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

Thank You Internet

and apparently Dale Sveum is about to be named Cubs manager...the value of my 1989 Donruss Set is going to go through the roof!!!

Comments

Maybe UZR (-14.8 runs per 150 games for Terribliot) is worth a shit. Holy Cubs-Fan Stalker, Batman! For whoever made that video, though.

Phil Rogers interviewed on XM right now... Says Sveum met with Theo/Jed and Tom Ricketts about 5pm last night. Thinks he might have been offered both jobs at one point. Per PR, Muskat broke the news on Maddux bowing out around 9pm and the Cubs-Sveum story broke around 10pm. Said the Cubs job was a safer pick for Sveum. Rodgers agreed with Kennedy that Valentine is the right person for the Redsox job but also says Sandberg should be brought it just to strike a blow for Luchino against Epstein. PR was asked if there was a chance they would go after Fielder. Says they have the resources but before this he doubted they would go there. Compared Fielder to Ortiz, saying Fielder has always been a better athlete. Kennedy asked PR about Mike Maddux. PR said people in Texas were surprised Maddux name came up in manager talks. Too many family factors that was a perfect situation for him to leave.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Does that mean "brought in" to interview or to be the manager? --- consider the source, it was Phil Wrongway Rogers. I think Rogers meant it would "strike a blow" only if he was hired as manager. No impact if it's just an interview.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/tigers-nearing-deal-for-catcher.h… GM Dave Dombrowski has said the Tigers view Martinez as the team's regular DH and third catcher, which means the team is on the hunt for someone who can spell Avila regularly. Isn't the rule if you're a DH, you can't play any position in the game? Which would mean if he's a DH, he can't be a third catcher (for that game), and if the new backup is the starting catcher, and the plan for the day is to have Martinez as the backup, then he couldn't be the starting DH, so you weaken your lineup in two spots (though I guess you could DH Avilla that day). Am I missing something?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

he can move to a defensive position, but Tigers lose the DH for the game then...considering he's the rarely used 3rd catcher, not gonna be much of an issue. The Designated Hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, and the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order. A runner may be substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the role of the Designated Hitter. A Designated Hitter is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter. Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the DH role for the remainder of the game. Once a pinch-hitter bats for any player in the batting order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.

Question (maybe AZ Phil would know): Isn't tomorrow (11/18) last day to turn in 40-man reserve list in front of Rule 5 draft? Anyone heard anything about who is added? Also, doesn't Theo-compensation to Red Sox have to be decided by then? Or is that not a necessity? Thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:18am — George Altman New Re: Thank You Internet Question (maybe AZ Phil would know): Isn't tomorrow (11/18) last day to turn in 40-man reserve list in front of Rule 5 draft? Anyone heard anything about who is added? Also, doesn't Theo-compensation to Red Sox have to be decided by then? Or is that not a necessity? Thanks. =========================== GEORGE A: The last time 11/20 fell on a Sunday the MLB office stayed open on Saturday (normally not an MLB "business day") and clubs had until 5 PM EST Saturday 11/19 to file their MLB and minor league reserve lists. They might do that again this year, otherwise the deadline would be 5 PM EST tomorrow (Friday 11/18). The deadline to file reserve lists has no bearing on compensation the Cubs send to the Red Sox, UNLESS the player(s) involved is (or are) not on the Cubs 40-man roster (MLB Reserve List), AND the player(s) is (or are) eligible for selection in next month's the Rule 5 Draft, in which case the player(s) could not be sent to Boston during the period of time starting with the filing of reserve lists through the conclusion of the Rule 5 Draft.

mlbtr... Commissioner Bud Selig announced that MLB will add two Wild Card teams -- one in each league -- for a total of ten playoff teams. Selig remains hopeful that the change will occur in 2012. --- me no likee, was hoping Bud would retire before they got to this.

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In reply to by Cubster

This will keep a lot of teams in the playoff hunt a LOT deeper into the season. Imagine the '11 Cubs keeping Hendry even longer, insisting they are "not out of contention". This will greatly change the complexion of the season. I like it. I also like the concept that the two wildcards play to advance to the division series. It gives the division winners a little benefit over the wild cards. So if you are playing in September as a wildcard, you'll want to try to win the division, not just for the pennant, but so you don't have to play in the wildcard series. I just hope the wildcard series isn't a 1-game playoff. I would expect a 5 game series.

