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

TCR Friday Notes

- Well, the Cubs let someone else hand out the stupid contract and the Red Sox are the winner. 6/72.5M for Rusney Castillo...a little over $12M per which isn't terrible for a Shane Victorino comp, but I don't think the Cubs had a spot for him for 6 years (or even 3) and certainly not at a price higher than what Jose Abreu or Yasiel Puig got.

- Javier Baez watch: 5 Home Runs, 3 Golden Sombreros

I was curious, so maybe someone else was as well, but the starting pitcher in those golden sombrero games were Chris Archer, Mike Fiers and Madison Bumgarner. Welcome to the Show, Meat!

- Say hi to the new Cubs clubhouse manager (inspired by this story).

- The next wave went a combined 3/23 (Bryant, Soler, Almora, Russell, Schwarber & McKinney) in last night's games with Schwarber having the best day at 1/2 with a HR and 2 BB's. Soler and McKinney had the other hits. MLB Farm is my new best friend.

- Orioles and Cubs for the weekend, Orioles get to see old friends Arrieta and Wada on Friday and Sunday with Maddux-lite going on Saturday, trying to continue his late season Rookie of the Year push. Speaking of the Orioles, it'll be interesting if teams follow their lead in future years. They've done an incredible job of scalping talent at the end of the offseason and off the bottom of the barrel (think Chris Davis). Cubs and many other teams are already doing the bottom of the barrel scraping, but how patient can an organization be? And if everyone is that patient, is the advantage lost?

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"Most fun hitter to watch"--that's a great comment. The revival of attendance numbers at Wrigley has begun, thanks to Baez. Hendricks only plays every fifth day, but Baez is out there boosting the outdoor air conditioning every day. The other day, I watched the Mets broadcast because I thought Darling might have something interesting to say about Hendricks. He didn't--but at one point after a Baez swing and miss, Darling said that with that big swing, he would have trouble catching up with a fastball. So naturally, when Baez hits it into the second deck in left-center, Darling says the pitch was a slider. It was a 93-mph fastball.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Was 2003 that Rick Telander predicted with absolute certainty that the Cubs wouldn't make the playoffs? Then they did. That shit annoys me, because in April these jokers make predictions and are never held accountable to them. It's like they just say whatever they want because they know no one will hold them to it. And by the way, if he's trying to write that article like it's a blog, fine, but compared to most blogs, that article is complete shit.

Schwarber hits one out again, 7-game hitting streak with 3 HR's, OBP is nice.

25 BB to 31 K's so far in Hi-A. (38 vs. 50 for the season)...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I saw a quote from some scout who said the Cubs have the best minor league system for position players in the history of the game as far as he knows. Unfortunately I read too many things on my iPad and don't bookmark them or forward them to this computer, so I don't have a link, but the scout mentioned "forgotten" but good prospects like Caesar, Vogelbomb, and another name that eludes me. He was very high on Caesar.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Very true. Who was it earlier who was saying our heart pumps were tethered to the Jake Foxes of the world? There's just so many now. It's fun. Most of them won't pan out. Unlike others, I don't think Baez is gonna fall into that group but I did like Choi so don't listen to me. Talk about opposites though, huh?

I remember talking to a couple of scouts at an Instructs game post-2011 (pre-Epstein/Hoyer), and even back then they both said they thought that within about five years there would be more players signed and/or developed by the Cubs playing in the big leagues than from any other MLB organization, but that the vast majority of them would be platoon guys, 5th starters, middle relievers, utility infielders, 4th or 5th outfielders, and back-up catchers.

There is obviously a lot more impact talent in the Cubs system now, but I fully expect a lot of the prospects who are considered "lesser-lights" now and who get cast aside to have solid MLB careers with other clubs. Some of them might even turn out to have the impact of a Josh Harrison.

The next wave go a combined 6/25...Schwarber and Soler with HR's.

