Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

47 players are at MLB Spring Training 

33 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and seven p;layers are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors
14 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-9-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 18
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
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 6 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 
Cam Sanders 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 3  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 
* Bryce Windham

INFIELDERS: 8
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 4 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith
Chase Strumpf 

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 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

S***

''His arm action's good; he's throwing free and easy...He's not close to throwing off a mound yet. There's some issues there, no question.''

No, not a reprint of a 2005 article or 2004 article or 2006 article, but rather Larry Rotschild talking about Rich Harden at the Cubs Convention on Saturday. Don't worry though, the Cubs have the spin ready.

 Cubs insiders say Harden is right on schedule toward a strong, on-time and well-conditioned start to spring training and the season.

Of course they believe that...but what about this?

But sources also confirmed Saturday that Harden has a tear in the joint, just severe enough that some players might seek surgery but slight enough to be in a range often treated effectively with a strengthening program, therapy and a well- managed work schedule.

A tear you say, never had any problems with one of those.

That's more than the Cubs let on last fall, even after the revelation that Harden had a cortisone shot for ''rotator tendinitis.''

But Harden has been working six days a week this offseason on a program that might be the most rigorous of any Cub -- and the first of his career to focus this strongly on his shoulder, team officials say. In fact, the team estimates his shoulder is stronger now than it was when he joined the team in July and started piling up 97 mph scoreless innings.

Other things the Cubs have estimated over the years: Sosa would never become a problem with the team and will be beloved by all fans, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior would pitch full seasons in 2006 and 2005, and that they'd win a World Series sometime within the last 100 years.

''I'm on a set program, and I'm not behind at all,'' Harden said. ''I'm right on schedule and feeling great. I'll be ready for the start of the season for sure. There's no doubt in my mind. Nobody has any doubts whether I'll be ready or not. I will.''

If anything, that might have been the confusion with Rothschild's comments -- that Harden isn't ready to throw from a mound by design. He's on a deliberate throwing program to ease him up to pitching condition by the end of an extra-long 2009 spring training.

They tried that shit with Mark Prior.

it didn't work.

Anyone have Kevin Towers phone number?


Dr. Hecht's medical take is below.

 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

On Saturday, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wood's agents wanted a three-year deal and significant salary. Hendry said Wood was on the disabled list for 62 percent of the Cubs games over the last four years and that last season's blister problem "was one of the strangest injuries of all time."

Hendry said he didn't feel the length of contract that Wood's agents were seeking was fair to the team and disputed Wood's contention that he would've stayed for a one-year deal.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I suggested Rich Hill, Felix Pie and a few other parts for Johan last offseason and being laughed at that it was too much. At the time, it would have been a better package than they got from the Mets. Who's laughing now? Who's laughing now?

I kid...but yeah, I look forward to our new minor league scrubs from these deals.

 

Rich Hill to Baltimore for one of Andy's old red sweater-vests?

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I'm not sure anybody currently in the organization can squeeze into McPhail's size. Not Hendry, not Lou, not Randy Bush. Maybe Oneri? Tim Wilken? An early Valentine's Day gift from Jimbo?

this is TCR...what's with all the fuckin' ***'s

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Those of us who keep the TCR RSS feed active at work thank you. That fucking injury to fucking Harden has me fucking pissed btw.

Rosenthal reporting Cubs traded Felix Pie to Baltimore for Garret Olson...

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

Sucks. I guess Jim and Lou really think Gathright will be better. I'm not so sure. At least we got something of value for him though, which wouldn't have happened had we waited till March.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

This is like a two years younger Rich Hill, no? Let's see what Jimbo gets for Rich Hill and Cedeno. Anyone else think they should hang onto Cedeno or try to get a utility infielder back in one of the deals? Who's behind Miles at SS? What happens if we lose a middle infielder to injury? Andres Blanco? Honestly, though, how many outfielders does the team need? Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley, Johnson, Hoffpauir (LF, emergency RF), and Fuld in AAA, plus this Brad Snyder dude. Joey Gathright really needs to be on the 40 man roster? Doesn't Fuld bring the same skill set, except mostly better?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

What can the Cubs possibly get for Hill? He's working on a full big league season and one winter league stint of almost complete control of any pitch. Going back through his entire minor league career he's had to be "motivated" at various points to regain his control, and while up until 2007 it looked like he was headed in the right direction, what team is going to trade for him with an eye toward putting him on the 40-man? The only thing that's going to provide him with another opportunity from anyone is that he's left handed. The Cubs will be lucky to get a single A player in return.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

