Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Spring Training Invites

The Cubs have invited the following players to Spring Training to join previous NRIs Marqius Grissom, Augie Ojeda, and Michael Restovich: * OF Adam Greenberg * RHP Bobby Brownlie * LHP Carmen Pignatiello * LHP Raul Valdez * RHP Randy Wells * C Dennis Anderson * C Jake Fox * IF Casey McGehee * 1B Brandon Sing * OF Buck Coats Arizona Phil mentioned most of these guys a few days ago, and none of them has a chance to make the team, but it will be great to see Brownlie throwing in Mesa. It's not much news, but it is actual news about the 2006 season. Pitchers and catchers report on February 15th, and the first Cactus League game is on March 2nd against the A's. That's only 55 days away! PS: I didn't open comments on the Frappr post because I didn't figure it was worth discussing. I guess I should have realized that you guys will talk about anything. At least that's one post where the comments aren't full of Miguel Tejada rumors...

Comments

Brewers just traded for Corey Koskie from Toronto for who knows what (Righty Brian Wolfe). Looks like Bill Hall will not be their starting 3B. Sheesh, Hendry couldn't even make the first Corey trade of 2006.

cubster--where'd you see/hear that at? (always looking for new ways to find the fresh news)

d.anderson is a 27/28 year old catcher from florida's AA system, btw...found my own answer. heavy emphesis on "nothing special"

So it turns out that the Cubs didn't spend anywhere near $100 million on team salary last year. The MLB home office report is in and it was closer to $76MM (please, no need to point out what the $o$a fiasco did to the Cubs bankroll. We know. We know), or 7th in the National League behind the Mets(104), Phillies(95), Dodgers(88), Cardinals(87), Braves(86), and Giants(83). So it looks like we got exactly what we paid for... substantial mediocrity. However before someone else mentions it, for the same money the Astros(76) went to the World Series where they got whipped by the even more productive White Sox who were an absolute steal at a low low $73 million. Amazing how far you can go with pitching and defense and an average budget.

Pitching and defense? You mean like with Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano?

The Brewers have made some nice moves this offseason, to compliment good moves the last two years. Melvin would be a good choice for Cub's GM when Hendry is fired. I think with a well-timed injury in Stl or Hou, Mil has a legitimate shot at winning the division. If their 3 key kids play well (Fielder, Weeks, and Hardy), they should finish ahead of the Cubs.

"Pitching and defense? You mean like with Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano? Posted by: Chad" No. Apparently you are unaware that the Cubs last year were 7th best in runs allowed, 9th in ERA, and 13th in HR's allowed. 8th in fielding %, 8th in errors, 11th in stolen bases allowed, and 13th in double plays. Obviously, the pitching and defense was middling at best, same as the offense, and same as the payroll.

Casey McGehee is by far the funniest name on the list.

Something about pitching relating to one of my favorite topics--team chemistry. Mark Prior's stats from last year, in my mind, are very deceiving. We still have this terrible image in our head of Prior being (possibly) "injury prone", yet he really didn't miss very many starts. Why is that? To have a positive effect on the team as a whole, and to gain momentum, you need to be a constant presence. I'd venture to say Prior, with the same or even slightly worse nos. as far as SOs and ERA, would have had more of an impact on the team had any and all DL time been isolated to the beginning of the season, with a strong finish. So much as one start missed by one of your key starters at the wrong point or during the wrong series for strains, tiredness etc can and does IMHO have a devastating effect on the team as a whole.

A good article about pitching and defense: http://blogs.foxsports.com/Dibble scroll down to the 6th or so article, "low scoring teams still in the hunt", or something to that effect. I really enjoyed it, and didn't realize how meager certain (NL champion) offenses were last year

