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

DeRosa to Play in WBC

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, but I am finally feeling somewhere close to normal finally. I know you were all worried. 

A whole lot of nothing going on, but Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Mark DeRosa will play in the WBC. I know we were alll waiting for that shoe to drop. Kosukue Fukudome had already been named to play for Team Japan.

In two-day rumors news, Dave Kaplan on WGN radio reported that Adam Dunn's first choice is to play with the Chicago Cubs at a "fair offer". The Cubs first choice is to have Adam Dunn play somewhere else and sign Milton Bradley. The other rumor is that somehow Tim Redding is possibly holding up Jason Marquis getting traded. It seems whomever "loses out" on signing Tim Redding between the Rockies and Mets may pursue our dear fifth starter.

I'll slowly get back in the flow as the week goes on...otherwise enjoy the holidays.

Comments

When the choice is between Tim Redding and Jason Marquis, can you call anyone a "loser"? The answer is "yes. yes, you can". You could probably call all the teams involved "loser". It becomes tricky, however, when you try to decide the "winner".

Tim Redding: 10-11, 182 IP, 120K/65BB, 4.95 ERA, 1.429 WHIP Jason Marquis:11-9, 167IP, 91K/70BB, 4.53 ERA, 1.449 WHIP Pretty silmilar...Redding's ERA is a bit higher..Of course Redding's was his best seson in 4 years, Marquis has won double digit games the last 5 seasons. For a fifth starter, Marquis is decent. It's not his fault Donut Jim backloaded his contract. We coulda had Carlos Silva: 4-15, 153IP, 69K/32BB, 6.46 ERA, 1.598 WHIP for $8.2 mill...

Well, Carrie Muskat has taken off until Jan 5, so there probably won't be much Cubs news til then.... Seriously, good to hear you're feeling better.

Inebriated Phil Rogers suggest Brewers trading JJ Hardy to Twins for pitching and prospects. Think Brewers would consider trading with Cubs?

By that I mean that Redding has been less than reliable over his career, and missed 2006 with injuries. Last year, his $1 mill was well worth it. A career of 34-51, 4.92 ERA, 1.502 WHIP? Not so much. For all of Marquis' faults, he is at least consistent, and will give you 11-14 wins, n ERA around 4-4.50, and 165-210 Innings, with last year being a low waer mark of 167.

Just putting it back out there... would really love for the Rockies to trade us Jeff Baker for Marquis.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

^ Cubs win! Cubs win! Go Cubs go! Go Cubs go...... ------- I'll give you one better and make it a three-way trade. Who wins? Rockies get Jason Marquis and assume his full salary. White Sox get a humidifier to store their Cubans. Cubs get Barack Obama's campaign manager.

Nah.....JJ Hardy isn't really scrappy enough...hits too many HR's...I'd take him off their hands though..

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

You tell me. The guy mashed lefties last season (926 OPS). He could platoon with our soon-to-be-named LH RF. He can play 2B when DeRosa has to play 3rd. He can play 1st when DLee needs a day off. He can play left when Soriano goes down for a month. I just like him because you rarely see a guy so versatile who can potentially develop power.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

No problems with Marquis. My problem is more to the point about Hendry and management every year. They consistantly overpay guys like Marquis,Neifi,Burnitz,Fukudome,Hank White,Glendon Rusch,Etc. Then they turn around and cry about budget limitations, when a guy like Beltran or Peavy become available. Basic economics should tell you that you pay replacement level guys minimal money. Then you spend real money on proven dependable stars.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Hear hear!! I've been ragging on this very point about Hendry for years, you pegged it to a tee, Aaron. All those "little" contracts to nobodies add up to real money, and then the Cubs can't afford impact players because of "budget" considerations. What crap. Look at just the last couple of weeks. I challenge anyone to justify the $2MM Hendry spent on Neal Cotts and Joey Gathright. In Gathright's case, there isn't even an open roster spot for him! Can someone tell me how there's room on the roster for Gathright when (a) the Cubs will certainly carry 12 pitchers again this year, (b) which leaves room for 4 non-catchers on the bench, (c) of which Fontenot, Johnson/Fukudome, and Cedeno/other backup SS are guaranteed spots. You have to go with Hoffpauir for that last spot as he's your Ward replacement, and the only guy other than DeRosa (in a pinch) that can do backup 1B. And all this assumes Pie is toast. So where is there room for Gathright again? There's not any? Then how can you justify the nearly $1MM Hendry just wasted on him? /close rant/

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

neal cotts is left handed, throws in the mid-90s, and is relatively cheap imo. he showed up mid-season with an improved arsenal, though it's not tight yet. he's always gonna get hit some, probably, but if he can keep his control he should be fine.

