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

Randy Wells' Monty Python act.

Oh Randy Wells.
You can't do this any more, brother...

Gordon Whittenmyer tweeted, "Wells takes a no-hitter into fourth inning of what could be his last start. Dempster (quad) back Thurs."
And then the next tweet says, "...Never mind."
What happened?
Wells was sailing along, and then suddenly in the 4th he gave up a double to Hunter Pence, a walk to Thome, a groundout, a stolen base, a walk to Nix, a single to Ruiz, a pop out, a walk to pitcher Joe Blanton, and then a double to Jimmy Rollins.
Two doubles, a single, and 4 runs - all in one inning.
Oh, and 3 walks.
Silly. 
Made me think of the Ministry of Silly Walks by Monty Python. 
I am unclear on how to post a video here, but if you're too young to remember just google it.

Anyway, Cubs lose 2-5 to the Philadelphia Phillies.
If Wells does indeed go back to Iowa, hopefully he can work on those silly walks.
Get that fixed, it'll be good for the Cubs whether he remains one or not. 

Comments

Campana a with an infield single past the mound, en Fuego. and a stolen base on a pitch out. Scores on a fielders choice off Castro's bat. Did I mention the legend is growing?

Campana steals 2b easily despite a pitch out after reaching on an infield single and scores on an infield single when Galvis goes home for no reason. Neat. Cubs hold on it'll be 5 of 8

5-0 on a LaHair double (3-4 today) and a Baker single, would have had another run but Castro was out trying to steal second. Nice to see the base running stay aggressive.

Did you guys catch the Welly assist on the put out at 2nd via a WP? Very impressive. Campana at least makes it entertaining for me when he gets on base. What a fast MF.

Edgar Gonzalez released from Iowa, possibly going to Japan Somebody gets to move up... Will be interesting to see who. I-Cubs postponed again at Nashville

brandon inge to the A's...from the team that brought you "josh donaldson playing 3rd" and other hit(less) comedies.

A week ago, this team was one of the worst in baseball. Now, they're just one of the worst in the National League! #babybears #babysteps #winning

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

To me actually the interesting thing is the bullpen has blown what, 3 or 4 games? We might possibly have a winning record but for that. Most of that is Kerry Wood and Marmol too I think. James Russel, Michael Bowden, Rafael Dolis and Scott Maine are all pitching well.

In my opinion the only way it makes sense to keep Garza is if the Cubs think they can make a run next year or 2014. If so I wonder what moves could possibly make the Cubs a contender in that timeframe? Otherwise he will be past his prime when cubs are peaking. And he'll be expensive. The other option is to trade him. NOW, or by deadline 2012 latest. If so anyone know who a likely suitor is? Might the Orioles decide they want to take their great start seriously? Do they have any trade chips? What about Detroit, Yankees, or dare I say Angels? Or the BoSox (we'd need to take some salary from them). Or maybe a mega-blockbuster with GARZA and LAHair or Starlin (hell y never know - for the right payoff?). Gotta move Garza to make this plan work, that's all I know. He does us no good now if our real goal is a WS in 2015-2016 which is the soonest any sane person could hope to have this team ready. Theo is here for a gameplan and the fastest way to the top is to trade Garza as soon as possible for 2 or 3 serious prospects and maybe take a bad contract off someone's hands as a sweetener..

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

I've watched the 'trade Garza' chatter all off-season. For a while I was excited about getting 2-3 of a team's best prospects, but since then I've changed my mind and decided you have to keep Garza. Here's why: 1. It's hard to get a very good pitcher on your team. You have massive leverage with Garza in that you are the only team able to negotiate with him for the rest of this year and next year. To get a FA to sign is no guarantee, even if you're willing to pay up. You've got this guy. He's good - dare I say, he's an ace, so why trade him? 2. All the prospect excitement is a little overdone. I would keep a sure thing like Garza over 3-4 lottery tickets. Let's face it, most prospects are lottery tickets in some way. Take Brett Jackson, all around good player but nobody's certain he's going to limit his strikeouts enough to be effective. Any pitching prospect faces significant injury risk. Look at who got traded for these guys: Cliff Lee to Philly: Carlos Corrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson, Jason Knapp Cliff Lee to Seattle: JC Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies Roy Halladay: Travis DArnaud, Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor CC Sabathia: Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson The point is these prospects are no sure thing. 3. If Garza is traded, you have to replace him. Dempster is a FA after this season, let's assume he doesn't come back. The in house options to rounding out the rotation are not encouraging. Here's your 2013 rotation without Garza or a replacement FA: Samardzija, Maholm, Volstad, R Wells, T Wood, Coleman (6th) Minor League Possibilities: Jay Jackson, Rod Lopez, Chris Rusin, Trey McNutt, Dae Eun Rhee, Nick Struck You need Garza and a guy like Cole Hamels to compete. Maybe you wait a year to get the #2 pitcher if you don't think 2013 will be competitive, but you don't let Garza go away and not replace him or add more to him. 4. The Cubs have the money. As crunch has said, they have lots of payroll coming off the books and will have money to spend. They don't have to blow their wad on some 30 year old with a ten year contract, but they will certainly have the money to extend Garza and do plenty more.

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

But none of this addresses my argument that no matter how awesome he is now or even the next two years, he will be expensive when we need him AND past his prime. Why would we not roll the dice on 2-3 lottery picks in this situation? To me it has nothing to do with how good he is, it's how good will he be in 2015? And for how much money? He'll want multi-year of course . . . and he'll deserve it cause he's a great dude too!

