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

Cubs Finally Get Pevey

And it's about time!

The Cubs have announced their minor league field staff for 2009, and while a lot of attention is given to the promotion of Ryne Sandberg from Peoria to AA Tennessee, there were some other noteworthy moves made as well.  

First of all, AAA Iowa manager Pat Listach (2008 PCL Manager of the Year) accepted an offer to be 1st base coach with the Washington Nationals, and he will probably receive strong consideration to replace Manny Acta should Washington GM Jim Bowden decide to make a mangerial change during or after next season. The Cubs should have made Listach their 3rd base coach and infield coach a year ago, but oh, well...

Replacing Listach as Iowa manager will be Bobby Dickerson, who has served as the organization's roving minor league infield & bunting instructor for the past couple of years, beginning his year at minor league camp in Mesa in March, then traveling from city to city, spending a week at each affiliate during the season (April through August) before reporting to Fitch Park for the AZ Instructional League in September-October.

But before coordinating infield & bunting instruction, Dickerson was a very successful minor league manager with the Cubs, most notably as skipper of the Southern League Champion West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in 2002 and then the manager of what was arguably the best Cubs minor league team of recent times, the 2005 West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

Bobby D's '05 Jaxx featured twenty (that's right, 20) future major leaguers, including Carlos Marmol, Ricky Nolasco, Sean Marshall, Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Ryan Theriot, Micah Hoffpauir, Eric Patterson, David Aardsma, Matt Murton, Renyel Pinto, Jae-kuk Ryu, Rocky Cherry, Luis Montanez, Jose Reyes. Buck Coats, Ryan O'Malley, Adam Greenberg, Casey McGehee, and Carmen Pignatiello, and it isn't much of a stretch to give Dickerson at least some of the credit for the players' development

In my opinion, Bobby Dickerson is the best manager in the Cubs organization, and his talent was somewhat misused the last three years while he served as a roving instructor. Not that he wasn't any good at it (he did a fine job), just that his talents would seem to be better utilzyed as a manager at the AA or AAA level. Hitting Coach Von Joshua and pitching coach Mike Mason return to Iowa in 2009.           

As has been extensively reported elsewhere in the media, Ryne Sandberg has been moved up from Peoria to AA Tennessee, where Ryno will manage the Smokies in 2009. Sandberg seemingly had a rather frustrating season at Peoria in 2008, as he was thrown out of a number of games after being perplexed by the mediocre skill level of the umpires in the Midwest League. The umpiring should be better at AA, but I still am not sure how much longer Sandberg is going to want to travel around the hinterlands by bus. I think it's pretty clear he has his heart set on becoming a big league manager ASAP.

Buddy Bailey was the manager at AA last season, after having previously managed at Daytona and AAA Iowa and after serving as the organization's roving catching instructor in one other season. Bailey has been around the minors a long time (mostly in the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox organizations), and he does a good job no matter what role he is assigned. So it isn't a "demotion" for him to move from Tennessee to Daytona. It is just a matter of making room for Sandberg at AA. Longtime Daytona hitting instructor Richie Zisk (he lives down there) and new D-Cubs pitching coach Tom Pratt (who was the pitching coach at Boise last season) will work with Bailey. A member of the South Side Hit Men in 1977, Zisk hit 207 HR in his 13-year MLB playing career.  

2008 Daytona Cubs manager Jody Davis has been reassigned as the organization's roving catching instructor. I'm not sure if this is exactly the best role for Jo-Dee, especially since he was an "offensive-first" catcher in his playing days. 

Jody's predecessor as the organization's roving catching instructor was Casey Kopitzke, and he actually was an outstanding defensive catcher in his playing days in the Cubs organization. But Casey quite obviously is a bright guy with a future as a manager, so he has been named the manager at short-season Boise for 2009. As Boise manager, Kopitzke will run Extended Spring Training at Fitch Park April-June and will manage the EXST Cubs. Kopitzke's pitching coach will be David Rosario (he was the pitching coach at Daytona last year) and the hitting coach will be ex-SF OF Desi Wilson (he was hitting coach at Peoria last season).  Standing 6'7, the players really look up to Wilson.   

