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

Not So Minor Matters

Submitted by Rob G. on
The Tribune reported last weekend that Felix Pie, the undisputed number one prospect in the organisation, would be back playing for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (Double-A) as of Tuesday. But it's now Saturday, and as yet Pie has still not returned. It appears not that Pie's situation has worsened, but that Paul Sullivan had some pretty poor sources, and that Pie was never slated to return this week at all. Instead, he's still in Mesa, and remains a ways away, as the deep bone bruise to the inside of his sprained right ankle is taking its time healing. Pie sustained the injury trying to stretch out a triple on June 16th. The injury has so far cost him the chance to go to the Futures Game and the Southern League All-Star Game. That said, Pie would have attended neither had he been called up to Chicago in early July, as was Jim Hendry's crazy plan. The injury got in the way of that, thank God, because Pie is nowhere near close to being ready, and Greenberg got the call instead. Speaking of Greenberg, he has still not fully recovered from his first major league pitch, July 9th, which of course hit him in the head. Greenberg returned to play a few games for West Tennessee, but, suffering from dizziness and headaches when he plays, he's been sent to Mesa for further tests. His only consolation is a career major league on-base percentage of 1.000. Greenberg projects as a very useful fourth outfielder, for he can hit for average, draw walks, run the bases well and play defence at all three outfield positions. At least Adam Greenberg has had a taste of the majors, even if it was a short and very painful one. Angel Guzman tore the labrum in his right shoulder in 2003 in what was supposed to be one of his final minor league appearances before promotion to the big leagues. Fully healthy again in Spring Training this year, and expected to be up for good by May or June, Guzman then went down with a strained right forearm and later developed inflammation in his elbow. The injuries had kept him sidelined all year, but on Thursday Guzman was finally back. He started for the Arizona League Cubs in Rookie Ball, throwing 2 innings and 25 pitches, allowing one single and striking out four, his power-sinker of a fastball averaging 94mph, just a tick or two down on his velocity before the injuries. Guzman will now pitch every fifth day the rest of the year, and then head to the Arizona Fall League. If he can stay healthy, his three plus pitches (fastball, curve, changeup), his superb control and his well-regarded makeup on the mound make him an extremely good bet to be an above average major leaguer.

Comments

Submitted by chifan3887 on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:20 am

Thanks for clearing up that Pie sitution. I guess this means no September call-up or making the team out of ST next year. With Guzman do you think there is a chance he could get a call-up in September to work in the pen if he does well in the next few weeks.

Submitted by Gregory on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:23 am

Pie's injury could be a blessing in disguise. Too many ledge-dwellers in Cubs Nation were ready to just hand Pie the CF job once the team's fortunes went south this season. His injury keeps his mythical status as the Great Unseen Future Cubs Superstar intact, since it meant that we won't see the reality -- a badly-overmatched kid still struggling to learn selectivity at the plate -- destroy that myth in Wrigley Field this season.

Submitted by DC Tom on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:26 am

ChiFan, I think Guzman is possible for otherwise-worthless-last-week-of-season action. The Cubs are virtually forced to carry Guzman on the 25-man roster next year, as he will be out of options and would not clear waivers. So Hendry might want to see him pitch a few major league innings this Fall if only to be able to have more data points for next Spring. Who else do the Cubs plan to send to the Arizona Fall League -- does anyone know?

Submitted by jacos on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:36 am

Who else do the Cubs plan to send to the Arizona Fall League -- does anyone know? How about the 2005 team?

Submitted by John Hill on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:43 am

If he's healthy again, Pie probably almost certainly be up in September, but only after the Jaxx are finished with the Southern League playoffs, for which they've already qualified as first half champions of their division. The earliest the Jaxx will be done is the 9th, but I believe that their playoff run could go on as late as the 18th. As for Angel Guzman, there's absolutely no chance of him being up this year. The Cubs want him to start every fifth day, because he needs to gradually rebuild up his arm strength, rediscover his game, and stay healthy. Asking him to do that at a level he's never before faced would be ludicrous.

Submitted by chifan3887 on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:00 am

"As for Angel Guzman, there's absolutely no chance of him being up this year. The Cubs want him to start every fifth day, because he needs to gradually rebuild up his arm strength, rediscover his game, and stay healthy. Asking him to do that at a level he's never before faced would be ludicrous." I was not saying as a starter I agree that would be stupid. I was talking about the pen where he will most likely be because 2/5 of your rotation being Guzman and Wood is not a good thing with their injury pasts because you will have to overpay for a quality 6th starter.