now the Koskie trade is commented on at mlbtraderumors site, frankly I'll be glad not to see Russ Branyon hitting monster shots off of our pitching staff. Koskie probably means Branyon is moving on. The trade Miggy drums now beat in Philly. I see a few problems on that trade. Abreu needs to waive a full no trade clause and Tejada would have to agree to play 3B (Jimmy Rollins is a fixture and a better fielder). Supposedly, those 2 teams were discussing a Bedard for Jason Michaels deal before Miggy's unhappiness was unleashed on the media. ---- from the Philly Daily News http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/13571123.htm However, two league sources confirmed that, in their conversations in which the Phillies hoped to acquire starter Erik Bedard for outfielder Jason Michaels, the Abreu-for-Tejada possibility arose. Not that the talks appear too hot. There are several stumbling blocks. The first one is that the Phillies aren't convinced that Tejada, 29, would be an upgrade in the lineup over Abreu, 31. A righthanded hitter, Tejada has been more productive. He has averaged about 30 home runs and 119 RBI in the past six seasons, including 131 RBI in 2002 and 150 in 2004, his first season with the Orioles. Abreu has averaged 25 homers and 97 RBI since 2000, but his career batting average of .303 is 23 points higher than Tejada's .280, his on-base percentage of .411 is 73 points higher than Tejada's .338 and Abreu is one of baseball's top base-stealers. Second, unless the Phillies trade All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins, or trade Tejada for a starting pitcher, Tejada might be asked to move to third base, where he has not played before. But then, Alex Rodriguez moved to third when he joined the Yankees in 2004. Tejada has not said he would change positions to facilitate a trade. The Phillies currently have two capable third basemen - David Bell and Abraham Nunez. Third, Abreu has a full no-trade clause that the Phillies have yet to ask him to waive. He might not want to waive it, considering that Tejada wants to leave Baltimore because he believes the team isn't doing enough to win. The Orioles haven't had a winning record since 1997, the last year they made the playoffs. Tejada is under contract for 4 years and about $48 million. Abreu has two seasons left on his deal, worth a guaranteed $30 million, but a team option in 2009 could make the deal worth $44 million instead.

and the philly Inquirer added this gem, LaTrashCan? ROFL! http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/13569479.htm In the proposed deal, it is likely the Phillies would also try to get a much-needed setup man for their bullpen, possibly LaTroy Hawkins. The Orioles are seeking some pitching in return for Tejada, and it's possible the Phillies would be willing to include Robinson Tejeda. Another name that might intrigue the Orioles is Gavin Floyd, a Baltimore native. Floyd, the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft, had a disappointing season at triple A in 2005, but there are people in the Phillies organization who believe it's way too early to give up on the 6-foot-4 righthander, who turns 23 this month. Two major-league sources yesterday confirmed a report that the Phillies have offered rightfielder Bobby Abreu to the Baltimore Orioles for Tejada, the all-star shortstop who is seeking a trade to a potential contending team. The Phillies, who have their own all-star shortstop in Jimmy Rollins, would like to play Tejada at third base. Trading Rollins or changing his position does not appear to be in the cards. According to a person close to Tejada, Phillies officials have reached out to Tejada's camp to see if the 2002 American League most valuable player would make a move to third base. In no uncertain terms, the Phillies were told that Tejada would not move to third base and that he would opt out of his contract after the 2006 season if he were forced to do so. Tejada, 29, has played all but three of his 1,260 major-league games at shortstop and averaged 30 homers and 118 RBIs the last six seasons. While unlikely, the proposed deal is not DEAD. Tejada does not have a no-trade clause. The Orioles can send him wherever they want, and Tejada would seemingly have to play whichever position his new team assigned him. However, players traded in the middle of multiyear contracts have the right to demand a trade or become a free agent after playing just one season with their new team. Dealing Abreu, and possibly a young pitcher, for a player who says he'll walk after one year wouldn't make much sense for the Phillies. There is another hurdle in the potential deal: Unlike Tejada, Abreu does have a no-trade clause. As of yesterday afternoon, the Phillies hadn't approached Abreu about waiving it, but it is likely he'd require the $18 million option on his contract for 2008 be guaranteed before accepting a deal.

What About Soriano?! Do any of my fellow Cub fans feel that Soriano would be a viable and/or productive Cub? I am in agreement that his defense is poor - probably near the bottom of 2B-men. But boy, he'd sure drive in runs in Wrigley! Is it possible that Jim Hendry will not make any more deals of substance to "improve the team"? Is there a pattern of Hendry making impactful moves just before the Convention? What do ya'll think?!

E-MAN: Although I am not an Alfonso Soriano fan, I believe Hendry, Hughes, and the gang in the Cubs front office like Soriano very much, and wouldn't hesitate to make a deal for him IF they thought Washington was inclined to trade him and IF they could fit his salary into their 2006 payroll budget and IF they could sign him to a long-term contract (post-2006). And that's a lot of big IFs! Soriano is eligible for arbitration (he made $7.5m last year, and will probably get around $10m this time) and will be a free-agent after next season. The Nationals would probably want Ronny Cedeno and Jerome Williams back, plus the Cubs would have to pay 100% of Soriano's 2006 salary (still TBD), and take the chance that they won't be able to sign him long-term post-2006. So as much as I believe Hendry and his associates like Soriano, I doubt that the Cubs would be willing to pay the price (two young players AND a hefty 2006 salary) to get him for possibly (probably) just one year.

those #s are end of year payroll #s and, yes, it doesnt include the sosa #s.