Last year's manager at Boise was Tom Beyers, and he had been a long-time organizational hitting instructor in the Cubs and Dodgers organization before trying his hand at managing. Beyers spent a lot of time working with the Boise and Mesa hitters at Fitch Park last Spring, as he served as the de facto hitting instructor a lot of days. (Boise hitting coach Josh Arteaga apparently was not invited to return in 2009). With Casey Kopitzke taking over as the Boise manager, Beyers has been reassigned as hitting coach on Ryne Sandberg's staff at Tennesee, where the best Cubs minor league pitching coach (Dennis Lewallyn) will be returning for his third season.

Sandberg's replacement as manager at Peoria will be the organization's new guy, 46-year old Marty Pevey, who has been both a major league coach and minor league coach and manager with the Toronto Blue Jays over the past 13 years. Pevey was a catcher in his playing days (he got a "cup of coffee" with the Montreal Expos in 1989). Rich Bombard will return to the Peoria Chiefs as pitching coach in 2009, and ex-DET OF Barbaro Garbey will be the Chiefs hitting instructor (he was hitting coach at AA Tennessee last season).

The AZL Mesa Cubs play at Fitch Park after the Boise Hawks leave for Idaho in June, and the AZL Cubs will be managed by Juan Cabreja, who the manager for the DSL Cubs #1 team in the DSL last season. Cabreja replaces Franklin Font as the AZL Cubs manager, as Font has been reassigned as the organization's roving infield & bunting instructor (replacing Bobby Dickerson). Font seemed a bit over his head last year as AZL Cubs manager. Rick Tronerud returns as the AZL Cubs pitching coach, and Ricardo Medina returns as the AZL Cubs hitting coach. The avuncular Tronerud is the guy who is responsible for converting position players to pitcher at Fitch Park. 

The Cubs will continue to operate two clubs in the Dominican Summer League (DSL Cubs #1 and DSL Cubs #2), with Alberto Garcia (a one Cubs minor league 1B) the new manager for DSL Cubs #1 (replacing Carbreja) and Venezuelan Franklin Blanco returning as manager of DSL Cubs #2 (Blanco was the Cubs coach assigned to the Twins/Cubs co-op team in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2007). Leo Hernandez returns as pitching coach and ex-MLB INF Ramon Caraballo returns as hitting coach for DSL Cubs #1, while Anderson Tavarez (who was a pitcher in th Cubs organization for several seasons) returns as pitching coach for DSL Cubs #2. Leonel Perez, who served as a player-coach ("mentor") at Daytona in 2008 after blowing out his arm following a conversion from catcher to pitcher a couple of years ago, has been hired as the DSL Cubs #2 hitting coach.  

Carmelo Martinez will return as the Cubs Dominican Field Coordinator (he basically oversees the two DSL Cubs teams). Melo Carmelo was the temporaray manager of the Peoria club last August, the night of the big brawl at Dayton, when pitcher Julio Castillo got arrested for aggravated battery and SS Gian Guzman suffered a broken leg (Ryne Sandberg was at Cooperstown that weekend).  

Besides Jody Davis being reassigned as the organizaation's roving catching instructor and Franklin Font being reassigned to the position of roving infield/bunting instructor, the organization's Hitting Coordinator (Dave Keller), Pitching Coordinator (Mark Riggins), and Outfield/Baserunning Instructor Bobby Dernier (with Sandberg, the other half of the Cubs "Daily Double" in 1984-85) return to the same jobs in 2009.

30-year old Danny Fatheree (Kerry Wood's catcher in HS) was re-signed to a minor league player contract for 2009, but he will probably once again actually serve as a player-coach ("mentor") for the young Cubs catchers at Fitch Park, helping kids like Matt Cerda learn the finer points of catching. I think Fatheree would make an outstanding manager some day. And 26-year old Korean OF Min-Kyu Sung (who played college ball in the U. S. at Nebraska-Omaha) will be back with the Cubs in 2009, serving as a player-coach ("mentor") wherever the young Korean kids (Rhee, Lee, Min, and Ha) are located.      

