Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Matt Garza to Rangers Imminent...Until It Wasn't

So the Twitter-verse exploded Thursday night with numerous reports that the Rangers and Cubs were nearing a deal to send Matt Garza to Texas for up to 3 prospects. Names were even bandied about that included the likes of Luke Jackson, C.J. Edwards and a position player that varied between Mike Olt, Luis Sardinas or Jorge Alfaro. When it came to getting some of the Rangers top 20 talent, the Cubs would be doing well...although since Mike Olt's dropoff this season, none would be real top shelf minor leauge talent (top 30 in baseball). Nonetheless, 2 very promising arms and a potential decent position player would seem like a decent haul for Garza.

(Brake Screech)

Then Patrick Mooney reported late in the evening that the Rangers were moving quickly on a Plan B finding the Cubs asking price too high. Jeff Passan suggests that Plan B is probably Bud Norris of the Astros. It could all be posturing by the Rangers, or maybe it was all controlled leaks by the Cubs to float some names out there in hopes other organizations would pony up.

At the end of it all, Garza is still a Cub and the rumoring will continue at a feverish pace tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I know Roberts has been injured from 2010-present, but he had great seasons in 2008-2009 (5.2 and 3.7 WAR) and that would have been nice to have those seasons when the Cubs were competitive. If the Cubs hadn't valued their prospects so high, they could have offered virtually all of the prospects rumored in the deal--Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton, Donald Veal, Sean Gallagher, Jose Ceda, and Felix Pie--and not lost a damn thing. Sigh.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

...and Ryan Dempster to the Braves ...and Jim Bowden confirming Dempster traded to the Dodgers, just crossing the t's and dotting the i's. ...and Carlos Marmol says he's signed off on being traded to the Angels.

RHP Neil Ramirez has also been discussed, according to Heyman. 24-y-o having an excellent season in his second go at AA, has pitched as high as AAA.

If Matt Garza is a strong #3 starter, what is Bud Norris? :) Anyways, leaks or twittergasms, either way I hope the Cubs don't cave on price on Garza.

What does Lake's call up tell us about the Cubs view of him as a prospect? I am sure AzPhil can clue me in, but burns an option year for what looks like cup of coffee. "Lake's promotion could be brief. Outfielder David DeJesus (sprained right shoulder) is working out in Mesa, Ariz., and could play in Rookie League games this week. If all goes well, he could be activated from the disabled list next week." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130718&content_id=54027776&vk…

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Injuries certainly played a hand with DeJesus, Sweeney, and Bogusevic depleting CF surplus. It's nice to have another CF option on the roster besides Borbon and Sappelt. I don't think Gillespie can play there (based on compiled career UZR numbers), and I hope the Cubs don't think so either. Edit: I probably should have said he shouldn't play there, not can't.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

BOB R: As soon as Junior Lake spent 20 days on Optional Assignment in 2013, his second minor league option year was used. So he will have one more minor league option next season whether he is recalled from the minors now or spends the whole season in the minors. 

The only impact calling Lake up from AAA at this time has it that he will accrue MLB Service Time while he is on the MLB Active List (25-man roster), but that should not having any impact on when he will be eligible to be an MLB Article XX-B FA and/or when he will become eligible for salary arbitration.  

BTW, players with minor league options remaining who have accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time must give their permission in advance before they can be optioned to the minors, but players who have accrued less than five years of MLB Service Time can be optioned to the minors without having to give their permission.

Here are the players presently on the Cubs 40-man roster who have accrued less than five years of MLB Service Time who are out of minor league options this season, and so Outright Assignment Waivers would have to be secured before the player can be sent to the minors:

Brian Bogusevic (can elect free-agency if outrighted)
Julio Borbon
Michael Bowden (can elect free-agency if outrighted)
Welington Castillo
Cole Gillespie
Cody Ransom (can elect free-agency if outrighted)
Jeff Samardzija (can elect free-agency if outrighted)
Nate Schierholtz (can elect free-agency if outrighted)
Pedro Strop
Luis Valbuena (can elect free-agency if outrighted)
Travis Wood 

Alberto Cabrera and Rafael Dolis will be out of minor league options next season, so the Cubs will not be able to option either of them to the minors in 2014.   

