Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Santo Exhumed; Goes 15/16!

Submitted by Mike Wellman on
Amputation of the heels he so famously used to click wasn’t enough, not even on top of an assortment of other ailments that included the diabetes through which he played his entire career. A long stint as the Cubs’ ambassador to a whole new generation of fans wasn’t enough either. And clearly the impressive resume he amassed as a player wasn’t enough by itself. No, Ron Santo finally had to pony up his very life to get what he deserved and so craved; induction at Cooperstown. After he paid that price too, the contrivance known as the Golden Era Committee finally, belatedly in my view, did the right thing and let the man in. Now, after almost exactly a year in purgatory since he died on December 2, 2010, Santo can move on to the HOF; proof positive, if you need it, that there is such a thing as life everlasting. I knew it would happen this way if it was ever going to happen at all. I bet Santo couldn’t pronounce the word ‘posthumously’ any better as it’s written than Harry Caray could backwards. But he sure as hell knows what it means. It means that he won’t get to celebrate with his family until such time as they’re all ever in the same place at the same time again, by whatever mysterious means such a thing might ever be accomplished. I listened to Santo play on the radio with my dad. My own kids got his autograph when I took them to Wrigley Field. I was there the day his #10 was retired and I was there the night they unveiled his statue outside the ballpark. I toyed with the idea of going to Chicago for his funeral, just as I’m toying now with the idea of making my first ever pilgrimage to the Valhalla of baseball for his induction next summer. By then I expect I’ll have come to my senses – probably. Understand that I feel obliged to write this. And I appreciate a forum on which to post it. Please indulge me and do not engage in a statistical dissection of his worthiness or lack thereof - enough of that already. Just let it be. Too bad he didn’t get in while he was still alive but at least he did while I still am. I can check that item off of my Cub bucket list. Let’s see; there’s only one thing left…
Tags
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

Comments

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:14 pm

LaHair at Winter Meeting luncheon today to collect Joe Bauman Home Run Award. Met Epstein and Hoyer. In reference to his recent hitting funk in Venezuela, says "I'm just tired"--which seems like a good excuse to me. Says, though, that his team has convinced him to go back for a few more weeks. On a related Caribbean note, Junior Lake played two games for DWL Estrellas de Oriente (Eastern Stars?) about ten days ago, in which he hit a home run and stole three bases. But he came out of the second game late and hasn't been in the lineup since. I haven't seen anything about the nature of his injury. Fun fact: in his second game, Lake batted second, just ahead of Felix Pie and Jake Fox. Pie seems to be solving DWL pitching better than he used to.

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:29 pm

- Hanley seems to have already agreed to move to 3B without making much of an issue about it, although Beinfest wouldn't comment on specific players being there on Opening Day. - Dodgers and Harang nearing a 2-year deal. - CJ Wilson allegedly has a 6-year offer (Nats, Angels the most interested so far with RSox, Marlins and Rangers in the mix) - Rays making serious run at Josh Willingham - Chapman likely to start 2012 in pen - some Rollins to Brewers buzz

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:31 pm

on that note, would adding 2 of 3 out of Aramis, Rollins and Pena be better than retaining Fielder for Brewers? depends on the deals of course, but say 3/39 range for Ramirez and Rollins and 2/16 for Pena??

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:42 pm

Hanley at 3B has the potential to be just as big and issue as Hanley at SS if he doesn't show significant dedication on learning to be a good fielder at the new position. He'll also need to hit a lot more than he did last year to be considered a good producer there.

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:05 pm

cubs linked to cj wilson (via rosenthall) as a new interest...also, someone out there has already offered him (today/yesterday) a 6year deal for undetermined money.

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:34 pm

hanley ramirez making noise about not wanting to move from SS, but vowing to be professional about working it out... ...countdown til FLA signs pujols and trades h.ramirez + g.sanchez starts now also, via twitter... "LoMoMarlins Logan Morrison Just to clear up any confusion, I will be playing SS for the Marlins next season..." lulz.

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:39 pm

"there's a rumor you met with pujols's agent" - chris rose "he's also rodrigez lopez's agent." - theo

[ ]

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:35 am

Ian Stewart was a top 10 MLB prospect and a guy who has a 900+ ML OPS. I'd deal Flaherty,Vitters or LeMahieu for him today if it seals that deal. Would rather have Chase Headley instead though if he could be had for anything close to similar as what Stewart would cost. Not really opposed to trading for both guys. Best case is that they both thrive in Wrigley and you can fill the 3rd and 2nd/LF spots with them as well.

