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

Plate Discipline: Colvin vs. DeJesus

Well, it looks like if you're gonna be a Chicago Cub any more, you better learn plate discipline. A little patience. Make the pitcher work. That kinda stuff. Tyler Colvin, he can hit a homer once in awhile, but he ain't no walker. David DeJesus on the other hand, has 359 walks in his 3797 career at-bats. Young Tyler, he's got 46 in his 581 career at-bats. If you pro Tyler's 581 at-bats to 3797, his walks project to about 300. (That's me doing math, so as always there's a giant chance it's wrong, but whatever.) So very roughly, Tyler is about half the walker David is. Now, is David a top walker overall? I don't know, I'm just trying to make you laugh. Anyway, it's a new regime, and it's very interesting. I always liked Tyler Colvin, but I tell ya... if I'm a Cub minor leaguer, I sure as hell am going to become waaaay more disciplined at the plate. Okay, gotta scram. Crazy busy.

Comments

More walks, yes. More K's, no. Colvin whiffs more than The Jesus. By a nice margin. Taking walks is only a part of plate discipline. Learning the difference between what a ball and a strike is would be a good thing to teach to all of our minor leaguers, for starters.

[ ]

In reply to by BobbyD

Yes, indeed. Colvin has gotten walks in 7% of his plate appearances, while DeJesus's number is 8%. So either DeJesus doesn't walk enough, or Colvin's walk rate is okay. I looked closely recently at various elements of Colvin's approach, especially regarding pitch count, and came up with this number: in 2011, the final pitch in 32.5% of Colvin's at-bats was 0-2 or 1-2. The average among fifteen good NL Central hitters was 22.5%. You have to lay off those 0-2 and 1-2 pitches. The same fifteen hitters hit .171 when their at-bat was "resolved" on those counts. The pitcher is not particularly trying to throw a strike, and often is trying not to throw a strike. This is not rocket science, but apparently some hitters can think like a pitcher, some can't. Good coaching might help, one would think.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

"In the beginning, Colvin struck out." No. I think my numbers suggest that in the beginning, Colvin decided to "protect the plate," or some such nonsense, on 0-2 and 1-2, with the result that he swung (and missed) at too many low breaking balls, which is the typical fare on those counts. You're not going to have a high BABIP swinging at 0-2 and 1-2, because even 15 top NL Central hitters average a .171 BA. I'm talking about the mental aspect of hitting, you're talking about something else, something more deterministic and ultimately more damning. I'm suggesting he can "hit more baseballs" by understanding the count and what it means to the pitcher.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I said it wasn't rocket science. And I've used the word stupid in reference to Colvin. The question is, does a stupid hitter know that a waist-high offspeed pitch on 0-2 is probably not going to be a strike? It's not that complicated a thing to look for. It's what pitchers do. They get yelled at for throwing strikes on 0-2. Does Tyler Colvin know that? Does a stupid hitter know that an occasional called-third strike is not a big deal? Maybe you remember this: Colvin got called out on strikes once last season and he was so distraught that the ump thought he was showing him up, and ejected him. Colvin probably thought to himself, I'll never do that again. Meaning, I'll never get called out on strikes again! The guy is something of a clown--with power and a beautiful swing and probably a decent future with another team.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Your logic that plate discipline and inteligence are perfectly correlated is just tragically flawed. Let me ask you two questions. If you were to face Roy Halladay in the batters box tomorrow how would you do? If you were to strike out on three pitches, two being strikes and the third being a close strike, would you then say to yourself "I am irrevocably stupid"? There are things that play into getting hits or walks or home runs or groundballs that aren't just a function of you guessing what the pitcher is trying to do

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I didn't say "perfectly correlated," but I suspect that clear thinking can be useful to a hitter as it is to other people doing most of the things that people do. Colvin is telling himself something when he walks to the plate. The question is, what? Isn't that what we mean by his approach? One hit every ten at-bats is the difference between Colvin's atrocious season in 2011 and his very respectable 2010. Is that too much territory to claim for the mental side of hitting?

