Cubs MLB Roster

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40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

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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

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.