Cubs MLB Roster

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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 

 



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Cubs Eliminate Cardinals

The Cubs defeat the Cardinals in four games to advance to the NLCS. Discuss!

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LAD/NYM going a full 5 games would rock. more rest for the cubs pitchers, less rest for theirs... kershaw on the mound, NYM lead the series 2-1.

I've been waiting a long time to say this... here it goes: SEASON IS OVER, CARDINALS. SUUUUUUUUCK IT.

Well, I can say this...Cardinals fans certainly hate the Cubs right now...about as much as Pirates fans. Our bullpen was friggin brilliant this series...even if their ERA doesn't look good.

With today's victory,  the Cubs are just 1/2 game behind (0.5 GB) the Cardinals for the best record in MLB in 2015. 

If they win the LCS and the World Series and go no worse than 8-4 in the process, the Cubs will be World Champions AND they will have the best record in MLB in 2015 (CUBS 109-70 .6089 versus STL 101-65 .6084). 

I think Strop deserves a very special mention. He had so many struggles against the Cardinals but pitched two successful and very high pressure innings the last two games against them and looked nasty doing so.

[ ]

In reply to by johann

Strop K'ing Peralta to start the 8th, given their history -- what a fantastic moment! And Javy bouncing back -- big time -- form yesterday's games. Contributions from literally everyone in this series -- Soler and Schwarber were off the charts -- Miggy's pick-off was awesome. This team is just so much damn fun.

Wish I knew how to post a pic. Both CUBSTER & I in attendance. I finally feel like some demons have been vanquished, and there is some magic here. Joe Maddon is far and away the best manager I have seen work for my team. CRUNCH's point is typically well taken with "they don't make much of a difference", but mot in this case. Today he takes Hammel out after 4 straight balls. Has the rest of the pen perfectly tuned to the Cards lineup. And, Javy JUST SO HAPPENS to bat AFTER Hammel gets on with an RBI getting back one of the runs he gives up in a nervous 1st. Like that "batting the pitcher 8th" tonight? Plus, even having Javy as an option when Addison goes down? Fucking amazing. As ya'll could probably see, the crowd was on their feet from the 6th on or earlier. And, chants of "Lackey...Lackey!" filled the place. I think the Cubs can beat either the Mets or Dodgers in 7 Games. If they continue to play to this level, they are the beat team. I can't believe I am saying this.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

maddon is easily one of the best managers out there, that's why he's getting paid huge for someone that doesn't have to rent/own in NYC/LA. for the most part there's 2-3-5 of guys on that level, and 25-28 other teams trying to find a guy who's capable. they can also go out of favor rather quickly (m.sciossa recently). last year's NL MOY didn't make it a full year into 2015 before getting fired. no matter how one feels about how it could have been done cheaper with less commitment, we only know how this way is working out. it's been awesome so far.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

of course. he's a manager, very very very few managers actually tank a team. this isn't a team full of special needs, attitudes that need adjusting, kids without focus, or distractions. maddon didn't go out there and make that talent happen and it's not like he was performing radical lineup or pitching construction. besides, last year's celebrated NL MOY who was ready to have his 10lb balls bronzed for display to the world was unemployed before this season ended. hero today, bum tomorrow. besides, besides...didn't we go through this with lou before? yeah, we did. hopefully it doesn't have a crashing honeymoon (at least maddon doesn't have a history of quitting or wanting out). i think maddon is better than all of them, but to say he's the only guy who could do it or he was in some special situation of personality management is a bit of a stretch. he wasn't dealt a hard hand to manage.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

do you seriously think maddon made this team reach the playoffs whereas others would fall on their faces? i mean, that's cool, but i disagree. i think the talent on hand could...i dunno, stumble into the playoffs without his leadership (if stumbling is what they're expected to do without maddon around). hell, the way some talk, david ross could be player/manager of the team. maddon did a solid job. when all there is to bitch about is some lineup construction and quick-hook starter + bullpen selection issues then you're doing all right because every manager is gonna get that. maddon even got to say stupid shit and fans didn't jump on it like stuff he's saying to the press is hands-off lockerroom gospel. from march until now the team has been cohesive as the usual gain/loss of players throughout the year happened. no one knows what could have been, but we know it happened how it was "supposed" to go down. even if they didn't reach the playoffs it still would have been a solid debut and a continuation of a solid career.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I didn't say anyone else would've fallen on their faces, and I'm not saying the playoffs would've been impossible without Maddon. I'm saying he had much more of an effect on this team than someone like Renteria would've had and that has enabled them to go much farther than anyone anticipated. Do you think they make the NLCS with Renteria?