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

.100 points in batting average? Yes. Look at a smart Soriano (when he hit .300) and a stupid one (like last year's .244). That's only a .056 difference. If you just get up there and swing at everything, unless your Vlad Guerrero or Randall Simon you're going to have a problem. In 2010 Colvin swung at pitches outside the zone, 38.2% of the time. This year it was 40.1% of the time, but he made more contact (61% to 54%). In fact he made more contact on all swings, up 4.5%. He traded some Line Drives for some fly balls and his fly balls were about half as likely to go out of the park as in 2010, so there definitely was some quality of contact issues. I just don't think it's reasonable to attribute the majority of his failure to approach. It was a little bad luck, a little mechanical, and undoubtedly some approach as well, which includes the league adjusting to him and him not making all the required re-adjustments. His pitches per PA also increased last year. He also walked twice when down 0-2 last year (compared to just 1 time in 2010).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Nice that he put some effort in, but the Cubs don't make any of those trades. By the way. when did Logan Morrison of the 1.0 WAR become a player you won't trade for a top of the rotation starter?

This is the first time I've ever been mooned by home plate. I certainly did not see that coming. Nice touch!

Bosio next Cub pitching coach. Towel Drillers rejoice! Bosio tells the Appleton Post Crescent (his home town paper): http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20111202/APC0206/111202088/Combined… it's a 2 page article...also says the Brewers are not offering a contract to Craig Counsell, so if he retires formally, the Cubs may add him to the coaching staff although the Milwaukee Sentinel has said the Brewers have talked to Counsell regarding a "non-playing" role. It also says Pat Listach will be the Cub bench coach again (but Jamie Quirk was hired in that role, so the Cubs will have to clear up Listach's retained role).
“All of those long-suffering Cubs fans, their will to win, their want to win, their passion to win, it’s going to be a lot of good energy,’’ said Bosio, who left his position as the Brewers’ Triple A pitching coach in Nashville to join the Cubs. “It’s going to be agonizing at times, and rewarding as well. That’s the rigors of the season. But we’re going to try and create some magic at Wrigley.’’ ...“I just can’t tell you how excited I am, number one, to be working with Dale,’’ said Bosio. “When he offered me the job as pitching coach of the Chicago Cubs, to hear him say that, knowing the confidence he has in me, that’s a great feeling. We’re going to be prepared, are going to have intensity and a lot of enthusiasm.’’

The Cubs new coaching staff motto: Middle infielders, collect 'em all...just can't get enough. Better than the two separate times when Hendry tried to build the roster around Quasi-2nd basemen. 2003-6: Mark Bellhorn, Ramon Martinez, Augie Ojeda, Tony Womack, Todd Walker, Neifi Perez, Rey Ordonez, Mark Grudzielanek, Nomar Garciaparra, Ronny Cedeno, Jose Macias, Enrique Wilson, Cesar Izturis, Jerry Hairston (Jr). 2009-11: Jeff Baker, Theriot & Fontenaught, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Freel, Aaron Miles, Darwin Barney, Blake DeWitt, Bobby (Free) Scales, DJ LeMahieu

John Heyman posted an article earlier today about the upcoming winter meetings. Here's what he had to say about the Cubs:
2. Cubs. Their dalliance with Albert Pujols logically can be nothing more than a leverage play, as this is a rebuilding team with a long way to go and a 31-year-old (at least) mega-star makes little sense. Prince Fielder is at least four years younger and has a connection to new manager Dale Sveum (who was Fielder's hitting coach with the Brewers), so he makes a bit more sense. Their biggest upcoming move could be a trade for their best pitcher, Matt Garza. New front office saviors Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are in a tough spot here. One saving grace: They know they can always bring back Cub lover Kerry Wood on an under-market contract.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/12/02/winter.m…

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Navigator spends a lot of time talking about how the Cubs don't have any money and they need to service their debt. I don't know about that, but if that is the case, I could certainly see paying $50 million to win the posting process on Darvish (or a $30 million up front signing bonuses with Cespedes) difficult to do. Wish I had the link handy, but I read an article the other day that said Darvish is the real thing, four or five MLB 60 or better pitches, is bigger, throws harder and less miles that Daisuke.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'd rather spend money on Darvish than any other free agent available this year. He should be entering his prime, and the Cubs need to address the front end of the rotation more (in my opinion) than any other part of the roster, if the plan is to build a long-term contender. Pujols is getting older, Fielder is going to be ginormous, and the Cubs don't need outfielders or injury prone middle infielders. If the Cubs finished this offseason with Darvish, DeJesus, and some middling second baseman/third baseman to contend for playing time, I'd be pretty okay with that.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

the team really does need a power/RBI bat, too...especially with aram gone. the current cubs power is on scale with pitiful-as-hell OAK right now. of course 1st will provide more power, whether they spend big on fielder or go-cheap on pena...aram's power won't be replaced at 3rd without a gamble suddenly becoming really good. aside from gambling at 3rd, they could "go safe" on a contact hitting guy with low/med power (various) or "go insane" and put j.reyes there (not likely at all). the team does have a lot of flexibility with money, especially factoring in 2013 and backloading possibilities, but they also have a lot of high-end need.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