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In reply to by Ryno

It will also mean that shittier and shittier teams win the world series (which I guess is good for us) and then when the first division winner loses, we will get to hear about how they couldn't stay sharp because of the layoff. It those wild card series are 5 games (I think 3 is the number most often bandied about), that's a whole week off between games for the four top seeds. I don't think that would fly. Another thing I just thought of... if we often have ties with one wild card winner, won't we have many more with three wild card winners? Your sixth playoff team from 2011? The 81-81 Toronto Blue Jays.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

when the first division winner loses, we will get to hear about how they couldn't stay sharp because of the layoff
Yep... I can already imagine the inane banter on ESPN about it. I'm not sure how I feel about a 3-game series. Okay, I guess. A lot is left to chance (and a good starting rotation) in a 3-game series, but heck... it's just wildcard teams, so I guess that's okay. It occurs to me... with 10 teams in the playoffs, that's exactly 1/3 of all the teams in baseball- Weird.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Oh, I misunderstood, I was thinking 3 wild cards... that's not so bad. Seems weird though. 4 teams play while 6 teams sit. In the NFL, teams generally like to sit because of injuries, but only 4 teams sit while 8 teams play.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:45pm — The Real Neal New It will also mean that shittier and shittier teams win the world series (which I guess is good for us) and then when the first division winner loses, we will get to hear about how they couldn't stay sharp because of the layoff. It those wild card series are 5 games (I think 3 is the number most often bandied about), that's a whole week off between games for the four top seeds. I don't think that would fly. Another thing I just thought of... if we often have ties with one wild card winner, won't we have many more with three wild card winners? Your sixth playoff team from 2011? The 81-81 Toronto Blue Jays. ======================= TRN: I've heard either a best two-out-of-three or a single game as the two options for the Wild Card playoff. The main thing it should do is make the Wild Card team less prepared (pitching wise) for the first round against the league's #1 seed. As for a possible Wild Card #2 tie, they'll probably just use NFL-style tie-breakers to decide the 2nd Wild Card team in the event of a tie.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:35pm — Ryno New Re: Thank You Internet This will keep a lot of teams in the playoff hunt a LOT deeper into the season. Imagine the '11 Cubs keeping Hendry even longer, insisting they are "not out of contention". This will greatly change the complexion of the season. I like it. I also like the concept that the two wildcards play to advance to the division series. It gives the division winners a little benefit over the wild cards. So if you are playing in September as a wildcard, you'll want to try to win the division, not just for the pennant, but so you don't have to play in the wildcard series. I just hope the wildcard series isn't a 1-game playoff. I would expect a 5 game series. ====================== RYNO: There has been talk in recent times about MLB extending the non-waiver trade deadline from July 31st to August 31st, and with two more teams to be added to the post-season beginninng in 2013 (and thus more teams staying in contention longer), the proposed extension of the non-waiver trade deadline could be part of the new system.

Muskat and Wittenmeyer both have similar tweets... Theo does say compensation talks with Sox put off till after Rule 5 draft next month. Calls talks "amicable." 35 seconds ago cst_cubs cst_cubs Some sources expect announcement Friday. 2 minutes ago » cst_cubs cst_cubs Theo on manager hire: "closer's in." But no comments on specifics -- sveum or any other candidate. --- #Cubs managerial search has now reached closer phase, says Theo 5 minutes ago » CarrieMuskat Carrie Muskat Theo says #Cubs and #Redsox will table compensation talks until after Rule 5 Draft

Sully has been oddly quiet on the twitter until now. Says it's a 3 yr contract for Sveum (didn't say $$).

the post above was ESPN, Gordon Edes (not Levine). No wonder it had so much Boston crap. --- new Muskat article up...
Whoever was the Cubs' closer did his job. The team has called a news conference for Friday to name Dale Sveum the next manager. Sveum, who turns 48 on Nov. 23, reportedly received a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year. He'll be the 52nd manager in Cubs history.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111117&content_id=25…

Swaim announced he is keeping Rothschild as pitching coach... Is bald managers part of sabre-stats? Today they should make an offer to Pujols, just to make Fielder think. Remember last week when the Trib was saying Cubs can't win without a mustache???