  • Soler 1/4 with a HR
  • Bryant 1/4
  • Almora 1/4
  • Russell 0/4
  • Schwarber 2/5 with a HR
  • McKinney 1/4 with a BB 

Almora hitting .310 over his last 10 games, 0 BB, 8 K

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Admit you guys. Anyone who has a bit of spiritual karma stuff going on has to admit that all our incantations are beginning to have some meaning. Anyone who is over 30 knows that if you push hard enough with your thoughts, things happen, miracles happen. People who were sick, suddenly, get better. I've always jested about bringing them up, but I have been trying to "visualize" a Cubs team that is like this. I doubt I"m alone here. If that sounds crazy, fine, it's just an internet forum.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I'm sure I am - but I count myself as a Baez skeptic so at least with him it's not too blinded. But I think most would agree that at least up to now Hendricks has one of the best poker faces a rookie can have. I like the conversations above though because I think it's a mistake (though understandable) to think Baez or Bryant are gonna be saviors. And the press really exacerbates that attitude. But what we really have here is waves and waves of talented prospects. That's the beauty of it - this isn't about any one or two prospects - it's about the depth. I fear the casual fan will think Baez is our future when really he's just a talented figure head for the wave that's coming - hopefully for many years. Through to Jimenez and Torres and beyond ...

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

Good points. I'm actually a Baez über optimist. Mueller is going to do wicked stuff with those wrists, if only because he will wish he had had them. You don't want to "correct" a swing at this level, generally, but they will have to because, like housing prices a few years ago, that's just not sustainable. It's a hard thing for the coaches. They could have one of the best power hitters in baseball on their hands, or a total bomb. It's going to be very interesting, and their depth makes it not matter so much.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Jeimer Candelario went 3-5 with a double and triple yesterday.. I've noticed he's hitting well in the last few weeks/month and his average is now .249 up from the low .200's.. I didn't look up his short term slash line but it looks like he's finally "getting it' at KC level which is very encouraging. Any comments from someone who might have been watching closer. What is the ceiling at this point for him? He's a switch hitter, so if he is OK from both sides that's somewhat unique for a third baseman. He was always considered more of an offensive player than a defensive one. Is his defense improving?

from BP...
Kyle Schwarber, DH, Cubs (Daytona, A+): 1-2, 2 R, HR, 2 BB, SB. There was an adjustment period for Schwarber upon reaching the Florida State League—his first adjustment in pro ball—but he’s made it, and we’re seeing the kind of production that we can expect from him down the road. That means a moderate batting average, strong on-base skills, and above-average power. Put it together, and that makes for a solid everyday player.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24486

Rotoworld says the Jacob Turner will start in Cincy on Wed. replacing EJax in the rotation.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Yes! I'm really excited about letting these new young arms get going. To he honest I kind of wish they'd do something with Wood and go with: Arrieta Hendricks Turner Wada Doubront For the rest of the year. But they won't do that to Wood I don't think, especially because he's one of our best hitters! ;)

Why are the KC Cougars 40 over? It isn't their hitting. Once again, I'm getting depth anxiety and not knowing who I should be keeping track of. Must be some good pitching over there.

k.hendricks intentionally walked...dude wut. -edit- yahoo gameday error...K...that makes more sense.

Has the idea of a draft lottery been discussed for the top 8 picks? Similar to NBA. It just seems that with the way the Cubs and Astros etc have approached their rebuilds that something like that would at least come up for discussion.

Double play in a ground ball with a man at second and no outs? Was that just terrible base-running by Watkins?

The new commissioner needs to get the DH thing figured out. By moving Houston to the AL, Selig guaranteed that there would be inter-league play on a daily basis, since there are now 15 teams in each league. The AL teams use big-time/big $$ hitters as DH, the NL teams use backup guys. As baseball is now effectively one league, everyone needs to play by the same rules.

Round of applause for the boys and coaches of Jackie Robinson West -- guts, heart and desire overcome a more talented opponent.

Javy has a legit shot to finish 2nd among NL 2B in HR. Neil Walker leads with 17, Utley is 2nd with 11.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

here you go: M Olt 78AB 10R 15H 1-2B 7HR 17RBI 7BB 29K 1HBP (took 40 days for Happy to give Olt 88PA/78AB) Baez 78AB 12R 17H 2-2B 7HR 11RBI 4BB 34K 0HBP (took 18 days for Happy to give Baez 82PA/78AB)

Bryant 2-2, HR + 4BB. Soler 5-5 + BB. Nice. On the other hand, Tenn has given up 33 runs in the last 2 days.

