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 

 



 

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Rule 5 Draft 
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Seeing Red

The Cubs pulled off a nice comeback victory setting up a great NL West showdown this weekend between the Dodgers and Padres, a mere half a game separating the two. The Cubs though lost ground to the Devil Rays who are now only a half a game behind the Royals in the race for worst in baseball. Long-live the Cubs! GAME ONE HUNDRED-FORTY-EIGHT IN-GAME DISCUSSION THREAD [PARACHAT] CINCINNATI REDS (72-74 (Div) 2nd - 5.5 GB; (WC) 5th - 4.5 GB ) AT CHICAGO CUBS (59-88 (Draft) 3rd - 2 GB) Wrigley Field, 1:20 pm CDT Weather: Sunny, 73 degrees, Wind from R to L @ 4 mph TV: CSN, DirecTV 734 Radio: WGN, XM 188
Juan Mateo, RHP 1-3, 4.75 ERA, 36 IP 27 K, 13 BB, 4 HR 306/373/472 againstBronson Arroyo, RHP 13-9, 3.29 ERA, 213.1 IP 165 K, 52 BB, 29 HR 247/294/401 against

Ryan Freel, CF Norris Hopper, RF* *Scott Hatteberg, 1B Rich Aurilia, 3B *Adam Dunn, 1B Dave Ross, C Royce Clayton, SS Brandon Phillips, 2B Bronson Arroyo, P *Juan Pierre, CF Ronny Cedeno, 2B Aramis Ramirez, 3B *Jacque Jones, LF Matt Murton, LF *Scott Moore, 1B #Cesar Izturis, SS Henry Blanco, C Juan Mateo, P

Reds vs. Mateo: No Reds have ever faced Mateo Cubs vs. Arroyo: Jacque Jones: 3-16, 188/188/250,1 2B Derrek Lee: 3-11, 273/333/545, 1 HR Aramis Ramirez: 3-11, 273/273/545, 1 HR
Someone give Dusty's lineup generator a whack, I think it's broken.

Comments

In today's Daily Herald, beat writer Bruce Miles opines that Cedeno "may have fully worn out his welcome in the Cubs organization", noting that Izturis is set as the Cubs shortstop and Dusty's rather forboding quotes about Cedeno's competition at 2B.

Dusty in his office before the game... Dusty: Should I bat Cedeno second? Shakes Magic 8-Ball Dusty: Mmm, my sources say yes...

Of course, criticizing the lineup only means that Cedeno will go 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Oh wait... he just got caught stealing.

In looking over the Reds defensive alignment, I see that they are trotting out an innovative shift. In an effort to combat the Cubs explosive offensive ability to drive the ball through the right side of the infield, they have brought Dunn in from LF so that both he and Hatteburg are positioned at 1B. One can only imagine how Dusty and his coaches will respond to this bold defensive manuever.

Shakes Magic 8-Ball- He had to get rid of the one that said- "Much doubt.. Start Neifi!"

"One can only imagine how Dusty and his coaches will respond to this bold defensive manuever." Apparently, Dusty has countered this manuever by playing both Murton and Jones in LF. Yes, we've been asking for a platoon in left for some time, but I don't think anyone imagined it quite like this.

In his final, delusional days as Cubs mamanger, Dusty has regressed to childhood memories of playground ball, when any fly ball hit to RF was an automatic out. Intensive therapy should really help in the offseason, dude.

"And on cue, Cedeno singles his first AB." And promptly gets caught stealing. Good thing we have those low OBP speedsters at the top of the lineup, eh Dusty?!

It's Hatteberg. Not Hattiburg, Hatteburg, etc. Is it so hard? Geez.

My most sincere apologies to Scott, and all members of the Hatteberg family; past, present and future. Scrivners eror, dude.

mateo = "middle back tightness"

Why isnt THEIROT playing? cedeno double play geez i cant wait for DUSTBAG to leave LOLMATEO up date middle back tightness... hey i hope they keep the training staff so we have to play the entire minor ball club soon geez how do this many pitchers get hurt do they EVER WORKOUT? they mus t be the most out of shape team EVER noone gets hurt this much without a POOR POOR workout program

He busted up his finger last night and had to be taken out of the game. I am sure that is some of the reason he is not playing.

