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

Interviews Begin

It looks like Joe Girardi got his interview today with the Cubs. The article also says that AAA coach Mike Quade and AA coach Pat Listach will get interviews later this week. Interesting. I'm not 100% sold on Girardi quite yet, but some of his quotes in this Daily Herald article sounded promising. I found this one to be the most interesting:
"If you have seven home run hitters, you probably canít run a lot. Same thing with kids or veterans. The kind of players you have dictates how you manage. You adapt."
Beyond being respected in the clubhouse by your players, I personally believe it's the most important trait a manager should possess. We'll see if Girardi is true to his word though.

Comments

One interesting and unreported aspect of the interview was Girardi's repeated attempts to bunt at softball questions.

The interviews with Listash and Quade are window dressing. Unless they seeing if they would be coaches in Chicago.

Unless the Cubs are for sale....I think if that's the case you may see Listash or Quade getting the job on a small pay raise.

does being italian-american (girardi) cut any ice with the mlb offices, as it relates to minority interviewing?

Or if the top name managers see that the organization is years away from winning and thus have better options out there.

DC- Lasorda, Valentine and Fregosi were seen picketing outside Steinbrenner's office for the mistreatment of their brother Joe Torre.

You serious Clark?

does being italian-american (girardi) cut any ice with the mlb offices, as it relates to minority interviewing? If Girardi gets the job...I predict: Alessandro Maestri will be the Cub closer by season's end. --- ìWe call him the ëItalian Stallion,íî says Hawks teammate Deryck Lewis. ìThey call me that, but Iím not,î Maestri says in response.

jacos: The interviews with Listash and Quade are window dressing. Apparently Quade & Listash are managers for the AAA & AA minor league affiliates. I was wondering if the minor league managers would be considered, I guess so.

I believe they did it so to keep them happy and something to stick on their resume (in running for Cub manager job) or to let Girardi to know to pick one for your staff. Then he can be the snitch like Kenny Williams had for the Sox a few seasons back. I forget which coach it was. "You adapt." Dusty said he was going to adapt, but luckily his wife became pregnant with Darrin.

Posted by: dc60124 at October 9, 2006 08:45 PM does being italian-american (girardi) cut any ice with the mlb offices, as it relates to minority interviewing? - DC60124: Pat Listach qualifies as the pre-requisite minority candidate.

pat listach and his toy dog with a cubs uniform in the dugout is just the spark this team needs.

AZ Phil, How does Listach qualify as a "minority canidate"? Does he have a disability or something?

If this Torre story is true, Hendry should sign Pinella this week if he's serious about having as a manager. He dodged one bullet with the Yanks, if not it should be Girardi unless size 9 hat from "german for whale's vagina" mucks things up.

I'm worried that McDonough and Hendry will be listening to closely to what the media has to say. The only trait the media cares about in a new manager is whether the new manager is "good with the media." I want a manager who understands OBP, won't bat Cesar Izturis second in the lineup and can preserve his starting pitching for 162 games.

#15 of 17: By chifan3887 (October 10, 2006 08:26 AM) AZ Phil, How does Listach qualify as a "minority canidate"? Does he have a disability or something? - CHIFAN3887: Listach is an African American.

"Joe-ing Nowhere" How long did the editor's spend thinking up that head line?

CHIFAN3887: Listach is an African American. Next you'll be telling us Khalil Greene is, oh, wait a minute.

I believe they did it so to keep them happy and something to stick on their resume (in running for Cub manager job) Ha... Who puts "in running for a job" on their resume. "Hi...I applied for a job and got an interview, but they didn't hire me. Doesn't that make you want to hire me?"

Dave- Well it goes out to the media showing they were interviewed for the job is what I meant. So that other teams might look at them for their openings also. Like I said it's window dressing.

It will be Lou P. Evidently Hendry convinced him that they can win it in 2007. My bet is that we will hear something by the weekend.

Lou Piniella said that he had spoken with Washington general manager Jim Bowden about the Nationalsí managerial vacancy but that he was not interested. ìTheyíre a team thatís going to be building for the future,î Piniella said. ìThatís a situation thatís not for a guy like me.î Piniella said he also had preliminary discussions with the San Francisco Giants. From Foxsports.com rumor page

sarasota cub fan: Do you have any reference for your comment? How do you know we will hear something by this weekend? cubby78

Maybe it is just me, but I care far less about who the manager is going to be than I care about if there has been a change in the way the Cubs value players. Given that Hendry is still the GM, I would guess that it is a pipe dream to think there will be any changes.

sarasota cub fan: It will be Lou P. Evidently Hendry convinced him that they can win it in 2007. My bet is that we will hear something by the weekend. I know, I know, this is the Internet and you should take everything with a grain of salt, but please try not to post conjecture or speculation as if it were fact.

that same article says Ramirez's agent and Hendry exhchanged figures this weekend and are expected to meet again this week.

