way and smoke a line-drive into the left-center alley. He is a VERY patient & choosy hitter who is not afraid to hit with two strikes. As a result, he might get called-out on strikes a bit more than the average hitter. A lot of the scouts and rival managers, coaches, and players talk about his "bad body," but he just keeps smiling, brushes it off, and just does his thing. Although he is certainly not fast, he is an aggressive base-runner who will take the extra-base if the opportunity presents itself. He is a special kid. If you told me he was John Kruk's son, I would believe it. As for the pitchers, LHP (ex-OF) Kyler Burke has made great strides since converting to pitcher at Minor League Camp last March. Of course Burke was an outstanding two-way player (OF-LHP) in HS, and was even rated higher as a pitcher than an outfielder by some scouts going into the 2006 draft, so I guess it should not come as a surprise that he is progresing as well as he is. Burke throws a mid-90's fastball, a curve, and a change-up, and learned to throw a slider at Instructs. Despite his age (he is 23 going on 24), the sky is the limit for Kyler Burke. As I have mentioned before, Burke is eligible for selection in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, and while he probably won't be taken (he hasn't pitched above Boise), the Cubs do need to remember that he is eligible to be an MLB Rule 55 Minor-League Free-Agent (Six-Year Minor League FA) post-2012, and so he could walk away if the Cubs don't add him to the 40-man roster by the 4th day following the conclusion of the 2012 World Series. 22-year old Cuban defector LHP Frank Del Valle had an outstanding Instructs, and looks to be ready to make a big move in 2012. While I suspect he will begin the 2012 season as a rotation starter at Daytona, I certainly would not be surprised if he finished the year at Tennessee. Del Valle throws a low 90's fastball with movement, a plus-breaking ball, and a change, and he shows tremendous poise on the mound. He also has a nifty pick-off move that keeps base-runners from wanting to run on him. 20-year old 6'4 RHP Jose Arias was the #1 Cubs starter in the DSL in 2011, and he showed why at Instructs. He pounds the strike zone with a 94 MPH fastball and a solid breaking ball, and racks up the punch-outs. Arias was the Starling Peralta of this year's Instructs, and could follow a similar path as Peralta in 2011. (BTW, Peralta looked OK at 2011 Instructs, too, although his control was a bit off). After struggling at Boise, RHP Austin Reed (who has great stuff but delicate mechanics) got things straightened out and threw 8.1 IP of shutout ball at Instructs. Hopefully he will be able to carry it over to Peoria in 2012. Among the disappointments at 2011 Instructs, after having a big first game (a two-run single and a solo HR) Shawon Dunston,Jr went into an extended slump that never ended. His big problem is that he is (at present) an EXTREME pull hitter. He needs to use the whole field, but doesn't really seem to understand that. He just tries to pull everything. C Neftali Rosario had all kinds of trouble both offensively and defensively at Instructs. He seemed to take a giant step backwards from where he was in the AZL. Swing & miss. Swing & miss. Swing & miss. No contact. It's so bad right now that he probably needs to go back to square-one and start all over again. And while his defense was never good, it was even worse at Instructs. His receiving skills are poor, but even his throwing (which was one of his strengths) was pretty bad at Instructs. Among the pitchers, newly-signed RHP David Henrie (2011 NDFA - Trinidad State JC) made his pro debut and got pounded. So did AZL Cubs RHPs Felix Pena and Amaury Paulino. 5'8 fireballin' RHP Tarlandus Mitchell still can't throw strikes. It looks like it might be getting close to the end of the line for "Smoke" (this was his 4th year in the organization and he hasn't got past Boise). Really nice kid, though Recently converted LHP (ex-OF) Matt Spencer did a really good impression of "Wild Thing" (from Major League), and 17-year old LHP Christopher Pieters (from Curacao) is definitely not anywhere close to being ready for Prime Time. Pieters looked totally lost on the mound.

the sabergeeks mostly seem to believe this is a well-done article, I don't have time to read it this morning. http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/another-one-bites-the-dust/ Soto was 11th best at blocking pitches from 2008-2011 and comes out as 9th best defensively in 2011 between blocking pitches, throwing out runners and framing pitches. my casual observation was he seemed much improved defensively this year.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