 

Having trouble getting 3 prospects for Garza seems ironic to me since that's how the Cubs acquired him. It's like an attempt at undoing the madness that was the Garza trade.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

$$$. garza got $6m for a performance that's 3x that value in 2011...then signed for $10m the following year. if he was a FA those 2 years would have probably cost $30m+ rather than $16m.

An interesting exchange of comments from a Rangers blog:
I also think it'll be funny when it's announced to be Olt/Edwards/NeRa... Cubs fans are going to be pissed. That’s a steal for them for two months of Matt Garza but they’ve gotten it in their heads that they were going to get like Profar/Perez/Alfaro. by ghostofErikThompson on Jul 19, 2013 | 10:29 AM reply
That's going to be what pisses me off the most 6 months ago I would’ve laughed at an Olt for Garza rental, straight up. Sure, Olt has lost some value, but in no way am I going to feel happy coming out of this. by Bface on Jul 19, 2013 | 10:31 AM up reply
I'm going to feel happy when Garza is pitching on Saturday instead of Ross Wolf... by ghostofErikThompson on Jul 19, 2013 | 10:32 AM up reply
Okay, I'll be happy for 10 or so starts Unless he Dempsters :/ by Bface on Jul 19, 2013 | 10:33 AM up reply
From lonestarball.com...

breaking news

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/9491748/matt-garza-says-chica…

Cubs told Garza's agent that he'll be moved

Garza says they briefly talked extension again last week, but no offer made (read, nowhere close on the numbers).

says Cubs want Chisenhall from Indians, but may need to include a major leaguer to get deal done (don't sign a long term lease Valbuena).

Dodgers offering pitching but not their top 2 prospects (I presume that's Zach Lee & Chris Reed)

Might be old news... Matt Garza (Fresno St) trade from Cubs to Rangers is "99 percent done." Teams going over medical records now. 6 players in the mix — Joe Davidson (@SacBee_JoeD) July 19, 2013

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Not sure why some guy from the Sacramento Bee has the scoop on this (and not sure if this is just another twittergasm), but he's saying Mike Olt, C.J. Edwards are part of the package... Cubs prefer Neil Ramirez to Luke Jackson... still leaves two players in the mix, though.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

When Davidson says "six players still in the mix," it might not mean it's a six-player trade, just that the prospects the Cubs would get back will be three from among a list of five. (Like maybe the Cubs want Sardina, Jackson, and Edwards, while the Rangers are offering Olt, Edwards, and Ramirez). 

If Olt is (unfortunately) included in this deal, do the Cubs actually listen to O&B and make him the everyday 3b? He likely isn't ready, but is a good fielder and certainly not a huge downgrade from Villaneuva.

[ ]

In reply to by springs

Frequent reader, seldom poster. Went to Round Rock Express game versus I-Cubs last night. Olt is really struggling and not ready for MLB. Olt was batting 8th in the line up and went 0-3 with 2 throwing errors. I believe with 2 or 3 k's and a walk. Just one game but he looked lost. Rangers fans I spoke with are ready to see him go. Optimism: change of scenery, new opportunity, better to buy low, still struggling from the eye issue. Pessimism: Olt is Vitters 2.0 with more hype. PS: Manny Ramirez is old.

I won't believe anything until one of these players is spotted in a bar singing "Go Cubs Go" with a bunch of sexy ladies.

Carrie Muskat‏@CarrieMuskat #Cubs lineup Barney, Ransom, Rizzo, Sori, Castro,>> Lake CF <<, Sappelt RF, Castillo, Samardzija

Gordon Wittenmyer‏@GDubCub Cubs source suggests mystery NL team could intercept Texas efforts and get Garza.

Rangers, Cubs continue work toward Matt Garza deal Nothing has been finalized yet as the Rangers and Cubs work toward a deal for Matt Garza. Some with the Rangers thought the deal was going to be completed Thursday night. That would have allowed Garza to pitch for the Rangers on Saturday in place of Ross Wolf, but Garza reportedly threw his scheduled bullpen session Friday at Coors Field. Neil Ramirez, who is said to be part of the package of prospects headed to Chicago, has not been scratched from his start for Double A Frisco. Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/foul_territory/2013/07/rangers-cub…

As soon as Garza is dealt, the Shark becomes the best pitcher available. I'd like to see the same trade banter regarding Shark and Wood.