OK. Could someone give me a $$$ estimate for this team? The Cubs should do this this off season: 1) Resign Juan Pierre and Aramis Ramirez 2) Sign Alfonso Soriano, Jason Schmidt and Daisuke Matsuzaka 3) Trade for Arod At this point, getting ARod wouldn't be as hard as it once was. Just offer to pay his entire contract and send back two solid prospects. In my mind, I'm think Angel Guzman and Felix Pie. I'd have no problem with a trade like that. There are very few teams that can afford Arod but I think the Cubs can. How big would the Cubs' payroll be with a team like this? Pierre-CF Arod-SS Lee-1B Ramirez-3B Soriano-2B Jones-RF Barrett-C Murton-LF SP Zambrano Schmidt Matsuzaka Hill Prior? RP Howry Eyre Dempster Aardsma Ohman Wood? Anyone want to do the numbers? Can we get Arod and keep the payroll below 150 Mill?

Padres very interested in making a play for A-Rod. See BenMaller.com

Torre just announced he WILL be back with the Yanks next season. Looks like Lou is available.

the payroll is gonna be around 100m suposedly... it'll probally be an either/or of 1 of the big names...not a grab for every one available. ...and i dont think a team out there wants soriano for 2nd.

Rob G., if Piniella comes here, to me it means that the Cubs have made a commitment to spending money and being a contender next year. I don't think Piniella will come under any other circumstances. Hendry's past reluctance to spend $ on free agents will be out the window. I'm pulling for Piniella for a couple of reason, but mostly because of the improvement he will demand.

"Padres very interested in making a play for A-Rod." They're also interested in re-opening trade proposals with SEA on A.Beltre http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061010/news_1s10padres.html Pads will have some major $ to spend with Klesko, Woody Williams and Park coming off the books but Beltre seems more logical than A-Rod...too big a park for A-rod to renounce his no-trade. A-rod is all about his numbers afterall. And apparently Daisuke Matsuzaka officially received permission by his Japanese league Seibu Lions club today to negotiate a potential mlb contract. Of course they'll receive a $25-30 million dollar kickback on that right.

A-rod- The Yanks are only(only!!!) paying 14 million a year next 4 years. Who do you trade for him? "Hendry's past reluctance to spend $ on free agents will be out the window" ---it's not if he spends but how much will he spend. Like I said there will be a jihad in NY for pitching which is the number one thing this team needs. They can have Jesus as manager but it won't matter without two more legitamate starters.

the payroll is gonna be around 100m suposedly... I don't accept this and either should Cub fans anywhere. The Cubs generate revenue somewhere closer to the big boys like the Mets, Red Sox, Yankees and Dodgers. They shouldn't spend money like they are the Mariners are Padres! I don't think very many ticket holders would mind an accompaning increase in prices to go a long with this lineup. As long as the lineup looks something like this! it'll probally be an either/or of 1 of the big names...not a grab for every one available. If they don't end up with at least two, they will end up in last place or near that again next year. They can't go into the season relying on Mark Prior and hoping Cesar Izturis can OPS over .600. Period. They need players like that to be gravy. ...and i dont think a team out there wants soriano for 2nd. Is Soriano that much worse a second baseman than say Todd Walker? If he isn't, I think he's way to big of an asset at second base. It would be stupid for the Cubs to sign Soriano to be a left fielder to replace Matt Murton, who is a solid player that possesses all the skills the Cubs need to foster, rather than use him to replace the Theriot/Cedeno juggernaut. Come on Cub fans. We need to demand more. Ray Durham? Give me a break, not unless we can get a .950 OPS player to replace Pierre in center. Forget it.

yeah with Torre staying and Pinella out of the running that means it's a little more likely that he could be dealt. I hope it does happen because I don't want another year of A-rod/NY media coverage. Deal him to the left coast so the media can forget all about him until he approaches Aaron/Barroid. and according to the update fellow on espn1000 Brenly gets his interview on Thurs or Friday.