It's always possible to get some kind of power hitter to play first base or left field, and often it's possible to get one for right field too. There aren't any good power options to fill third right now within or outside the organization. Darvish and Fielder are the only available free agents that look like possibly good investments for the Franchise. I'd rather have Darvish for a few reasons: 1.) Teams can make use of and probably need more than one top of the rotation starter. 2.) He ought to be entering his prime and the Cubs would retain control of him for a long time. 3.) I'm not confident in Fielder's ability to stay healthy or productive with that body type. 4.) I think the Cubs will have other opportunities to fill first base (maybe not with a slugger quite the quality of Fielder) over the next few years through free agency, trades, or the farm system (Vitters, Vogelbach, etc.). 5.) I don't see many true ace-potential pitchers in the Cubs organization. I don't see the Cubs contending next year anyway (though it's obvious they aren't going into true rebuilding mode), so I don't care that much if they go a year without reliable slugger.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

yeah, rebuilding beyond a single season (2012) is pretty much out of the question based on how much $$ comes off the book this year (thanks to aram) and especially in 2013. even if rebuilding is in the plans (or wheel spinning), there's going to be plenty of loot to play with in 2013...even more if they plan on short-term punting in 2012. it's hard to predict what beane will do with the club in 2012 (i'm not about to give real GM credit to anyone but beane no matter what job titles say until proved otherwise, btw).

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Not sure I agree that Fielder is more likely to suffer a decline over the course of his contract than Darvish would over the six years he's presumably going to be signed for. Pitchers get hurt. Also, there's no bat as good as Fielder's that's going to be on the FA market for the next few years. I do think the upgrade from Coleman to Darvish is likely to be greater than from LaHair to Fielder, though. The obvious solution is to sign both of them!

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

It's totally a guess on my part. I see Fielder as more likely than his 1B slugging peers to suffer a significant decline to his health. I'm not sure I see any reason to suspect that Darvish is more likely than his SP peers to suffer from an injury. Ultimately, the big thing for me is what you identify in that second paragraph: I see a bigger difference between what Darvish might be and what the Cubs might otherwise place in the starting rotation than I see between what Fielder might be and what the Cubs might otherwise put at first base.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I guess what you might see as settling for mediocrity I see as appreciating a sort of modified rebuilding mode--but that only makes sense if they are building towards making a major run circa 2014 or so. I've been pro rebuilding for a while, but I've reconciled with the likelihood that the Cubs will never truly rebuild. So instead I could see a reasonable course of action being as follows: Over the next two years or so, dish out big money on only players who you really want to lock up because they could contribute over the long term (Darvish and Fielder types, or potentially extensions for guys like Castro or even Garza). For 2012 and 2013, go relatively cheap and few years in areas where long-term fixes are not available--like they just did with DeJesus in RF and might do at 3B with a guy like Ian Stewart or Chase Headley. These are moves that will do little to make the Cubs contenders in the next year (what would?), but also put the organization at very little risk. Then when the team has shed some of the more expensive vets (or is close to shedding them) like Soriano, Zambrano, Dempster, and to a lesser extent Byrd, make a real run at it, building around Castro and whatever other long-term guys they may have accumulated--Darvish/Fielder, Garza/whatever they get in a trade for Garza, whatever they might get for Soto, plus hopefully some youngsters who step up (Cashner, B-Jax, McNutt, Vitters, Castillo, Flaherty, LeMahieu, etc.). Hiding behind what appears to be acceptance of mediocrity is actually a great deal of wishful thinking on my part.

given that he didn't pick up a ball in 2011 it's not much of a surprise, but one of baseball's fun guys is officially walking away. "Pedro Martinez told reporters Saturday that he's planning to officially retire from baseball." he was the manny ramirez of pitching...only without the drugs and with a work ethic.

via the National Department of Total Retardation and Brain Injured Executives... "The Marlins have offered Jose Reyes a six-year, $111 million contract, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com."