He is versatile...he'll be 28 in June...kinda like DeRosa, but 4 years younger?

There is nothing wrong with Jason Marquis as a 5th starter. He is probably the best 5th starter in the league. If we do not trade him, however, we would probably be the only team in the league paying our 5th starter close to 10 Mil. per year.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

No, why not just dump Marquis after eating $4MM, and give the job to Sean Marshall? Now you have equally as effective performance at a cost of negative $5MM. I like that a lot better than old man Unit at positive $3MM. Or do you think Unit would be $8MM better than Sean Marshall?

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

With Rich Harden you still need 6 good starters. Given that Shark or Gaudin is going to be 7th inning guy it takes one of them out of the mix for spot starting duty and Guzman is too injury prone to be jumping roles, Hart doesnt have a 3rd pitch and Atkins has no MLB expirence. So I think the real question Unit 8 milion dollars better than Gaudin or Shark as a SP? I would say yes on Shark and no on Gaudin, but you dont know if you need Gaudin for the pen if Shark and other young guys cant make it in the 7th. Honestly if we trade Marquis I would like to get a LOOGY better than Cotts so the need for a 7th inning guy is decreased, but the scenerio I laid out in my last post is a good alternative.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Exactly, TRN. This is why I don't understand the mad rush to get rid of Marquis. For a fifth starter, he does a good job and can be counted on for 200 innings a year. The Cubs may pay him too much, but that contract is a done deal. If the Cubs trade him, assume 50% of his salary and sign someone else (like Randy Johnson), it's going to cost more and the likelihood of getting 200 innings out of the fifth starter will have declined. Not a good trade off in my mind.

I have noticed that Marwin Gonzalez is putting up some nice numbers in Winter ball. Anyone know what kind of prospect he is? (Caracas): 43/122, 14 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 13 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, 15/20 SB, 8 E - .352/.423/.574/.997

[ ]

In reply to by soonercub

I've been having trouble tracking this item down--trying to find a trace of Marwin Gonzalez on Kroeger's Caracas team (or any team) in the league where Rich Hill, Sam Fuld and Ronny Cedeno have been playing. Apparently there's a Venezuela winter minor leagues called Liga Paralela, where Gonzalez has been registering these numbers. Good find, if a bit puzzling.

I think Hendry has had a man crush on Clint Barmes, I wouldn't mind seeing him come back in a Marquis deal. He might be able to beat out Theriot if given a legit shot. At least he has some pop.

[ ]

In reply to by soonercub

Bastard. You stole my great idea, albeit it was in two parts. lol (1) If the rumors are true that Colorado might be a home for Marquis, then Barmes makes perfect sense for the Cubs as the RH utility infielder counterpart to Mike Fontenot, assuming Cedeno is not around. Barmes can play both 2B and SS. (2) The Cubs could then package Cedeno and one of their extra #5-type starters/long relievers (e.g., Hart, Guzman, Wuertz) to the Royals for Ron Mahay? Would solve the Cubs' need for a quality veteran LH guy in the bullpen, the replacement basically for Scott Eyre and Will Ohman. Royals need to shed a good $5MM salary according to the KC Star, and an expensive lefty in the bullpen is a luxury they probably don't need. Cedeno would make sense for them, as he MIGHT earn a starting job at SS, which would allow Aviles to move to 2B. Even if he doesn't win the job, he'd certainly be an improvement over Tony Pena Jr., so I think the Royals might be interested.