Jeff Passan‏@JeffPassan Sources: Cubs-Rangers deal for Garza hits snag, no longer a certainty. While teams still negotiating, Chicago seeking alternatives to Texas.

"Four spot Scott"? Wayne Randazzo, KC Cougars announcer tweets... Scott Baker throws 34 pitches in the first inning for @KCCougars and allows 4 runs on 4 hits, including 2 2B. FB topped at 85 on stadium gun

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I'm not convinced the "stadium gun" was properly calibrated. I was at the game tonight and nobody -- and I mean NOBODY registered as high as 90mph tonight. One pitch (by a Loons pitcher) got as high as 89 mph -- once -- and that was it. I find it hard to believe that not one of the pitchers that both teams trotted out there can reach 90 at least once over the entire evening. They didn't look like soft tossers and I can't see two organizations loading their low-A teams with so many low velocity arms.

yet another cub trying to take home on an ill-advised go-on-contact play...and the announcers gloss it over by praising him for staying in a run down long enough for sappelt to get to 2nd. at least lake got a double...and then stole 3rd.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

more aggressive baserunning with rizzo trying to stretch a double into a triple...at least the run scored and the cubs lead by 1. things have gone south with the aggressiveness on the basepaths vs the early positive returns in spring training + april. it wasn't an awful take...it just didn't work out.

it's a bit sad that it's most likely that the most exciting thing that could happen in this game is garza being spotting giving hugs and shaking hands in the dugout before disappearing into the clubhouse.

You like Albert Almora. Should there be any worries about his plate discipline? Ben Badler: Not too much. The walk rate isn’t elite, but he has good pitch recognition and doesn’t get beaten with much in the strike zone because his feel for the barrel is so good, so he’s getting a good pitch to hit and doing damage with it routinely. It would be nice to see more patience develop over time, but it’s not a big concern right now. Can Junior Lake be an impact player for the Cubs this season, or in the future? Ben Badler: Not buying it. With Odor being mentioned in a possible Garza trade, how does he stack up prospect wise with Arismendy Alcantara? Ben Badler: Alcantara has better tools, Odor is the better baseball player. If a scout preferred Alcantara to Odor because of the tools, I wouldn’t be surprised—he’s a good prospect—but I have more confidence in Odor’s bat. http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot-sheet-chat-with-ben-…

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Daytona 2011: .315 .336 .498 Got sent up to Tenn where he struggled some, but then in 2012: 279 .341 .432 .773 -- average and OPS are not eye popping, but still pretty good OBP to make up for not being a 300 hitter. Short stay in Iowa this year: 295 .341 .462 .803 Outstanding? No, but pretty decent, and they say he's toolsy. I'll be curious to watch a bit of him while he enjoys his cup of coffee.

sori homer! 1-0, top 4. 10 HR in the last 17 games...7 in the last 10 games...fire.

White Sox Pirate deal? I was hoping the Cubs could get something done there. Doug Padilla‏@ESPNChiSox Alen Hanson, Pirates SS prospect, pulled from his game nearly the same time Rios pulled from this one. Coincidence? Stay tuned.

2ip 0h 1bb 2k for rosscup tonight...he picked off the guy he walked. 37.2ip 24h 16bb 57k...1.91 era he turned 25 last month...just move him up already. 14k/ip...c'mon...challenge him.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

he came over with garza...not a high end prospect...not a future closer, probably not a an ace reliever...but he's got good stuff, can work to righties+lefties, and it'd be nice if they'd challenge him. if not for injuries he'd probably already be in AAA. this year he's been injury-free, yet still stuck spinning wheels in AA.

Sveum on Junior Lake: From the tweet box: “Since I’ve been here, that’s the first kid that’s come up and really looked like a major-leaguer.” I really have little to base this on, but I just have a weird feeling about this guy, like he's gonna be around awhile.

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?