Crunch- You are right, so to say the Cubs only spent $76MM, is very misleading, considering the Cubs sent almost $20MM to the O's.

John Donovan is reporting the IBAF is going to nix the WBC unless the State Department allows Cuba to participate. Good riddance I say ó the only way baseball's schedule allows for it is if you stop the season NHL-style in June, July or August. Take a vote of team presidents and I bet that doesn't fly. But this March crap is anticompetitive.

I do not like the whole idea of a "World Baseball Classic," but if there HAS to be one, do it AFTER the season, during the first or second week of November, AFTER the World Series, while players are still in playing shape. Like the NFL Pro Bowl. Players not playing (keeping in shape) by playing in the MLB post-season or in Latin Winter Ball could go to the same Spring Training camp in Florida or Arizona and stay ready there until the WBC starts. Then they would have three months to recover, until the start of Spring Training in February.

Playing after the season is the WORST time for them to play. After pitching 200+ innings and playing 162+ games, no players are interested in plaing for nothing in reality. Also there is a bigger danger in injury after all those games and innings. I am not a fan of the tournament, but ST is teh best time.

The WBC should be right after the WS. We have Big Z, DLee, Aram, Blanco, etc. participating DURING spring training, I dont like this. I think it would be detrimental to players (i.e. Big Z) to be playing instead of fine tuning in Mesa.

#21 of 21: By mannytrillo (January 7, 2006 08:58 AM) Playing after the season is the WORST time for them to play. After pitching 200+ innings and playing 162+ games, no players are interested in plaing for nothing in reality. Also there is a bigger danger in injury after all those games and innings. ================================================ Pitchers are more likely to hurt their elbow or shoulder at the start of the season (Spring Training) before they are in playing shape (especially if they're throwing in "hot" competition before they're ready) than they are at the end of the season when they are already in playing shape. I don't want to see Carlos Zambrano trying to pitch Venezuela to the WBC Championship when he normally would be getting ready for the season throwing in the pit at Fitch Park, pitching batting practice to Ryan Theriot, or working three innings in some meaningless Spring Training game. The WBC is a dumb idea no matter when it's played, but it's ESPECIALLY stupid if it's played during Spring Training. That's why the MLB All-Stars Japan Tour (which happens every few years) is always after the end of the World Series instead of during Spring Training.

Jacos: "the Cubs have their opening day 2nd baseman" I wonder why Hendry does not like Walker so much. And if he doesn't like him, why not just keep Grudz like I suggested last year. I understand Walker's defense is well below average, but his offense makes up for most of his defensive attributes. And with a team with many offensive question marks, taking Walkers bat out is a questionable move.

AZ Phil- But what players want to play after the season? Also, most of them will have to stay in shape by themselves for a month, AFTER throwing 200+ innings. can you say DEAD ARM?? That is why many players never play in the NFL Pro Bowl, the season is over they want to do their own thing. And in baseball after 7 months of playing straight incluing ST, I don't blame them. If they are going to do this they need to do it where they can get the majority of players and that would be in ST. But it will be interesting to see at the end of the season how many players hit walls.

If they make Neifi the 2nd basemen I am officially on the Fire Hendry Bandwagon. Let's take a player who derives 90% of his value (4 runs in batting over replacement level, compared to 36 runs for fielding) from playing shortstop and move him to 2nd base which he field's just above average (or below average based on his 2005#'s). How could you not love Hendry? The Cubs main problem in 2003 playoffs, they gave up one out of three innings because their catcher, shortstop and pitchers made lots of outs. He addresses that by getting a catcher than can hit and a shortstop that can hit. Then he decides that he doesn't like good-hit bad field players and goes back to replacing Walker and Garciaparra with Neifi and Cedeno. If he's around next year, the smart money says he decides he needs some pop from 2nd and short and trades Cedeno and Hill to Texas for Michael Young and signs Soriano. What a freaking idiot.

Actually, Manny, the reason that many players never play in the Pro-Bowl is they don't get voted on. Comparing football to baseball in regards to after the season events is silly. Football is a contact sport, that shortens the lifespan of the players.