ROB G: Did you cut this Theriot highlight reel? C'mon Rob, I know you did it! Hilarious!

lol. The ball roll finale. Have to imagine Pujols hopes he ends up on a team with a shortstop who can throw the ball all the way to him.

bad news for chiniroros in TB... "FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that Jose Molina is close to signing a one-year deal with the Rays." chin can't play C very well anyway... speaking of bad news....mark grace's EX-wife is going to be on "Baseball Wives"

speaking of bad news....mark grace's EX-wife is going to be on "Baseball Wives" ---- I think she thought she was marrying Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) after Grace. Also, I believe Michelle Grace's sister married Cub pitcher Jeff Pico. Dunno how that marriage worked out.
Liotta married actress Michelle Grace in February 1997. They met at her ex-husband's (Mark Grace) baseball game; they also co-starred in The Rat Pack, in which Liotta played Frank Sinatra and Grace played Judith Campbell Exner. Their daughter, Karsen, was born in December 1998. The couple divorced in 2004. Liotta currently resides in Pacific Palisades, California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Liotta

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

At this rate, the entire Cast of Cheers will be working for the Cubs, pulling in about $10 million in annual salary. But this is a good thing right? That's how they did it in Boston, right? Oh, wait a second... that's not how they did it in Boston.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

"that's not how they did it in Boston." Lucchino knew Epstein from San Diego, right? McLeod had two separate stints with the Padres. The first was when Lucchino and Epstein were there. That's how he got to Boston. Sveum was a Brewer teammate of Terry Francona, who later brought him to Boston. You're complaining about something that's universal and natural and fine. (How did you get your current job?) The question is, what is the quality of the people you have worked with and enjoyed working with? Hendry was a competent GM, so the difference isn't going to be night and day, but hopefully, there's a difference.

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In reply to by Tito

It's possible that these guys are the most qualified candidates, but since no one else was interviewed how would Theo know (unless of course the overriding qualification is buddy of Theo's)? Put it this way. If you worked in the Cubs front office or as a coach, what would you think was going on when positions that you want were given to outsiders, sans internal interviews, who have good relationships with the new president? I am willing to bet 95% of TCR readers would be pretty pissed off if that happened to themselves.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

There are a lot of different definitions of "qualified," so I can't really answer that. But I think it is pretty clear that Epstein has hired qualified individuals. Do you disagree? Your definition pretty clearly implies that cronyism is hiring people for positions of authority who are not qualified to be in those positions. So who has Theo hired who is not qualified?

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In reply to by big_lowitzki

i have interviewed and hired people in my course of work and if TRN's definition of "most qualified" is the one with the best skills then that's a load of crap. if we chose people simply on skills, corey patterson would be a superstar by now. Qualifications for hiring runs a gamut of different things: skill, experience, future potential, ability to work w/ specific people, the needs of the company at the moment and in the future, and yes even gut feel of those doing the hiring. In the end, most people hiring (given the choice) will go w/ someone they already know or someone highly recommended by someone they know. it's difficult to choose a perfect stranger unless you see that they have skills and experience that absolutely blows all other candidates out of the water. even then you will still take more time than usual to get to know that stranger before hiring him.

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In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Theo got the GM job as an internal promotion. Francona got the manager job coming from outside the organization after changing organizations three times in the previous three years. I am not sure who Theo's first hire as a scouting director was, I suspect it was an internal promotion. It's baseball with 26 to 30 companies, you can play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with about anyone if you want. What we have seen so far, is that he's filled three main posistions underneath him with drinking buddies. Can you honestly say, that it was just a coincidence these were the best guys available? He hired two of them without interviewing anyone else at all, and the third was mostly a dog and pony show. Maybe it will work out. He still has $35 million more in budget than his divisional rivals. It would probably work out better if he didn't hire exclusively his friends. Why did Sveum go from a relative nobody to the hottest managerial commodity around? Probably because he had two buddies looking for a manager. Hendry was a competent GM If that was the case, he'd still be around. Competent GM's have stocked farm systems and compete every year with the resources Hendry had available.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

"Theo got the GM job as an internal promotion." I don't get your point here. Lucchino brought Epstein with him from San Diego as Asst. GM in 2002, and promoted him to GM the same year. That's zero degrees of separation, as is Francona's relationship with Sveum. I don't deny that Epstein seems to prefer known quantities, but I would emphasize that he seems to get the people he wants. That should be useful when he pursues players.

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In reply to by Cubster

My favorite dating moment was the night several years ago that I was on a first date at a bar downtown and the girl told me I was nicer and a better date than Corey Provus (who she had previously dumped). He may be good at broadcasting, but apparently isn't so great off the mike.

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In reply to by SheffieldCornelia

Off topic a bit but what the hell. My favorite dating moment was when I was in a movie theater and my date went to the bathroom and came back and told me it was so great to be looking for me and not have to look for the guy with the bald spot.