One-time Cubs 3rd base coach and long-time minor league manager Dave Bialas continues to serve as the Cubs Minor League Field Coordinator, supervising the organization's roving instructors and the managers and coaches with the eight Cubs minor league clubs. Bialas reports directly to Oneri Fleita.

Player Personnel Director Fleita is a bilingual Cuban-American from Miami who was an All-MVC catcher at Creighton in the 1980's, where he played for Coach Jim Hendry. Fleita played briefly in the minor leagues with the Orioles, before becoming a successful minor league manager in the Baltimore system. Fleita was hired by Hendry as a minor league manager after Hendry was named the Cubs Player Development Director in 1994, and then Hendry appointed Oneri the Cubs Latin American Scouting Coordinator in 1997 after Hendry took over as the (combined) Scouting & Player Development Director. Fleita replaced Hendry as the Director of Player Development in 2000 when Hendry was appointed Assistant GM, and then Fleita was promoted to the position of "VP - Player Personnel" in 2007. He gives a lot of attention to the Cubs minor league operations in Latin America. 

Comments

THANKS AZ PHIL! Can a A or AA Manager make a modest income? Or, do they still have to work at Sears on the weekends and off-season? Just curious.

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 2:36pm. T

HANKS AZ PHIL! Can a A or AA Manager make a modest income? Or, do they still have to work at Sears on the weekends and off-season? Just curious.

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

E-MAN: I don't know how many work other jobs during the off-season, but I can tell you that minor league managers and coaches don't make a lot of money, and neither do the scouts.

 

AZ Phil -- Thank you for this update. As always, you give us great insight on the Cubs organization. One quick question: You spoke about Fleita paying close attention to our Latin American minor league operations. We seem to sign lots of players but rarely make a splash and go for the most coveted LA kids any more (the last player even close to the top prospects of a year was, I believe, Suarez). Is there a reason for the Cubs (other than money) to not focus on getting the top players? We sign lots of kids, but most of them appear to be marginal, at best (Jose Ceda and, if applicable, Wellington Castillo being exceptions that prove the rule). Note that it may be that I am just less familiar with the Latin American system and so perhaps the Cubs are getting top players, just not the ones mentioned by Baseball America. But it seems the Cubs are not willing to put big money for a top young LA player.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

wood's become larger than life in chicago...be interesting to see how he adjusts to being one of the key parts of a team rather than being a demi-god. he handled himself well in chicago, imo, but the guy can get a standing O just walking to the pen mound to warm up. it's nice, but it's weird...especially after putting up with years of being called a washed up bust who's contract "stole money" from the team. the ups/downs for his tenure here has been insane and larger than the player he is.

lance neikro (former SF 1st baseman) is making the switch to pitching featuring, yes, a knuckleball. ATL is giving the 30 year old a shot at a reverse-ankiel.

Phil, I imagine it is pretty lonesome around Fitch right now? Are there any rehab. players around?

#5 Latin American Cubs*new Submitted by springs on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 3:00pm.

AZ Phil -- Thank you for this update. As always, you give us great insight on the Cubs organization.

One quick question: You spoke about Fleita paying close attention to our Latin American minor league operations. We seem to sign lots of players but rarely make a splash and go for the most coveted LA kids any more (the last player even close to the top prospects of a year was, I believe, Suarez). Is there a reason for the Cubs (other than money) to not focus on getting the top players? We sign lots of kids, but most of them appear to be marginal, at best (Jose Ceda and, if applicable, Wellington Castillo being exceptions that prove the rule).

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

SPRINGS: The Cubs have given significant bonuses to Latin players over the years. Felix Pie got a substantial bonus as a 16-year old, and so did Ronny Cedeno, and more recently Larry Suarez, Jose Tineo, and Carlos Henry. But the Cubs don't spend millions on Latin kids, preferring to sign talented but raw players with upside and then they try to "coach them up."