One real glaring oversight in the study is how they handle catcher posiitoning, and the pitchers ability to target those posistions. If you have a pitcher who throws wild pitch fastballs, let's just call him "Jeff S", and another who hits your glove, let's just call him "Greg M", even if they throw pitches that cross the plate in the same location with the same trajectory, it may wind up a passed ball for the "Jeff S" pitch, because you were setting up inside and he missed the mark by three feet. It's the same problem that the "zone rating" systems have, when they do not discount for superior scouting/defensive positioning/pitchers executing game plans. The assumption that all knuckleballs are equally easy to catch, seems a little bit naive to me as well.

trying to bust the system @SDUNSTONJR shawon dunston jr Would like it someone could lend me there baseball America user name and password for a second

30-year deal with Cubs for spring training complex... Arizona Phil stays employed. :)

says the problem is the Cubs prospects mostly suck and the ones that don't the Cubs want to keep. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/10… What's been amusing are reports out of Chicago that Larry Lucchino has been difficult to deal with in this process. Difficult? The Cubs, realizing they have nothing, are trying to hold to that nothing. "It sounds like the process, from what I've heard second hand, has been quite frustrating on the Red Sox end," said the GM.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 1:21pm. I think the general consensus from the Keith Law types is a lot of depth, not a lot of high upside though. Who do you think are the position prospects (excluding the recent draft) that will be average regulars or better for at least 5 seasons? To me B. Jackson, W. Castillo, and Szczur are about it and Castillo and Szczur are sketchy. =========================================== ROB G: I think Brett Jackson will be a 20/20/20 lead-off hitter and a plus-defender in CF (or LF). Jae-Hon Ha should be an everyday player (probably in RF, although it could be CF if B-Jax plays LF), with 15-20 HR power as he matures (he played at AA at age 20 in 2011), consistent 30+ doubles, and Gold Glove defense with lots of OF assists. (He needs to stop trying to steal bases, though). Welington Castillo should a front-line MLB catcher with 20+ HR power and a high CS %. Josh Vitters will be an everyday player in the big leagues, although probably not at 3B (it now looks more-likely 1B, although it could eventually be a corner-OF). D. J. LeMahieu should be a starting infielder (could be at 2B or 3B) in the big leagues and should be a consistent .300+ hitter with lots of doubles. Ryan Flaherty should be a platoon corner man (1B-3B-LF-RF) with 20+ HR power. I think Junior Lake could get regular playing time if he can start to make better contact. Whether it will be at SS or 3B is yet to be determined, but right now I think it would probably be 3B. Nobody in the minor leagues has a stronger arm than Junior Lake. Matt Szcur should be an everyday CF or LF. As far as the pitchers are concerned, Trey McNutt has front-end of the rotation stuff. So did Rob Whitenack before he went down with TJS. We'll have to see how he comes back in 2013. There are a number of middle-of-the-rotation candidates from Daytona to Iowa (Del Valle, Rhee, Antigua, Searle, Raley, Rusin, Cabera, Struck, and J. Jackson). Aaron Kurcz could be an MLB set-up an or closer, and Jeff Beliveau has the stuff to be a #1 lefty in the pen. (I just blew my Cubs 2012 Top 15 Prospects List in one comment!)

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

well that's where the opinions diverge I presume... just being good enough to start on some teams is not necessarily all that special. There's a lot of bad players in the majors that are starting. It doesn't mean they don't have their uses, but none of those position players besides B. Jackson and maybe Szczur seem to be all that coveted by other teams at the moment. As for the pitching, well no one has anything to good to say about the Cubs pitchers at this moment besides McNutt's upside. If Whitenack didn't get injured, he'd probably be getting plenty of press. Hopefully some of them improve, but McNutt and Cashner are the only top of the rotation prospects right now. Although I'd say depth on the pitching end is more important than the position player end.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

well, the point i was trying to make is that there are folks that seem to think the system is devoid of raw talent and ability. This is as healthy a system as I can recall since the early 2000's, if not better, in terms of overall raw talent, but the issue is that, with system rankings, they are often, rightfully so, weighted towards upper level talent, and most of the Cubs raw talent is in the lower levels. That said, for once, we have a solid crop of upside talent both in terms of arms and in terms of positional talent. Furthermore, unlike past years, there's actually some raw power talent that's fairly intriguing. A lot of them will peter out, but for along time, we had fringe blue chip guys at best (the Pie's of the world).