as the offseason moves...the cubs-rumors aren't getting pretty. even the boourlee rumors have tamed out. it seems they're seeing no love for fielder...and only with pujols to drive up his price. only thing they seem to be involved with going into winter meetings is a japanese guy requiring posting loot and a cuban OF'r linked to 20+ other teams. i really hope this offseason/season doesn't come down to getting a bunch of suits and some wheel-spinning replacement parts. it's still way way way too early...there's just a lack of cubs rumors on players while teams are being strongly linked to certain players.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Why so disappointed? You didn't really expect 2012 to be a turnaround year, did you? Instead, 2012 will be the bottoming year, things should (had better!) improve for 2013. Let Theo and Jed find a few pieces for this year, plug in a few unproven young players, and see what develops so they can make a more meaningful push 12 months from now. I agree with others above, I don't want the Cubs to spend another mega-$$$ contract on Fielder, or unproven foreigners like Cespedes and Darvish. I'd rather the team seek out young minor league talent and make trades to bring these prospects into the Cubs system.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

this is a high-$$ team with a ton of loot going away next year and aram off the books this year. they have money for 2012, a ton of money flexibility in 2013, and need for both power and upper-rotation pitching. paying a guy 5m to lead off and hit singles (yes, he has low-doubles+ linedrive power...i'm not "therioting" the guy) won't help much without some power behind him. that said, it's still very very very early...a lack of rumor linking a team doesn't mean anything, as we've learned in years past in every offseason.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

I'm not sure I expected a turnaround year in 2012, but I sure don't expect the Cubs to go into rebuild mode. As Crunch said, the Cubs have money to spend and I think it makes sense to sign high dollar free agents now while they are available. Hitters like Pujols and Fielder do not come along every year. You simply can't wait until 2013 and decide, "Okay, now we're going to sign the players we need." Building a competitive team is a continual process and teams sometimes have to add a piece they are going to need when that piece is available, even if the first year of the contract may seem like a bit of a waste from a competitive standpoint. At this point, a lack of rumors doesn't mean a thing. I just hope we don't get to Spring Training and still wonder what they plan is.

Heyman tweets the asking price for J. Danks to Yankees would be... banuelos, AD montero cant blame 'em for trying. not serious yet, obis. Heyman also notes that Marlin deals have the advantage of no Florida state income tax. serious rumor mill starting to churn, kewl.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Except I don't agree with that. If you win 5 games, then 15 games, because of a streaky player, how is that different then winning 10 games then 10 games because of a consistent player who ends up with the same average stats? Teams all the time go through bad stretches then get on hot streaks and I've never bought into the idea that one time is as good as another to win except probably that it's good to get into the playoffs on a winning streak but Cardinals showed even that isn't necessary in 2006.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

I think that statement ignores Ramirez's contributions to 2004, 2007, 2008--according to Fangraphs at least he was worth 4 wins or more in each of those years, and the Cubs were competitive in each of those years. Of course Ramirez had his cold streaks and could have been better, but it certainly wasn't always his fault or only his fault if the Cubs happened to be out of contention during certain hot streaks he had. He was never a player that could carry a mediocre team on his back, but he also never had the power to destroy his own team with a cold streak--partly because we always knew that he wasn't the type of player a team should depend on to be the man a la Pujols. A-Ram was at his best as a really good #5 hitter who had decent power from left field to right center and had an approach at the plate that produced moderate walks as well as moderate strikeouts. Never an MVP candidate, but nothing to scoff at in his prime, either.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Doesn't seem to me anyone is chasing him out of town. More like a general consensus that although he was/is the most productive third baseman on the north side since Santo, his age, the number of years he wants, and the money he'll command don't match up with the team's ability to compete right now. If the Cubs were a third baseman and one other move from serious contention, I think Aramis would be welcomed back with open arms and a three-year contract. Management seems to be building toward long-term value now, even if they aren't quite throwing in the towel on 2012 (acquired DeJesus, seem to be fairly committed to holding onto both Garza and Marshall through the beginning of the season, etc.).

Cubs met with Dan Lozano, who is the agent for Pujols and Jimmy Rollins. Rollins could be a fit a second and leadoff, if they weren't necessarily talking solely about Pujols. If the Marlins do get Pujols, they'll be looking to trade Sanchez (or maybe Morrison) for pitching. He and Dominguez would make a nice package for Garza, if the Cubs are sold on Dominguez's bat.

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).