Submitted by Wellitz Aboutime on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:09 am

I'm glad to see Angel Guzman pitching again. He's the Cub version of Rex Grossman. John Hill: where do you rank Guzman at this moment in terms of Cub prospects, particularly pitching prospects. I recall baseball america ranked Dopirak #1 with Pie, Harvey at 2/3 and Guzman down to #4 from being #1 the previous year. The 5-10 BA rankings were: Petrick, Pinto, Marshall, Leister, Johnson and Dubois. Obviously 8, 9 and 10 were iffy calls and I think TCR preseason roundtable pantsed the BA staff on the prospect calls. So we've seen virtually none of the ranked prospects (except Dubois) although I'm interested to see if Rich Hill in in the top ten list now. and as as aside-- The Braves top ten list from BA this year was: Francoeur, Marte, McCann, Davies, Lerew, Stevens, Hernandez, Johnson, Saltalamacchia and Boyer. So three of these have played key roles...Jeff Francoeur, Kyle Davies and Kelly Johnson. Sigh...why can't the Cub organization be so productive? Dopirek has had an off year from what I've heard. What's the word on Harvey's season? I'm sure he's a long way from the majors but the Cubs could use a player with Adam Dunn potential in a corner outfield. also updates on your take on Petrick, Pinto and Marshall seasons would be nice.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:37 am

JH: "The injury got in the way of that, thank God, because Pie is nowhere near close to being ready, and Greenberg got the call instead." Hendry did the same thing with Hill and look at how disasterous that was: Hill: 21 IP, 24 hits, 13 BB, 21 K, 1.76 WHIP and 8.57 ERA He has the 2nd worst ERA on the team this year and Koronka actually had better numbers...scary!! Yeah his curve looked killer at times, but these MLB'ers have rarely seen a curve like that and still they caught on to him. he still has lots of work to do and hoepfully we don't see him till end of 2006 at earliest. Liek I posted when he got called up it was a mistake to rush him up after never playing above A ball coming into this year. Hopefully Hendry doesn't keep continue making these mistakes with the minor leaguers. I know he and many Cubs fans fall in love with these guys and think they are WAY better than they are (Hill, Dubois, Choi), but let them develop to the capacity and then move them up if there is a spot, or trade them.

Submitted by Bleeding Blue on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:22 am

Of course, Manny, you're trying to make the case that Hill got shelled everytime he pitched because he wasn't ready. And we both know those inflated numbers come from 2 innings of bad pitching that overshadow everything else when your sample size is 21 innings. Get rid of Hill's second inning vs. the Mets and the 4th inning of his last outing and his ERA falls from 8.57 to a respectable 3.48. If that's not a sign a guy can get people out once through the order, but struggles the second time around, I don't know what is. The problem isn't that Hill isn't ready, its that he was impropery used. He's not a MLB starter, and will never be, but he's certainly got the stuff right now to be a quality reliever.

Submitted by John Hill on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:44 am

Cubster, if healthy, Guzman is comfortably the best pitching prospect in the organisation. Despite for all intents and purposes having missed two and a half seasons by the time Spring Training next year roles around, Guzman will still be just 24. And no-one else in the organisation has his combination of stuff, control and makeup. He projects as a top of the rotation starter, and all that's stood in the way of him achieving that so far have been injuries. But those injuries are a very big concern. The fact that he's had shoulder, elbow and forearm problems already in his career is extremely troubling. The Cubs will be taking things easy with him for a while. I've heard a lot of talk that Angel Guzman will be out of options next year, and therefore will need to make the major league roster or pass through waivers. This is not true. Guzman was added to the 40-man roster on 29th October 2003 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft that winter. Since he was optioned in 2004 and 2005, his third and final option year will be 2006. Regarding Rich Hill, that in the majors he's been strictly fastball and curve really makes me wonder just how good his cutter and change-up really are. Without one of them as a third pitch, he definately doesn't have a major league future as a starter. It doesn't need to be a great pitch, just good enough that he's able to throw it when he wants and where he wants to keep hitters off balance. That in turn will improve the effectiveness of his fastball, which isn't anything special. What is special though is his curveball, obviously. It's easily an above average major league pitch. His curveball's good enough that he should be able to fashion a career for himself in the bullpen even without a third pitch. The key will always be getting that curveball across for strikes. He can't rely just on hitters chasing it outside the zone. If he gets behind in counts and has to revert to the unspectacular fastball too much, he'll get in trouble both in terms of hits and walks. And if that happens, he may not even be that great a lefty reliever. Hill really has to be to refine a third pitch to the extent that he's comfortable throwing it in the major leagues. But time isn't on his side, he's already 25. Developing and improving pitches and control of them takes time. All of that is why despite the strikeout numbers, he really isn't a great prospect. Top ten? Maybe, but probably towards the back end of it. Brian Dopirak has had an awful year, hitting .245/.301/.392 in 471 plate appearances at Daytona (High-A). He's hit 21 doubles and 14 home runs, so the power hasn't completely disappeared, but 89 strikeouts to 34 walks have really dampened his average and on-base percentage. He has big problems hitting breaking balls, his defence at first base is poor, and, oh, he's 1-for-5 in stealing bases this year. He's still only 21, so it's too early to write his entire career off, but let's just say that he's not going to be featuring at the top of any prospect lists any time soon. His star, which was mainly attributable to his 40 home run major league potential, has really fallen. I am really down on Ryan Harvey too. His season line reads .270/.318/.511 in 426 plate appearances at Peoria (Low-A), with 21 home runs, 21 walks (4 intentional) and 108 strikeouts. Yes, he has enormous power - he puts on shows in batting practice, he can absolutely crush a fastball, and he also won the Midwest League home run derby this year - but besides a sensational arm in right field and good athleticism, that's literally all there is to his hitting. 17 non-intentional walks and 108 strikeouts, in Low-A for crying out loud, that really says it all about his impatience and the fact he can't hit breaking balls at all. If I were the Cubs, I'd be peddling Harvey to anyone that would listen right now, because while if he makes the major leagues he's likely to have a real impact, I rate his chances of reaching the bigs as extremely small.