[ ]

In reply to by Tony S.

Casey McGhee, Sam Fuld, Corey Patterson, Tony Campana, World Series Bound Ryan Theriot, Ross Gload, Mike Fontenot, Darwin Barney (Theriot-heavy), Tyler Colvin. These are all position players that have recently played in the MLB and brought up by the Cubs. The goal of the GM is to get two things accomplished (of course taking for granted putting a winner on the field): 1. Graduating players, even if they are not .300 hitters, and GG candidates, to the MLB 2. Polishing prospects to be usegul in trades. PERIOD. I know we would all love to have a team of home-grown All-Stars, but this is what we got so far. Lots of guys who will have useful careers, at the highest level of baseball - but not the best players. Certainly, the hope is with new management the team will be able to get more impact players that are home-grown (like Castro), and fewer average players. Every GM wants a Fielder or Pujols, but this Cubs organization has not had their share of these types of prospects b/c management sought to buy them, and fill-in with the average guys. Unfortunately, the money was not wisely spent for the most part with either Hendry or McFail.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

How could you read that article and not realize that was just about the first time Wilken had seen the kid play? Here's a clue, June 2009 When it comes to what he needs to work on at instructional league camp and in future months, Wilken thinks he only needs to refine some of the little things. "Other than just concentrating on the little things that he'll need, there's not a real big hole in his game anywhere for me," he said. Looks like Wilken had no idea Castro's defense was problematic. And then Wilken was asked, "Are there any players right now that you think are on the fast track to the major leagues?" TW: "Everything’s been pretty steady here and I don’t know if there’s one player that’s going to be on the fast track." So maybe TW missed Starlin Castro on the Cubs fast track as he flew by at 200 mph.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

In the same Cafardo (Globe) piece:
"Couldn't Theo have picked the Texas Rangers or the Tampa Bay Rays?" quipped one American League general manager. "It's got to be difficult to make a deal given the pool of players you want is so limited."
I could turn that around and say I wish there was a team on the other side of the table that knew how to locate talent. Tampa Bay, for example, who, after the Cubs declined to give up the equivalent of Archer and Lee, would dig deeper and find the equivalent of Chirinos, Guyer and Fuld--and then, just to underline the point, would swipe the equivalent of Canzler as a minor-league free agent and turn him into IL player of the year. Boston's double-A team, in Portland ME, was 59 and 83. The high-A team, in Salem VA, was 64-75. The AAA team was 20 games over .500 but I looked at their roster and none of the younger players (born '87 or later) did much hitting with the possible exception of a first baseman, Lars Anderson, who hit .265 with 14 homers. Then there's always Jose Iglesias, the Cuban shortstop who I think cost them $8 million and who, two years ago, lost the shortstop position with the Solar Sox to Starlin Castro. He was only 21 at AAA this year, but then, he didn't hit much, either (.235/.285/.269). But I'm sure they think he's great. Theo better keep Wilken and Fleita around.

Padres gm jed hoyer is being considered for hire by the cubs/epstein. If hoyer goes to chicago, josh byrnes would be sd gm ~snip~ Hoyer may stay in sd. But sources say cubs interest real. Cubs also looking at byrnes/mcleod from sd. Story on http://si.com soon Hoyer as GM with Theo as President of Baseball Operations? Can't imagine Hoyer taking a demotion...unless it's a higher paid demotion.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:36pm. I can picture Todd Ricketts, and Bush giving the finger to Luccesi during conference calls. I suppose that is a possibility, but then no guarantee that Epstein will be available/want to still come to Chi. Besides, do you really want a GM who learned at the teat of Jim Hendry? And, More than likely helped with some of Hendry's mismanagement (particularly of some of the time sensitive deadline matters involving minor league players you have alluded to over the last couple years. Casey McGhee for example). ========================================= E-MAN: I would give Bush a payroll budget and tell him he can sign free-agents, but only to one-year contracts. That wouldn't mess things up too much for the next GM. (Actually it might have been a good way to handle Hendry when he was there, too). As far as making mistakes with the 40-man roster, do I need to mention that it was Josh Byrnes who left Dan Uggla unprotected & available for selection in the Rule 5 Draft?

