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

It's Just a Jump to The Left

The Cubs finished up their organizational meetings in Arizona and as expected, they'll attempt to find some left-handed bats.

''We're going to try to add some different wrinkles, offensively especially,'' Piniella told the Sun-Times. ''We are going to add left-handed hitting to this mix. From an offensive standpoint, that is definitely the No. 1 priority. And if we can get a little more athletic in the process, we're going to do that, too.''

I think we all knew that was going to be the plan, but the big question will be what can they afford. Crane Kenney has already backed off his earlier statements that the Cubs will raise their payroll next season, citing the worldwide economic slowdown as the main culprit along with a curious case of content over the current Cubs roster.

''I don't want to get into payroll speculation until Jim and [assistant GM Randy Bush] and their team have done their work,'' said Cubs chairman Crane Kenney, who nonetheless made it clear he doesn't expect the kind of jumps that increased the payroll from in the $90 millions in 2006 to $130 million by the end of this season.

''I'm not sure we're going to have any major offseason moves that would require significant payroll capacity,'' Kenney added. ''We'll leave that to Jim and Randy and the guys to work through, and we'll see where we are in a couple of weeks. ... We try not to lose sight of the fact that we won 97 games for a reason. We have a core that's pretty damn good.''

Yes, the Cubs outscored everybody in the NL last year and if they returned everyone from last season, I'm rather confident they would still be one of the best teams in the NL, possibly even better with a few more starts going to Rich Harden. Yet, they'd still be vulnerable to a right-heavy pitching staff again in the playoffs and it's never a good idea to stay content, no matter the previous successes.

The short list of left-handed bats worth looking at for next season:

Free Agents

Mark Teixeira -1B
Adam Dunn - LF
Jason Giambi - 1B
Bobby Abreu - RF/LF
Milton Bradley - CF/RF
Orlando Hudson - 2B
Rafael Furcal - SS
Ken Griffey Jr. - RF/CF (team option)
Jim Edmonds - CF
Raul Ibanez - LF
Garret Anderson - LF
Brian Giles - RF (team option)

There also might be some trade targets like Brian Roberts or Aubrey Huff of the Orioles, but a little too early to speculate on who might be available and at what cost. And much like last season where the Cubs went after Kosuke Fukudome in free agency before exploring trade talks for players like Nick Swisher or Raul Ibanez, I imagine the Cubs will do it again this season.

If I were a betting man, either Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson will be a Cub next season with the Cubs likely putting another full-court press on Furcal like they did three years ago...this time without McFail there to cockblock Hendry. This will make it easy for Lou to move Soriano down in the order and give Lou that flexibility (in other words more speed) in the lineup. If that was the only move to the lineup, you could see something like this versus righties.

Furcal, Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, Soto, Fukudome, DeRosa, Pie

And with Mike Fontenot in the mix, we could see plenty of Fontenot in there instead of Fukudome with DeRosa moving to right field. Fontenot is also the reason I think the Cubs will make Furcal their number one priority over Hudson, as he already give the Cubs the flexibility to move DeRosa around. If Furcal alludes them again and they can sign Hudson, it could look a little like this versus righties.

Theriot, Hudson, Soriano, Ramirez, Lee, Soto, Fukudome/Pie, DeRosa

That still leaves the middle of the order lacking a left-handed presence so I don't expect the Cubs to stop there. I don't think they'll make a big move, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs go after Raul Ibanez or Brian Giles if his option is declined by the Padres which seems likely considering they've entered cost-cutting mode. I think there's a small chance they go after Milton Bradley, but injury and attitude concerns will always be there with him.

That would pretty much make Fukudome battle for a spot in the lineup, likely with Felix Pie in center field. While the changes aren't drastic, I'm not sure the Cubs need to make drastic moves for a team that already scored the most runs in the league, just a few subtle improvements to help balance out the lineup. And with already $109M committed in payroll next year and a few spots to fill on the pitching side,  just adding Furcal and Ibanez would add plenty to their payroll, although with Hendry's mastery of the back-loaded deal, it might not be that big of an issue for 2009.

