Cubs MLB Roster

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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

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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 Land Stewart, Weathers From Rockies

The long rumored deal to nab Ian Stewart from the Rockies went down last night, and the Cubs also received pitcher Casey Weathers in the deal. The cost? Tyler Colvin and D.J. LeMahieu.

To the analysis...

Ian Stewart was dreadful last year, absolutely dreadful to the tune of a .465 OPS in 136 PA's  that Colvin even managed to beat (.509 in 222 PA's).  He did put up a .950 OPS in AAA though and suffered through a wrist injury which may or may not explain the massive drop-off in his numbers. Even when healthy, he managed just a career .782 OPS (96 OPS+ in 1282 PA's) before last season, so he's hardly making anyone hold off to a trip to the concession stand when he reaches the plate.

But obviously the Cubs are counting on a bounce back season and he was quite the prospect back in the day, as high as #4 in all of baseball in 2005. Defensively, he's best at third base, although the Rockies have tried him at 2B, LF and RF. If you buy the defensive numbers, he seems to grade slightly above average at 3b. Hoyer claims he's "gifted" as a third basemen and Jim Tracy compared him to Adrian Beltre in a good way. High praise indeed...

Stewart is arbitration eligible and earned $2.2M last year and hard to imagine it won't stay the same or go down after his poor 2011 season. AZ Phil says he has one option year left, but would need to go through Optional Assignment Waivers (scroll way down for the explanation) to be sent to the minors. Hoyer says he's expected to be the starting third basemen, although you have to believe they'll keep at least Jeff Baker around as a platoon partner just in case.

Casey Weathers was the Rockies #6 prospect in 2008 and 2009 according to Baseball America. A closer-type that can throw in the upper 90's, he had Tommy John surgery that cost him his 2009 season and has pretty much struggled with his control ever since.

"Since (the surgery) he's struggled with his command," Hoyer said. "His velocity is still in the upper 90s. He has a great arm. We hope a change of scenery will help him as well."

According to AZ Phil, he has 2 minor league options left.

Overall, I like the deal, but I've always liked Stewart. Probably because I had him in a fantasy league those 2 awesome months he had his rookie year in 2008 where he had 35 RBI's over a month and a half and an OPS near in the 1.000 range. The negatives are kind of obvious so I will go over them briefly, he's coming off a abysmal season, wasn't all that great to start with, strikes out a ton which will always suppress his batting average and keep his OBP down. As for the positives, he'll be playing his age 27 season next year, about the time you expect a player to have his best seasons, seems to be able to handle himself defensively and he certainly fits the style of offense that Jed-Stein know how to put together. Just like David DeJesus, he averages seeing around 4 pitcher per plate appearance and is certainly not adverse to taking a walk.

As for Weathers, obviously it's all upside with his arm, just a matter of finding out if he can ever get some control back. I'm a bit skeptical considering how far out he is from his surgery.

Colvin for Stewart seemed like a perfectly fair trade to me, Colvin is a year younger and cheaper at the moment, but Stewart isn't really costing the Cubs much in the grand scheme of things, plays a position the Cubs need more of and most importantly, fits the style of offense that Jed-Stein are trying to put together, far more than Colvin. Losing LeMahieu was a bit of a surprise, I probably prefer to give him a shot at 2B or a utility spot over Darwin Barney, but overall I'm not a huge fan of his and never really expected much more than him being a bench player. If you evaluate the trade by terms of ceiling, the Cubs certainly got the better end of the deal and you hope their scouts are seeing something that the numbers aren't bearing out. But it's certainly a risky deal, if Colvin finds his 2010 groove and/or LeMahieu does develop his power, the Cubs could have given up two solid starters while there's the possibility that Stewart and Weathers don't do anything in the majors.

Let's hope Jed-Stein are as smart as advertised.

Comments

I don't know if it's going to be EpHoy, Hoy-Stein, Jed-Stein, or an as-unyet-introduced variation, but one thing's for sure: The rest of the Cubs www will eventually be on TCR's nuts, once the local meta pronounces. I disagree with the breakdown of the value exchanged, but I always appreciate your perspective, Rob G.