BP's Hitter of the Day...
HITTER OF THE DAY: Jorge Soler, rf, Triple-A Iowa (Cubs). Whatever had been bothering Soler for the past 10 games, he shook off Saturday night. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Cuban was 5-for-5 with a single, double, triple and two RBIs in Iowa's 10-7 win over Reno. Evaluators project Soler just a notch below teammates Kris Bryant and Javier Baez in terms of power and one rival manager said Soler will need 300-400 more at-bats to stabilize his approach. Even with the five hits, Soler is just 9-for-43 in his past 10 games.

two interesting notes from Fred Mitchell's writeup of yesterday's game in the Tribune...
Extra Innings: ...Javier Baez has 7 HR, the most by a Cub in his first 19 career games since Mandy Brooks had eight in his first 19 in 1925. ...Rondon has 20 saves in 24 chances this season. "He continues to develop his slider, and he is mixing pitches to get guys off his fastball, " Renteria said.
Mandy Brooks had a 1 1/2 yr MLB career. Jonathan Joseph "Mandy" Brooks, (born Jonathan Joseph Brozek) (August 18, 1897 – December 6, 1976) was a right-handed outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs.
Brooks' major-league debut came at the relatively advanced age of 27 on May 30, 1925. He went on to be a regular for the Cubs that season, playing the second-most games of any outfielder. Every one of his defensive appearances came in center field. It was a rather successful rookie campaign; Brooks trailed only future Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett for the club's home run lead by slugging 14 round-trippers, good enough to finish tenth in the entire National League in that category. Brooks was also second on the Cubs in RBI (72) and slugging percentage (.513). He finished his first season with a respectable .281 batting average. Brooks, however, fell victim to the Cubs' acquisition of star outfielder Hack Wilson and found himself all but useless in the 1926 season. He played his final game for the Cubs on June 22 of that year, finishing his final big-league campaign with modest marks of 1 home run, a .188 batting average, and 6 RBI.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandy_Brooks

Reverse standings... Cubs in line for the 7-8 pick as of today (not sure how they decide ties (remember Astros get #2 based on their Aiken fiasco). With EJax out, we're sinking in these standings. The Cubs schedule from here on out has none of the bottom feeders. Reds (6). Cards (7). Brewers (6) Pirates (6). Blue Jays (3) Dodgers (4) 1. Texas 49-49 2. Colorado 51-77 3. Arizona 55-75 (T) 3. Houston 55-75 (T) 5. Boston 56-73 6. Cubs 57-72 (T) 6. Phil 57-72 (T) 8. Minnesota 58-71 9. CWS 59-70 10. San Diego 59-69

Haha! The EJax = draft standings hero jokes have endless iterations!

Did the AL East leading Orioles just get swept by a Cubs team using two starters that Baltimore discarded (and a fine reliever too)?

Right now, I'm pretty happy with Captain Happy. I didn't see today's game, but this team plays well. It's gotta be the best bad team in the history of baseball. They do cutoffs right, generally run the bases pretty well, maybe the situational hitting has a little left to be desired but I don't think that's a Happy thing. I didn't see the game today but I'm actually looking forward to seeing it tonight. Capt Happy may have his peculiarities but overall I really think he has done a nice job. On a separate note, I owe an apology to Logan Watkins, since I'm sure he frequents this forum. I had said sarcastically earlier that I was excited about the beginning of the Logan Watkins era. But he's a player. I really like his game. So bad comment there. Just because he doesn't put up gaudy numbers I dissed him, but he's a keeper, in my book.

Watkins back to Iowa as Castro gets activated from Bereavement list. Schlitter off the DL and goes back to Iowa.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I got a chuckle O & B: "The best shittiest team in baseball..." Ha! Somehow - and this is my 2014 fate for owning tix - but my available night games have fallen on nights EJax has started. So I have enjoyed watching this team - except for those times.