Real NEal: "Actually, Manny, the reason that many players never play in the Pro-Bowl is they don't get voted on." I was talking about the numerous players that get voted in and pull out. It is a free trip to Hawaii though.

Like I said unless Walker has some personal issues or is a pain in the ass in the club house, there is no reason to take Neifi over Walker. Ever.

There is also the marketing standpoint to consider. Could anything land with more of a thud in the U.S. after a great World Series than the announcement - "And don't forget your World Baseball Classic beginning in two weeks! Forget college football, the NFL, we're talking Itally vs. South Korea, folks!" It would be as big a letdown and create as little buzz as, well, the Pro Bowl. They'll be competing with college basketball as it is. Maybe they considered it the lesser of two evils.

I'm with those who are not in favor of moving Walker, unless he's used in a fore-mentioned trade possibility with Oakland for Zito (as in, for example, Murton, Walker and Hill for Zito and Payton). We need Walker's offense at 2B pure and simple unless an offensive upgrade is made at SS (and I don't mean giving up Prior for Tejada). Cedeno is probably OK to try at SS and hitting 8th. Just leave Walker alone, hit him 2nd, take the needed offense. Perez is a decent albeit overpaid reserve MI, but to think championship with him and Cedeno's bats plus Jones in a new league hitting cleanup (likely if they breakup the RH mid-lineup hitters) and still relatively unproven Murton in LF is just too much to put on the pitching staff. Also, if the newspaper report turns out to be correct and the Cubs basically give away both Walker and Patterson, without some ingenius moves we don't know about, I'd have to say I join those who are finding increasing disfavor with Hendry's moves of late. But, as someone said, they're not gone yet.

Jacos: "there is no reason to take Neifi over Walker." I agree. Actually they are the perfect team. Walker should be replaced late in games the Cubs are leading with Neifi for defense. Walker play 7-8 innings and Neifi 1-2 innings. Of course ONLY in games the Cubs are leading. But again, there is no reason to get rid of Walker to have Neifi start. MAKES NO SENSE!!

walker > soriano that's that. i think walker will still end up as your starting 2B unless he's dealt as part of a deal that gets you a good person back (zito, tejada, etc) if walker gets traded and doesn't help us get something large, AND it turns out neifi is the best they can find to replace him, it will be evidence that hendry has been dustified, and after a mindnumbing 75 win season, they will both be gone.

#31 of 31: By tbone (January 7, 2006 10:00 AM) There is also the marketing standpoint to consider. Could anything land with more of a thud in the U.S. after a great World Series than the announcement - "And don't forget your World Baseball Classic beginning in two weeks! Forget college football, the NFL, we're talking Itally vs. South Korea, folks!" It would be as big a letdown and create as little buzz as, well, the Pro Bowl. ---- T-BONE: I agree, and that's probably why they want to play the "Classic" during Spring Training. All I'm saying is that is is a bigger injury risk for pitchers to play the WBC in Spring Training instead of immediately after the season (like the MLB Japan All-Star Tours, which do NOT have to compete with the NFL or NCAA football). So since the injury risk (especially for pitchers) is greatest at the beginning of the season (Spring Training) and playing in "hot" competition at that time only makes elbow and shoulder injuries more likely, and since playing the WBC in November (when the injury risk to pitchers is less) would mean minimal fan interest in the U. S. (although it would not diminish interest in Japan, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, et al), it should not be played at all. Major League Baseball is the highest-form of baseball. Baseball does not need to be played in the Olympics (they finally figured that out), and there is no need for a "World Baseball Classic," either, even if they did play it in November after the World Series instead of during Spring Training. It's just not worth the risk of an injury to a pitcher like Carlos Zambrano or to Aramis Ramirez's quad-hammy-back.

But what players want to play after the season? A lot of them already play after the season, particulalry the international players who go back home for winter ball. I'm in full agreement with AZ Phil, the WBC is a dumb, forced, idea to begin with, but if its going to happen, I'd much rather see it happen in November than in March.

t.walker cant be traded to anyone so far cuz no one values him and m.lorettta was traded for peanuts even though he's owed like 4.5m over the next 2 years. go figure...something might be tweaked with walker.