If that's the case, why not carry Hill as the second lefty in the pen and send Olson to Iowa to rack up some innings? You don't have to use the second lefty much unless he's effective, and you can always give Hill away later, or release him. Hill's really only ever had the two pitches anyway--maybe he'd make a good loogy. If it turns out he's injured, they can put him on the DL and not lose him that way. If you can't get anything of value for him, then any of these options make more sense, I think. Why sell so low when it doesn't take all that much creativity to buy time? Sure, Hill could lose more value through continued struggles, but what do you really lose in that case as opposed to now? A nondescript A-ball player?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Because he can't find the plate.....? Remember his starts with the Cubs last year. In the last 2 I believe Lou couldn't finagle him past the 2nd inning. How can he pitch either long or short when he can't throw strikes? A guy with the yips really has no value. The only value that Hill has at this point is to a team that would have the patience and time to try to work his kinks out. The Cubs have neither, and I don't think any other contender is going to take any kind of flyer on him for more than a fringe prospect.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

I'm pretty sure the Pirates have room for someone like him.

See ya later Pie, one of the most over-rated prospects in recent years. Learn how to hit a curveball and call me.

Other rumors have the Cubs taking a look at Kris Benson (while I take another look at Anna Benson) and the Orioles are supposedly not going to extend Brian Roberts, but are also likely not going to trade him. I don't want to get the whole Brian Roberts rumor mill stirred up again (or maybe I do), but why wouldn't the Orioles want to trade Brian Roberts. Unless they choose to decide the AL East by listing the teams alphabetically, Baltimore will not be contending for a division title or wildcard birth. That is pretty much a foregone conclusion (isn't it?). So why not trade Roberts for some prospects that will help the Orioles in the future. Baltimore can finish 4th or 5th in the division either with Roberts or without him.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

Had to google Anna Benson...too bad Moderate Safe Search is on at school, or i could only imagine.

also, the cubs get another player in the Pie deal... The Cubs have reached agreement with the Orioles on a deal that will send Pie to Baltimore for left-hander Garrett Olson and Class A right-hander Henry Williamson, according to major-league sources. article speculates that Olson will be 2nd lefty (after Cotts) in the pen, freeing up Marshall for the 5th starter position. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9097924/Sources:-Cubs-trade-CF-Pie-t…

Cubs should start worrying about starting pitching for this season. You can't count on Harden. So that leaves you Dempster,Lilly and half blind and sore shoulder Z. No wonder Hendry was trying to deal for Peavey.

is there any truth behind that comment about olson being flipped in the peavy package?

When rich harden comes off the DL it will be like making a trade!

I thought at the time of the trade there was an article somewhere about the A's training staff re working Harden's workout to get him away from throwing off the mound, because he was a power pitcher it wasnt as vital as it it would for a finese pitcher.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitcher reports from Thursday's A's - Cubs game at Sloan Park in Mesa, for anyone who might not have seen it: 

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 92-95
    CT: 89-91
    SPLIT: 81-84
    SL: 79-82 
    CV: 71-73 
    COMMENT: Second consecutive masterful and dominating performance by a Cubs LHSP at Sloan Park... threw 4.1 IP of shutout ball, scattering three singles, issuing no walks, and striking out nine (all nine swinging), with the other outs being four weak-contact "straight up the elevator shaft" infield pop outs... threw 70 pitches (51 strikes - 19 swing & miss!!!)... he did not throw too many pitches in any one inning (16-16-18-15-5) so he was able to avoid getting gassed... he had all of his pitches working so he was able to mix it up really well and keep A's hitters off balance...      

    CAM SANDERS
    FB: 95
    COMMENT: Relieved Imanaga with one out and a runner at 1st base in the top of the 5th, and immediately induced a slick 3-6-1 DP on his very first pitch (Sanders is an outstanding athlete)... 

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 92-94 
    SL: 78-81 
    COMMENT: Threw a shutout top of the 6th... issued a lead-off walk and then struck out two (both swinging) and got a P-5 to end the inning... 19 pitches (12 strikes - four swing & miss)... despite the lead-off walk this is the best Almonte has looked so far this spring... a few noteworthy items about Almonte are that he is making $1.9M, he is out of minor league options, he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted (but if he is outrighted and then elects free-agency he will forfeit his $1.9M salary), and if he is not outrighted by April 26th he will have accrued five years of MLB Service Time by that date and can't be sent to the minors without his consent starting on that date... 