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 1:03pm. He was a 25 year old repeating AA, though! You should throw out every other piece of information you have on him and focus solely on that. ======================================= REAL NEAL: You shouldn't throw out any piece of information. To focus solely on a player's age and whether he is repeating a particlular level or not is just plain foolish. By you're way of thinking, Ryan Flaherty must not be a prospect because he was a 25-year old repeating AA in 2011, and yet I would bet he would get taken in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft if the Cubs don't add him to the 40-man roster by 11/20. Obviously Josh Byrnes and the Diamondbacks misjudged Dan Uggla's potential, but the Marlins scouts sure didn't.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

from Padres beat writer I doubt #Padres Moorad would hold up #Cubs if they wanted Hoyer and it led to Byrnes becoming SD's GM. Byrnes is like a son to Moorad.

Source: Red Sox holding ground on compensation from Cubs for Theo Epstein. Still hopeful of resolution before WS

According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, the Marlins have denied the Orioles permission to interview vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager Dan Jennings for their general manager vacancy.

Like other prospects, Brett Jackson has to take a lot of crap around these pages, but the lowest blow was Mike Wellman saying that he wasn't six feet, two inches tall. Here is a picture of Jackson side-by-side with Jeff Beliveau, who is listed as 6'1. Is Jackson standing on a base? Or is Beliveau's height also inflated?

@PWSullivan names Chris Carpenter or Trey Mcnutt as potential players Cubs could deal for Theo

trying to win "The Sam Fuld AFL Hype Award" 4th HR, 9th SB today... 1/4 overall, 2 R, 2 K, 1 BB, 2 RBI LeMahieu 1/3, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 K Hatley pitched, he probably shouldn't have 1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 HR ... ERA up to 17.05

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

He might be useful eventually. Though I'm much less hopeful about it than most. What I see when a guy has really low BB and K rates is a guy who likely swings at the first pitch near the zone. Not a confident hitter. We saw the same thing from Josh Vitters and Neifi Perez.

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 5:50pm. Awesome stuff as always, AZ Phil! I'm just curious as to what your impressions were of Henrie and Dickson? Both pretty tall righties making their debuts. ================================== K-BANSAW: They're both 6'5. David Henrie was terrible at Instructs. Like I said previously, it was as if he was throwing BP out there. Ian Dickson has a decent upper 80's fastball that moves (I think it might be a cutter) and a solid curve, but he had his left knee wrapped with a big old ice bag after every outing, so apparently it is still causing him problems. (He suffered a torn ACL in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season).

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/15035/epstein-talks-st… One surprising name that has surfaced, according to the source, is Jonathan Gilula, who would not come from the baseball side but is the executive vice president of business affairs. Gilula, who has been in MLB for 14 seasons and with the Red Sox for nine, played a major role in the renovations, remodeling and expansion of Fenway Park, and with the Cubs looking to do the same with Wrigley Field, Epstein might invite Gilula to join him in Chicago. ~snip~ According to the same source, while there is still some uncertainty what title Epstein will have in Chicago, there is credence to reports that Epstein would become president and hire a general manager rather than hold dual titles. that makes the Jed Hoyer rumor make a little more sense.