Wow... has anyone seen such a plethora of injuries before? It was ridiculous when it was just Prior, Wood, and Lee. Now, we're had: Prior Wood Lee Bynum Pagan Barrett Izturis Rusch Marshall Zambrano Marmol O'Malley Mateo Eyre Williamson ...all on the DL at some point. This is insane. Am I missing anyone?

Stupid Pierre!! It's 4-0. What??? Who says we need pitching??

Marmol is a one man arson squad these last two outings. 1-1/3 IP, 5 hits, 3 walks, 2 three-run bombs, 7 ER.

Come on Jacos the Reds were lucky to score those runs after they clogged the bases with all those walks. Good thing Ross homered to kill the rally, or we really would have been in trouble.

Wow... not to be mean, but Ryu looks like a freak according to his mlb.com gameday picture.

Cying Cub Fan: Marmol is a one man arson squad these last two outings. 1-1/3 IP, 5 hits, 3 walks, 2 three-run bombs, 7 ER. I'm all for sample sizes... but geeesh!

you know how your team sucks? when bronson f-ing arroyo dominates you like he's a sure-fire HOFer.

Arroyo hasn't dominated us at all. We've kept him from homering today, haven't we?

The fact that the Cubs get dominate by Arroya doesn't concern me too much - as of now he's has the 5th lowest starter era in all of baseball. The fact that the Cubs get dominated by never woulda-shoulda-coulda beens is what really demonstrates that they suck.....outside of their sucky record, which really says it all.

Er, Arroyo - typo

I think the Cubs need to invest in a physical fitness program through out the organization. These constant nagging injuries, especially to our pitchers, shows a poor workout regime and probably little stretching before games. I have never seen more players hurt obliques, strain fat, pull hammy's, or come up with back stiffness more over the last couple years than the Cubs.

Final Exam Question 2006 season, game #148 When Dusty found out that Arroyo was going to be pitching he did the following: 1) requested Glendon come off of his near deathbed to pitch against Arroyo. "These dudes got a track record of pitching against each other." 2) looked at the lineups vs Arroyo in the 3 previous shutouts and tried to duplicate as closely as possible 3) told DLee to go visit his sick grandparent as " We don't need to win this one, Dude, that Arroyo's got our number." 4) pinched Barrett in the nuts to see if he could play today 5) daydreamed of Neifi most of the game

Actually, Dusty thinks Bynum is Neifi. How else can you explain playing him?

6) Sent Wil Ohman (#13) out to play 2B and pitch in a double switch. Ohman bats 2nd and 9th. Bench coach, Dick Pole, nixed the move proving he's still alive. Warning: Never mention Dick Pole and scrotal hematoma in the same sentence.

Cubs tent. 2007 sked We 4/18 @atl Th 4/19 @atl Tu 5/22 @sd We 5/23 @sd Th 5/24 @sd Fr 6/1 v. atl Sa 6/2 v. atl Su 6/3 v. atl Th 6/7 @atl Fr 6/8 @atl Sa 6/9 @atl Su 6/10 @atl Interleague: NL Central vs. AL West (6 on 4, like when the Bulls use Tyson Chandler) And yes, I expect there will be more than 12 Cubs games next year.

TJ: "Actually, Dusty thinks Bynum is Neifi. How else can you explain playing him?" Because the GM actually traded for Bynum and Dusty plays his entire roster, which I am sure the GM knew when he hired him. And since Hendry has said he wanted to get the youngsters playing time down the stretch, my assumption is Bynum is one of them he was talking about. Might as well use the last 2 months as an extended ST.

WPZ- A friend of mine who lives in Texas and is a big Cubs fan has said the Rangers have said that the Cubs will be going to Ameriquest Field in Arlington. No dates yet were given. I will definately be going down there for that series.

Manny -- Maybe that series in Texas will be Gary Matthews, Jr. return to Arlington as the Cubs center fielder.

CBS Sports: The St. Paul Pioneer Press speculates that Phil Nevin wants to stay in Minnesota. The veteran is impressed by the ball club saying, "The atmosphere here is like nothing I've been around in a while,Ö You can see the Twins' dedication to winning. They come to play every single day." So Nevin says he's amazed by the way the Twins are dedicated to winning. Hairston said, after being traded, he was suprised by how the Rangers practiced every day. Maddux says the clubhouse is quieter before games and more conducive to preparing for a game. We see guys injured on a daily basis. We see guys with talent that don't mature and continue to make errors and be sloppy in general. I want new fucking management.