Colvin for Stewart made some sense straight up. LeMahieu for Weathers makes no sense to me. The Cubs need position player prospects, not more relief prospects with no command--the system is pretty stocked up in that area. So the Cubs lose LeMahieu, Flaherty, and Marwin Gonzalez all in the same day. That leaves Junior Lake and Josh Vitters as the only even vaguely interesting upper level 2B and 3B prospects, doesn't it? Hopefully Flaherty and Gonzalez find their ways off of the 25-man rosters before the end of the season.

If you evaluate the trade by terms of ceiling, the Cubs certainly got the better end of the deal... Appreciate the analysis, but don't really agree with this. Colvin was a first rounder, and the 13th pick in the '06 draft. In his "best" year (he has only played 3 seasons - and season 1 & 3 combined he only had 242 PA's) he had an OPS of .816. Better than Stewart's "best" of 2008 - the year ROB G got the chubby started. I had thought all along that Colvin had just gotten started. I was looking forward to see what The Sveum could have done with him. What did they have to lose with this team not going anywhere? Since they both are going to obviously be strike-out personas, I believe that Colvin will hit for more power. Stewart just plan sucks. We would have gotten more from a DeWitt/Baker combo than this guy. DJ will be another utility guy that will have success in the majors - no All Star, but he will have a nice career, imo. With respect to Weathers, as has been said, since his TJ was two years ago, he has not progressed much - and he still cannot find the plate. We have a closer like that already. Just a blech trade. I hope I am wrong, and will admit as such - but I don't think I will be.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Stewart was the #57, #4, #16, #46, and #38 prospect in all of baseball coming up, Colvin's highest was #75, I think he may have jumped into the top 50 before 2010 had they seen him after Camp Colvin. Obviously Stewart's been in the majors a little longer, so we know more about his warts than Colvin. But I think Colvin has plenty of them. Hard to deny that Stewart fits the "grind out at-bats" style that JedStein wants far more than Colvin or LeMahieu. Defense is still pretty subjective, but reports and numbers seem rather positive. But I certainly understand why people aren't thrilled with the deal. I don't mind it myself. It's not gonna hamper the team in anyway and they didn't give away any All-Stars. Worst case they gave up 2 regulars for 2 nobodies, best case they get 2 slightly above average players for 2 nobodies, chances are it ends up somewhere in between.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Gammons...is soon cast in stone and preserved in the Smithsonian --- not to mention that his poop has a slightly sweet floral fragrance and if you put your ear close you can hear the turd humming Neil Diamond's version of "Sweet" Caroline

I was really much more mystified by the draft moves: adding a recently converted SS whose last exposure was in rookie ball to the 40 man, and the drafting/deportation of the triple A guy.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

yes? I don't think anything had to with the other. Some folks didn't really like Flaherty or Gonzalez in the organization and weren't worried about losing them or don't think they'll stick. I disagree about Flaherty for sure, but I could be wrong. Some folks in the organization really like Stewart and probably Weathers, only time will tell if they're right or wrong. It feels like they gave up a little too much putting LeMahieu in the deal at the moment, but the guys making the trades have about 450% more information than any of us on the people involved. Like the Dejesus deal, in a vacuum, it's a whole lot of meh, we'll see what else comes. and most fans always overestimate their own teams prospects, so whatever ends up on this board, is usually about 2 levels better than they actually are.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"and most fans always overestimate their own teams prospects, so whatever ends up on this board, is usually about 2 levels better than they actually are." Oh, I don't know. I haven't seen a lot of LeMahieu love on this board apart from myself and AzPhil. I think I rated LeM about as high as the Rockies did, and Flaherty as high as the O's did, and Gonzalez as much as the Astros. Actually, the Astros liked him more, since they said he was a better-than-average shortstop, which I hadn't heard. A year ago, I thought LeMahieu would be the 2B in 2012, but then Barney came along and played in 143 games and pushed DJ over to a position where his lack of pop would be more of an issue. So I'm not heartbroken about the ones that got away, and I'll give Jed/Theo a mulligan, since they're new here. Hoyer indicated the other day that it's the other teams who let you know who your good players are.
"You notice who gets asked about a lot, who teams covet," Hoyer said. "I think that is important for new people coming in to see that."
I expect Hoyer and Epstein to draw the right inference from the lack of interest in DeWitt, Baker, Soriano, Coleman, Hill and others whose names might not have come up this week.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

during one his minors reassignments they tried out lowering his hands. they've done a lot of stuff with the guy...don baylor had his shot and carney lansford's shot has been almost worse. he's also been tweaked in AAA on return trips other than the one last year where they changed his hand position. he's got the bat speed, but he seems lost at the plate. his swing + not doing anything with inside pitching is choi-annoying enough...but his love of swinging at outside pitching is just odd. the cubs should get j.burtnitz to coach him for a month...they both love to drag the bat through the zone at a near 45 degree angle (not that extreme, but whatever).

