Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Sign Three Minor League Free-Agents

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Besides re-signing free-agent RHP Chad Fox to a minor league contract, the Cubs have signed three minor league free-agents in recent days, including one player who (as things stand now) actually has a legitimate chance to make the Cubs 2009 Opening Day Roster.

The three recent signees are veteran catcher Mark Johnson, ex-SF AA LHRP Jason Waddell, and ex-DET AA RHRP Angel Castro.   

The 33-year old left-handed hitting Johnson was a #1 draft pick of the White Sox way back in 1994, and was one of the players the Sox sent to OAK in the Keith Foulke for Billy Koch and Neal Cotts trade in December 2002. Since then, Johnson has bounced around like a billiard ball, moving from OAK to MIL to the Cubs (he played at AAA Iowa in 2005) back to MIL, then to ATL, and onward to STL.

Johnson is the epitome of a "4-A" player, a guy who gets a Non-Roster Invitation (NRI) to Spring Training with an MLB club every year and can always find a job at AAA, but has difficulty taking advantage of opportunities at the big league level (254/383/356 lifetime minor league hitter, with 218/314/318 lifetime MLB numbers).  .

Over his 15-year pro career, Johnson has spent all or parts of eight different seasons in the major leagues, including three full seasons with the White Sox (1999, 2000 and 2002) where he was used as a platoon catcher, alternating with the likes of Brook Fordyce, Josh Paul, and Sandy Alomar, Jr. Johnson's most recent MLB action came last September with the Cardinals, where hit .294 in ten games. and while he isn't much of a hitter and while he is virtually devoid of power (he's a poor man's Paul Bako), Johnson does take a lot of walks. 

Why this matters is because 2008 Cubs back-up catcher Henry Blanco is a free-agent, and he may not return to Chicago in 2009. With reigning N. L. Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto the #1 guy, the Cubs are unlikely to spend much on a back-up catcher, and since top catching prospect Welington Castillo probably still at least a year away, the Spring Training battle for the Cubs #2 catcher job in 2009 would appear (at this point anyway) to be between hold-over Koyie Hill and Mark Johnson, with the loser likely to be the #1 catcher at AAA Iowa. 

27-year old LHP Jason Waddell was the Giants' 8th round pick out of Riverside CC in June 2001, and he has spent his entire career in the SF organization, never pitching above AA. He spent the last five seasons bouncing back-and-forth between San Jose and Connecticut, and will likely battle for a lefty reliever job at AAA Iowa in 2009. Whether he will get an NRI to Spring Training with the Cubs has not been announced, but I would bet he will.

26-year old RHP Angel Castro is from the Dominican Republic, but he played college ball in the U. S. at Western Oklahoma State JC. He was drafted by the Tigers in the 13th round of the 2006 Rule 4 Draft, and spent the last three seasons pitching in the Tigers minor league system before getting released last month. He was not a six-year minor league FA, so it is not clear why the Tigers chose to release him at this time. It looks like he had a really nice season in 2008, though. He is presently pitching for Azucareros in the DWL.  

A scouting report from 2006 projected Castro as a reliever, with a 90-93 fastball that ccasionally touched 95 and a "darting" knuckle-curve, but if he had that kind of stuff in 2008 at AA one would think the Tigers probably wouldn't have released him.

While it's unknown if Castro will get an NRI to Spring Training with the Cubs in 2009, he will probably be given an opportunity to compete for a bullpen job at AAA Iowa.

Tags
Cubs Minors
Mark Johnson
Jason Waddell
Angel Castro

Comments

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:16 pm

I thought the Cubs' plan was to bring back Hank but at a lower price, hence the buyout. They're already in for $300K, so if Hendry can sign him for say, $1.2MM max, I bet that gets done. Geo seems to like Hank, I wonder if that counts for anything with the brass. Phil, isn't Koyie Hill still a FA? I didn't know the Cubs already brought him back.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:28 pm

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 3:16pm.

I thought the Cubs' plan was to bring back Hank but at a lower price, hence the buyout. They're already in for $300K, so if Hendry can sign him for say, $1.2MM max, I bet that gets done. Geo seems to like Hank, I wonder if that counts for anything with the brass.

