Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

25-Man Roster Update

Submitted by Rob G. on
AZ Phil's Cubs Depth Chart | Cubs Reserve List (40-man Roster)

Let's take a revised look at what we might expect the Cubs Opening Day Roster to look like after the recent series of moves.

Starters

C - Geovany Soto
1B - Derrek Lee
2B - *Mike Fontenot
3B - Aramis Ramirez
SS - Ryan Theriot
LF - Alfonso Soriano
CF - *Kosuke Fukudome
RF - #Milton Bradley

Bench

C - *Paul Bako
OF - Reed Johnson
OF - *Joey Gathright
INF - #Aaron Miles
INF/OF - *Micah Hoffpauir

Starting Pitching

#1 - Carlos Zambrano
#2 - Ryan Dempster
#3 - *Ted Lilly
#4 - Rich Harden
#5 - Aaron Heilman

Bullpen

#1 (Closer) - Carlos Marmol
#2 (Set-Up) - Kevin Gregg
#3 - Luis Vizcaino
#4 - *Neal Cotts
#5 - Chad Gaudin
#6 - Angel Guzman
#7 - *Sean Marshall

Moving Wuertz opens up a spot in the bullpen for the loser of the 5th starter job and sometime during spring training, Lou is going to say he wants two lefties in the pen. Hoffpauir gets the final bench spot at the moment, that is until they sign Rich Aurilia, Nomar Garciaparra or Kevin Millar. If Harden starts the year on the disabled list, then I'd expect Marshall in the rotation and Jeff Samardzija or an NRI invitee to take the final bullpen spot. Of course, Samardzija may end up with a starter's job and Heilman and/or Marshall will end up in the pen. 

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Cubs Roster

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:10 pm

phew...that pen is gonna walk some guys. and hopefully guzman wont give up 1000000 homers.

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Submitted by CPH2133 on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:27 pm

Biggest problem with letting Wood walk is now you take your top "Come in in a bind and strike out three clowns" guy and move him from being flexible to being labeled "The Closer"...now he only pitches in the 9th, so we'll bring in Gregg/Vizciano/Scrub and they'll give up the runs and will make having Marmol available in the 9th a moot point. The pen screams mediocrity and that isn't good for a contending team.

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Submitted by CPH2133 on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:16 pm

"Lou gives less than a shit about your fantasy team." Sorry The Joe, not everyone can be TCR Keeper Champion/Runner-Up like you. Some of us are still in the little leagues playing public leagues over at Yahoo. One day I aspire to be like the man, the myth, and the legendary fantasy baseball player that is The Joe.

Submitted by kmokeefe on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:24 pm

Can somebody explain to me why Hoffpauir will be on the outside looking in? To my knowledge he's done nothing but hit the cover off the ball at the major league level, and he's not really at an age where time in the minors will help him anymore.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:28 pm

let me preface this as it's not my idea...

But Hoffpauir does have options and might be better suited to start off in Iowa in case of an injury, plus he's a one position player - 1B. The Cubs seem to have soured on the lefty pinch-hitter with power since they got a little more left-handed now and they might be worried that Hoffpauir will struggle with very limited at-bats.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:39 pm

if you broke down any hitter by how they did 100-150 PA's at a time, I'm sure a lot had lines that looked like Daryle Ward. Counting on a pinch-hitter to repeat his performance year-to-year is foolish...

He had good AB's, walked a lot as no one wanted to pitch to him, which probably set up Soriano and the top of the order for more opportunities than they should have expected.