D. J. LeMahieu came up to the big leagues this past season after spending only one full season in the minor leagues. He just turned 23 this past July, and he has finally found a home at 3B. He was 2nd in the AFL in stolen bases, and he showed improved patience at the plate, too. The HR power hasn't shown up (yet), but there is time for that to develop. And even if it doesn't, at the very least LeMahieu projects as a better version of Jeff Baker or Wes Helms. His ceiling is probably something like Kevin Seitzer, but the Cubs gave up on him before finding that out for sure. I think the new regime may have fallen into the same trap Hendry fell into after the 2008 season, when he decided the Cubs needed to "get more left-handed." I would not have traded LeMahieu even-up for Stewart, and the Colvin for Weathers part of the deal doesn't make it any sweeter. Colvin straight-up for Stewart or Colvin & DeWitt for Stewart & Weathers, maybe.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I am not a DeJesus or Stewart fan, and I don't think these are fantastic, impressive moves, but I am happy about two things. First, the quotes surrounding these deals suggest a plan. They want a balanced left-right lineup, players who can take pitches and take walks, players that play good defense, and they wanted these guys to be young and cheap. I like the idea that they have a larger strategic vision. Second, there has been a lot of criticism about them not valuing existing Cubs prospects enough. It's just as likely that we and Arizona Phil overvalue them. It is far more likely that these guys end up like Cedeno and Pie than Seitzer or whatever. Part of me is happy to see that they are perhaps not afraid to unload them before they become useless and we get pennies on the dollar for them. In the end, we all want this organization transformed, and I think remaking it will take 25-30 moves over 2-3 years, of which these are just the first two. So I am going to see how it develops. Maybe DeJesus and Stewart become the Cubs' versions of Trot Nixon, Bill Mueller, and Mark Bellhorn.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Trot Nixon was a Red Sox draftee, and if memory serves a top 8 pick. It is far more likely that these guys end up like Cedeno and Pie than Seitzer or whatever. That feels a whole lot like cherry picking. I think we just traded the next Castro and Soto. MLB regular players for pre-arbitration prices are nice to have. Maybe it takes 3 guys who perform well at AA to turn into one of them, but that doesn't mean you should just flush your system of every guy you have because you didn't draft him. Ian Stewart is essentially Corey Patterson.... who trades anything for Corey Patterson?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I made no claim about how they acquired Trot Nixon. All I am saying is look at the 2004 Red Sox and you see Bellhorn, Millar, Mueller, Nixon, Kapler, etc. None of those guys are great. But they are veterans who got on base well, provided good l-r balance, etc. In other words, they are not trading for Stewart for Stewart to be Manny or Ortiz or Ellsbury. They expect Stewart to be one of those types of complementary guys. So I am willing to wait and see how all of these pieces come together in a few years. Also, the Cubs have had hundreds of prospects over the past few years, almost all of whom have sucked. I picked two of those that sucked as examples. You picked the two best, the rare ones who made it. That sounds a lot like cherry-picking to me.

I don't know what these new suits are doing and neither do they. This is the not the last straw for me, but it might be the 3rd or 2nd. This whole situation reminds me of the time Lane Kiffin took over at Tennessee. These new suits are just spitting on the cubs minor league tradition without even doing their homework(probably)! Do your homework, Jed! Theo's off the hook because he got a note from his mom. Your butt is cut, though, Jed. Your butt. Is cut.

- Matt Moore signs 5/14M deal with Rays - LeMahieu to get shot at 2B starting job in spring training - Reds targeting James Shields - Marlins claim offer was a little north of $200M for Pujols rather than the $275 reported. - Angels prefer to move Abreu if they move anyone.