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

yeah, i think renteria probably could have led this team to the NLCS. when the most touchy attitude issue or problem on your team is castro you're in a really good place. that said, it's a trophy on maddon's shelf that he managed to take a guy with a long-term contract like castro and bench him for a while without complaint. i'm not trying to trivialize maddon's job as much as i don't think he's the only guy capable of handling this team.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Keep in mind we don't know what goes on in the Club house (aside from the partying) and that maybe a testament to Maddon too. He didn't let anything negative out. Maddon had to mix and match a lot, and bench really good players often. No one knew who was going to play day to day, yet they all played their roles and stayed quiet (accept for Coghlan's verbal frustration heading into the WC game). I don't know, you don't know, so this is all theoretical discussion, but from line up construction, to keeping the focus positive to managing two veteran pitchers who struggled mightly, I just see this team as far beyond just a collection of talent. I get the sense the team credits Maddon a heck of a lot more than you do, and that says something.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Given the very specific talent, the age of the team, and the make up, I absolutely think Maddon got the most out of it of any manager. I often think managers are over rated and it is the players doing the work. But to get maximium lift out of all players at all times, and keep the team loose and happy is not something every manager can do. I'd go so far to say Maddon was worth 10 wins to this team.

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

I think there are many teams that don't necessarily have a good fit for any given manager. But this team is in such a particular place with it's young talent, and Maddon really seems like a good fit. The team is completely built around its young players--the older guys are here to complement that (and feed off it) not to show them who is boss.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Respectfully, I could not disagree more, crunch. These guys are calm, confident, and accountable- and Maddon has a hand in all of it. As far as game management and lineup construction, maybe Maddon is average, but when it comes to managing people, he's a wizard. You hear him talk about how he decides when to pull a pitcher and he refers to how the pitcher is breathing. What other manager is that in tune with his players? I know manager worship is out of fashion, but I am a huge Maddon fan. I think he's on another level. I think his next big test will come next year. Next year will have a much different feel, because there will be big expectations. His job will be managing those expectations and running some interference for the players.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

yeah...i just don't think he's the only one capable of doing it. he's one of the best. everyone's role was understood and the team was cohesive...still is. reporters can't trip up the players with role questions and players handled "demotions" in playing time with the same respect as being lauded by their manager. i'm glad he's here, but i don't think this team would be a sunk cause or out of the playoffs because another manager was helming the team.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I tend to agree with Crunch on this. However, I do think Maddon had an influence on the W/L record of this team. I always go back to this quote by Bill James when analyzing baseball managers: "Baseball would be quite a remarkable activity if it was the one place in the world where your coworkers didn't have any impact on how productive you were," James said. And after almost 10 years of working in crowded offices, I can confirm that. The quote, though, mentions not only managers but players, too - so I think clubhouse and locker room chemistry is the most valuable aspect of a manager. And Maddon has that pretty covered.

I think all we can say is, "Okay, let's go on to the next series and see what happens." And how indescribably awesome is it to be able to say that on this date in this year.

So many memories from this game -- Javy's HR, Grimm's Ks, Soler's throw, Schwarber's ridiculous bomb, Strop overcoming his demons, Lackey screaming at himself after giving up the hit to Hammel....just awesome stuff.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Hated it. He gave up a walk and a flyball and pulled with a runner on base and the tying run at the plate. Didn't need to see that and give the Cards any more reason at the time to be inspired. Media loved it, most fans loved it...I despised it.

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

Listening to the radio guys today (which take with a grain of salt) but they were saying that part of the crowd was calling for the arrow as he was walking off. Don't know if that's true but if so it makes a bit more sense considering he didn't exactly have a great outing.

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).