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

Let’s Play Two…With No Break

Hoo-boy, the night game to day game turnaround is a tough one, but today's is going to be even worse than usual. The Cubs pulled out an 8-6 victory in 18 innings last night (not the only 18-inning game in the majors last night, incredibly), but it took two innings from today's scheduled starter, Rich Hill, which means they have about 3 hours to figure out who's going to start today. The Cubs used all 25 of their players in the game -- both Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Marmol pinch-hit in extra-innings -- and six players (Juan Pierre, Jacque Jones, and the entire infield of Aramis Ramirez, Cesar Izturis, Ronny Cedeno, and John Mabry) played the entire game. Both Pierre and Mabry went 1-for-8, while Cedeno went 1-for-7. I'm predicting an infield of Neifi!, Ryan Theriot, Cedeno, and Phil Nevin today, with Angel Pagan starting in place of Jones against the lefty Pettitte today. As far as today's starter goes, it's not as easy as disabling someone and dipping down to AAA, as all the potential Iowa callups (Ryu, Williams, and the rehabbing Marshall) would be pitching on 0-3 days rest. The starter from five days ago, lefty Ryan O'Malley, isn't on the 40-man roster. This is sort of interesting, though -- the scheduled starter in tonight's game is a rehabbing Wade Miller, who threw five days ago at West Tenn. It's supposed to be his final rehab start, and it's in Round Rock, which is about four hours from Houston. I would not be surprised to see him called up to start this afternoon, with Angel Guzman, who was set to be skipped but threw three innings last night, sent down to make room, and neither would Phil Rogers. Speaking of Rogers, I give him a hard time a lot of the time, so it's worth pointing out that I agree 100% with his "Give up on Prior? You're crazy!" column from Monday. I couldn't have said it better myself, Phil. [UPDATE 10:40 AM] Pretty much no sooner did I type that than word comes via the comments that the Cubs may have, in fact, called up O'Malley. No official word on who was sent down or disabled to make room, but the way Scott Eyre looked limping off the field last night, I'm guessing it's him. O'Malley is a 26-year old lefty who was undrafted out of Memphis and signed with the Cubs in /02. He pitched very well at A and AA as a reliever and occasional starter, but in both '04 and '05 he struggled in callups to AAA: 2004 A+ Daytona: 2.64 ERA, 30 2/3 IP, 27 H, 6 BB, 28 K 2004 AA West Tenn: 3.72 ERA, 55 2/3 IP, 49 H, 20 BB, 37 K 2004 AAA Iowa: 8.62 ERA, 15 2/3 IP, 23 H, 6 BB, 8 K 2005 AA West Tenn: 3.91 ERA, 78 1/3 IP, 78 IP, 25 BB, 55 K 2005 AAA Iowa: 6.33 ERA, 27 IP, 40 H, 11 BB, 26 K This year he's started more than he's relieved, and in 123 2/3 innings he's put up a 4.08 ERA, given up 135 hits, walked 30, and struck out 71. He has a mid-80s fastball who pitches to contact. He's described as a "control pitcher" but has walked 2/7 batters per 9 innings in his minor-league career, which doesn't bode well. According to this Inside The Ivy article, he doesn't like being called a "finesse pitcher," so we'll just go with "crafty lefty."

Comments

Lidge loses his closing role: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260815118 I said last October I didn't think that Lidge wasn going to be able to rebound too well from those big HR's he gave up in the playoffs. Looks like I was right about something. I know blind squirel, nut, blah blah...:) From Oct. 25: "(I) do believe he (Lidge) won't be the same (as good) from now on."

In interesting news, Pudge was forced to play 2nd base for Detroit when Polanco seperated his shoulder... Because Brandon Inge had already been used as a defensive replacement, Rodriguez had to move from catcher to second base, with Vance Wilson taking over behind the plate. Rodriguez had never played second base in 2,256 previous major and minor league games. Wow "I knew right away," Rodriguez said, adding that he played second in Little League and third before turning pro. "I've taken groundballs throughout the season, so if the team needs me, I'm ready."

I saw that MikeC, that was very interesting. But how did he play 2B without a 2B glove? Cedeno couldn't play 2B without a 2B glove. Polanco going on DL with that seperated shoulder: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2551290 Oh, and it says: "Rodriguez also used Polanco's glove, which has the Dominican flag sewn on it."

I can't believe that the Tigers manager would allow Pudge to play 2nd without his own 2nd baseman's glove, and without at least 3-4 days off to work on his footwork. How irresponsible. And confirming previous reports, Cubs.com now has O'Malley listed as today's starter.