"The Cubs generate revenue somewhere closer to the big boys like the Mets, Red Sox, Yankees and Dodgers." I got news for you, when it comes to revenue, the Cubs are in the big boys club, not near.

"Who puts 'in running for a job' on their resume"? Not too many people, I suppose. But it sure beats putting "I managed for the organization but when the top job opened up I wasn't even considered" on your resume.

you cant put any team in the yanks/mets market...dodgers/angels come close, but its like saying the rsox are big spenders like the yanks. both are big spenders, but 70-80m in payroll separate them. no matter how we feel about the payroll, its supposedly in the 100m area. just like now matter how people feel like izturis, unless he's injured/traded he'll be the starting SS. and just like how if the cubs turn over 3-5m to retain prior he's not gonna "compete" for a job if healthy, he'll just be penciled in. the cubs are big boys in the market-share/wealth game, but theyre not in the NY league. yeah, they could field a 120m team...at least i see no market-driven reason they couldnt compared to other's markets. they're not though...unless something changes the next few months.

"Is Soriano that much worse a second baseman than say Todd Walker?" He makes Walker look like Sandberg.

I got news for you, when it comes to revenue, the Cubs are in the big boys club, not near. I made my statement without knowing the exact facts about the situation. But yeah, they are IN the big boys club and as such should be dominating this division, or at the very least going back and forth with Cardinals. It is ridiculous that we put up with a team that is even CAPABLE of finishing in last place, much less actually doing it. How does a team this rich allow people like John Mabry, Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston to suck up many hundred valuable at bats like they are the Pirates? Two big name free agents at the minimum. If that doesn't happen, we all, as Cub fans should be very unsatisfied.

He makes Walker look like Sandberg. I seriously doubt that. Still, he is only an option. If he really shouldn't be playing second base than we need to look elsewhere. The Cubs need help in their middle infield. That is where they need to find players (given that they ARE going to start Jones in right field no matter what).

sayers...no one probally wants soriano for 2nd...even at the trade deadline no one was looking him there in trade talks. his days there are just done. he wasnt a good 2nd to begin with, he never grew into it (he wasnt a good SS either) and now he's a full year removed from even playing there. and yeah, he was really bad when he was there to begin with. ...btw...having jones in RF is bad but having soriano at 2nd is good? i dont follow that one at all.

Soriano fielding percentages at 2b- .968 .975 .969 .972 Makes Ronnie Cedeno look like Roberto Alomar.

...btw...having jones in RF is bad but having soriano at 2nd is good? i dont follow that one at all. No. Here's my point. Soriano works with the Cubs as a second baseman. As an outfielder, he doesn't work because: A) Jacque Jones ain't going no where B) Matt Murton should be the starting left fielder. Having a bat like Soriano at second would be awesome and I don't see why we shouldn't go for it if we have DLee at first and if we have either Izturis or (my dream) Arod at short. With our strikeout based pitching staff and someone like Theriot or Izturis around for defensive purposes, I think it's worth gamble whether or not any other team did or didn't want him at second at the trade deadline. I don't like him as an outfielder. Do you? If he's really no better than trying to stick Andre Dawson at second, I stand corrected but I believe he would be a poor second baseman, not Mike Piazza trying to play the position.

Soriano fielding percentages at 2b- .968 .975 .969 .972 Makes Ronnie Cedeno look like Roberto Alomar. You got someone else in mind for the postion? If it's Ronny Cedeno or Ryan Theriot, the Cubs may as well apply to play in the International League because they aren't major league team. Who's the Cubs' 2B in 2007?

Since Girardi used to be spoken of as Torre's heir apparent, and since his stock has risen lately, it's hard to believe that the Yankees would let the Cubs have him for the next three years or longer without an argument, especially with Torre's contract set to expire in a year. So I'm wondering if more didn't happen yesterday than was reported. Like the Yankees contacting Girardi, Girardi informing the Cubs, the Cubs and Girardi shaking hands, Girardi telling the Yankees no. So we might have a manager already. I'll be proven wrong if Girardi accepts new interviews or the Cubs interview new candidates. I mean other people besides Brenly and the two minor-league managers, who are Trib employees and would be granted a courtesy interview if they asked for it. I don't know much about Piniella except that he seems like Dusty II. When I googled "piniella," "blowhard" and "fossil" I got an article by Tim Marchman in the New York Sun that tended to confirm my impression.