Sweet Lou: "Manny -- Maybe that series in Texas will be Gary Matthews, Jr. return to Arlington as the Cubs center fielder." It might be, but I hope Hendry doesn't get too agressive. Take a look at Matthews career and this season sticks out like a sore thumb. He might of turned teh corner, but at 32 years old, I wouldn't throw much money at the guy coming off a career year.

I would imagine the Cubs would go to Oakland and Texas, and Seattle and Anaheim of Los Angeles of Orange County of California Angels would come here. The opposite of 2004

You have to be impressed with what Matthews has done this year, but you're right, this year sticks out like a sore thumb. If Hendry is going to go after a CFer, I'd rather see him go after Vernon Wells.

I have a question...Doesnt anyone find it amazing that SOOOOO MANY of our players get hurt almost weekly... what the hec kind of training program are they on? NONE.... does dustbag make these guys do anything? NO POSSIBLE WAY guys that r in shape would not be hurt so much....I mean remember pete rose... diving sliding banging himself and he played i know bad luck comes into play but NOT THIS MUCH... whats wrong with this picture?

Don't forget Williamson... "Out of all the cities I've played in, I enjoyed it [in Cincinnati] the most. Boston was fun because we went to a World Series. Chicago was horrible."

Yeah, if I was Williamson I would hate it here too, since he sucked and was injured all the time. But hey at least he made $3 million out of it.

If you're watching the Dodgers/Padres tonight the great Vin Scully must have told us a dozen times that Greg Maddux is pitching a no-hitter. And so he is -- through five.

Hey the common theme is, our clubhouse is run like shit, and no one does anything to improve themselves. Those are slams against our wonderful manager. You know the guy whose strength is being such a great players manager.

Yeah Maddux saying the LAD clubhouse is quieter than the Cubs is saying "our clubhouse is run like shit". I see the comparison. And Willaimson said he did not like the city of Chicago, didn't say anything about the clubhouse. Keep reaching MikeC, hope you don't fall...

You must of not heard Williamson comments about how Dusty had his "boys." Oh yeah I am reaching. That goes directly to the clubhouse. Your the only one living in Dusty fantasy love land.

Keep defending Dusty till until you are out of breath Manny! I, for one, although one of much less renown than you, am sick of that bullshit! Evything filters back to Hendry, nothing is poor Johnnie B's fault...he's just the poor manager, how can he change anything??? Well who in the bloody blue hell will change the attitude on a day to day basis? It is Hendry's job to get players who will fit a certain scheme, so he has to shoulder much of the blame for this craptastic year. I have no idea what friggin' schem they have come up with. So because Bynum is on the team, he has to play him a few times a week, jamming bullshit lineup after bullshit lineup down our throats?? Well theriot is 7 for 10...better sit him and get Bynum in there....Murton's red hot....time to play Pagan...Barrett's out, so let's play our 34-yr old backup until his knees fall off. Fucking unbelievable...seriously. You seem really knowledgeable Manny...you do, but you have this giant blind spot when it comes to Dusty. This team is undisciplined, has no knowledge of fundamentals, and has a group of players who look like they train at the local Krispy Kreme. A little leadership would be a nice change of pace.

MikeC: "Your the only one living in Dusty fantasy love land." No, I just live in the land of reality, not the land make believe. Say hi to Mr. Rogers for me. But poor Williamson just felt unloved as he was another constantly injured sucky pitcher. Can't blame him I guess.

Right, I'm sure these are all disgruntled players, that's it manny. They're all just bitchy. Of course I don't hear guys saying it about other teams, but what they hell, Maddux is just being a girl about it, right? You're contending that he's just being unprofessional... All these comments about how poorly the Cubs are managed are not coincidence. Wake up, my friend. Your response is MikeC, hope you don't fall, say hi to Mr. Rogers? What? Also, professional ballplayers generally make a habit of not talking bad about other teams & players they've played with, so I imagine that Maddux's, Hairston's, Nevin's, and Williamson's comments were even made with a bit of restraint. New f'ing manager, please.