//He did put up a .950 OPS in AAA though and suffered through a wrist injury which may or may not explain the massive drop-off in his numbers. // This begs the question, How long does it take for a wrist injury to heal?! Stewart injured his twice in 2005 (he had a very good year that year by the way) and ever since when he has an off year it's blamed on a "wrist injury." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>Denver Post - Aug 12, 2007 Ian Stewart, a 22-year-old wunderkind with jaw-dropping power, made his major- league debut ... but a nagging wrist injury slowed his progress down in 2006. ... >>Is Ian Stewart Back? - Colorado Rockies Farm report April 15, 2008 //I keep looking back to the slide into second that cut short Stewart's Arizona Fall League stint in 2005 as the downward turning point in his career. MRIs said there wasn't much damage, but the numbers showed a pretty dramatic decline from that point forward. Not until late last season did I see signs things were turning around. Let me explain why this may have been an issue even if he never complained of further discomfort. One side effect of an injured wrist for hitters is that though the pain might completely dissipate, lingering weakness in one wrist will throw the timing of the rest of a player's swing out of whack. Stewart seems to be a classic case.// http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/rockies_farm_report/archives/2008/04… >>August 23, 2011 Tweet //@TroyRenck Troy Renck, Rockies Finally Ian Stewart's wrist still bothering him after BP last night. He's been shut down. 24 Aug via TweetDeck //

Sean Gallagher signs minor league deal with Reds, Robert Coello with Blue Jays.

What about Zambrano for K-Rod even up? Think the Brewers would be interested in that, or they'd want a boat load of cash too?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I suppose that makes sense. However Z is probably the 3rd starter right now ahead of Wells and Casey Coleman. So having a durable headcase who is pitching for his next contract can't be a bad thing IMHO. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Carlos revert to a 15 win 3.50 ERA, 210 IP form this year.

for the reasonable folks curious about Flaherty, he did have 25 errors in 102 games at 3b so far. I'm sure he could be good enough eventually, but sounds like a work in progress. BA has always been down on his defense in general.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Thanks for taking a stab. I'm going to rank them LeMahieu, Gonzalez, Flaherty and DeWitt. LeMahieu and Gonzalez are two-way players who should have nice careers at second and short, respectively. (For the Gonzalez prediction, I'm relying on the Astro scout(s) who said he was a better-than average defender.) Flaherty may be defensively challenged--that's what I keep reading on TCR--but he has played a fair amount of SS in the minors and a lot of second base, whereas DeWitt was a third baseman who gradually got pushed over to second, I suspect as his hitting promise faded. Flaherty's future is probably at second. With their gloves, Baker and DeWitt don't really belong on an Epstein-approved roster, so I wonder where DeWitt is going to get his next 200 starts.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

And Tyler Colvin doesn't have a good enough BB/K ratio to take major league pitchers deep 20 times in less than 400 PA's... what a tool. Seriously, just fucking retire. Be a dick head, but at least be man enough to admit it when you're fucking wrong. What a fucking pussy. Now, let's pretend you had a fucking clue, and analyze your (drunken?) statements for them at face value. "the correlation is that no one really cares for his defense in general..." If "no one" cares for his defense, why are they pushing Gonzalez and Vitters off of the left side of the infield to give him starts? Why? Because you're a fucking dipshit, who never admits that he may, on occasion, spew some bullshit.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Interesting grab. Walks a ton with an OBP about 50-60 points above his BA regularly. He runs well and steals at a 78% rate. Doesn't ground into DPs. Plays SS and 2B. Potential upside, no real downside to the move. A meh move overall, but will be interesting to watch.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/trade-central/2011/2612696… cherry picking quotes... With his upper-cutting lefty swing, Stewart strikes out too much to hit for steady average (.236 in 1,242 career big league at-bats), but he gives you everything else you want from a starting third baseman: above-average power, steady defense and a strong arm. Even with a lost 2011 season, Stewart has the ninth-highest isolated power (.193) among third basemen since 2008, and he's in the same neighborhood as David Wright, Pablo Sandoval and Ryan Zimmerman. Weathers has the stuff to be a late-inning reliever in the majors. He has toned down his high leg kick, but Weathers faces a crucial season in 2012 to determine whether he's a big league contributor or just an eternal puzzle. Colvin has been an extreme flyball hitter during the past two seasons (42 percent, according to FanGraphs), and no park favors flyball hitters with juice more than Coors Field—see: Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe, Seth Smith and Chris Iannetta, whom the Rockies traded last week after never fully committing to him as starter. He rarely turns on balls and drives them for power, with his five homers in 2011 representing a career high. His proponents believe he'll develop into a 40-double/15-homer threat once he does a better job of recognizing which pitches he can drive, but most scouts see him as a singles hitter who doesn't provide enough beyond his batting average. LeMahieu's lack of pop wouldn't matter as much if he could stick in the middle infield, where he has spent much of his pro career, but his fringy speed and quickness don't fit at second base or shortstop. His best position is third base, where his soft hands and solid arm make him an average defender.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

