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

Tony Campana Designated for Assignment

OF Tony Campana was Designated for Assignment (DFA) yesterday by the Cubs, to make room on the MLB 40-man roster for OF Scott Hairston (signed by the Cubs as an Article XX-B MLB free-agent).

The 32-year old Hairston signed a two-year contract that will reportedly pay him $6M ($5M guaranteed plus another $1M in potential perfoemance bonuses).

Because he was an Article XX-B MLB FA post-2012, Hairston will have automatic "no trade" rights through June 15th. He can waive this right, but if he does, he can be traded for cash and/or player contracts with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000.

The Cubs 13th round draft pick out of the U. of Cincinnati in 2008, Campana hit 262/306/300 with 54 SB (5 CS) in 184 MLB games over the previous two seasons (2011-12), and is considered to be one of the fastest players in MLB. He will be 27 in May.

A reminder about how the DFA process will work with regard to Tony Campana:

1. The Cubs have ten days to either trade, release, or send Campana outright to the minors. (He cannot be returned to the 40-man roster because he was replaced on the 40 by another player).

2. Outright Assignment Waivers must be secured by the 10th day, so Campana can be placed on waivers no later than next Monday (2/18), and thus the Cubs will have until 2 PM (Eastern) on Monday 2/18 to trade Campana because the "waiver ride" takes two business days (actually it takes 47 hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during Spring Training and the regular season, not including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the off-season). So in this case, the Cubs only have eight days to trade Campana, not ten.

3. The Houston Astros have first priority on Outright Waiver claims at this time. (The previous season's standings are used to determine waiver claim priority during off-season, Spring Training, and up through the first 30 days of the MLB regular season, then the standings as of the morning the players clears waivers are used beginning on the 31st day of the regular season). Whether it is an American League team or National League team making a waiver claim does not matter EXCEPT for Trade Assignment Waivers (required to trade players on the 40-man roster beginning on August 1st up through the conclusion of the MLB regular season), where clubs in the waived player's own league get first priority over clubs in the other league, even if the club in the other league has a worse record than the club in the player's own league.

4. Campana CANNOT elect to be a free-agent if outrighted because he has not accrued at least three years of MLB Servicve Time, he is not a "Super Two" player, and he has not been outrighted previously in his career. He would not be eligible to be an MLB Rule 55 minor league free-agent (6YFA) until post-2014, although he would be eligible for selection in the December 2013 Rule 5 Draft if he is not added back to an MLB 40-man roster in the meantime.

5. If waivers are secured and Campana is outrighted to the minors and then is added back to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster prior to the conclusion of the 2013 MLB regular season, he would burn a minor league option (he presently has two left), even though he was outrighted (not optioned) to the minors. (No minor league option would be spent if he is outrighted to the minors and then is added back to the 40-man roster AFTER the conclusion of the 2013 MLB regular season)

Even though this is the best time of the year to sneak a player through waivers (because most MLB 40-man rosters are full), I think it's fairly likely that Campana will get claimed. I believe the Cubs would have had a much better chance of getting Ian Stewart through waivers (as they did with Blake DeWitt and Manny Corpas about this time last year) than will be the case with Campana.

I believe Campana could have value to a lot of MLB clubs as a "5th outfielder" (pinch-runner & late-inning defensive replacement), so it's possible that the Cubs will be able to trade him to another club before he has to be put on waivers, in exchange for a "second-tier" type prospect who is not on the other club's 40-man roster. 

 

Comments

i know the guy is a flyball pitcher, but im still amazed no one's claimed Shawn Kelley from SEA yet (even at his 900K price tag). it seems like someone (like...the cubs) would have a place for the guy...especially with the club control left. low 90s fastball and slider...control on both. setup man upside...

"According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Cubs are "on the fringes" of the market for outfielder Michael Bourn." ...i still refuse to believe these rumors...even if he'd "only" cost the cubs a 2nd round pick (aside from the stupid loot/years). i know theo's spent dumb money before on an overpriced OF'r with low power in boston, but it seems that would be something he'd learn from...or jed would refuse listen to if prodded in that direction.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I think the big X-factor here that the public can't really comprehend would be the trade market for DeJesus. If you get Bourn, you have an outfield glut, and the only one who you can trade (due to contracts and rules) is DeJesus. Also, if you're going long-term on Bourn, you pretty much have to trade Jackson, and what's his market? So theoretically, if the Cubs got the price they wanted on Bourn, and they turned DeJesus and Jackson into the pitcher(s) they want, this team could get interesting pretty quick. But as for Bourn, I'm just sayin nah way mon.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

i don't even buy the "1 year scenario" where he takes $13-$15m and becomes trade bait. he'd be neat trade bait if he doesn't K 100 times by the time you're looking to trade him, but after paying him $7+ for a 1/2 season of his service what kind of return are you gonna get on that at best (especially considering you've given up a 2nd round pick to get him)?

