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

The Player to Be Named Later Might be Named Cash

It was hinted at when the rumors first popped up, but the story from Spencer Fordin at MLB.com confirms that the player to be named later in the Rich Hill deal will be contingent on his performance.

That future return will be tied to how Hill performs as an Oriole, and in some potential circumstances, it could even be a cash transaction. 

Fangraphs takes a look at the trade as well, although I have issues with the suggestion that Hill should just throw more change-ups and "diversify his repertoire". If it was that simple, he would have already been doing it. Anyone that has followed him knows that his change-up and cutter are very poor offerings that he has trouble controlling and more importantly for the pitcher, believing that he can get it by a hitter.

Comments

We have some guys like Hill in our system too, guys we've gotten from other clubs in trades and guys like Ryan Harvey that have big holes in their swings. Guys that looked like "can't miss" prospects who missed. My sense is that Hill will perform poorly in spring training - when his performance is bad enough to clear waviers he will be sent down and play a couple more years in minor league ball. I'm surprised that Corey Patterson isn't already on that career path.

from Rotoworld: "We haven't set a deadline yet," GM Ned Colletti said "These situations can change in an instant." Meanwhile, we imagine that Manny is wondering why a GM that gave Jason Schmidt and his damaged shoulder a three-year deal and Juan Pierre a five-year contract is being so strict about going short-term with him. Colletti reportedly spent months in the burn unit at Cedar Sinai after each of those deals. In fact there are plaques over several of the beds: 3/44, 5/50.

[ ]

In reply to by allinginge

I was there at the very beginning last year waiting in the virtual waiting room and was there for a couple of hours. At that point a lot of weekend games were sold out. I wasn't picky last year so it didn't matter for me, but if you need a particular game you might be chancing it. If you do get them online though, yes, you can just print the tickets out right on your computer at home. I know last year many reported on here that they got tired of waiting online and called instead and got right through, so that might be an option.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

"I know last year many reported on here that they got tired of waiting online and called instead and got right through, so that might be an option." Yea, I waited online for about 3 hours and decided to call while waiting. Picked up after about 5 minutes on hold and bought some tickets (then again it was for an early April game) but still was able to speak with the representative no problem. That'd be the best best I'd figure.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Kinda bums me out, although it doesn't surprise me. I watched Bonds quite a bit while I lived in SF. I don't want to dredge up the argument about how bat speed and the ability to take a pitch can't be affected by steroids. Everyone has made up their minds about that argument. Plus, everybody hates Bonds. I don't. I enjoyed the fuck out of watching him build PacBell Park (now called Some Telecommunications Firm Park). I've never seen a player be able to sit back on a pitch as long as he did and then just bury it when he decided he liked it. What pisses me off is that he didn't need to do this. He might not have broken the HR record without steroids, but he would have made the Hall of Fame. Now, there's a good chance he won't. What an oaf.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Exactly. I moved to the Bay Area about 13 years ago and I discovered one thing. If Barry Bonds can't rid me of being a Cubs fan, nobody can. But I enjoyed watching that dude hit. It was unbelievable. Okay, maybe it's alright to dredge up the steroids debate. Cuz they'll never be another hitter like that, I don't think, and steroids didn't do it. That's why I just don't get why he did it. I guess it was just to help him deal with ... something. Really, I have no idea. When he was a skinny bastard playing for Pittsburgh he was pretty damn good, and I've lifted enough weights (weighed 135 in college and went to 190 without even protein drinks) that I know you don't HAVE to do steroids to put on bulk. Very odd to me.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

There's a correlation between bat speed and strength... This is why you don't see 6'4 180 lb guys hitting 50 HR's a year in the majors. Also HGH is supposed to improve eyesight. There was a pretty convincing article a couple years ago about how his arm brace also attributed to him putting up those great numbers. He and Biggio had those ridiculous things grandfathered in, and the game is better now that they're gone. I never saw Ted Williams play, and I guess for him and Ruth they played by similiar rules to Bonds, but for about 6 years, you would never see anything but a fastball called for a strike against Bonds and his strikezone was about the size of a dinner plate. It was always the damndest thing to me, because public opinion would imply that Bonds (sort of like Bradley) wasn't well likes, and you would imagine that the umpires would pick up on that, instead they made a new set of the Jordan Rules for him.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Well the fact that you find it foolish, and no one is hounding him (besides his whack-job brother I guess), probably should tell you something. It was a defacto admission, without opening himself to legal action or intense public scrutiny. It was the smart thing to do. If he "came clean" in your sense MLB could, in theory, erase his records, as well as exposing himself to have various DA's around the country prosecute him, sort of like Michael Phelps is experiencing now.