I didn't advocate him for second, Sparky. He's an adventure in the outfield too. I would stick with Theriot and find a better hitting option at SS or CF. You will have Lee and Barrett for a whole season and hopefully Aram. Does Soriano pitch? That's the biggest hole on this team.

Say we get Soriano...could either he or Jones play CF?

You will have Lee and Barrett for a whole season and hopefully Aram. YIPPEE!!! Maybe we'll get to 70 wins! Yeay! Does Soriano pitch? That's the biggest hole on this team. In my original post, I also recommended the Cubs sign Jason Schmidt and make a real play for Daisuke Matsuzaka plus I think the Cubs should bring in Arod to play shortstop. If it's only Arod and Theriot is the 2B, I'd have no problem with that but the Cubs have to bring in at least one big bat and at least one big arm this off season. I vote for two of each, but I'd be happy with one of each. Two of each gets our wins ceiling up close to if not above 100 wins. one of each gets us close to 95 at the top end of our win expectation. Only signing one free agent? We might win 85 games if everything clicks. Not good enough.

My comments are just that, comments. I just think that the Cubs want to wrap this this up before all the good canidates are with other teams. Lou P. was available back when the Cubs hired Dusty and I thought that he was right for the job at that time and if the club makes a committment to spend the money I still think that he's the right guy. There's nothing wrong with a little emotion from your manager, especially if it's directed somewhere besides at the announcer's booth.

I heard the George loves Showalter btw, guess he wanted to hire him back after he fired him. I mean like the same year, after they hired Torre. Just something I heard on the radio. I think Cashman talked George out of it anyway, he's supposed to have more power these days as is. Soriano or Jones in CF/RF would be an option. My guess is the Cubs make runs at Soriano, Schmidt and Zito and a cursory run at Matszuka. We'll see if Trib/Hendry/McDonough (whoever you want to blame, I pick Trib) is willing to hand out a contract that will likely be very unreasonable. A lot of teams with lots of money with the same holes are bidding for these guys. Contracts are going to get nuts this off-season in my opinion.

Say we get Soriano...could either he or Jones play CF? Jones is not a center fielder at all. I'd be interested in seeing what all the defensive geniuses around here say about Soriano as a center fielder but if he is the center fielder than I wouldn't have a problem with using Theriot or bringing in Durham to play second.

sayers..the team has a 100m-ish payroll no matter how anyone feels about it except for the guys handing out the money. the team has roughly 25m to work with and that's on the high end. even giving out backloaded contracts its gonna be rough or future-punishing to get more than 2 superstars signed. it'll most likely be one. hopefully it wont be corey lidle + ray durham/julio lugo + other iffy stuff. i actually wouldnt mind lidle, but not as the key SP upgrade...

Matsuzaka is going to be posted: And the Cubs need to get him! Or at least one other big name starting pitcher. I moved my radar to Schmidt and not Zito because I don't think we're getting Zito. He's already a Yankee for all intents and purposes but Matsuzaka and Schmidt? Good enough for me.

jones used to be a CF, btw...only reason he still isnt is cuz he had a strong arm before he frayed up his shoulder and they had a super-A.Jones-like CF in Hunter...caused his shift. jones playing CF wouldnt be a huge stretch...but filling the vacancy in RF would.

sayers..the team has a 100m-ish payroll no matter how anyone feels about it except for the guys handing out the money. Why do we accept this? This is total crap. The Cubs act like a mid market team but make money like the Red Sox. If they act this offseason like they are the Giants instead of who they are, they deserve the drop in revenue and attendance that will accompany it. 100 million? Oh, yippee, let's sign Andy Pettitte and win the title!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!! bullcrap

you accept it cuz you have to. if you can do something about it, please do. then go share your technique with baltimore fans cuz they're more desperate than you are. if not, there's the yanks.

I appreciate your passion there Sayers, but I'm not sure what us accepting it has to do with it. It's just the reality of the situation. Yeah, we could boycott or stop watching, but other than that, it is what it is. And yes, I attend far fewer games when the Cubs are sucking and buy no merchandise at those times, but in the end it's not going to change much. I unfortunately do not have the time to picket Tribco towers demanding a payroll splurge. I'm not thrilled with it, the Cubs could certainly spend more, but am I supposed to go follow the Yankees or something? I don't think so....