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In reply to by SheffieldCornelia

everyone knows crane kenney is the real boss. he's solely responsible for pushing his iron-clad will and fear upon others forcing them to run the club to his whim and wishes. anything that comes to the cubs goes through him first. bring kenney the wookie.

Hoyer not too confident in front of mic, ran out of breath introducing Sveum Theo kinda gave Jed a look like "take a breather sport" theo explains why he wanted Sveum Sveum- Address playing the game the same way everyday play the game like its 7th game of WS everyday---good luck with that Player development never stops at any level has list of coaches he wants to bring in, will discuss next week along with current coaches addressed technical difficulties Thought about being manager at end of playing career- ---just like Robin Ventura Culture Change- Handle things man to man, treat them like your son---ground Soriano for two months Not mad about errors, unless he sees work ethic causes Brought up running out balls hit few times- see previous soriano comment wants team to be respected by the way they play wants home plate collisions!!! he's 48 years old----raise your hand if you are older then the Cubs manager(i'm older then gm and pres) doesnt give much thought to cubs brewers rivalry says its fan based mentions ivy---drink a shot (day baseball two shots) Nuts nickname not "for lower half" but "for up here" points at head---awesome century of futility-past is past, media driven Doesnt let things fester, good or bad, compliment when good, kick in butt when needed. If they dont' like they are probably not a good player any ways. Should have fun on field and clubhouse, but winning causes fun----Ozzie speak You will win 60 and lose 60 what you do with other 42 is how you are judged wants pitchers to "pound strike zone more" day games don't use as an excuse----two shots stats used as "options" not a go to thing,never read or seen moneyball, if you dont have hr hitters you have to create runs by running and "pushing the envelope" wants time on field practicing defense as much as time in cage work ethic again ST will be about defense and base running, they can hit, no optional defense or running drills in ST pay attention to detail----Castro stares at hand

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In reply to by jacos

This is probably a petty thing, but it kind of irked me to read that Sveum said he had never read Moneyball. The guy wants to be a big league manager (one of only 30 in the world), but he couldn't be bothered to read a hugely popular book about his profession? That seems odd to me. Of course, context is everything and I'm not sure how or why he mentioned it, but from Jacos' notes, it sounds almost like Sveum felt that not reading it was a sort of badge of honor.

funny video. and yet...the guy is going to be wearing a world series ring.

If you're near Wrigley Field right now, Bruce Miles is in the Starbucks on Addison. Stop by and ask him, "flat out what?" Bruce Miles tweet: "#Cubs Sveum on Starlin Castro: He can flat-out but needs polish on defense"

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In reply to by navigator

so your point was that bruce miles accidently omitted an apparently crucial word from a tweet and that in 140 characters or less, Sveum didn't say something mind-blowing about Castro in his introductory press conference? jack-asses, the both of them...

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/11/18/1118-the-wow-moment/
“Dale provided extremely well thought out answers to nuanced baseball questions instantaneously, answer after answer after answer,” Epstein said. “We came up for air and took a break and looked at each other and said ‘Wow.’ This was not the type of thing you could fake. It wasn’t that he prepared for the interview but he spent a lifetime as a very intelligent person observing the game with an open mind to come up with his own baseball philosophy on how to win and it was very impressive.”
Expect Sveum to think outside the box a little. If he needs his closer in the eighth inning, he’ll use him then. He believes in five infielders in certain situations.
I can't wait to read the comments here the first time he uses five infielders and it blows up. That said, I'm all for thinking outside the box.

says Junior Lake will be added to 40-man, no word on others.

Sveum on Marmol:
“One, [hitters] finally just decided all they have to do is sit there and look for a slider,” Sveum said. “They don’t have to worry about the fastball, because even if he throws it, it’s probably a ball. He has to get back to some kind of fastball command. “When you have that kind of breaking ball, you have to use your fastball as a weapon as well,” he said. “You’ve already established the breaking ball in so many hitters’ minds that now it’s a surprise attack to throw fastball strikes.”
Reminds me of something I read in TCR recently:
If Marmol establishes a good mix of fastballs and sliders, hitters won't be able to sit on the slider the way McGehee was. Marmol has been touched for several home runs lately because hitters are adjusting to him. He has to adjust back. McGehee has faced Marmol many times and surely knows by now that with an oh-and-two count, the next several pitches will be sliders. Hitters also know that if they ever see Marmol shake off the catcher, a slider is coming. Marmol just isn't a thinking man's pitcher; and if he's losing his fastball it's because he hasn't worked hard to maintain it.