Now Hendry might surprise us all and find some takes for Derrek Lee and Jason Marquis and then get in on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes and trust me I'm all for it. I just don't see there being much of a market for either Lee or Marquis. Lee has a no-trade clause, declining skills and $26 M left on his deal. No-trade clauses get waived all the time, but it usually takes some incentive to do so and then you're likely getting into paying part of Lee's contract which would sort of defeat the whole purpose. Marquis can be traded against his will but at almost $10M there's just no way the Cubs will unload that without paying a healthy portion of it. If it's $1-2M out of the Cubs pockets, it might be worth it still, but if they're going to start having to pay half or more, how much of a benefit will that really be?

Comments

If they go after Ibanez...who, living in Seattle, I have a great appreciation for...what do you envision the outfield to look like? I ask this assuming you see Soriano in right? Old Man Giles can play right, but I'm pretty sure Raul cannot. I've mentioned it in the past, but even when they lose, Ibanez still gets big cheers from the crowd. He's a huge fan favorite, and it seems, quite a lead by example sort of guy.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

Ibanez was a supposed trade target if they didn't get Fukudome last year, so I think the Cubs would try him there and still think he can play there. It's not ideal, but this is a team that has played Murton, Floyd, DeRosa, Ward, Hoffpauir out there in the past.

I don't think they'd move Soriano to RF unless they added Adam Dunn, which I forgot to add to my initial list (he's there now).

And in the FWIW column: Talking to a good friend who went to Penn and was in the football fraternity house there. I asked him if Mark DeRosa was in the same house. Nonchalantly he was like, "yeah" he was a year behind me. And I'm thinking "You never thought to mention this before?" Not that it's a big deal but you think he would have said something.

Jerry Zduriencik, 6 yrs as Brewers director of scouting, last 2 yrs as assistant to Melvin... maybe he'll want to trade Ichiro, that will solve everything :)

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

Um, no, his game isn't based entirely speed. He is fast, yes, but he's also a fantastic defender (glove, arm and speed) and has great contact. They're not all infield singles that he hits, believe it or not. But, despite being 32, he is still very fast. Ichiro doesn't walk much, but that's because he gets so many hits...over 200 every year of his MLB career. And seriously, you're warning against getting Ichiro by comparing him to Soriano? Is it because they're polar opposite baseball players? And...you do realize that Soriano is good, right? Besides, he's said that toward the end of his career he wants to become a pitcher, so we'd have that going for us.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

When he starts to lose some speed, his defense will go down because he wont be able to get to as much balls as he does now. Infact a lost of speed might affect his arm as he wont be able to get himself into the best possible throwing postion if it takes him a little longer to get to the ball. For a guy who relies on infield hits for a fifth to a quarter of his hits, if he looses half of his infield hits, he is going to be a .285/335/350/685 guy who is not worth the money he will be making. I think he is a good player, but at 35 you have to wonder how many prime years this guy has left. I think its 2 at most.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

ichiro's just turned 35..today actually, so happy birthday.

but he's never hit under .300 in his career, never had an OBP below .350 and has a career walk rate of .064 per PA. It's stayed remarkable consistent over the last 4 years.

Soriano's career rate is .028, he's had 2 seasons of .042. 2006 with the Nats when he was intentionally walked a ton and last year.

So I'm not sure where you came up with any of that.

Nonetheless, Ichiro's not getting traded unless he really hates it there or they really hate him, which apparently they did for awhile.

wonder where this left handed bat goes... possible open slots pending trade...SS, CF... im not giving up RF yet cuz fukudome is getting some serious loot and he came to play...i don't see him as a bench player. im not giving up 2nd cuz derosa is too good to play off the bench...and he's shown it the past 2 years becoming one of the best deals in baseball for a middle IF'r. you guys see the contract mark ellis got from Mr. Moneyball a few days ago...2yr/11m? you definitely want hoffpower on the bench (i'm not getting into trade scenerios right now...esp. ones that involve dlee)...you pretty much have to carry pie...johnson is also in the bench mix. i don't see much happening without trades, myself... furcal...*shrug* i get the feeling they want a lefty bat to stick between dlee/aram/soto somewhere since fuku isnt much of a #5 hitter. eventually soriano needs to join that middle-lineup group even if not in 09. just kicking the situation around as it stands...anyone see anything else?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

try reading my post :)

SS, RF, CF or 2B 

1B if they move Lee

LF if they want to think about moving Soriano to RF

Fukudome does make the cash and I don't think they'll give up on him, but they wil bring in competition and have him compete with Pie/Johnson for CF. Hendry sure didn't sound happy with Fukudome in his latest comments. If Fukudome to CF is an option or benching him, then that opens up 2b or RF to find a lefty bat.