Dusty Baylor: "Keep defending Dusty till until you are out of breath Manny!" And you guys keep constantly bashing Baker until you are out of breath. "Evything filters back to Hendry, nothing is poor Johnnie B's fault." I have NEVER said nothing is Baker's fault. NEVER EVER. Please don't put words in my mouth. "It is Hendry's job to get players who will fit a certain scheme, so he has to shoulder much of the blame for this craptastic year." AMEN... And since you, and supposedly many others agree with this, it still amazes me how proportionately Baker gets the vast majority of negative posts. And I agree, Hendry has to shoulder most of the blame, and the players and Baker take the rest. "Well theriot is 7 for 10...better sit him and get Bynum in there....Murton's red hot....time to play Pagan...Barrett's out, so let's play our 34-yr old backup until his knees fall off." Theriot busted up his finger last night and had to be taken out of the game. Murton has gotten a majority of AB's over Pagan. And I agree about Blanco, I would like to see Soto more. But I think overall it is pretty obvious that Hendry wants to see as many of the youngsters play as possible and use the last 2 months as an extended ST. I think it is an OUTSTANDING idea on his part. I can't argue with it, even if it is going to look as ugly as the end of the season has been. "A little leadership would be a nice change of pace." I agree and hopefully we can get a GM in here who can finally get players who know fundamentals, can actually get on base, stay healthy and can play the game properly. Like someone has said a few times on here you can't make chicken salad with SHIT. You, and others can keep your focus on blaming Dusty, that is your choice and he does deserve some as he is the manager. But IMO Hendry is the main culprit (and you even admitted it) and since he is Dusty's boss, I think that is where the focus should be. If Dusty is gone next year and if this team is still shit again, then you gonna blame teh maanger again? I don't think anything will change with a new manager, not when we still keep overpaying for shit players and have a declining minor league system and can't sign top FA's. Go Cubs!!

By the way I had absolutely no expectations for Mateo when they brought him up. I remember thinking "what the f are they doing" but he's been pretty damn good. I'm not talking about stats here, I'm just saying, watching him pitch, he carries himself well. He hits his spots (which is important when your stuff is so mediocre), and doesn't give in to hitters. He's already picked up the concept that, if you're going to miss your spot, miss out of the strike zone. I'm also liking the looks of Ryu. He throws only slightly harder than Maddux, yet is able to keep the ball in the black and low enough to be effective. He did the same thing in ST, so I don't think this is just a flash, I think it's the real deal.

Ryno: "Maddux is just being a girl about it, right? You're contending that he's just being unprofessional..." No, he is not being a girl. All Maddux basically said was the LAD clubhouse was quieter than the Cubs. There is nothing wrong with him saying that. maddux is a very laid back guy and I am sure he doesn't like the music blaring and stuff, but I am also sure there have been many of a team that played music and stuff and still won.

mannytrillo: I have NEVER said nothing is Baker's fault. NEVER EVER. Please don't put words in my mouth. I think his point was that you generally blame Hendry for the failures of the team. Unfortunately, all signs point to the clubhouse being run poorly. mannytrillo: blah, blah, blah Still no response on what the other ex-Cubs have to say about the clubhouse? You know those guys actually spent time with the team on a day-to-day basis.

mannytrillo: All Maddux basically said was the LAD clubhouse was quieter than the Cubs. You almost got it, he said it was quieter, yes. But he also said it was nice "wasn't it?" and eluded to it being easier to prepare for a game.

The manager is the leader of the team, period. Its not the General Manager, the manager. You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit, but you don't have to add more shit to the mix, which is what Dusty does on a daily basis. He sat Theriot 2 weeks ago after going 7 for 10..I'm not talking about injury related changes.

Ryno: "I think his point was that you generally blame Hendry for the failures of the team." If that was his point, he should of said that, because what he said was inaccurate. "Still no response on what the other ex-Cubs have to say about the clubhouse?" I have responded throughout the last few posts, but I will try and put it here agin to make it easier for you. As for Maddux, all he basically said was he liked a quieter clubhouse in LA than in a noisyier one in Chicago. Ok, big deal. Nevin basically said the Twins are more dedicated to winning than the Cubs, well that would be directed at Hendry and the front office, not the clubhouse. Hairston said he was surprised the Rangers practiced everyday, that is nothing bashing the clubhouse, just basically saying the Rangers practice more than the Cubs or Orioles. And Williamson said he did not like the city of Chicago and that Dusty has "his boys". The second part could be seen as taking a shot at Dusty and the clubhouse I guess, but I think it is more that he felt he wasn't used enough.