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In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I'm impressed you still have the flexibility to kiss your own ass at your age... but I didn't read there where Sveum said throw the fastball more, he said throw it for a strike. And I know and I'm sure Sveum does to, that it's a little more complicated than just throwing it more in a game to do that.

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In reply to by Rob G.

It's bad taste to quote oneself, I'll admit. I came back here to edit that out, but you had already commented, so too late. I did think it was interesting that the recent discussion here followed a McGehee home run, and here was Sveum talking about how the Brewers approached an at-bat against Marmol.

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In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Apologies for my less than gracious response. I think most of us can see that marmol is having issues with his fastball...command and velocity. Just think that it's a little more complicated than throwing it more or his intelligence.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Not to mention the cause and effect. Say you have two pitches. One you can generally throw for a strike, and one which you don't really know where it's going. Say you try throwing the random pitch early in the count to establish that second pitch, but miss twice with it. What are you going to do, throw it twice more and walk the guy? No, you're going to throw the pitch you have some command with. The thing that confuses VA Phil is that for 95% of MLB pitchers, it is the fastball that they can throw for strikes when needed. With Marmol, it's his slider. It's also a very rare reliever who can pitch in the same division for a long time, without learning a third pitch. Brad Lidge is an example of a guy with a dominating fastball slider combo, who eventually had to add a pitch because just like as a starter, once batters start to see your top two pitches enough, they're going to figure out how to get on base.

mlbtr listing 40 man roster changes for Jays, Reds, Royals, Yankees, Marlins, Tigers, Brewers, Astros, Phillies and WSox. Should be Cub news soon.

everyone knows crane kenney is the real boss. --- Notice that the Cub shirt Sveum had no number on the back? Notice Sveum took it off as soon as the conference ended? Hmmmm. (Kenney to run and get his uni out of his office and they had to use it for the new manager)

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In reply to by Cubster

it doesn't matter if kenney had ernie banks's number on his jersey...it still doesn't give him the power to intimidate others into letting him run things. taking player/coach water from the dugout doesn't make him force hendry to sign s.estes. running around batting practice like you're a player/coach doesn't make him the GM...nor was he around giving hitters tips on how to drive that sucker 450ft. the guy's major power over what we see on the field is running around to the purses to get the GM more money...it's part of why greg maddux returned to the cubs years ago. kenney's not as powerful as people give him credit for. jerseys for everyone!

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In reply to by crunch

It's impossible for any of us to really say, isn't it? No one has offered really definitive evidence either way. It's not reasonable to conclude that he has had no influence, there's been too much smoke. Likewise, unless you were privy to the convesations and meetings, it is impossible to say how much influence he may have had. It's possible he spent two weeks haranguing the board for the money to sign Soriano, with a hour long presentation on how 40/40 players drive baseball revenue. It's possible he never partook in any conversation at all, and just rubber stamped the contract.

Maddux released a comment about turning down the cubs and red sox and closed with this: "PS: To the fans I've met at the airport, grocery and home improvement stores, thanks for your support. It means a lot." home improvement stores? Plural?

countdown until "give em hell" cubs/sveum shirts are printed up... *starts clock* it's one of his tattoos, btw.

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In reply to by Newport

I always think if you're going to tattoo something on yourself, you should at least know the definition of the words: Suffering: The bearing of pain I guess "Feeling sorry for yourself" was too long to fit on his bicep.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

Come on TRN, of course you know that English words can have multiple meanings. In the case of this old saying, pain refers to something externally applied and suffering refers to an emotional response to it. And please consider this--- //"the tattoos are mostly a tribute to his father, George, who passed away in 1992, and his wife, Darlene. "That was a mid-life crisis," said his buddy and former Pirates teammate John Wehner, who gave him hell about the tattoos when they started popping up. "It just hit early." He found it funny, because Dale Sveum was the guy who was so old school he wouldn't even sport a batting glove when he played and called the guys with the necklaces and fancy cleats and tats part of the "Digme tribe."//

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In reply to by navigator

So you don't think he should have suffered any emotional response to the passing of his father? Seems like a whack-job to me. If Jesus Christ wasn't too manly to do something, I think that Dale Sveum should get over himself.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

So you don't think he should have suffered any emotional response to the passing of his father? I am pretty sure that absolutely no one other than you said that. Amazingly, your hate for Epstein and Company has already eclipsed mannytrillo's hate for Hendry.

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).