Bleeding Blue: "A lot of them already play after the season, particulalry the international players who go back home for winter ball." You are right, but those players are the less talented players, not the AROD's, Pujlos, Bonds, Clemens, etc. Those are mostly the MLB players that are playing in the WBC. Not the Jose Macias' of the MLB. And also many young players play in leagues to get better after the season (like Cedeno, Murton, etc.), but those players also aren't the ones playing in the WBC for the vast majority.

Don't mind the Walker replaced by Neifi in the later innings formula. Walker is an excellent hitter with some sense of the strike zone. I'm resigned to the fact that Tejada is not coming. This formula looks ok. Wait a second, will we have the lead in the late innings?

AZ Phil, To get back to the last thread on Pedroia with all the choas with the MI spots in Boston the one thing Cherington&Hoyer seem certain of is that Pedroia is not going to be a starter. I know in a perfect he needs a 1/2 year of AAA but he is a better option than Cora and Graffino at short. Maybe he is avalible and reading the rest of the posts on this thread this 4-way trade just popped in my head: Bos Cedeno Meche Reed CHC Pedroia Soriano Sea Patterson Ryu Wells Was Arroyo Jwill

Don't mind the Walker replaced by Neifi in the later innings formula. Walker is an excellent hitter with some sense of the strike zone. I'm resigned to the fact that Tejada is not coming. This formula looks ok. Wait a second, will we have the lead in the late innings?

Moe: "Wait a second, will we have the lead in the late innings?" I couldn't help but chuckle to this statement. Hopefully they will have a couple leads throughout the year. But then the question becomes can we hold the lead. I fear this might be a long year ahead. Hopefully my optimistic side kicks in after I attend next weekends Cubs Convention and get fed all the crap from the Cubs players and management about how good we are going to be.

Certainly right now, its mostly your young players who want the extra experience playing in Winter Ball, although there certainly are some top players who still go back to their home country. I know the Twins had to fight to keep Johan Santana from playing winter ball, and he's a pretty good player. But the bigger point is that if these players really want the chance to represent their country, then asking them to spend a few weeks in November shouldn't be that big of a deal, since young and international players do it every year. If these players don't think giving up a few weeks to represent their country is worth their time, then you have to reconsider whether having a WBC is a good idea at all.

AZ Phil, And a lot of the injuries will no doubt show up later in the season. The whole thing is such a bad idea. It's just a way to milk more money out of big names and that's not a good reason to do something. And who knows what thinking will go into different managers' thinking? What are the manager of Venezuela, Luis Sojo's, theories of pitching? Will he try to increase his standing around MLB by winning the WBC on the backs of guys like Zambrano and Santana, pitching them longer than is reasonable? Not only should these guys not be playing, but not even knowing what the guys think who'll be running the teams makes it even more of a bad idea.

Not sure if anyone is interested but The MLB Commissioners office released the final payroll numbers for all 30 MLB teams for 2005. Figures include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses for players on Aug. 31 rosters and disabled lists. In some cases, parts of salaries deferred without interest are discounted to reflect present-day values. N.Y. Yankees - $207,152,931 Boston - $116,640,070 New York Mets - $103,985,823 Los Angeles Angels - $96,951,322 Philadelphia - $94,848,907 Los Angeles Dodgers - $87,753,000 St. Louis - $87,368,220 Atlanta - $85,873,582 San Francisco - $83,316,989 Baltimore - $81,041,711 Chicago Cubs - $76,598,500 Houston - $76,186,763 Chicago White Sox - $73,162,000 Seattle - $70,513,167 Detroit - $68,751,682 San Diego - $66,333,633 Washington - $62,866,000 Arizona - $60,803,968 Oakland - $58,425,354 Minnesota - $56,338,000 Florida - $56,273,212 Texas - $49,870,201 Cincinnati - $49,501,275 Toronto - $45,698,000 Milwaukee - $42,752,833 Cleveland - $40,684,100 Kansas City - $34,903,000 Colorado - $32,504,000 Pittsburgh - $30,139,200 Tampa Bay - $26,615,413 Interesting to see that Cleveland spent the 5th least in payroll and was arguably the 2nd best(behind the WSux) all around team in baseball by the end of the season...they spent $18m less than OAK for God's sake.