Ryno: "But he also said it was nice "wasn't it?" and eluded to it being easier to prepare for a game." Yeah maybe for Maddux it is easier to prepare for a game in a quietier atmosphere. That doesn't mean other players feel that way. Obviously some players like teh music and stuff or they wouldn't be playing it.

Ok Manny: You generally blame Hendry instead of Baker for the team's problems. It is comical how quick you are to rush to Dusty's defense. He has been dealt a hand with few good cards, but it doesn't mean that he has to go out of his way to play the low cards...i.e. worse players.

I can see we're going to go in circles, so I'm going to bed. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, manny, but respectfully disagree with your defense of Dusty on all counts. Dusty does best when Dusty doesn't have to do anything. That's been his career.

BTW Manny, Maddux has said that he in NOT impressed with Dusty's managing ablities. That is a mouthful coming out of Maddux who hardly has anything bad to say about anyone.

I think we can classify Maddux as a baseball god, too. Man law?

I second it..

I'm just glad that at the end of the month we can move past this Dusty shit, because he won't be here anymore and we can all get along and concentrate on the Prior updates.

Dusty Baylor: "He sat Theriot 2 weeks ago after going 7 for 10..I'm not talking about injury related changes." He sat him for one damn game, then he started the the next four games in a row AND 6 of the next 7 games. And you still bitch....AMAZING!!! But I still don't think you get it. They want to take a look at more players than just Murton or Theriot. In Spring Training, players don't play everyday. Why? Becuase they are evaluating many players. Same here in August and September. That is why 30+ players are up with the team right now.

Oh, if there are baseball gods Maddux is in the team photo for sure.

Dusty Baylor: "Ok Manny: You generally blame Hendry instead of Baker for the team's problems." Much better.

I still bitch because of this: Why sit a guy who goes 7 for 10? Why not let him play a few in a row instead? What is to evaluate about Freddie Effing Bynum??? He is terrible.

Dallas Green: "BTW Manny, Maddux has said that he in NOT impressed with Dusty's managing ablities." Where did he say that? Do you have a link? I would love to see an actual quote of him saying that. Thanks!!

Dallas Green: "I'm just glad that at the end of the month we can move past this Dusty shit, because he won't be here anymore and we can all get along and concentrate on the Prior updates." I do agree somewhat with that. Because then the Cub fans can't scapegoat Baker anymore and hopefully Hendry, the main culprit, will finally fall between the crosshairs like he deserves to be.

I will dig up the link. It was in SI, Maddux had told either friends or the Dodgers I believe, and I didn't want to bring this up but I'm a Maitre'd at a restaurant where the Cubs frequent and I hear alot of things Manny and talk to many people but it's niether here nor there I just want you guys to know when it comes to Maddux he doesn't say much but he has said things about the clubhouse and they were not too good.

Hendry deserves to be in the crosshairs next year just for sticking with that mope for too long. However I will say Hendry did a good enough job o putting a team together that was good enough to win the NLCS in '03 and make the playoffs in '04 if not for a total collapse in both cases.

Dallas Green: "I will dig up the link. It was in SI, Maddux had told either friends or the Dodgers I believe," Ok, so it wasn't a quote, supposedly told some "friends". That makes more sense.

Right, it's not like Maddux would come out and be quoted he has too much class. I'm suprised that much was printed.

Dallas Green: "Hendry deserves to be in the crosshairs next yearjust for sticking with that mope for too long." Well, see, there is the main problem right there. He should of been in the crosshairs the past two years, but really wasn't, he for the most part got a free pass.

As did your boy, Dusty F. Baker... (fluuuuuush) Bye Dusty...bye-bye!!