It will be interesting to see what happens to roger Clemens. To me, the evidence against Roger is every bit as strong. So if Roger escapes prosecution, you really have to question some governmental motives. Ultimately this reeks of a witch-hunt, dog and pony show. Marion Jones had to pay her debt. Raffy Palmiero didn't have to pay. As much as I hate the race card. You can't really even debate with someone who pulls it on this whole steroids/balco mess.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I guess everyone has their own opinion, but, again, with Clemens, I just think the dude was killer. I guess they (Bonds and Clemens) thought they couldn't excel into "old age" if they didn't do steroids. That part is possible, and it's a fair argument their detractors will use. I'm old enough that I guess I think if some idiot is willing to sacrifice his body and drop a few drops of steroids to make his body last a bit longer as an athlete, and I get to enjoy the beauty of the results, I'm okay with it. They'll end up with cancer or something, and that's a big price to pay. Their decision. We fans crave amazing excellence, and are really as culpable as the players in perpetuating this thing.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I know it was been mentioned as a possibility. But I have yet to see an actual indictment against Clemens. And FWIW, I'm not sure what this new "evidence really changes anything in the Bonds case? He said that he took the "cream and the clear" but that he didn't know it was Steroids. He took a random/annonymous screening given to him by MLB. He passed it at the time. Now 6 years later its tested and he failed? What exactly does that prove? He said he took steroids "unknowingly". If they told him he passed in 2003. Then as far as proof goes, he has no burden on him. The whole thing reeks of Dog and Pony show. Especially with the way the Govenment went after Marion Jones and Bonds. Yet have not done anything with Palmeiro or Clemens up to this point.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

There isn't a double standard going on here. Jones and Bones were both part of the BALCO investigation and testified before the grand jury. You can't lie to a grand jury in a major federal investigation and not be expected to be indicted on perjury charges. Jones in fact pled guilty to doing so. Clemens was never a part of a federal investigation at all. Ironically, the only reason he is even being pursued now is because he requested to speak before Congress and then lied to them - which is stupid to do. If they determine he lied to Congress he will also be indicted on similar charges. Were just not there yet. Palmeiro testified in March 2005, long before his positive test in August. Congress began an investigation into similar perjury charges, but could find no evidence of steroid use BEFORE his testimony before Congress - or he'd be in the same boat.

Just saw on the bottom line on ESPNEWS that A-Ram told the Dominican he didn't want to play in the WBC since A-Rod joined the team. Guess it makes sense - not really anywhere else for Rammy to play with Pujols, Hanley, and Reyes also in that infield. Not like they're going to move A-Rod to short with those two on the roster. EDIT: Pretty nasty pitching staff for that group. Can start Edinson Volquez, Ubaldo, Cueto, and Ervin Santana. You can follow them with some order of Coco Cordero, Valverde, Marmol, and K-Rod. Yikes.

I'm not sure I'd call the Mays the best all around player though. He was awesome, no doubt about it. We talk about this at work all the time, who are your top 5 players of all time? I think my top five would probably be #1 Ruth #2 Williams #3 Mantle #4 Cobb #5 Mays

Playing devil's advocate, the 1920's-1930s were an offensive boom era. Before the new baseballs introduced then, the leader had barely over 100 HR's I believe 103...Gavvy Cravath? (it was 119) Ruth was amazing, period. Mays had more speed, and heck...he lost 2 seasons to being in the Army. They were both great players.

How many topics can we cover in 105 posts? Isn't there a rule covering that? Need another shot of expresso...I'm Daffy, Dizzy, Dean. SO if Rich Hill becomes a world beater, do we get Brian Roberts as PTBNL? I LOVE this game!

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).