As of Spring Training 2008, 42% of the players in the Cubs organization were from Latin America (mainly D. R. & Venezuela), and that percentage went up when the two DSL Cubs clubs filled out their 35-man rosters in May. (They even signed a player from Haiti). The vast majority of the Cubs Latin players are at the Cubs Dominican and Venezuelan academies, and the best ones eventually get promoted to Fitch Park and play for AZL Mesa. But there are at least another 70 on the Reserve Lists of the two DSL clubs, and most of them get released before they can get to Mesa, so nobody ever hears about them. The Cubs doubled the number of slots available on their DSL reserve lists from 35 to 70 just by adding a second club.

I would say the Top 10 Cubs Latin prospects are:

1. Welington Castillo, C
2. Starlin Castro, SS 
3. Robert Hernandez, RHP
4. Larry Suarez, RHP
5. Junior Lake, SS
6. Alberto Cabrera, RHP
7. Nelson Perez, RF
8. Carlos Perez, C
9. Marwin Gonzalez, INF
10. Jeffry Antigua, LHP

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

he only wanted a 1 year deal? if he's there to work bench rather than start i wish the cubs would have "found" the extra million to throw at him. i thought he'd find a good incentive laden contract or a multiyear with low pay risk. he can play CF and a decent enough corner OF. if SD promised him a starting slot...which could be likely...then it makes a little more sense.

I don't understand SD Padres...they have financial issues...so they they take the option on Giles's 10 mil contract! What a bunch of bumbling idiots!

Goddammit. I got this headline from an RSS feed. It's my fault though. I shoulda caught the spelling difference. I'm too old for this shit.

I keep hearing the Padres are in dire financial straights. I am sorry but that just isn't true. They are a mid-revenue franchise with virtually no long term bad contracts. They are looking to move Peavy because have you seen the talent at the major league level for them? It's pretty bad and Peavy can return some substantial talent. This isn't some little old poor cash strapped franchise that needs to move Peavy or anyone out the door ASAP for any price as long as that player is gone. Peavy will get dealt when they get what they want and that will most likely happen around the All-Star break. And if i was the Padres GM i would be hoping the Brewers call soon or are competitive next year so i can get a guy like Matt Gamel in return. But just remember the Padres can easily keep what they have, because it isn't much to begin with.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Their owner is being divorced, and presumably he doesn't have a lot of cash lying around. As I understand it MLB has a strict asset to debit ratio and if some bimbo runs off with half of his assets then he would have to reduce his debt to keep his ownership interest in the team. Peavy represents the first or secod biggest debt that the team has, and I don't think they can trade the stadium.

AZPhil... ... as always, a great read. I am particularly thrilled with the usage of avuncular... ... Hawkeye

doc "no-no" ellis's liver disease finally caught up with him. dead at 63.

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In reply to by crunch

The man whose legacy is pitching a no-hitter on LSD and giving up one of the most crushed HRs ever, to Reggie Jackson in the All Star Game in Detroit. RIP you crazy diamond.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

as "interesting" as that stuff is, his fighting of racial tensions and the weird way he went about combating it was a little crazy, too. his '73 game vs. CIN should be more legendary than it is...you DEFINITELY won't see another game like that on the MLB level again. you wanna talk about rallying the troops around some on-field-bullshit...you got it. shame the drugs/alcohol did him in by the time the 80s rolled around.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

re: '74 game (oops, not '73)...from a writeup at snopes... "In a May 1 start against the Reds having announced before the game that "We gonna get down. We gonna do the do. I’m going to hit these motherfuckers." Ellis opened the contest by drilling leadoff hitter Pete Rose in the ribs; hitting the next batter, Joe Morgan, in the side; and then plunking Dan Driessen in the back to load the bases. Although clean-up hitter Tony Perez managed to dodge Ellis' pitches long enough to draw a walk before being hit, Dock aimed his next two offerings at Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench's head, whereupon he was unceremoniously yanked from the game by Pittsburgh manager Danny Murtaugh."