Big Stein has backed himself into a corner with bringing in Guidry as pitching coach and Donnie Baseball as hitting coach because if he didn't intend to fire Torre then Mt.Steiny would've at least erupted enough to whack one or two of Torre's cronies ie Mel Stottlemyre or Zimmer previously. Firing two even more beloved Yanks would be a bigger PR hit than clipping Torre. I haven't heard where Big Stein sits on Girardi, but I know Cashman likes him. It's not like Girardi won't manage both the Yanks and Cubs at some point in his career yet. I don't think Girardi is in any danger of being able to stick around in a Bochy/LaRussa type tenure with either club...too much media pressure.

Sayers- I understand your passion, but yeah you are right the reality blows. It is after all a business. Do the Yanks drop Williams and Sheffields' contracts this year? Zito=Mets Schmidt and Matsuzaka=Yanks

I highly doubt Sheff is back, your guesses seem very reasonable though, but who knows.

The Cubs need guys to get on base. They were sixth in the NL in hits but last in OBP and next to last in runs scored. Hopefully Theriot can continue where he left off. If I was in an interview with the managerial hopefuls I'd ask, "So, Izturis batting second. Stupid? Or really fucking insanely stupid?" And oh yeah... they need three starting pitchers. Or are the people who talked last offseason about what a masterful job Hendry did of stockpiling pitchers still happy with the amazing depth?

Twinkies just picked up Torii Hunter's $12m option. You'd have to figure with Pete Martinez out at least the first half of the 2007 season that the Mets will land one of the Zito/Matsuzaka/Schmidt or a trade for D.Willis which seems unlikely...especially if Glavine returns to the ATL. I still think Zito might stay on the left coast with LAD or SD though it seems more likely one of the NY teams will vastly overpay for him. fwiw Olbermann has speculated that the Yanks could lose up to 10 of the current Yanks with Sheffield, Lidle & Bernie gone, Mussina might be cut loose completely as KO stated that he doesn't get along with anyone on the team, Jaret Wright will get bought out, and if anyone wants to trade for Giambi's final two years the Yanks would pick up some of his contract in the neighborhood of $5m per year on the two remaining years...that would seem like the least likely of course.

Well, another CF is off the market. JP's value maybe increased another $1MM? I don't think Hendry will sign him - and we lose three pitchers in the deal for a freakin' rental player on the worst team in the NL. SHIT!

How much $$$ will Pinella want? I would guess more than Baker's 4x4ML deal. I don't believe thats in the budget.

As long as we're speculating, I would expect the Mets to pick up Glavine's option and also sign a FA pitcher. Zito has been the rumor, but I'm thinking he will sign with San Diego. I just don't see Zito enjoying the NYC life. I expect the Yankees to concentrate on bolstering their pitching. Mussina has a $17 million team option which I don't think they'll pick up. There's some question about Randy Johnson coming back because of his back problems, and if he does come back, it's questionable how effective he'll be. Tanyon Sturtz and Cory Lidle are both free agents. That leaves Wang and Pavano (although I'm not sure what the latest is on Pavano's health). So the Yankees desperatly need pitching. I expect them to sign Matsuzaka and make a run at Zito. I'm hoping the Cubs can temp the Yanks with some pitching prospects in exchange for ARod. The only topline pitcher I haven't discussed is Jason Schmidt. I'd like to think the Cubs have a shot at him, but I think it is more likely that he will sign with Seattle, especially if they can move Adrian Beltre's contract.

state of Washington has no state tax as well, (along with Texas & Florida), that's can be a huge chunk of change in these deals.

IF only we had Dusty! We could sign Jason Schmidt for sure!

"Mussina has a $17 million team option which I don't think they'll pick up.' I wouldn't mind Mussina here. If Zito goes to SD I doubt Bochy will be itching to come here.

"If Zito goes to SD I doubt Bochy will be itching to come here." I'm not sure what is behind all of this Bochy talk, but I don't think the Padres are going to let Bochy go. I also don't see the Cubs passing over Girardi or Pinella for Bochy.

Let me throw out a question. For all of you leaning toward Girardi to be the next Cubs manager, would you change your mind and support Pinella if it would increase the chances that ARod would come to the Cubs?

Bochy would be hired before Zito signs anywhere, why Bochy (or anyone) for that matter would move from San Diego to Chicago is beyond me though. And yes if LouPA brings A-rod here (and we keep Aramis), bring him in, by all means. but of course Neifi was supposed to increase our chances to sign Furcal, so unless LouPa and A-rod are hand-in-hand come the introductory press conference, I wouldn't put a lot of faith in it.