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Submitted by CPH2133 on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:45 pm

"He had good AB's, walked a lot as no one wanted to pitch to him, which probably set up Soriano and the top of the order for more opportunities than they should have expected." They walked Ward so they could throw two curveballs in the dirt and an eye high fastball to Soriano to get out of the inning... I kid I kid, I understand with a small sample size it's hard to take averages for what they're worth (shit Fukudome was batting .500 at one point least season) Just seems to me that they're looking for a bit more versatility out of that last roster spot than The Hoff...for whatever its worth.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:16 pm

Not your idea? I remember when you first said it, the first time Aurilia's name surfaced. You may have started the rumor that there was an open spot on the roster, temporarily filled by Hoffpauir. You had me scared for a while, but then Uribe signed a minor-league contract with somebody else, and I just figured the Cubs were looking for someone to stash in Iowa in case Ramirez got injured. Anyway, on a different subject, let me toss this out concerning Vizcaino. A guy who makes upwards of $4 million is automatically on the major-league roster. Normally. But Vizcaino may be different. It may be that the Cubs don't like him much, but were given these two options by the Rockies: pay half of Marquis' salary, or pay one million and then also pay Vizcaino. They would have shelled out the same amount either way. They opted for the warm body. That doesn't mean he's in their plans. They do have to try to make Vizcaino attractive for a few months (so they can pay only $2 million for someone else to take him), so maybe he has to be on the 25-man. I just don't think they necessarily like him at all.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:27 pm

Not your idea?

I remember when you first said it, the first time Aurilia's name surfaced. You may have started the rumor that there was an open spot on the roster, temporarily filled by Hoffpauir.

Reality is calling, please pick up....

http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1000/blog?id=3738908&post…

The Cubs are still looking for a right-handed hitting infielder/1B-3B backup. Names that have come up for the Cubs are Kevin Millar and Rich Aurilia. The team had shown early interest in Nomar Garciaparra, but were told that he was looking for more of a full-time position. The team also inquired about the availability of former White Sox SS Juan Uribe before he signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:16 pm

The ESPN link is dated 1/30. I was referring to something you wrote on the 15th.
"The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia's agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Cedeno's spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee." Whose spot was Cedeno going to take though? I'm starting to wonder if Micah Hoffpauir is on the outside looking in at a roster spot.
Nothing wrong with connecting the dots, I just said you were the first to connect Aurilia et al. to Hoffpauir.

Submitted by Jackstraw on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:46 pm

In a recent thread somebody raised the point that "Lou hates pitchers". I'm not sure of that, but I do think he hates relievers who walk guys. Hence reliance on HR Howry last year. #5 starter comes down to Heilman or Gaudin, with whomever shows better control actually going to the bullpen. I guess Heilman. I think Marshall will get the least look for the #5 starter, since Lou has talked about liking him in the swing role. I also think by the time it shakes out it will be Samrdizja--Marmol-Gregg to finish games. So either Vizcaino goes somewhere (I assume with the Cubs paying part of his salary) or Guzman goes. I also think Hoffpauir starts the year at AAA to stay sharp. His primary value to the Cubs (at least in management's mind) is as a regular fill-in for D Lee if he gets hurt, rather than as a 24th man. Better to play at Iowa and be only a phone call away.

Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:13 pm

Ramirez is now on the wrong side of 30, and has averaged 140 games a year for the past five seasons. Miles is the only backup 3B on the roster, and is best suited for 2B-SS. We need a guy who can backup both 3B and 1B and provide a litle PH thump off the bench. Hoffpauir simply can't fill that role.

Submitted by spongebob on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:32 pm

Speaking of Fantasy Baseball....we should have a Cubs Report fantasy league! Thoughts on that guys?

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:00 pm

well, if you look at the 2 signatures above you, you'll notice there are a few around already. I think Transmission runs some as well. We had 2 leagues going on mlb.com last year, that were low maintenance, so might bring that up again.

I'm a bit stretched thin, so I probably won't be starting anything new up this year. Others are welcome to schill their leagues in the comments though or start a new one.

Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:38 pm

Doug Mientkiewicz is another fallback option ---- he also an anagram for Samardzija in Belarus, nyet?

Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 02:36 pm

Concern: If Marshall swings to the rotation, is Cotts the only lefty option in the pen? Beimel never sounded so adequate.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

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