But plenty of options out there...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

i did...im just looking for "as it stands" to take a base of where the team is. basically not even going to "step 1"...just taking stock and not assuming trade partners/targets yet. only assumption im laying out is derosa/fukudome staying a starter somewhere on the field... i believe a trade is gonna happen...there's too much good stuff on the bench. there's just so much to kick around in possibilities.

Fukudome to CF, add a LHH to RF---Abreu, Bradley, or Hemedia(trade from Fla), add switch hitting type middle inf, trade DLee---need 4 LHH in line-up---1B, CF, RF, and in the middle----cannot continue to into the play-offs with a RHH line-up vs the good play-off teams who have RHP--Hendrey will get this done

bob brenley has his interview with MIL tommorow (manager). given how close to the cubs he has been and the past WS win...well...there's more than a passing chance len will have a new partner next year.

The Unathletic thing is what makes me wonder. Here's our 'standard' lineup: Soriano Theriot Lee Ramirez Soto DeRosa Johnson/Pie Fukudome The 'unathletic' guys there are three of our four best hitters, and besides Soto, they all have NTC's. So which unathletic guy are they talking about? Rob thinks it's Theriot, but he just got finished telling m Theriot is fast. Fast + Shortstop would equal athletic to me. Lee? He's the position playing team leader, and has lost some foot speed, but with the exception of Soriano he's probably the only one on the team who could have played D1 basketball. He's also still a helluva first basemen. ---------------------- I wonder if The Fontenaught will have some more trade value now. Will a Fontenaught, Marshall (assuming Hill is good to go), Ceda package start to look intriguing to the Orioles now that Roberts is a year closer to Free Agency?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

isnt an OPS+96 good for a SS? I wasnt too high on getting him last time because of the DUI stuff (he was bascially 1 DUI from a 6 month jail term, which likely would have gotten him into Visa issues as well) and his habit of wanting to play catch with guys in dugout and stands in the middle of the game. As we saw in the NLCS that is still an issue for him. Assuming he got his DUI exponged for good behavior and a clause is thrown in his contract voiding it if goes on the DL for 2+ months because of his back, (or gets thrown in jail during the season if he drives again after getting his drink on if he is a DUI from a 6 month jail sentance), I would be fine with a 4/34 deal for him, through i'd rather have the O-dog personally.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Furcal sprained his ankle in March of 2007, supposedly bothered him all year. It was all healed up by 2008 and he came out on fire and then hurt his back. Maybe it's the start of chronic health problems as he was pretty durable for most of his Atlanta career sans the year he broke his leg, but I find a broken bone on a freak play a lot different than muscle and back problems. Even the sprained ankle was a bit of a freak play, a near collision with Jason Repko.

Nonetheless, I don't think he's an average shortstop. His defensive numbers are +82 FRAA for his career, 108 Rate2 stat. His career average is 5.48 RC/27 which would be 7th among all ML shorstops last year (Furcal had a 10.1 last year but obviously in a small sample size).

If his back though is a chronic problem, then yeah, there's some issues there. A healthy Furcal though at just his career averages would certainly be an upgrade and would help solve the Cubs perceived problems of Soriano at leadoff and more left-handed hitting.

 

 

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

But the thing is the 2004 Rafael Furcal isn't available. The one who is avaiable hasn't been able to combine a good hitting season with a good defensive season in three years (from the start of 2009). I agree that a healthy Furcal in theory solves a lot of our problems. In practice though, I don't think there's any such thing as a healthy Furcal. $5 million with PA incentives, alright. $8 to $10 million guaranteed over thee to four years? No thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

just an fyi,

instead of just stabbing in the dark with the highest OBP team in baseball and comments like that, you can go to any player's BR.com game log for that season and see how many runners were on base when they came up. Then just take their RBI's, subtrack their HR's and divide by the runners on base for their RBI%.

BP tracks it as well.

For Theriot in 2008, drove in 10.1% of runners on base (15-16% is average)

2007: 13.46%

I'm not sure what the average is for runs scored per plate appearance, although in 2006, 21.38% was the top of the list.