But how did he play 2B without a 2B glove? Cedeno couldn't play 2B without a 2B glove. Manny...are you making fun of Dusty? Because that was the excuse that Dusty gave... To be fair to Dusty/Cedeno/the Cubs - there is a big difference between choosing to play someone at 2b and needing to play someone at 2b in an emergency.

Would it make sense to claim Soriano off waivers or would that be a bad idea, considering he will be a FA at the end of the year? Soriano does nothing for the 2006 Cubs, but if it gives the team the inside track to sign him for next year, it might be worth it.

Very very worth it. Won't cost much and will give him an idea of what it would be like to play for the Cubs. Like an 6 week audition.

It would make a whole lot of sense to claim Soriano. However, about a dozen teams will probably make claims, and he will almost certainly be pulled back and kept by the Nats. Its a lot like when Andrew Jones was just put on waivers by the Braves. It looks like a nice opportunity, but he's not going anywhere.

according to the article the National league would be first and by worst record. So unless Pittsburgh does nothing, the Cubs would be first.

Jones and Soriano are two different situations completely. Just on contracts alone.

CF Pierre 2B Theriot C Barrett 3B ARam 1B Nevin RF Pagan LF Murton SS Perez P O'Malley

Good to see Murton in the lineup and Theriot gets another start for todays game But please tell why Neifi keeps starting for Izturis? Is Izturis tired from being on the DL most of the year? Is Neifi, Izturis equal, thus it makes no difference who is playing SS?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't a player have to clear waivers before he can be traded. So, even if the Cubs wanted to make a trade, a deal could only happen if no other teams put in a claim for him. Where the Cubs waiver priority would come into play is if Washington was willing to release him to the first team willing to pay his salary. But since the Nats will still get a minimum of a 1st round pick just for offering him arbitration, they will almost certainly end up revoking the waivers after a claim is made.

I suspect that Neifi (and Theroit for that matter) is starting today because Izturis played all 18 innings of a game that finished 12 hours ago. I can't complain about Neifi starting today. This is actually one of those spots where giving your bench players some playing time makes sense.

(as learned from this board) Once claimed off waivers the original team has ten day to work out a trade for the player or pull him back or let him go. You only have to clear waivers if there is a specific team you want to trade him to.

Would it make sense to claim Soriano off waivers or would that be a bad idea It would be rather pointless actually. Any team can put in a claim, if multiple teams claim him, the team with the top waiver position gets first dibs, but you'd have to give up big-time prospects who you've spent years developing for a guy who's going to walk in 6 weeks. Yeah you can get a 1st round pick for him or actually sign him, but you'll probably be giving up better players than you'll draft and Soriano is going to free agency. If the Cubs want him this off-season, just line up and get into the bidding war like everyone else without giving up any prospects.

Why is Neifi playing? He's been a pretty good hitter against lefties, but why sit Izturis? So they played 18 innings..so what?? It's their job...on long day...BFD. .256/.258/.306 since the all-star break. At least he's batting 8th. Look...Ryan Theriot!!!!!

Being that the Cubs are still in Playoff contention, it would be ridiculous not to put a claim in on Soriano. Can't let the Cards get him, he may help them win a game in Chicago!

Thanks for the Clarification Rob and Chad. It certainly wouldn't hurt to put in a waiver claim, but it woudln't be worth trading anything of value to get him. If the Nats will hand him over for the rest of the season and let the Cubs get a free first round pick great, but if not let them retract their offer.

The whole waiver thing confuses me. Why would Wasington put him on waivers at this point in the season? Are they just trying to dump the remainder of his '06 salary? Are they hoping to get a decent prospect? Or are they hoping a contender will claim him and then make a trade that eluded them prior to July 31?

if the Cubs put in a claim for Soriano, they basically block any other team from getting him. Not the way to build relationships with other GM's.

they wont let soriano walk for nothing less than top prospects. soriano is worth a 1st round and/or suplimental 1st pick if/when soriano leaves this offseason. that's the starting point for his price.

oh yeah...read the whole thread before posting so you dont repeat someone else. yeah...im new here. =p

answer #3 Sweet Lou, they're hoping someone claims him and they get the package they want. Although I'm guessing now that they're sure Soriano can't be resigned at the moment and would take a little less. But now that they've been resorted to going through waivers, there's a good chance some team will just end up blocking them from dealing him to a contender.

rag arm lefty's John Koronka vs Ryan O'Malley...compare and contrast.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.