Thanks for the numbers Bogey. Just a note that the Cubs number is a little decieving as the Cubs sent almost $20MM to BALT with Sosa and that money is not counted in these figures. So the Cubs were actually mid $90'sMM.

the numbers also dont reflect chunks of borowski/remlinger/hawkins...etc etc blah blah blah

Regarding some of the posts on whether the Nats would trade Soriano. I do not think they will do it before they know for sure that Vidro is healthy, a fact not really knowable until March. If Vidro is not healthy, the Soriano will stay in DC. If Vidro is healthy, I think Bowden (assuming he is GM then) wil try and shop both of them and try to pull in maximum value. Paying $10M to Soriano is no big deal for the Nats -- it is not their money and there are no other really big contracts on the team. Bowden said over the holidays that he would trade Soriano for pitching, and I think he would demand more upside than JWill or Arroyo. I am thinking (but would not suggest) Rich Hill and Angel Guzman together would get Bowden to pull the trigger. He could probably be tempted with Hill and either Raul Valdes or Brownlie. There is a wild card possibility with the Nats. MLB has essentially sued the city for not finalizing the new stadium lease, and last week DuPuy and Nats President Tony Tavares began a PR campaign that is starting to look like thinly-veiled threats. So far stadium issues have not translated into baseball decisions, but I could see them trading Soriano for prospects now and blame the city, saying that they can't afford a $10M/year player without a new stadium commitment.

Manny and Crunch you're both right...I was curious as to whether these figures are what the Commissioner's office uses to account the luxury tax or not...I'm assuming it is but not certain. AZ Phil probably knows...not that it really matters as the Yanks appear to be the only ones who are going to get taxed anyway.

Bogey: "the Yanks appear to be the only ones who are going to get taxed anyway." That is not correct...The NYY and BOST are the only ones who are going to get taxed this year. And the NYY and BOST are the only one that can get taxed next year. Here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2268025

If that salary list is used to calculate luxury tax, wouldn't that permit a team to "cut" its tax bill by trading an expensive and aged veteran to another team and still pay his salary? It would seem that for a team on-the-margin of paying (like the Mets may be in 2007 or 2008), it seems like that would be an odd lopphole. Effectively, it might put the Mets in the position of saying, "I'd rather give Floyd to the Angels and pay his full salary than keep him and incurr the tax whose recipients include the Nationals, etc."

Ok, I knew they were over last season but wasn't sure about this season..you'd think with clearing Pedro, Lowe and Nomar's salary they would've been... so then those must not be the numbers that MLB uses to determine the luxury tax if they have Boston at nearly $117m in their "final totals" but then have the Red Sox slabbed to pay $4+ in luxury tax over a $128m threshold. How very MLB of them to release inaccurate info.

Anybody catch the article on MLB.com about Cedeno? Buried in there is the fact that he committed 12 errors in 45 games. Which is, of course, why we're going to get way too much of Neifi again this year. Oh, Geez.

"Anybody catch the article on MLB.com about Cedeno? Buried in there is the fact that he committed 12 errors in 45 games. " Ya I noticed that also... kinda goes against the whole purported basis for getting rid of Walker doesn't it?? Build up Cedeno as the answer but tear down Walker as the problem??? Makes no sense to me...

To AZ Phil, et. al. - Soriano? Phil: Thanks for the comments re Soriano earlier today. It is odd that Todd Walker has fallen out of favor. His fielding range is poor, I will admit - but I would think his lifetime BA would liook good to the team as it stands now. Contact hitter - some pop, harder to strike out - LEFTY! I suppose, like many of us, I am looking for a glimmer of encouragement that Mr. Hendry will be able to really add more value to the somewhat strange mix of players that are currently on the roster now. Also, I am SO SICK of having sat through 50,000 White Sox tv promos on Comcast Sports during the Holiday weeks! I am not really a Sox hater - just "Blue" with envy. Is it possible that Cub's GM will make a move of consequence before Cubs Convention?

cedeno with 12 errors??? that makes no sense. he's probally the best glove/arm SS in the minors. sure he likes to follow the ball around on popups like his range is to cover 180ft. but that's not like him to be that leaky, inaccurate, or whatever led to that.

Cedeno's 12 errors are probably more a reflection of the mediocre quality of the infields in the Venezuala Winter League. It would be nice to know if most of those were fielding errors or throwing errors. My guess is they were fielding.

Is it possible that Cub's GM will make a move of consequence before Cubs Convention? I believe if he does not do a move this week coming up, this is your 2006 Chicago Cubs.

Why didn't Tejada say this himself to the press? This just sounds fishy cause Kap had the O's beat writter Dan Connely on his show yesterday and he thought there was no way Tejada would be with the O's to start next season. Maybe the O's told him we have no matches for you now and he said this to cover himself. I have always thought a Tejada trade,if one happened, would be in July when the O's could get away with trading him for prospects. Didnt Arod "resecend" his trade demand after that Bosox deal fell through. I dont think we have heard the end of this despite everyone's desire for it to be one way or another.