Theriot for 2008: 12.8%

2007: 13.4%

2006:  21.38%

http://www.baseballexaminer.com/statoftheweek/04-11-07.htm

a better measure would be runs scored/times on base though

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

there's nothing in there about being unatheletic...

there's a comment that left-handed hitting is the #1 priority and IF they can get MORE athletic they will. Switching Felix Pie or Fukudome to centerfield over Edmonds could take care of that. Adding Furcal over Theriot would be MORE athletic.

Adding Orlando Hudson, moving DeRosa to RF and having a Fukudome/Pie center field would also be a net gain in the athletic department.

And I didn't say Theriot was fast, I responded to your comment that Theriot has no speed. If you charted all the major league players on how fast they got down the line or from 1st and third and 0 was average and thus "no speed" as I believe you stated, Theriot would definitely be in the positive.

 

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

are we just talking speed or baserunning ability? He did have quite a off year on the basepaths last year, I'm not going to discount that, but coupled with 2007 and part of 2006, I think he's right in the middle of the pack. As for mindlessly throwing out positions, let's do that.

We'll stick to starters to make this easy and just ignore pitchers completely.

8*30=240

+ 14 DH's

254 regular major leaguers

subtract 2*30 (catchers and first basemen) 

194 players

you're saying Theriot would lose a foot race to 97 players?

This is the guy that was tied for 29th in SB's in MLB in 2008 and 20th in 2007 and who scored more runs per plate appearance in 2006 than anyone else (small sample size notwithstanding)?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. It's not that hard to find out - we can time him fom home to first or 1st to 3rd or whatever. I think that you're assuming that because he had some good SB%'s he's much faster than he is. Jason Bay and Kevin McReynolds threw up some good SB numbers - neither of them were ever accused of being fast, or 'having speed' if you prefer that term.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I think he has some plus speed (although certainly not Vince Coleman speed) because I've seen him make it easily from first to third or first to home or second to home quite a lot.

In terms of a footrace, the only regular Cub that would beat Theriot is Soriano. Pie would too if you want to go down to the scrubs.

there's plenty of guys with okay SB numbers that weren't particularly fast, so no I'm not confusing the two.

other evidence, the Cubs would have never tried to make him a switch-hitter in the minors if they didn't think he had plus speed. That move is almost always reserved for players teams think are fast that can beat an infield hit with the extra half step.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

with the exception of Soriano he's [Lee] probably the only one on the team who could have played D1 basketball Lee was recruited by, and committed to, North Carolina, which agreed to let him play basketball and baseball. But he turned pro when the Padres drafted him 14th. 1993 was an interesting draft: 1. ARod 2. Darren Dreifort 7. Trot Nixon 12. Billy Wagner 14. Derek Lee 15. Chris Carpenter 19. Jay Powell 20. Torii Hunter 21. Jason Varitek The Cubs had 3 first round picks that year: 10. Brooks Kieschnick 24. Jon Ratliff 29. Kevin Orie

Gay Chubby Dating and protect Marriage ads that have run recently in the top ad banner, we're sending out quite the mixed message here at TCR. :)

My Google Adsense blocking efforts should kick in soon....

World Series go Phils!! the Rays are quite a story, but I'd rather see Phils fans enjoy the victory (and resulting destruction of the city).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Top of 3rd Runs: 0 Hits: 1 Errors: 0 - Phillies third. - Werth singled to right. - Utley grounded out, second baseman Iwamura to first baseman C.Pena, Werth to third. ?How deep was Iwamura playing?

Ryan Theriot is not a great ballplayer. He is not a power hitter, or a flashy fielder. Chad, I am sorry that Ryan Theriot stole your girlfriend, or killed your dog, or whatever he did to set you off. Would I ilke to see Jimmy Rollins, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada, Michael Young, or that type at SS? I would, to name a few. However: Theriot had a solid season. He hit for a decent average, got on base at a good clip, and was, despite the bleating of a few, and pointing out a bad error or 2, a decent fielder despite having a below average arm. He got thrown out stealing way too much. This from a player who was 41 of 46 in steals his first season and a half. Should he be reined in next season? Sure. He is not the reason the Cubs got swept again. If the 2004 Furcal isn't available, can we trade for the 1991 Cal Ripken? A lack of a true leadoff hitter, a lack of good left handed hitting, and a huge suck job by most of the team in general? Yep...that'll about describe it.

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).