[ ]

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:12 pm

True, however even with the total loss that 2011 was. He still has a MLB career OPS of 751 For comp sake. Here is the career MINOR LEAGUE OPS's of the rest of the suspects to fill the job in house. Vitters .758 LeMath .753 Flaherty .809 Not to mention that Stewart has been a little better than average with the glove and neither of the 3 guys we have can field 3rd at all. Bottom line is we need SOMEBODY to fill that spot from outside. Might as well be a young guy who has the upside to fill it for several years. The next guy who looks like a real prospect played SS ball this year.

[ ]

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:57 pm

"Not to mention that Stewart has been a little better than average with the glove and neither of the 3 guys we have can field 3rd at all." Not sure where you get your info. AZ Phil has seen LeMahieu a fair amount in Arizona and has praised his glove (and his hitting). LeM had zero errors at third in 61 games at Tenn and Iowa last year.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:27 pm

Josh Vitters is a pretty bad defensive 3B and Ryan Flaherty isn't much better (although he is versatile), but D. J. LeMahieu is a good defensive 3B (better than 2B). It's just that LeMahieu still hasn't developed the HR power most teams look for at 3B, but he did show improved patience in the AFL (he was also 2nd in the AFL in stolen bases, behind only Junor Lake), and he is the Cubs best pure hitting prospect. I also believe Josh Vitters will hit and hit with power in the big leagues, but it won't be at 3B (much more likely 1B, LF, or RF). While it's true that Ian Stewart is a former Rockies #1 prospect and a one-time BA #4 prospect in all of baseball, he had a season at the plate last year that rivaled Tyler Colvin's. Stewart is still only 26. and while he would probably have to be considered somewhat of a reclamatiion project, he does have a track record pre-2011 that would at least make him more a more-attractive option at 3B than Blake DeWitt. But I would not give up Vitters or LeMahieu to get him. I would consider trading LeMahieu or Vitters in a deal for Chase Headley, though.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:12 pm

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 3:40pm — Dr. aaron b New Re: Santo Exhumed; Goes 15/16! As would I. I just don't see any way that LeMahieu can be a full time Third Baseman anywhere with that bat of his. Just don't see guys holding that spot on MLB rosters with hollow batting averages without Power or On -Base skills. At least not since the mid 80's. ============================= DR AARON B: Playing home games in San Diego Caverns is probably the best possible place for LeMahieu, because he isn't a HR hitter and it's not a HR hitter's park. I could see the Padres taking LeMahieu back in a Headley deal, playing him at either 3B or 2B, hitting him in the #2 hole, and being happy with his game.

[ ]

Submitted by Rob Richardson on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:48 am

I am assuming that Cubs offer will act as the floor and will just keep everyone else honest. I guess we will see.

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:05 am

My first reaction to this is- strange. SOMEone will overpay mightily for Pujols, and overpaying mightily for free agents, it seems, is not the Epstein MO. On the other hand, sometimes a guy will take a lower offer to play in the city of his choice and, who knows, maybe the pooh holes loves Chicago or something weird like that. So why not put a respectable offer on the table a let it play out. After thinking it over (with absolutely no details) I guess putting an offer on the table for Pujols can make some sense.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:37 am

I'm starting to like this idea more and more, even though the Cubs are supposedly not contenders in 2012, for several reasons. 1) I don't think a major market team with the kind of money the Cubs have should ever bail out on a year. Ricketts bought a major market team, and he knew about the bad contracts. He still has to play with the big boys. Thinking small is no way for this team to forge ahead 2) Fielder is still young, and despite his body type, has fared well and had very little downtime. It seems safe to assume (ugh, I know, but there it is) that there will be an NL DH, and even if there isn't, if he works hard and stays in shape, he should be able to play first base for a long time. I can't believe he isn't working hard now, despite his body type. If he wasn't, he'd be injured more than he is. 3) The team needs a player or three it can build around. The guy is a masher. Perfect candidate for Wrigley. 4) He takes away wins from the one of the division contenders. 5) The Cubs currently don't have a first baseman. I like LaHair's chances, I really do, but I don't think he'll be putting up Fielder-like numbers, and he's actually a couple years older already, I believe. If it doesn't happen, I'm not gonna piss and moan about it. But the idea intrigues me a lot more than it did a few months ago.