    CARL EDWARDS JR
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 85-87
    CV: 77-78 
    COMMENT: Walked the lead-off hitter on four pitches in the top of the 7th with the Cubs up 2-0, then got a 1-3 come-backer (runner on 1st base advanced to 2nd)... an RBI single plated a run, then a K-swinging on three pitches for the second out, followed by two consecutive walks to load the bases (and end his day)... he really labored throughout the inning, needing 27 pitches - only 12 strikes (44% strikes) -  four swing & miss, three on FB, to get just two outs... also threw a WP... if he doesn't have impeccable command, CJ's his stuff is too marginal for him to be of any use to the Cubs in 2024... as a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent who signed a 2024 minor league contract, Edwards gets an automatic opt-out on Opening Day, but if he doesn't exercise the opt-out, the Cubs will probably make him a free agent anyway.., this was a bad performance by a pitcher who was on the wrong side of the bubble the day he signed with the Cubs in February... 

    DANIEL PALENCIA
    FB: 94-97
    SL/CT: 87-89
    COMMENT: Relieved Edwards with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 7th and came back from a 2-0 count to get an inning-ending F-7 FO to the warning track in LF (near grand slam)... came back out and threw a shutout top of the 8th (K-swinging on a SL, a 6-3 GO, then a two-out single, and finally another K-swinging on a SL to end the inning)... 21 pitches (14 strikes - three swing & miss)... threw eight SL/CT and two of his three swing & miss were on that pitch... FB velo was down a couple of ticks from last outing when he was hitting 99... I really like Palencia better as a multi-inning "bulk" reliever than as a one-inning "high-leverage guy" because he has the stamina for it, and he is essentially stuff over command at this point in his career... 

    EDWIN ESCOBAR
    FB: 93-94
    CH: 86
    SL: 82-83 
    COMMENT: Pitched a shutout 9th to pick up the save... Induced a 3-1 GO to start the inning, then after surrendering0 a single that brought the tying run to the plate, a L-4 DP that doubled the runner off 1st base saved the day... 12 pitches (8 strikes - no swing & miss)... once again his FB velo is good, but SL is his go-to "out" pitch...

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    The spring training GOAT is at it again!

  • crunch (view)

    bote with his 5th homer of the spring. maybe he'll get better if they send him to AA rather than AAA. meanwhile, madrigal hits singles sometimes.

  • crunch (view)

    morel HBP on the foot. he stayed in the game. he also hugged the catcher afterwards because he does stuff like that.

  • crunch (view)

    at this point i honestly believe the problem is him, not the public allegations that got dismissed or some of the other accusers that never materialized in charges.  it has to play a role in public perception and is the end of the line for some teams, but it's icing on the cake that is bauer.

    even last year in japan it got to the point a teammate had to publicly call him out on Twitter for being disrespectful.  it's like he never learns.  dude is in his 30s and he's still the self-absorbed guy he was as a 21 year old in ARZ...his only year in ARZ after pissing off everyone he could and getting traded well below his value.

    once social media became a thing beyond posting stuff on MySpace or Facebook, things only got worse for exposing his way of doing things beyond the clubhouse and field.  you can't contain the jerk-ass stuff from the public at large when he's out there showing his ass on every piece of media he can access.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Oakland A's are probably the one MLB club that could sign Trevor Bauer and not have to worry about incurring push back from their fans, since they already have alienated their fan base and don't seem to care.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    And now Ian Happ is facing RHP JosE Romero, so he is batting LH. 

  • crunch (view)

    it was reported by The Athletic that no MLB scouts were in attendance for his performance.

    i gotta imagine someone with the dodgers was paying attention to how their minor leaguers were faring vs a former cy young winner who still has stuff in his arm even if it wasn't a known MLB scout, though.

    bauer is publicly offering his services for league minimum.  it's not the money keeping him from a contract.  he just wants his foot in the door again.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Ian Happ is taking "live" BP right now on Field # 6, facing LHP Blake Weiman (so he is batting RH).

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    If a minor league player under club control does not have his minor league UPC renewed by March 15th, the player is automatically released.