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

Snakes Ambush Cubs at Ramada Field

Sergio Alcantara belted a two-run triple, Daniel Palka ripped an RBI triple, and Jose Munoz laced an RBI double to highlight a five-run 8th, Chuck Taylor doubled, singled twice, stole a base, and scored three runs, and Brad Keller and four relievers combined to throw a three-hit shutout, as the Diamondbacks blanked the Cubs 7-0 in Arizona Instructional League action this morning at Ramada Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale.  

After Keller threw three scoreless innings (allowing two doubles and three walks with three strikeouts), RHP Joe Martinez (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K), LHP (ex-OF) Wagner Mateo, RHP Thomas Brendel, and RHP Jimmie Sherfy (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) totally stifled the Cubs hitters, collectively retiring 17 of the last 18 men they faced, with seven strikeouts.

Here is the abridged box score from today's gamer (Cubs players only):

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, CF: 1-4 (4-3, 2B, K, L-6)
2. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 1-4 (2B, K, K, E-6, SB)
3. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-4 (3-1, 4-3, K, K)
4. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 0-4 (6-3, K, F-8, K)
5. Ben Carhart, 1B: 0-3 (BB, P-4, 4-3, 6-3, CS)
6a. Gleyber Torres, SS: 0-3 (K, 6-3, F-9)
6b. Carlos Penalver, SS: NO AB
7. Jose Dore, LF-DH: 0-2 (BB, K, F-7)
8a. Cael Brockmeyer, C: 0-1 (BB, K)
8b. Mark Malave, C: 0-1 (F-7)
9. Charcer Burks, DH-LF: 1-3 (F-9, 1B, F-9, PO) 

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Daury Torrez: 3,0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 6/3 GO/FO, 32 pitches (26 strikes)
2. Jose Rosario: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 4/2 GO/FO, 42 pitches (27 strikes)
3. Trevor Graham: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 31 pitches (17 strikes)   
4. Zack Godley: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/FO, 20 pitches (13 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
3B Jeimer Candelario - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Cael Brockmeyer: 0-1 CS

ATTENDANCE: 33 

WEATHER: Sunny, cloudless, and breezy, with temperatures in the 80's 

 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

even though it'd be nice to see him do well out of the gate, he does still have the handicap of being 16 (17 in December). he's playing against a lot of guys 2-6+ years older than him. it's hard enough to gauge players before they're out of A-ball...it's almost impossible with a guy this young aside from his raw tools, which you can learn a lot more about from watching him do drills than in-game stuff when your competition is so skewed in experience and age. i can't imagine he's seen much quality breaking stuff in his short life. it's kinda weird to have a semi-high-profile signing like this and knowing it'll probably be 6-8 years before we have a handle on if he'll be a MLB impact player...and whether that will be as a starter or bench player.

AZ Phil: What does Wes Darvill eventually project to in your opinion. Why do you think they put him on the AFL roster (what are THEY looking for wrt him).

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

CUBSTER: The Cubs drafted Wes Darvill as a 17-year old off the Canadian Junior National Team in the 5th round of the 2009 draft. The pick was considered a bit of a reach at the time, and Darvill struggled (especially as a hitter) his first four seasons in the organization. But he finally began to show some improvement as a hitter in 2013. 

I think Darvill got the AFL gig (which is a spot on the Mesa Solar Sox "Taxi Squad," meaning he can play in games only on Wednesdays and Saturdays) mainly to prepare him for AA in 2014. I would think right now he probably projects as the Tennessee Smokies Opening Day 2B in 2014, although once Steve Bruno is ready to go (he had TJS this past summer and might have to begin 2014 at Extended Spring Training) Darvill will probably slide over to SS or even more-likely move around the IF and the OF to help him develop as a LH-hitting "super-sub."

Darvill is a very good defensive middle-infielder. He has decent range and enough arm to play SS, although he is better at 2B. He has slightly above average speed and is a good base-runner, but he isn't quite as fast as he was a couple of years ago after bulking up at Camp Colvin last off-season. He is a patient hitter and has developed has some power to go along with his added weight & muscle, although he struggles to hit LHP.  

I once thought Darvill's ceiling was a LH-hitting version of Nate Samson, but now I think he might have a chance to make it to MLB as an IF-OF super-sub. He probably epitomizes the "Cubs Way," in that he is VERY coachable, he rarely make mental mistakes, he participates annually in the voluntary off-season strength & conditioning program, he has re-worked his approach at the plate (he used to be an extremely passive hitter and pitchers could knock the bat out of his hands, but now he has more of a "selectively aggressive" mentality and he can actually drive the ball). and his defense just keeps getting better. 

I would compare Darvill somewhat to Ryan Flaherty, because both project as LH-hitting multi-positional guys who struggle to hit LHP. However, Flaherty was already 21 when the Cubs drafted him (Darvill just turned 21), and Flaherty has a LOT more HR power and was a better hitter in the minor leagues, while Darvill is better defensively (although Darvill could still develop HR power).  

Liriano - Was there any discussion last off-season or rumor that the Cubs were going to make a play on Francisco Liriano? He certainly is a bargain for the Pirates. And fucking good. Seems like not only did he fit TheoCorp's budget parameters, but could have been a nice upgrade to Scott Baker (well, I could have been an upgrade to Scott Baker) or some of the non-existing starting AAA pitchers.

WSCR Bernsein tweeting Girardi "saying family considerations will out weigh money" If his wife is like any other she won't let him leave that much money on the table that Cubs are offering over the Yanks.

Jose Ceda released by the Marlins today. You may recall the Cubs sent him to FLA for Kevin Gregg in Nov 2008. ...and got him for Todd Walker from Padres in July 2006. He was a power arm back in the day. He turns 27 in January.

"Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports that that Yankees are "prepared to give Joe Girardi as much time as he needs" to make a decision about their contract offer. Girardi's contract officially runs out at the end of the month, and Marchand says the club is willing to wait that long. The Yankees have reportedly offered the skipper a three-year deal in the $12-15 million range, but they could get into a bidding war with the Cubs, who have set their sights on Girardi." cubs get into a bidding war...for someone who isn't going to swing a bat or throw a ball. wtf... hopefully there's more rumor than truth to all this girardi stuff. sure, he's good, but if it comes at the expense of a top relief arm or the difference between an anibal sanchez and an edwin jackson type contract for playing talent...well, wtf? i saw a lot of things wrong with the 2012 + 2013 cubs and the "fix list" didn't start with the guy in the dugout.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

i think it's an absolutely brilliant use of money. the team would have to spend 3x as much on an actual player to get the amount of fan-love return on it. he's shown that if you give him $1,600,000,000 worth of team to manage, he'll get 1 WS out of it...so the cubs should sign him to a 16 year deal. that's simple swordmetrics (Some Wacky Obtuse Random Determination). besides, if they don't sign him a cubs player might yell at a reporter or smash a boom box or something. though, i'm sure joel sherman won't mind.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

It strikes me that players are overpaid relative to managers, probably because players have agents and a union. The Yankees have been paying Girardi Theriot money. Managers work for GMs, who also don't have agents and a union. In theory, a manager should not make more than the GM (let alone the president of baseball operations). It's interesting that Girardi will be pushing up against what Cashman and Epstein make.

bit.ly/1cnkiLP I'm dubious the Cubs will trade for Price - two years of work building up the farm system would be practically undone overnight for one high-paid player with two years of club control? Even if the endgame is to give Price a nine-figure extension - Seems unlikely.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Trade Samardzija for prospects, use those prospects and a few current ones not named Soler, Almora, Baez, or Bryant to get Price would probably be the play.

 

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).