Yes Hendry is guilty of many crimes. It just isn't about wins and losses to me. With Dusty It's this... way he managed games 6 and 7 way he let his clubhouse go to hell in 04 retarded excuses he gives on a daily basis woe is me attitude "I need all my horses" horseshit the dinasour baseball philosophy the abuse of Prior in '03 and then crying how he is always hurt just sick of him...and I wanted him here as bad as anyone in the 02 off-season I rooted against the Giants so that we could get him..uuuggh

I mean what the FUCK did we pay him 16 million dollars for? So he could wine about too many young players, not enough speed, not enough power, too hot, too cold, blah, blah, blah. Sometimes I think for 4 mil a year he also wants Barry Bonds, an average age of 35 around the diamond, a temp of 72, pitchers with bionic arms, fans who only worship him, media who never question him and someone to stick a finger up his ass while Nefi bats second.

Agreed, Dallas Green. The worst signing of Hendry's tenure thus far has been Baker. $16M over 4 years... FOR A MANAGER (and a poor one at that)?! I'd say that's a bigger waste of money than Neifi's and Rusch's contracts.

It's definitely a bigger waste. If you only waste $$ on Neifi/Rusch, a good manager uses Neifi as a defensive replacement and well, I don't know what he does with Rusch. You get the idea

I have NEVER said nothing is Baker's fault. NEVER EVER. Please don't put words in my mouth. What a fucking joke. I've never met a politician with such a forked tounge. Manny has also NEVER EVER said what exactly Dusty Baker is responsible for either. In fact, He has repeatedly refused to answer the questions as to what Dusty is responsible for, except for this non-sensensical vauge bullshit that "Dusty's the manager so he's partly responsible." It just happens that EVERY time there is something that Dusty Baker should be blamed for Manny also has a reason why its not Dusty's fault and Hendry should take the blame. Hell, Manny has even said he hasn't lost confidence in Dusty and thinks its fine if Dusty comes back in 2007, under a new GM (blowing that "tied at the hip BS out of the water too). Give up the act. If someone REFUSES to blame Dusty for anything specific, they lose the right to bitch that people are putting words in their mouth when accused of saying that Dusty isn't responsible for anything.

Encouraging.... "Tyler Colvin, the No. 1 draft pick in June, was second in the Northwest League with 53 RBIs and fourth with 11 homers" From Chicagosports.com

I don't think it is possible for an objective observer to look at the 2006 Cubs and not pin a large portion of the blame for the team's problems on Dusty Baker. In a year where the team was poorly built by Hendry and where injuries have been a problem, Dusty has managed to make things even worse. His in-game blunders have been well documented, but the thing that bothers me the most is his inability or unwillingness to motivate the troops. Instead, he has thrown up his hands and accepted that he and the team are simply victims and nothing can be done about it. Other managers deal with similar challenges, but I'm not aware of any others that have simply given up the way that Dusty gave up. For $4 million per year, I would expect Dusty to be a leader. Instead, he just comes to work and goes through the motions. That's certainly not what I thought the Cubs were getting when they hired him in 2003. I bought into the hype of him being one of the better managers in the game. In his four years in Chicago, he certainly hasn't shown that he is one of the best.

I don't think it is possible for an objective observer to look at the 2006 Cubs and not pin a large portion of the blame for the team's problems on _____________. Fill in the blank; I agree!

Can somebody explain to me why Henry Blanco is playing 1B and batting SIXTH today against a 35yo journeyman pitcher?? I almost understood it last time - Mabry was banged up and Iowa was in what amounted to a playoff game so they left Moore down there. But today?? Why can't Scott Moore play 1B today? If they want to sign Blanco for 2007 under the condition that he learns to be a passable defensive 1B for emergencies, double-switches, doubleheaders... ok fine - LET HIM LEARN IN SPRING TRAINING OR WINTER BALL!! FREE SCOTT MOORE!

NICK: HAven't you learned by now that the manager LOVES MATCHUPS. So, if he can squeeze in either a double switch for no real apparent reason, OR go LRLRLR in the batting order - depending on the opposing pitcher -he will do it! Besides, we know Dusty is extremely loyal to his "players", and Hank White is an experienced first baseman having played one game in 1997 with the Dodgers, and of course his 14 INNINGS he has played in the 2006 Cubs campaign. There ya have it, "Dude"! Make sense?

haha, Blanco at 1b again and we have Scott Moore on the roster. Wait this is Hendry's fault isn't it?

The pitch Dunn struck out on... wow. It was almost art.

Hey, at least the lineup generator got it half right. Soto is finally getting a start...:)

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.