Submitted by 433 on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:49 am

Guys, before you lament the lack of major league products that the Cubs' farm system has generated, don't forget that besides Zambrano and Prior (and don't forget Wood and Maddux, sort of), Derrek Lee and Aramiz Ramirez (and Nomar, sort of) are, in reality, products of the farm system as well. A prospect's value lies in his ability to contribute to the major league team either as a player or as part of a trade package, and Bobby Hill, Hee Seop Choi, F. Beltran and others did their job by being good enough prospects to allow us to bring in these other guys via trade. The Cubs' farm system has performed pretty well, taking everything into acount, in recent years.

Submitted by Rock on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:40 am

You guys are silly. you really think that a GM calling a guy up to the ML is disastrous to that player's production or future productivity? INSANE. Furthermore, anyone who thinks the Cubs have any OF in their system at all that is better than Pie is equally insane. He's easily the best OF we have anywhere in the system. If you think the Cubs can go out and sign 3 OF's for next year who are better then that's fine that they keep Pie down in the minors, but you're living in a dream world if you think that will happen. Besides, the Cubs chances of winning next year are equally as bad, probably even worse, than they were this year. Give the kids the playing time and let them develop. Take your chances in 2008 or 2009 because anything before that is actually as laughable as those who still think the Cubs have a chance this year (or ever thought they had a chance this year for that matter).

Submitted by Rock on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:42 am

Cubs fans crack me up. There is no wonder that so many team's fans around say that Cubs fans are the most ignorant fans in the world. After reading some of this, I have to agree.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:22 am

"Pie's injury could be a blessing in disguise" absolutely...imo... hendry's pretty dead set on getting this kid up for a taste...honestly, i'd rather see him come up in sept. if anything...save those options and service time, imo... he's obviously not mlb-ready, though for his age he's quite advanced. i have nothing against him getting a taste since its obvious we're gonna see him on/off in 06/07, but no need to rush a raw product just to pay him big early.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:49 am