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

4/48m...bit of a way from that 5-6 years at 15m per he was initially looking. also, they signed swisher so they were already gonna lose their 2nd round pick. also, lol he's making less per year than s.victorino. wtf BOS?

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

only 9th? sounds sketchy... r.cano (2nd), j.ellsbury (OF), c.granderson (OF), s.choo (OF), h.pence (OF), m.garza (SP), josh johnson (SP), t.lincecum (SP), r.madson (CL), j.hanrahan (CL) those guys are pretty much the 10 best of the "under 35 years old" crop. cano is the stand out #1 in that crew, but one could put garza in the top-5 without much argument...pending what t.lincecum does this season or how one feels about josh johnson, r.madson, or c.granderson. adam wainwright (SP) could make that list, easily, depending on what he has coming back from yet another injury-missed season.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'd definitely take Garza over Pence and Choo, and I'd probably take him over Ellsbury, too. I'd be happy to see them extend him at a reasonable price--the team isn't swimming in top of the line starters, and that situation won't resolve itself in a year or two. Matt's career numbers don't blow me away, though, and I could see draft pick compensation diminishing the overall demand for him as a FA. Best thing for Matt (financially) would be to get traded mid-season. If that happens, the only way the Cubs get good value for him is if there is some sort of extension bargaining window figured in.

Baseball prospectus has the Cubs at 77-85, improved by 16 games but still last in the NL Central and getting the 8th or 9th draft pick in the 2014 draft. Astros beat the Marlins for the 1st pick. WSux also predicted at 77-85. Cardinals, Dbacks at 84 wins and a playoff for the the last wildcard slot to play the Giants. Odd that they predict the Braves at 82 wins and out of the playoffs. Rangers, Redsox get the AL wildcard game. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

"Scott Baker (elbow) threw 40 pitches at around 70 percent effort on Tuesday afternoon in Cubs camp." "I’m as far along as I’m supposed to be right now," Baker said Tuesday after his workout. "I would say ’100 percent’ would be pitching in games, and obviously, there are no games to pitch in. That’s part of the process is using spring training to prepare for the season."

"Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland stood out among those that threw bullpen sessions Wednesday." the PR campaign about this kid from the O's continues in high gear... it was (imo) an odd pick and the noise they make about him is even weirder to me. he throws a high 80s sinker + slider combo with an occasional change. he has been hittable in the minors rather regularly without getting Ks. at best he seems like a #4/5 starter or a middle/long relief option. *shrug* then again, i'm still trying to figure out why so many people seem to love MIN's scott diamond. keeping the ball down seems to mean a whole lot to some people no matter what kind of stuff they have to go with that skill.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

crunch, I've seen McFarland pitch maybe a half-dozen times in the past few years, and in general, I agree, he's not that much. Best case seems to be a couple Randy Wells type years (Randy of 09/10 ... not the best comparison, as I like McFarland a bit better than I liked Wells before he emerged, and McFarland gets more GB's, but just that level is what I'm referencing). But I also understand why a manager (not just Buck or the Orioles) might take a shine to him. He has a very good, aggressive demeanor on the mound (there's been minor leaguers that I've seen who noticeably slouch a bit when they get in trouble), and he combines that with throwing strikes. Add in his GB propensity, and those are all factors that will get a team to be intrigued when it's BP sessions.

Been busy, so I completely missed the Campana situation, but I stated my view before. At the end of the day, at the rate with which the Cubs were adding guys and needing to clear 40 man spots, Campana was going to go at some point, particularly since there are a lot of OF's on the 40 man. He simply doesn't add that much, and I'm not 100% convinced that he's a lock to be plucked (he probably will be, but with so many rosters in place, it's not hard to see teams passing). I hope he's back, manning OF in AAA and trying to improve, but at the end of the day, with the rate at which things were going, no big loss.

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).