The sad fact that that was a comic book reference is only trumped by the sadder fact that I recognized it. And I'm starting a campaign for Adam Dunn to play RF. Get the WS "Dunn" in '09!!

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In reply to by Rob G.

Bruce Levine on his saturday talking baseball show (ESPN 1000-AM) again said the Cubs should be getting Milton Bradley...I didn't hear any timetable though. Wonder why the FA process is taking so long. Must be something to do with the concept of who's still available before there is pressure to get a deal done. Now we are all hearing that Texeira is the next FA to make a decision and that will impact Manny Ramirez and the others (Bradley, Abreau, Dunn) If Bradley is the Cubs first choice, I wonder who Bradley's first choice is? Tampa so he can DH?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

he probably doesn't want to DH, but he probably should given the baggage of his injuries. if he's healthy there's very little reason for him not to be playing the OF, but more than a few people wonder...even if healthy...how he'll handle a full year of 150+ games in CF/RF going into Sept/Oct. he wants $$ and years...someone will give it to him. if the cubs do they need his health pretty badly. you can't really stash a banged up bradley anywhere in the lineup on a NL team.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

It's taking so long basically because of Boras. He's admitted that D.Lowe and Manny are on the backburner until he gets Teixeira locked up. Then other clubs want to see the high roller clubs like the Yanks and Red Sox lock up their FA signings so they can get better deals on the remaining players. If you don't have to bid against the Red Sox or Yankees they probably figure they can get fair market value or below on the remaining FAs. Brian Fuentes has admitted he's waiting to see if the Angels can resign Teixeira so if they don't they will have the $ to sign him, and Bradley is likely going to do the same thing..Manny too.

Why do you think he wants to DH? --- I didn't want to imply that he wants to be a full time DH, but having the DH as an option means he might be able to play more (at least thru some minor injuries such as sore knees that don't need anything more than rest). I'm sure that's how the Rays would paint additional upside to going there.

From MLBTradeRumors: According to David Kaplan of WGN Radio and Comcast SportsNet, Adam Dunn's first choice is to play for the Cubs. He's not looking for a huge deal, but a fair one. The concern, of course, would be having Dunn play right field on a regular basis. A source familiar with the team's thinking told MLBTR the Cubs have "exchanged pleasantries" with Dunn's agents, nothing more. It's been suggested that Milton Bradley is the Cubs' first choice. Dunn certainly would look great in RF. Okay, that's a lie, but I do want his bat.

[ ]

In reply to by carlosrubi

i refuse to believe adam dunn has a preference for anything sports related besides which college football game he wants to watch today or who wants to pay him the most money to play baseball. maybe the cubs have the best fantasy football players in MLB.

[ ]

In reply to by carlosrubi

Dunn on a 1 year deal might be our best bet, as one guy who fills out the LH masher who could play a great RF, Rick Anikel, will be a free agent. The LH corner OF/DH in free agency next year is pretty weak and if Dunn can put up numbers he could produce playing 82 games at Wrigley, he could really cash in, instead of having to wait on Abreu, Bradley, and Ibanez to sign somewhere before someone calls his agent.

AZ Phil, I have a few questions about the recent shake-up with the minor league coaching staffs and your assement of them: 1. Is Davis's move from advanced A-ball manager to roving catching instructor a demotion or are the roving instructors on par with the managers, because demoting a guy who has had the success Davis has does not seem smart? 2. Could Ryno's Earl Weaver impresenations at Peoria have more to do with trying to shake his reputation as a milliquetoast personality that has led people to question him being a good MLB manager than being annoyed with his job as you seem to think he is? 3. Do you think Ryno and Jimbo have a handshake agreement that Sandberg will be Lou's successor if he doesnt have an MLB gig by then? 4. Is view that Listach should have been the infield and 3rd base coach last year a pro-Listach, anti-Quade or a combo of both?

mlbtr mentions something about the loser of the Tim Redding sweepstakes (Mets vs Rockies) might then target Marquis based on a Ken Rosenthal (it's fox.com, but I don't see Rosenthal's byline) article that says: "The Rockies like Redding, but they are exploring a wide range of options, including a trade for Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis and the signing of free-agent righty Braden Looper." http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8966720/Sources:-Mets-to-make-push-f… I wonder if signing a lefty hitting RF will happen independently of a Marquis trade or contingent on it?