Phil, isn't Koyie Hill still a FA? I didn't know the Cubs already brought him back.

====================================

JIM H: The Cubs would probably like to bring Henry Blanco back for less money, but he might have other ideas.

As for Koyie Hill, he has been on the Cubs 40-man roster since the Cubs brought him up from Iowa on September 1st, and I would expect him to remain on the 40 at least until Blanco re-ups (if he does). 

Submitted by mannytrillo on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:31 pm

Greg Maddux to announce retirement at Winter Meetings. Can't wait for 5 years from now to see him hopefully be come first unanimous HOF'er. Thanks for the memories!!!!

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:41 pm

I agree that reserve catcher may be one of the places Hendry looks to save some salary in 2009. Is KC serious about contending? Wonder if they'd be interested in a Buck for Marquis deal.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:40 am

I had forgot about Hochevar. Bannister is not one year removed from receiving Cy Young votes. He is however one year removed from having a solid ERA supported by an unsustainable BABIP. Marquis would be their third starter, though Davies or Hochevar could supplant him by the end of the year. The point in trading Marquis for Buck is that we get an established ML catcher to back up Soto, not a Sunday backup, but a guy who we won't have to say 'Oh shit what are we going to do now that Soto has a broken leg' backup, while shedding a chunk of salary so which can be spent on Peavy or the new RF'r.

[ ]

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:00 am

But why trade for Buck? Buck is a turd. There is a reason Miguel Olivo got 300+ ABs last year. Sign Blanco to be the backup catcher. They will hit about the same, Blanco's defense is far superior (compare 16% CS to 45%), he expects to be a backup, he knows the pitching staff, he knows the coaching staff, works well with Z, is great in the clubhouse, and they cost the same. If the idea is to shed Marquis's salaray, then at least trade him for something we need - LF, bullpen arm, loogy, etc.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:16 am

I read that article based on some KC blogger's article last year. The thing about two strikes was pretty telling. The KC Fan thought that Bannister would do what we want Zambrano to do, throw strikes, and if you get to two strikes on a guy, then try to get the K, but otherwise, just keep it down in the zone. But then when I looked at Bannister's stats - he wasn't really any better with 2 strikes than you would expect. To be a succesful major leaguer, you've got to get a lot of GB's or a lot of K's. At this point, it doens't look like Bannister is going to be able to do either. I do like the fact that he's trying to figure it out, though. It took Maddux 6 years to do that, but he started off with better talent.

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:26 am

speaking of Maddux and 2 strikes...great story on XM radio last night from Leo Mazzone.

Maddux comes over from the Braves and is throwing a bullpen session, I'm guessing first day of spring training or something. They're chatting and stuff and Greg tells Mazzone, just tell Bobby Cox I'm going to give up a lot of 0-2 hits and not to get mad.

Mazzone is like okay, but do I mind explaining why, because I'm pretty sure he's going to get mad when I tell him. So Maddux explains that at 0-2, the hitter has the biggest disadvantage and that's when Maddux is going to try and get him out, instead of wasting a bunch of pitches.

So Mazzone goes to  Cox, who's like, wtf are you talking about....Mazzone explains what Maddux said and Cox replies, "and that's what seperates the mediocre from the great".

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:34 pm

Submitted by Hagsag on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 5:35pm.

Phil, have you heard any rumors as to the minor lge manager assignments for next season? I know there is an opening at Iowa at this time.

================================

HAGSAG: I haven't heard anything.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:20 pm

E-Man and all, Got my Season ticket renewal sheet. Cubs raised ticket prices again (Thanks Mr. Hendry!). They said they are going up 6% overall, but my tickets only went up 4.7%. Better than last year when they said ticket prices went up much less than they really did for season ticket holders (my ticket went up 20.5% last year). Go Cubs!

[ ]

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 12:23 am

Higher payrolls? Oh no! Yea... lets go back to crappy players and no playoffs. Good idea. Are you even a Cubs fan? Or do you just hang out around these parts in order to find information about season tickets in order to rip off Cubs fans?

Submitted by rokfish on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:44 pm

we would definately need a shortstop i think we saw the fontenot experience last year i wish he could play there i am all for getting him more atbats. i also agree why would we trade for a backup catcher use marquis for something else

Recent comments

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

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