MLB FREE-AGENTS AFTER 2005 SEASON: ** Jeromy Burnitz (mutual option, with club buy-out) Chad Fox Nomar Garciaparra Ben Grieve Ryan Dempster Todd Hollandsworth Matt Lawton **** Greg Maddux (vesting option for 2006 at 187.1 IP) Neifi Perez *** Glendon Rusch (player option) * Todd Walker (club option, or possible vesting option) * Scott Williamson (club option) SIGNED FOR 2006: Michael Barrett - $4m Henry Blanco - $1.5m ** Jermoy Burnitz - $6m (mutual option, with $500,000 buy-out) Derrek Lee - $8.67m **** Greg Maddux - $9m Aramis Ramirez - $10.5m *** Glendon Rusch - $2m +$1.2m in bonuses for games started (player option) * Todd Walker - $2.5m (club option, or vesting option based on ??? minimum plate appearances) * Scott Williamson - $2m (club option) Kerry Wood - $12m TOTAL FOR PLAYERS SIGNED FOR 2006 ñ $60m (approximate) FREE-AGENTS AFTER 2006 SEASON: Henry Blanco Jeromy Burnitz Jerry Hairston, Jr Derrek Lee Jose Macias Greg Maddux Aramis Ramirez (player option for 2007) Glendon Rusch Todd Walker Scott Williamson Kerry Wood (club option for 2007 with $300,000 buy-out, or vesting option for 2007 if 400 IP in 2005-06) ELIGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION AFTER 2005 SEASON: : Jerry Hairston, Jr - $1.8m (+$300,000 in incentives) salary in 2005 Jose Macias - $830,000 salary in 2005 Will Ohman - $325,000 salary in 2005 Corey Patterson - $2.8m 2005 Mark Prior - $3.55m salary in 2005 Carlos Zambrano - $3.76m salary in 2005 NOTE: Jerome Williams could qualify for arbitration as ìSuper Twoî ñ TBD AUTO-RENEWAL FOR 2006 (PRE-ARBITRATION) Davis Aardsma Ronny Cedeno Mike Fontenot Adam Greenberg Angel Guzman Rich Hill John Koronka # Jon Leicester Richard Lewis # Sergio Mitre Matt Murton Roberto Novoa Renyel Pinto Russ Rohlicek Geovany Soto # Todd Wellemeyer Jerome Williams (or could qualify for arbitraion as ìSuper Twoî- TBD) Michael Wuertz # OUT OFMINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS AS OF SPRING TRAINING 2006: Jon Leicester Sergio Mitre Todd Wellemeyer ONE OPTION YEAR LEFT AS OF SPRING TRAINING 2006: David Aardsma Ronny Cedeno Angel Guzman Richard Lewis Roberto Novoa Will Ohman (must clear waivers to be optioned) Corey Patterson (must clear waivers to be optioned) Renyel Pinto TWO OPTION YEARS LEFT AS OF SPRING TRAINING 2006: Mike Fontenot Rich Hill John Koronka Mark Prior (must clear waivers to be optioned) Russ Rohlicek Geovany Soto Michael Wuertz (ONE OPTION YEAR LEFT if he is optioned to minors prior to 9-1-05) Carlos Zambrano (must clear waivers tro be optioned THREE OPTION YEARS LEFT AS OF NEXT SPRING TRAINING Adam Greenberg (TWO OPTION YEARS LEFT if he is optioned to minors prior to 9-1-05) Matt Murton (TWO OPTION YEARS LEFT if he is optioned to minors prior to 9-1-05) PLAYERS ON 25-MAN ROSTER MOST LIKELY TO BE DROPPED PRIOR TO 2005 RULE 5 DRAFT: John Koronka Jon Leicester Richard Lewis Russ Rohlicek PLAYERS MOST LIKELY TO BE ADDED TO 40-MAN ROSTER PRIOR TO RULE 5 DRAFT: Bobby Brownlie Carlos Marmol Sean Marshall Ricky Nolasco Felix Pie Jae-kuk Ryu Brandon Sing (or else six-year minor league free-agent) Jermaine Van Buren (or else six-year minor league free-agent OTHERS WHO COULD BE ADDED TO 40-MAN ROSTER: Brian Dopirak Scott Moore Andy Shipman SIX-YEAR MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENTS (10 DAYS AFTER CLOSE OF MLB REGULAR SEASON): Cliff Bartosh Enrique Cruz Nate Frese Talley Haines Mark Johnson David Kelton Casey Kopitzke Tim Lavery Michael Mallory Scott McClain Kevin McGlinchy Calvin Murray Phil Norton Cody Ransom Brandon Sing Jermaine Van Buren Aron Weston Enrique Wilson ELIGIBLE FOR RULE 5 DRAFT (DECEMBER 2005): Josh Arteaga Thomas Atlee Dwaine Bacon Federico Baez Chadd Blasko Bobby Brownlie Rocky Cherry Robinson Chirinos Matt Clanton Buck Coats Kevin Collins Jon Connolly Matt Craig Matt Creighton Brian Dopirak Yorkin Ferreras Jacob Fox Jordan Gerk Lee Gwaltney Luke Hagerty Micah Hoffpauir Nic Jackson J.. J. Johnson Aaron Krawiec Drew Larsen Carlos Marmol Sean Marshall Juan Mateo Casey McGehee Luis Montanez Scott Moore Ricky Nolasco Sean OíMalley Paul OíToole Billy Petrick Felix Pie Carmen Pignatiello Victor Ramos Robert Ransom Clay Rapada Jose Reyes Alan Rick Carlos Rojas Jae-kuk Ryu Jonathan Searles Andy Shipman Aaron Sisk Jemel Spearman Jason Szuminski Anderson Tavarez Ryan Theriot Raul Valdez Carlos Vazquez Chris Walker Randy Wells Jason Wylie CUBS MINOR LEAGUERS MOST LIKELY TO BE LOST IN 2005 RULE 5 DRAFT: 1. RHP Andy Shipman (AA) - AA closers with potential are always popular among the have-nots. 2. C-3B Casey McGehee (AA) - versatile player with smooth line-drive stroke 3. OF Luis Montanez (AA) - former #1 pick finally starting to hit in his 6th season in system NOTE: It's also possible that (if left unprotected) Brian Dopirak or Scott Moore could be lost in Rule 5 Draft, but with both of them coming out of Hi-A (FSL), it's unlikely either will be ready to hit major league pitching next season (see Jason Dubois Spring Training with Toronto Blue Jays in 2003), and since neither can pinch-run or play late-inning defense, they would be unlikely to stick with drafting team for an entire season.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:57 am