Yes Arod trade with BoSox fell through and I believe Yankees swept in a week later, maybe more. Maybe they will do it again, trade Giambi and Wright, and cash. Tejada could play first or second.

My faviorite quote of the piece was this one: "He doesn't know how that got blown out of proportion, and he feels terrible the way it played out." He felt SO bad about it that a few weeks into it he went berserk on the O's organization with that AP interview. It wouldn't surprise me if Duqutte took out of context went Tejada told him I mean its not like he jumped the gun before on things.

i think the cubs will trade corey patterson and walker and pie for tejada and carlos zambrano or mark prior well atleast that is wat i heard on prosportsdaily.com

#48 of 64: By DC Tom (January 7, 2006 11:27 AM) There is a wild card possibility with the Nats. MLB has essentially sued the city for not finalizing the new stadium lease, and last week DuPuy and Nats President Tony Tavares began a PR campaign that is starting to look like thinly-veiled threats. So far stadium issues have not translated into baseball decisions, but I could see them trading Soriano for prospects now and blame the city, saying that they can't afford a $10M/year player without a new stadium commitment. ---- DC TOM: And MLB owners have a three-month window starting on April 1, 2006, during which time they can contract two clubs if they wish (all they have to do is notify the MLBPA by July 1st), something they wanted to do when the CBA became effective in 2002. MLB could contract the Nationals and a second club having stadium "issues" (Marlins or Twins, probably the Marlins), and then either leave MLB at 28 teams effective with the 2007 season (leaving a bigger piece of the pie for the remaining 28 clubs) or agree to create two expansion teams at a later date TBD (Las Vegas and Portland, maybe, or even D. C. once they actually get a stadium under construction), and then soak the expansion clubs like the MLB owners did with the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays in 1997-98, having them pay a hefty "fee" to get into MLB, and then keep them from sharing in National TV money for a few years. First contracting two clubs and then subsequently offering to "expand" by two clubs in 2008 or 2009 could be used by MLB owners in their negotiations with the MLBPA for a new CBA (the current one expires next December 19th).

Hey JJ and you other putzes, why don't you get it thru ur thick skulls that TEJADA aint going nowhere and CPat will be traded for pennies on the dollar. These morons wouldn't know talent if it was sitting in their lap, how do i know? cuz cpat and jaun cruz was sitting in their lap and they did nothing with it. nothing. so all you fanboys can suck it!

Thanks so much, Critic. Does your throat ever get dry from breathing through your mouth?

yeah, cpat's value is through the roof and the cubs are gonna rob themselves trading him rather than paying him 3-4m to work the bench with mabry/hairston already there. there's at least 20 clubs who want him to start...he's a guy who dont have anything to prove his worth. poor cubs. what should have been done with patterson is something that passed 3-5 years ago...he was rushed...he was a poor man's preston wilson. now he's fighting to be someone's LH bench or at best competiting in spring for a starting job.

CRITIC: How great it is reading your brilliant wit! I will have to check myself on "ur" "Jaun Cruz". Is this the same Jaun that had an era of over 7.00 at OAK last year? Its a shame the morons don't know no talent even when its sitting in their laps!

cpat happened...soon it'll all be over. cubs have seen way better batting prospects fizzle. brooks keishnick was supposed to be a can't-miss...a sure thing for 3 seasons in a row in our prospect system. brooks pretty much never got his chance...patterson was rushed well before he proved he was worth a chance. same result either way. here's to hoping pie/dop/harvey work out.

that's all relative to the cubs, not the players themselves or their careers, btw...they both were uber-high-end guys who fizzled for different reasons.

Critic, Tone down your comments pal! Telling "fanboys to suck it" and calling commenters names isn't for this site. Thanks!!!

Jaun Cruz". Is this the same Jaun that had an era of over 7.00 at OAK last year No. Jaun Cruz is the evil dyslexic cousin of both Juan Cruz and Bill Jauss. Please do not confuse him with Perdo Martinez either.

Hendry & NY Times - Gang - check out the Hendry quotes in the Sunday NY Times baseball section today. He closes with (in reference to Pierre), "You don't get guys coming off great years." Probably @ nytimes.com - but haven't checked online version.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.