I would rather have Dunn in RF than praying Bradley stays in one piece playing RF. Atleast Dunn can remain healthy enough to play a full schedule.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

I've always been steadfastly against getting Dunn because he's not just bad as a fielder, he's scary bad. But I'd sure love his home runs, and I wonder now if his power would negate his drastic flaws as a fielder. I wonder if there is a way to statistically measure the plus/minus on that. The Cubs could use the power bat.

Is this old news? Because i just read MLB exec's voted down increasing minor league daily food stipen from 20 bucks to 25 bucks a day. Baseball as a whole made 6 billion dollars in 2007, but can't afford a collective $750,000 dollars to help out the minor league guys. They cite tough economic times as the reason.

and I found this Star Trek reference that made me laugh... about OF prospect, Tyler Colvin, somewhere on the GROTA site: Colvin reminds me a lot of Corey Patterson, for many good reasons. A first round pick with power and speed who walks about as often as Captain Pike after The Accident.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Rotoworld is saying the Angels could look at Burell also a fall back. The Rays are also looking at Burell and Abreu as well as Bradley. The key here is where Texiera goes between the Nats and Red Sox. Because Texiera is the only bat that the BOsox are looking at if they dont get then nothing happens to the OF market and it likely plays out like this: The LA teams end up getting Manny and Dunn, while CIN/ATL, CHC and TB all end up with one of Abreu, Bradley and Burell at resonable deals (7-8 Million per year) If the Rsox get Tex, the Nats will look to Dunn as there big power hitting addition. This will leave one of Abreu or Burell ending up in LA if Dunn becomes a Nat. I cannot see Bradley ending up in LA as he wore out his welcome with the Dodgers and I cannot see Scoisca putting up with his antics. It is likely one of the LA pays Abreu or Burell 10 mil a year, which raises the price for the guy who doesnt sign in LA and Bradley. This is discouting NYY having any interest in these guys. It is a buyer's market for the mid range guys, so they players will wait it out to get the best deal they can.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

I don't see the Dodgers signing any of those guys. They already have their two corner outfielders in Kemp and Etheir, and two high priced CF's in Pierre and Jones. For a half a season, I can see them making an exception for someone of Ramirez's calibre, but Burrell and Abreu aren't Manny Ramirez. Likewise the Angels need a 1B. Again, Manny makes sense for them, in that he could play 1st or DH and hits very well, but with four guys under contract it's unlikely they bring in another fifth outfielder, unless he's a HoF type.

Maybe now that the Tex issue seems closed with the Angels, the Dlee for Figgins picks up. It solves problems for both teams.

[ ]

In reply to by Jose

I don't think it solves a problem for the Cubs. Yes, it gets rid of what may turn into a pretty nasty contract with 2/26 left. But, it creates a massive hole at 1B. If you even do something silly like sign Dunn to play 1B, you still don't solve the RF problem. Figgins has played a whole 27 career games in RF. Plus, with Fukudome's hitting struggles, I'd like to get something a little better than 290/356/387 out of our non-Soriano corner outfielder. What's the other alternative if you trade Lee? Cross your fingers on Hoffpauir?

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

re dlee: overpaid vs. production, yes. 20-25hr, 40 double, .360+ ob%, gold glove D, positive teammate...how much he overpaid? some people expect a collapse...personally i expect more power and much of the same for the rest. dlee looked a lot more tired to me late last year than physically/mechanically broken. we'll see.