Not saying anything however Player A through age 29 1998 23 ATL NL 5 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .333 .333 .333 77 1 0 0 0 0 0 1999 24 ATL NL 7 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 .000 .000 -100 0 0 0 0 0 0 2000 25 ATL NL 22 13 9 4 1 0 0 3 0 0 2 1 .308 .400 .385 99 5 0 0 0 0 0 2001 26 ATL NL 66 164 27 47 8 0 3 20 2 1 12 19 .287 .350 .390 89 64 1 2 6 5 3 2002 27 ATL NL 72 212 24 63 9 2 5 23 2 3 12 24 .297 .339 .429 100 91 2 3 3 3 5 2003 28 ATL NL 103 266 40 70 14 0 6 22 1 0 16 49 .263 .316 .383 81 102 0 1 0 5 6 2004 29 ATL NL 118 309 33 74 16 0 3 31 1 3 23 53 .239 .293 .320 59 99 4 6 3 3 6 Player B through 29 Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP +--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+ 2003 24 COL NL 12 25 2 8 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 .320 .357 .400 87 10 0 1 0 2 0 2004 25 COL NL 20 71 14 20 3 1 2 10 0 1 3 10 .282 .320 .437 84 31 2 0 0 1 2 2005 26 COL NL 81 350 55 101 19 1 10 46 6 4 16 36 .289 .330 .434 90 152 4 1 1 6 4 RoY-8 2006 27 COL NL 131 478 57 105 26 4 7 56 5 4 22 72 .220 .264 .335 47 160 19 7 6 9 2 2007 28 COL NL 27 37 5 8 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 13 .216 .237 .297 33 11 1 0 1 0 1 2008 29 COL NL 107 393 47 114 25 6 11 44 13 4 17 69 .290 .322 .468 99 184 4 1 0 2 9 +--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+ 6 Seasons 378 1354 180 356 78 12 30 159 24 13 59 210 .263 .301 .405 75 548 30 10 8 20 18

Well, let's see.......so far, this is the 2008 Cubs team with Marmol/Gregg replacing Wood/8th Inning setup; Gathright platooning with Reed Johnson in CF; and Koyie Hill as the backup catcher. This reeks of waiting for new ownership to approve a payroll budget and/or waiting for the Tier 1 FA's to slot out. Despite how sucky this team looks right now, I haven't seen any moves by the NL Central that would lead me to believe this team doesn't win its 3rd straight Division title. I know he's making almost $10M next year, but how does trading Marquis and eating at least half his salary improve the rotation? Assuming Hendry can get a budget around $145M approved, here's what I would do as GM: 1. Trade for Brian Roberts (any combinaton of R. Hill, Wuertz, Guzman, Cedeno, Pie, Colvin, Atkins) 2. Sign Bobby Abreu to play RF That's it. If the Padres want to come back to the real world (and Peavy wants to re-negotiate his $20M option in 2013), then by all means, make the Peavy deal. If not you've got the following team: Roberts, 2b Theriot, ss Abreu, rf A. Ramirez, 3b Soriano, lf D. Lee, 1b Soto, c Fukudome, cf (he learns to hit .280 or better or send him back to Japan) Rotation -- Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden, Marquis - Marshall fills in for Harden Closer -- Marmol or Gregg Setup -- Samardzija, Gaudin, Cotts, Marshall Bench -- K. Hill (can Bako be worth double Hill's salary?), Hoffpauir, Fontenot, Gathright, Johnson. If some team wants to pay all of Marquis' salary (and I thought Marshall could start 30 games), then fine, trade him. If not, wait till the July 31st trade deadline -- who knows what might be available by then.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

This is a slow market right now. You have to keep in mind that right now the only NL clubs that have actually improved themselves are the Mets and Braves. In the Braves case it makes them just a .500 team. Hendry will make 3 or 4 more moves this off-season: 1. Get a LH RF 2. Upgrade the 5th statrer spot 3 and 4. Trade off spare parts (Cedeno, Marquis, Pie) for needed parts (one more lefty in the pen and a backup C)

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

You've traded Marquis to free up money for Roberts and then included him in the rotation. If you were Andy McPhail, which of those players would you take for Roberts, especially while you've got the contract offer out for Texieira. Once again Tex's signing is creating a log jam in the off-season market.

Good point Dr. Aaron. Of course...Barmes away from Colorado over his career? .228/.267/.340.....Positively craptastic...in 2008: Home: .330/.362/.570 Away: .249/.281/.363 So at Colorado, he's Superman, on the road, he's Jimmy Olson. Sorry for seeming like I'm picking on your point today. Not my intent.

True....Theriot is what he is....but I sure wish Ronny Ce would "get it" at some point...

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).