Wittenmyer wrote a couple of hours ago that "despite reports that former first-round pick Josh Vitters is in the same class [as Jackson and Szczur--i.e., off the table], there is at least a divide among team evaluators on whether Vitters should be allowed to go to Boston, according to one source." I assume by team evaluators he means people in the Cub organization. It's good to see a Chicago beat writer with an actual source inside the Cubs for a change. If the Cubs are seriously considering giving up Vitters, that might explain why he has been out of the Mesa lineup since Friday when he went 4 for 5 to raise his average to .405.

almost go-time...this time tomorrow i expect a 100+ post thread on theo and what it took to get him. hope this doesn't drag into the WS, anyway...and mega-hope it doesn't "cost" too much...even if they throw in an extra suit in the deal. also, ken rosenthall is tacking onto the whole "might not be GM, but just overlord-style president of baseball operations" cubs front office will run like nothing else in baseball if everything works out as described...we'll have a president who's not a president because there's a sub-president doing president things and a GM weakened (or co-strengthened) by a president who's going to do GM things along with the guy who's actually called the GM. theo...hybrid mega-suit. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/theo-epstein-will-join-chicago-cubs-…

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/19/epstei… The Red Sox were pushing hard for a resolution to the Theo Epstein compensation issue last night, hoping to get a deal done with the Cubs before the start of the World Series tonight in St. Louis, but it appears the negotiations will continue this week. ~snip~ “We need to get on with our business,’’ said the Sox official. “And I would think the Cubs would as well. We feel Theo Epstein has a value and we’re going to get that value.’’

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Holy both sides of your mouth, Sox-man. The quote was supposed to read, "We're holding out until the Cubs cave to our unrealistic demands, or whenever we can steal as much of the spotlight as possible, whichever comes first." On a related note, a source 'close' to Commissioner Bud Selig was quoted as saying, "Bud's afraid the ratings for a Texas-St Louis Series are going to tank, so he 'suggested' a waiver for the Cubs and Sox to announce right in the middle of it all."

Buster Perception BOS's leverage in Theo matter increased by holding up Cubs' business is funny. As if Theo not making CHC plans. Cafardo Spoke to Red Sox official this morning who doesn't feel much will get done on Theo comp today either. Kim Ng getting an interview for Angels GM job.

apparently not injured according to Muskat, was playing 1B only because regular 1b-men was injured and he was filling in. He's suppose to be an extra OF, and will play sparingly.

[ ]

In reply to by Tony S.

While compensation has been a sticking point in the Epstein negotiations, it's not expected to play as big a role with the Padres because of the strong relationship between Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and Padres vice chairman/CEO Jeff Moorad, according to numerous major league sources. ~snip~ The hiring of Epstein and Hoyer would make sense from a baseball-business point of view. The Cubs have had among the smallest baseball staffs in the game for the last two decades. This move would bring them up to the level of most teams that employee three to four top baseball executives. At one point, Epstein had three assistant GMs in Boston. the Cubs will be pulled out of the Dark Ages kicking and screaming.

Muskat quoting Peter Gammons interview from Boston radio, Gammons isn't a fan of the Cubs farm system... “This thing with the Cubs, they don’t actually have anyone negotiating that actually has been in development, so they don’t know the players the Red Sox talk about,” Gammons said. “They have the CEO of business, and the assistant general mnager, who wasn’t actually involved in the farm system. So, it’s been a difficult negotiation. And frankly, I think everyone involved knows the Cubs are a bottom-three farm system. Trey McNutt would be Red Sox prospect [No.] 25. For the Cubs to act like they’re giving up the next Billy Williams is kind of absurd." http://muskat.mlblogs.com/

Theo Epstein to #Cubs compensation talks were progressing well as of this morning, source says. #RedSox whatever that means...

Callis says Cubs system closer to middle of pack and Goldstein "respectfully disagrees" with Gammons regarding McNutt not being in the top #20 for Red Sox and also says Red Sox system not so hot right now.

Levine reporting that two league sources confirm that Hoyer may be on his way to Chicago. It would be a lateral move or worse, but nobody seems to be contesting that Hoyer would be under Epstein. Levine also discusses the friendship between T. Ricketts and J. Moorad. How will Boston's poker hand look if Hoyer shows up in Chicago in the next few days (or weeks) as the new GM?

Keith Law from the AFL Like it's his first time on a baseball field. RT @johnbcoleman: @keithlaw How is Junior Lake looking today?

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).