In addition to Schwarber's 2 HR day, Bryant (#21 at Iowa, #22 at Tenn = #43) with a 2 run HR and Soler (#7 at Iowa) with a solo HR. Iowa ahead 3-0 in the 7th. Dallas Beeler with 6 shutout innings. 5 hits. No walks, 6 K's. I'd like to see him get a Sept start.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

The Cubs should have a glut of #4-#5 types between Hendricks, Wada, Beeler, Straily, Doubront, and Turner in 2015 (not to mention the already entrenched Wood--or Jackson, who's more like a #8 or something at this point). It'll be interesting to see if they find somebody real to fill in as a #1 or #2 or whatever, aside from Arrieta, or if they just let those guys pitch it out and hope one turns into Arrieta Lite.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I've harped on it for two years, that a team shouldn't waste a lot of money or personnel on a TOR starter, but I'd bet good money that they will try to sign one this year. That's ok I guess, but I am also convinced that this will mean an albatross contract. Still, that's the cost of doing business these days.

AZ Phil, or someone else, does anyone know the exact details regarding Wada's contract status after this year? Seems he has minimal service time thus far (<3 yrs), so perhaps we could auto-renew him, or does the fact that he was signed from Japan make him a FA after this year, since he is just with the Cubs on a 1 yr contract.....

[ ]

In reply to by ankeith15

ANKEITH: The Cubs hold a club option on Wada for 2015, but the $$$ details have not been reported anywhere. There also have been no salary details reported anywhere regarding his original 2014 minor league contract (the one he signed in January) or the one he signed on 3/24 after being released the last week of Spring Training. 

The 2015 club option may involve a contract tender requirement on 12/2 (as was the case with Chang-Yom Lim last year) or the Cubs might have to exercise the club option immediately after the conclusion of the World Series (as was the case with Wada's contract with the Orioles). The 2015 salary could be a fixed amount pre-stated in the contract, and declining the club option might require a buy-out (as is the case with Kyuji Fujikawa post-2014). 

FWIW, the Orioles declined a $5M 2014 club option on Wada after the World Series last season, so his 2014 minor league salary must have been a lot less than that, although his 2014 MLB salary and the 2015 club option could very well be in the $5M neighborhood (with the $5M being pro-rated in 2014 to when he was added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster). If you remember, the Cubs added Wada to their 40-man roster on June 22nd and then immediately optioned him to Iowa, so he must have had a 7/1 opt-out that the Cubs did not want him to exercise. 

The Orioles declined to exercise their 2014 club option on Wada after the World Series last season, making him an Article XX-B FA (because he was a vested NPB player). As a result, when the Cubs signed Wada to a 2014 minor league contract in January, he had an automatic 6/1 opt-out and would receive a $100K retention bonus if he wasn't added to the Cubs 40-man roster or released at least five days prior to MLB Opening Day (because he had Article XX-B status). And that's why the Cubs released him six days prior to MLB Opening Day and then immediately resigned him. They did not want an automatic 6/1 opt out (it was apparently changed to 7/1 in the second contract), and they might not have wanted to pay the automatic $100K retention bonus, either. They also might have wanted a club option for 2015 that was not in the first contract.

Article XX-B players signed less than ten days prior to MLB Opening Day do not receive the automatic opt-out or $100K retention bonus, so when Wada signed the second minor league contract on March 24th after being released, he no longer was eligible to receive the $100K retention bonus or the automativc 6/1 opt out. So the Cubs didn't have to give him an automatic opt out in the second contract (the one signed on 3/24) at all, but they did (albeit a month later than what it would have been if he had not been released).

Wada must have been OK with the later opt-out or else he would not have agreed to sign the second contract, but he also may have been promised a larger 2014 MLB salary in the second contract (if he were to get added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster prior to opting out) than was promised in the first 2014 minor league contract he signed in January.

I don't understand the Baez fastest home run tweets in the sidebar. Olt had 8 HR this year in 101 PA/91AB. I think Baseball Ref is wrong?

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

I have very mixed feelings on this. Logically, it makes sense to just let a computer and camera do balls and strikes. But another part of me likes the human element. Watching Hendricks gain respect from umpires has been fun. He was not getting calls that he gets now. I sort of like how umpires screw over the Baez's of the world for not handling the strike zone well. Even he is starting to get some calls he wasn't getting early on (umpires apparently have scouting reports, too, on hot prospects). Although, I guess there aren't a lot of marginal calls in Baez's case, since he swings at anything with a foot of the zone.