[ ]

In reply to by Wes

If you were to trade Figgins for Lee you could pencil Figgins at 2b. You then could move Derosa and prospects to the Twins for Delmon Young to play RF and then sign Dunn or Giambi to play 1B to fill the LHPH void. You would have a line-up of: Figgins 2B Theriot SS Aram 3B Dunn or Giambi 1B Soriano LF Soto C Young RF Fuku/Reed CF Though Dlee is adament about waiving his no-trade clause though.

They cite tough economic times as the reason. Didn't the Yanks basically outbid themselves for CC?

Why can't we slot DeRosa to play first? Plus once we get rid of Dlee's contract and Marquis, we should be able to easily afford Abreu. Replacing Dlee's offensive production is not that difficult given that he is on the down end. Statistically DeRosa and Dlee are about the same. Sign Randy Johnson for one year and some back end bullpen help. How does this not make us better? Figgins 2B (or CF) Theriot SS (could bat eighth) Soriano LF Aram 3B Abreu RF DeRosa 1B (could bat second) Soto C Fuku/Reed CF (or RF) This looks like a pretty solid lineup with speed at the top and players who can move around.

The Angels have Vlad in RF, T. Hunter in CF, Rivera in LF, and Matthews Jr and Willits. Even with a DH spot I don't see how they'd want to add an OF at this point.

DeRosa 08 batting stats (.285, 21, 87) equals Dlee batting stats (291, 20, 90). Why does it make a difference in the defensive position a player plays?

Okay all you Idiots wanting Dunn: Have you broken into your Christmas Meth stash? Do you remember how you laughed when you heard Cincinnati signed C-Pat this year? Cincinnati will have the last laugh if we get (Git 'Er)Dunn. Get this through your heads: The Guy sucks. He is lazy. He is not clutch. Most of his homeruns do not come in dire situations.He is NOT a winner. He should be playing football in Europe;he just can't find it on the map. I have said it before, and I guess I need to say it again: We all ready had a Dave Kingman. Fools!

One can only imagine the adjectives that our pitchers would use to describe Dunn's prowess in RF. "He's a tool" and "crappy" are two possibilities, though.

[ ]

In reply to by Seamhead

I wonder what our pitchers think when they watch Felix Pie flail away at pitches in the dirt and above his forehead? Or when Kfuck is late on changeups across the heart of the plate. This was talked about endlessly last year. If you're going to skimp on defense. Do it in the Corner OF spots and at 1st base. Not at SS and 2nd base like the cubs do.

Because DeRosa is not as expensive as Dlee. He has more upside because he can play multiple positions. His offensive production equals Dlee. Finally, we would be getting Dlee's contract off the books; we can then sign a RF (Abreu) and a back order pitcher (Randy Johnson). I agree that DLee is a better defensive 1B, but DeRosa would do just fine. It is not like he is useless defensively. He can play rf, lf, 2b, 3b, and has played 1b in the past.

^forgot to add that the Angels now need a 1b since they pulled out of the Tex talks. They do not really need a 3b.

[ ]

In reply to by Jose

Let's see. Offensively Lee has had an MVP season that the mildly retarded voters screwed him out of. DeRosa doesn't have any upside, he is only going to go down, 2008 was his career year. The Angels have Kendry Morales to play 1st, and they have Chone Figgins as their 3rd basemen. Keep up.

The Real Neal: Kendry Morales is an unproven player. He played only 21 games last year and batted .213. He is by far a proven 1b for the Angels. There rumors in the Angels organization that they are already looking at other players at 1b - like Kotsay. Figgins has never been a proven 3b, he is super-sub. Who had to play a lot of 3b last year because he was asked to. Throughout his career, he has played less than half of his games at 3b. He lacks the power one would expect as a corner infielder. Keep up. Unless you have been hiding under a rock, many people believe Dlee is on his way down. So let me share some stats with you. Since is MVP season two years ago, his HR's have dropped in half and his K's have increased. He is no longer the base stealing threat he once was because of age and I believe his DP's have increased each year. His defense has also decreased with his fielding average still consistent, but his range factor dropping -7%. He is on his way down. He will likely never come near his MVP season and he is making almost $15MM. He is now an good player making big time money. Keep Up.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • 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?