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

I guess it depends on two things: 1. What you think Cubs could get for Garza. Not a teams top three prospects. Maybe a couple top 15 and a couple throw ins. Who knows though? 2. If you think the team will go with the remaining in house/mid-bottom tier rotation options for all of 2013 and 2014. I highly doubt that they would. I think next year the team will contend for at least a wild card.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Huh? You joking? Health concerns are part of investing in a pitcher like Garza. I hope you are joking. Did you see the amount of elite and newly acquired pitchers who have already gone down this year on the Yankees and BoSox alone? Also that article posted on a previous thread (about the trending carppiness of 1 inning relief pitchers) which estimates 40% of starters will blow out their arms etc. Deal high, get prospects. They are ready when we're ready. Or keep elite pitcher on shit team. Don't stock farm system. Stay shitty. Hope he stays healthy his whole career, and pay him big money on the dark side of age 30. I'd rather slappa tha baassss

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Actually I WISH what I am arguing for was fucking controversial and deserved this andy kaufmanesque thread. So four blind mice so far. Wo's next? It's a formidable crew: big lowitzki, dust Baylor, crunch, and jumbo pile on the superjimmer. Sounds like a very poor pro wrestling tournament. I think they would be smart to trade garza now, I think he's useless to us now and we won't be good before he is expensive and getting older. I think it would be in the cubs' FO stated mission to trade him and I'd bet they will. And I like the cubs FO, and direction. And I hope they trade him. What's the problem here?

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

Banned for what, exactly? What's with the witch hunting over here, Jumbo. I've been on this list since at least 2004, get off my ass. Should I be banned for giving a crap about the cubs, passionately arguing they are doing the right thing, trying to argue my case to a few thugs who don't understand what a metaphor is, and ultimately having crunch (of all people) play cop and back off with a couple jokes. Get on with your life for f$cks sake.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

ok Dusty. Enjoy life in the perfection lane. I was JOKING in some respect, and defending myself in another respect. for one if mike c is a visionary then I will move to Canada because I HATE his politics and inappropriate use of his politics here. For another I wasn't responding to you personally, but it sure feels like three or four dudes hanging back after a concert to kick someone's ass. So yeah. Read the responses . . . Are you frickin' kidding me - who's taking things too seriously? Does anyone here have the ear of theo and jed? do they express opinions? I am just saying I think they will do it . . . what the fuck do I know? Quote me some shit that says I have their ear. Or are you just parroting crunch's personality attack? If there is ANYONE on this list that is an easy attack of personality it is crunch and I try and succeed not to do so. So just chill the fuck out.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Keep pushing it there Tito. I am just arguing a position if you re-read it all. So saying "Watch and Learn" is the new equivalent of telling Rob G/Moderator to Fuck Off? Jesus you guys are too much. I am not sure what you guys are getting out of this but have at it. I am just a passionate Cubs fan who actually likes what they are doing and thinks they should trade garza. I also tend to be extremely dry humoured in real life and perhaps that is coming accross wrong here. But the fact that two of you have veered into suggesting I get banned, when in general I don't attack personalities except vaguely, groups to get people off my ass, call the moderator an asshole, and actually first and foremost am driven by the desire to see the Cubs win? Nice. I present opinion and can be repetitive and passionate. But you don't find me sitting in wait to rip people a new arsehole when they believe in something. I am more the person who states his case. Feels like a lynching to me. I'll be the first one banned for saying "watch and learn". excellent use of your energies.

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

Yep...Cliff Lee...Roy Halladay...Tim Hudson...all sucked after age 31. 31 is generally considered the tipping point in a pitcher's career. Wait. Oh it's not..that's right. If he was 34 is 2015, I would buy that argument. 31? C'mon. Theo may, or may not deal Garza..we'll touch base about that then. But the whole "past his prime" argument is silly. Theo will deal his ass...lol...sounds like when we talk about trading Soriano.

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

Pfft... Whatever. They'll do, whatever they do. they still have to field a team until this mythical time of Shangri-la when they'll be competetive. Let Dempster go after this year, and trade Garza for a couple of prospects. Next year's rotation of Samardzija, Maholm, Volstad, Wells, and Whothafuck will be nausea inducing to say the least....bullpen shredding at worst. Ask the Yankees how trading for young pitching works out. That's a crap shoot too. I am for keeping Garza. But it's not like I'm going to boycott the Cubs if they trade him.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Not really cult like. I just like what they've done - so I'm naturally supportive. I think its a mega waste to have him on this shit team. Period. It's sound thinking and totally logical to me. And they aren't going to magically be good next year when they are counting on Rizzo and the boys - who will need a couple years in MLB before kicking ass. Everyone here can slappa da bass mon, far as I care. ;) if anything I am impatient to be good and know it can't be done without stocking up more talent. And for the record, Theo/Jed have been on record as saying they aren't and never have been shopping him. So I am not worshipping at their altar at all. But I'm not like you eey-oring ever move they make like they are town idiots. I just see a clear path and strategy, and if you are counting on kids like Rizzo Jackson Welington and others . . . They ain't going to be ready before Garza starts needing big dough and being on the downward end of his career potential. What possible good can Garza do us with this craptastic roster? I'm not here for entertainment after all these years. I want the straightest path to the WS...

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).