digging into why he K's too much... it is alarming how much he doesn't offer at inside pitching much less doesn't hit it...especially with his swing. the guy cannot see or chooses to do nothing with inside pitching. ...and if he can see inside pitching and chooses not to do anything with it...wtf is with him swinging at all this crap that's inches off the plate outside? when he stepped back in the box it didn't help and he'd even stretch to attempt to swing at the outside pitching. you can pound this guy inside and outside for strikes...just don't make a mistake in the zone.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Seems odd that they point to Colorado favoring fly ball hitters in the Colvin bit, but neglect to point out how that would help Stewart when comparing him to guys who played their home games in noted pitchers parks. Since we're determined to get left handed again, I sure hope Wrigley plays more like we think it did last year than it has historically.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

coloardo got rid of a guy who plays a position they need (3rd) with no replacement...unless chris nelson is supposed to slot in...in order to get yet another utility IF'r and an OF'r that will most likely start the year on the bench if he breaks with the club at all (they're flush in mlb-ready bench OFs and all 3 starting spots). i like the fact they didn't spend much in prospects and won't spend much in money, but the faith the cubs have in i.stewart beyond his glove to be a starter...well, meh.

Cahill/Breslow to Dbacks for Jarrod Parker/Cowgill

you were all waiting for Keith Law's take on this, I know The Rockies get two firmly below-average players. Colvin has horrible plate discipline, can't hit LHP, and plays a corner. LeMahieu makes contact, doesn't walk or hit for any power (or project to do so), and can't really play the left side of the infield. Stewart was a fringy regular for three years before 2011, and Jim Tracy's capacity to mismanage players appears to be infinite, so there's a justification for thinking a change of scenery allows Stewart to reach his ceiling, avg to above-avg 3b. Weathers was 92-96 for me in fall league, slider wasn't as good as it was pre-TJ; walked a man an inning in the regular season but he wasn't hitting the backstop or anything in AFL. and I actually think [LeMahieu's] best position is LF. I don't see the arm for 3b. http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/41641/mlb-insider-keith-law

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

When I read what Law and BP and BA and all the other 'experts' say about prospects/evaluation, I am more and more willing to go with AZ Phil's scouting reports than any of these 'know-it-all's. At least I can be confident that Phil has ACTUALLY seen these players demonstrate their baseball skills in person, and not just regurgitated what a group of scouts and player development personnel have told or emailed them. AZ Phil = eyes on the ground; BP/BA/etc. = satellite photos

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/9351660-417/ian-stewart-su… Wittenmeyer article on Ian Stewart
The Cubs’ new third baseman said his poor 2011 season with the Colorado Rockies was about limited opportunity, a series of injuries that put him behind (and in some cases lingered) and maybe even about getting a little ‘‘desperate’’ later in the season. ‘‘But,’’ Stewart said, ‘‘with this situation now with Aramis Ramirez gone and one of the guys who would have had a chance to play third going in the trade to Colorado and that spot being open, it’s a great opportunity for me to be that every-day third baseman and get those 500 to 600 at-bats that I need to be successful.’’

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I'm not overwhelmed by the new regime's first moves -- DeJesus, Stewart, Lendy Castillo, and Bianchi. But.......I'm willing to withhold judgment or comment until I see whatever other moves are made between now and Opening Day. Also, it's hard for me to state with any certainty the roster as constructed today could produce a substantially worse record than last season. I haven't had any Division contending hopes for the 2012-13 Cubs anyway, so my bar has never been set very high.

being the old fart that I am... I remember a Cub third basemen starting the 1982 season at 1 for 36 including 1BB and 6 K's. Recent Cub history seems to have a theme that there isn't much offensive production in April, so if Stewart gets off to a bad start, it would be nothing new although it wouldn't be a shocker either. Aramis Ramirez had a better April in 2011 but in April 2010: .152 .216 .283 .498 Carlos Pena end of April 2011: .159 .289 .175 .464 ---- Cub 3B, end of April 1982: .203 .229 .304 .533 http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=sandbry01&t=b&year=…

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • 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?