No, unless Aramis would be part of the trade it doesn't seem the Cubs would have the ammo to deal for A-rod...it would probably have to include a 3 way deal like the Nomar trade. Guzman, Marmol etc have mimimal trade value until they prove they're able to find the plate. The Yanks really don't need another OFer in Pie and Hill is probably second to untouchable behind Z on the club right now. Plus, I can't stand A-rod so I wouldn't want to see or read about him on an everyday basis. The Cubs have no shot in 2007 so I'd personally prefer to wait until '08 to spend the $ on V.Wells and Joe Nathan, or Michael Young(moving back to 2B...not as a SS). A-rod's too high maintenence for my taste...probably lead to a Sosa like meltdown and we don't need another of those.

"I wouldn't mind Mussina here." Only Moose wants to stay close to his home in PA so he'd probably go to Philly or Boston or the Mets before he moved to Chicago.

a-rod + pinella= YES!!!! But don't do it in place of getting no pitching. (see 2006 Yankees) "Free agents in 2007..." In the last couple of years where have the Cubs gotten any hitter of value from? Trades. Why? Because some f@cktard team outspends them for any valuable free agent.

Ramirez for A-rod isn't very plausible, I guess unless it happens in the next 3 weeks and the Yanks sign him to an extension. Cause either Aramis is going to opt for free agency or he's going to sign with us and get a no-trade clause (2007 and 2008) until he becomes a 10/5 man when it automatically kicks in anway, (similar to D-Lee's deal). i would imagine the Yanks would want pitching or to stock their farm system so they have some trade bait which they sorely lack at the moment. They certainly don't need anymore hitters. So I do think that if A-rod becomes available, the Cubs have a good a chance as anybody.

Bogey- Southwest flies to Philly and Pittsburgh now!!!

Yeah but if Aramis isn't in the deal where do the Yankees get their 3B? Yanks aren't going to turn to Joe Randa or A.Boone in FA. I can't imagine they'd want to explore an Adrian Beltre trade either. Have to be a 3 way unless they're stupid enough to put Eric Duncan back at 3B.

"where do the Yankees get their 3B?" Mike Lowell?

Jacos, even though Mussina can be a human rain delay of Trachsel like proportions, I'd be all in on a 1 yr + option on Moose for around $9m per, but I think he'll stay on the east coast...I believe he's from Lancaster PA which is about 60m from Philly and the Phils can use some pitching.

Somehow I don't see Boston dealing a scrub reliever to NYY let alone Lowell.

I believe that I read here in TCR that Lowell has another year on his contract remaining. I don't remember how many millions of dollars its for, either. But I'm pretty confident he's not a FA

Sorry, I thought he was a FA. Yankees drafted him 1995.

Yeah but if Aramis isn't in the deal where do the Yankees get their 3B? Who the hell cares!!! If I was the Yanks (certainly not what the Yanks would do), I'd wise up and realize getting an All-star at every position but having 5 over-the-hill and/or one-year wonders starting isn't the way to go (not including Wang I guess). Pedro Feliz would be fine there, good glove, David Bell would be even better. Who knows what the Yanks will ultimately do, but I don't see why they'd have to trade for another 3b? There are plenty of other options there. But speaking of A-rod, what is he a 2-time MVP? And this could be the 2nd time he'd get traded and his 4th team. Those seem like some large warning signs.

"Those seem like some large warning signs." Texas way over payed him, like by $ 100 million over the second best offer. They do things big in Texas! Of course that left enough to sign Chan Ho Park to a stupid contract. So when the Dallas area fans decided to spend their summers staring at the calander waiting for summer camp for the Cowboys to open up rather than go to a Rangers game Hicks started losing money. With the Yankees you are not a true Yankee until you win a WS. So they are all over him and when he didn't show a little remorse they decided to back up the steroid freak, who they were clamoring to release only two seasons ago. I would say that both situations were disfunctional at best. He flourished in Seattle and I would believe he would do that here too. Cub fans embrace their star players, he would be stupid not to agree to go somewhere like here.

Brian Cashman came out publicly today that said Alex Rodriquez will not be traded. The Yankees are going to concentrate on adding starting pitching and bullpen help while shedding some of the veterans with contracts that are up, to include Mike Mussina, Gary Sheffield and Bernie Williams.