phil...that was kinda vauge...can you explain further? hehe...thanks for the trouble/list/etc.

Submitted by John Hill on Sat, 08/13/2005 - 08:08 pm

Rock, what exactly is to be gained from promoting a player to a level where he is going to be overmatched?

Submitted by John Hill on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:07 am

What a weird list. Just as one of many examples, Zach Duke 14th but Chad Billingsley 38th?

Submitted by Eric the Great on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:53 am

Anyone that thinks Dopirak or Harvey are the "real deal" are fools. I've seen them both play, have you? Guzman. Healthy. Hah. I was yelling and screaming this summer to trade Hill when his value was so high, he'll never amount to much in the bigs. But once again, the Cubs hold on too long, and now he has little value. He has a big curve, big deal. Until this season, he's never shown the ability to throw strikes consistently, and now, that tendency is back. Oh yeah, he's also OLDER than Carlos Zambrano, you think he's much of a prospect now?? I think the only legit prospect in the ENTIRE organization is Felix Pie, MAYBE David Aardsma, MAYBE Eric Patterson. I do like the Cubs 1st round pick this year though, Pawelek, Let's see how long it takes the Cubs to screw up his mechanics and get him injured!!

Submitted by John Hill on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:04 pm

I think you'll find Pawelek's mechanics were a mess even before he was drafted, Eric.

Submitted by chifan3887 on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:23 pm

I don't think their is a HS kid in the country who has sound mechanics. I think or hope the Cubs are working with him on that because he is in the top five of our pitching prosecpts. Along with Marshall, Gallager, Pinto, and Nolasco. Guzman in their too when healthy and let's hope he stays healthy from now on.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:48 pm

harvey's a very young guy with insane power...his numbers may look ordinary, and in the case of k/bb not very pretty...but the power is huge and his D supposedly isnt too bad. even if he's a guy that dont get a taste for another 3/4 years, he's still got a high ceiling and already showing the power part...hopefully he can get the rest of his game more rounded. his age and relative power is where his rank/value lies currently, not cuz he's anywhere near mlb-ready.

Submitted by wellhedge on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:40 pm

Huh? Is Morgan smoking crack? Looked totally fair to me? Am I alone? Looked totally fair...?!

Submitted by wellhedge on Sun, 08/14/2005 - 08:42 pm

Boo......!!!

Submitted by SaxFax on Mon, 08/15/2005 - 08:54 am

Remember . . . the scouting report on Dopirak the day he was drafted also included the remark that he "could flame out at Double A." His 2004 season made most of us forget that was still a possibility. The Marlin's Jason Stokes also had huge power numbers in the Midwest League and then a much more difficult time at higher levels. We ought to view sluggers in the MWL with greater skepticism. After all, it's still just Low A.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil:
    Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
     

  • crunch (view)

    masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around.  i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I THINK I agree with that decision. They committed to Wicks as a starter and, while he hasn’t been stellar I don’t think he’s been bad enough to undo that commitment.

    That said, Wesneski’s performance last night dictates he be the next righty up.

    Quite the dilemma. They have many good options, particularly in relief, but not many great ones. And complicating the situation is that the pitchers being paid the most are by and large performing the worst - or in Taillon’s case, at least to this point, not at all.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Wesneski and Mastrobuoni to Iowa

    Taillon and Wisdom up

    Wesneski can't pitch for a couple of days after the 4 IP from last night. But Jed picked Wicks over Wesneski.

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