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:55 am

Re: 2) Plus, if Fielder continues to hit the way he has, he might actually be tradeable to an AL team in the future if for some reason he can't play 1B anymore (unlike, for example, Soriano). Re: 5) As Rob G. has said a few times, LaHair could always still platoon with Soriano in LF (or just play there full time if the Cubs manage to ditch Soriano somewhere along the way). I'm to the point now where I wouldn't be particularly upset if the team decided to give Fielder a shot. Makes more sense than most free agent signings for the Cubs.

[ ]

Submitted by John Beasley on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:04 am

All of those except No. 2 also implicate Pujols, and in fact No. 2 in a sense also implicates Pujols, not on the 'young' part, but if you assume the Cubs will have a DH by 2016 at the latest, which I say is 80 percent likely. Edit: Pujols makes a stronger argument for No. 4 also, as you take wins away from a division contender that has a realistic chance of re-signing the player.

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:37 am

I completely oppose of the Cubs signing the best player in baseball. :) Of course, the issue, as always, is getting good value for the money. It will be difficult to get good value from Pujols for the money he will command.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 12/07/2011 - 12:08 am

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:13pm — Rob G. Re: Santo Exhumed; Goes 15/16! as far as I know 10/5 rights aren't anything negotiable, but I could be wrong... my understanding is Marlins have a NTC policy and Pujols wants one for the first 5 years, the other story I read was that he'd be willing to not have one, but their major incentives in his deal if he was traded. ========================= ROB G: Per the CBA, 10/5 "no trade" rights are usually automatic full NTC, with one exception. A 10/5 NTC is negotiable (in advance) for any player signing a contract that extends beyond when the player would normally hit 10/5. For instance, if the Marlins (or Angels) sign Pujols for six years or more, Pujols could agree in advance (as part of the contract) to waive his 10/5 (which would kick-in after the 2016 season), and then the Marlins (or Angels) could trade him after he hits 10/5 with them. But Pujols would first get to name no fewer than 14 teams as "no go" (the exact number is negotiable, but it can't be less than 14). However, a player cannot waive his 10/5 NTC in advance if he already is a 10/5 player and re-signs with the same team. So if Pujols re-signs with the Cardinals, he cannot waive his 10/5 rights in advance like he could if he signs with FLA, LAA, or ???. (If he had not yet reached 10/5 status and then signed a contract extention with STL he could waive the 10/5 NTC in advance, but not now). And of course a player can always agree to waive a 10/5 NTC (or any other "full" NTC) if asked, but it would almost certainly mean the player agrees to go to just one team in particular. For instance, Derrek Lee (who had 10/5 rights) OK'd the deal to go to Atlanta in August 2010, but he might not have agreed to a trade if it had involved a different club.

Submitted by DavidP on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:21 pm

Anyone that likes Ian Stewart should LOVE Colvin. they are pretty much the same player at a different position.

[ ]

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 12:25 pm

Other than the fact that Stewart was considered a real prospect, has always maintained at least a 10% to 5% BB advantage, plays a much tougher defensive position and has maintained a 120 Point OPS advantage through the minors. They are indeed almost and nothing like the same player. In the same way that Lyle Overbay and Price Fielder are the exact same player.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

     

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary which helps the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil,
    Did you agree with the demotion of Luke Little? He'd been pretty good up until the AZ/wild pitch appearance. I know that can't jettison Smyly (just yet) so they didn't need another LHRP. Especially with Leiter effectively being a LHRP. I still thought he deserved to stay. It's not permanent. He'll be back. Lots of moves to come with Taillon, Steele and other guys coming and going.

    Also, do you see Hodge being able to "control/command" his stuff to get a chance this year?
    Is Arias better than Hodge?   Thanks

  • crunch (view)

    just waiting to hear patrick wisdom and masterboney are spotted at the airport going in opposite directions...

    aj puk going for the marlins (lefty)...gotta imagine we'll see wisdom in the lineup.

    someone has to make room for taillon, too.

  • crunch (view)

    he's a low-level cubs star in the modern history of the cubs (c.zambrano, k.wood, r.dempster, etc), but that star has dimmed...and has been dimming since 2021.

    2024 has been ugly the whole way and we're only in mid-april.  homers aside (even though there's been 7 in 17ip) he gave up 29 hits in 20 spring innings and 31 in 17 regular season innings.

    he's pretty much only got 2 pitches at this point in his career and the mix isn't fooling anyone.  he threw a noticable amount more curves in his last start to add to the mix and it didn't help his issues.  he don't have many moves left to break out.

Click HERE for the last 50 comments