Who is Andrew Ely? Organizational oddity: a 2014 32nd round draft pick has been playing 2B for Iowa the last three nights. He even hit a home run on Saturday. What's odd is that before Friday he had only played for the Arizona Cubs this season. I guess he's filling in for Watson (and Baez, Alcantara, etc.). KC is in the playoffs while Daytona and Tennessee are in the hunt, whereas Iowa has recused itself by losing a dozen or so in a row recently. So Iowa is a safe place for him to play. And maybe Reno was not that far from Mesa. Still, it's always interesting to see a player skip four levels, even temporarily.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

VA PHIL: With Logan Watkins called up to Chicago to replace Starlin Castro while he is on the Bereavement List, and with Mike Olt (hamstring) and Josh Vitetrs (broken finger) on the I-Cubs 7-day DL, Andrerw Ely was called up as a temporary replacement. I do think moving 4-A 1B Lars Anderson back up to Iowa from Tennessee would have made sense, too, since both Olt and Vitters are probably done for the season.   

Ely was drafted from a D-1 school (U. of Washington), and given the temporary nature of the promotion and the other options available at Boise and AZL Cubs (and with the Cubs not wanting to disrupt Tennessee, Daytona, or KC), Ely was probably the best choice. Ely is a polished infielder who was hitting 326/363/535 and leading the AZL Cubs in HR, and so a better question might be why he wasn't promoted to Boise or KC a month ago.

BTW, the Cubs did this earlier in the season when they promoted pitchers Zak Hermans and Jasvir Rakkar temporarily to Iowa, and last season when 2B Gioskar Amaya was promoted to Iowa from Extended Spring Training for a few days (and collected a PH double). 

 

17-year old SS Gleyber Torres has been promoted to Boise from AZL Cubs for the last week of the NWL season.

Torres hit 279/372/377 with 14 errors in 43 AZL games after hitting 311/402/396 with 14 errors in 31 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games. He will very likely be the Opening Day SS at Kane County in 2014.

FWIW, I have Torres rated as the Cubs #10 prospect right now.

The Cubs reinstated Brian Schlitter from the 15-day DL yesterday and optioned him to Iowa. 

Since he spent 14 days on Optional Assignment to Iowa in April, another six days on Optional Assignment and his second minor league option is burned. 

Not that big of a big deal because Schlitter isn't irreplacable, but on the other hand it's pointless to burn an option year if it isn't necessary. 

Also, Starlin Castro has returned from the Dominican Republic and will be reinstated from the Bereavement List prior to tomorrow's game at Cincinnati. IF-OF  Logan Watkins will be optioned back to Iowa to make room for Castro on the 25-man roster. 

BTW, both Schlitter and Watkins can be recalled from Iowa on Tuesday September 2nd (prior to the normal ten-day waiting period required before a player can be recalled after being optioned), because Iowa's last game is Monday 9/1 (they aren't going to the PCL playoffs), and a player can be recalled from an Optional Assignment if the player's minor league season is over even if the player has not spent ten days on Optional Assignment. 

 

JOHN B: This was actually kind of an odd move, particularly because it involves burning a minor league option year (presuming Schlitter isn't recalled sometime before Friday to replace a player who is placed on the 15-day DL). 

There are a number of players on the Cubs MLB 25-man roster with options left who could have been sent to Iowa instead of Schlitter, but realistically they could have optioned Zac Rosscup back to Iowa. (Rosscup's 2014 option has already been burned).

They also could have left Brian Schlitter on the 15-day DL and on a Minor League Rehab Assignment at Iowa until 9/1 (with Schlitter's approval), but for some reason they did not do that. (Players on a Minor League Rehab Assignment continue to be paid at the Major League rate and continue to accrue MLB Service Time, but a player who is optioned to the minors is paid at the minor league "split contract" rate and does not accrue MLB Service Time). 

I'm wondering if Schlitter may have made an issue (behind the scenes) of being placed on the DL in the first place (or about being asked to remain in Iowa until 9/1 on the Rehab Assignment) when his shoulder really wasn't that sore, and that the Cubs reinstating him and then immediately optioning him to Iowa was their response to his complaint? 

If there is something going on behind the scenes, it will interestng to see if the Cubs recall Schlitter in September or just leave him on Optional Assignment for the rest of the season (which would cost him about $85K in lost salary).

Or maybe he'll get traded.

Back in April I didn't think we would be talking about the Cubs' great pitching from the bullpen. Jose Veras who?

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).