"Pedro Feliz would be fine there, good glove, David Bell would be even better." Pedro Feliz good glove? I thought the Giants moved him off of 3B two years ago to LF then 1B, then had to move him back to 3B only because the guy they hoped to replace him with in Edgardo Alfonzo was a complete bust offensively. David Bell has falled off greatly with both the bat and glove. Philly traded him and replaced him with a guy in Abraham Nunez who was a .200 hitter.

Peter Gammons says that Jim Hendry's number one target for manager is Bruce Bochy. Says also that he has contacted Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers about gaining permission to speak with Bochy.

"David Bell has falled off" oops, meant David Bell has fell off.

"Peter Gammons says that Jim Hendry's number one target for manager is Bruce Bochy" How many "dream" managers does one GM get? If he f's up not getting Girardi, Pinella or Bochy he better be canned.

The defeatism and acceptance here shocks me. Don't we, as Cub fans, deserve a better team than this? I'm not saying picket or boycott but the Cubs do have to make a rather large splash in the free agent/trade market this year which I think should, at the very least, net them two big stars if not more (I'd advocate four). Two big name acquisitions (and no, I don't include Carols Lee) would make them a candidate to catch the Cardinals especially if at least one of them is a starting pitcher. Another off season like last season and I think the Cubs WILL lose revenue this year and it may be a huge and precipitous drop. Such a drop to what is probably the biggest Trib Co money maker will not bode well for the Trib in any way. Two big name players minimum. That is what we should expect and demand.

Jim Hendry doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground. I believe the rumor he is after Bruce Bochy. I also believe the rumor that he is after Lou Pinella and Joe Girardi. And I'll even believe the rumor that he's after Hermans Franks if someone comes out and reports that. Hendry has zero clue. He is a man in way, way, way over his head. John McDonough? Pffft. He's just a talking mouthpiece figurehead who speaks in fluid marketing guy cliche speak put in place by the Tribune Company. It won't matter who the Cubs hire as next Manager unless Hendry develops and executes upon a strategic plan for this ballclub. First on the list should be completely revamping the player selection and development process. Lets stop kidding ourselves Jimbo. Make 2007 a rebuilding year and do this thing right.

Please Jim Hendry, hire Joe Girardi. That's all I wish for in life. Is that too much to ask? Lou Pinella is a 137 years old, fat and routinely takes naps in the dugout. I toured Tropicana Field in St. Pete and there is actually a sign in the home dugout that reads, "Lou Pinella slept here, 2003-2005."

"David Bell has falled off" oops, meant David Bell has fell off. Try "has fallen off."

Two big name players minimum. That is what we should expect and demand. I expect and demand two big name acquisitions. Woo!! Who's on board? What am I supposed to do when I don't get that again? Seriously, we need some fan etiquette rules provided here. Radio shows, boycotts, towel drills, toilet papering Fitzsimmons. McDonough and Hendry's house, what's the plan when that doesn't happen? Lead the charge brotha, I'm with you!!! (Grabbing my pitchfork and torch)

To the Tower!!!! The monster must die!!!!!!!!!!!

#90 of 104: By The E-Man (October 10, 2006 03:44 PM) I believe that I read here in TCR that Lowell has another year on his contract remaining. I don't remember how many millions of dollars its for, either. But I'm pretty confident he's not a FA E-MAN: Mike Lowell gets $9M in 2007, then he's a FA.

Jacos: "How many "dream" managers does one GM get? If he f's up not getting Girardi, Pinella or Bochy he better be canned." Hendry is setting this up perfectly, so if he says one specific maanger is he favorite and doesn't get him, he doesn't lose face. So he basically says 3 he has 3 dream managers and he almost can't go wrong.

not that this matters at all, but when did Hendry say any of these guys were his dream manager? I guess I heard something about really liking Bochy, but where's the other stuff coming from?

Agree with Manny. The befuddled Jim Hendry is setting this thing up in such a way that whoever he hires will be labeled his primary choice all along. It's just like when he said the Cubs put an offer on the table for Carlos Beltran, when in fact all he did was submit a token low-ball bid in the 11th hour. All I do know is that Hendry clearly isn't enamored with Joe Girardi. Keep in mind Florida GM Larry Beinfast and Hendry are friends. Plus, Girardi might still be holding a grudge that Hendry didn't re-sign him in 2003, even though it was clear that Todd Hundley was a colossal bust.

or maybe Hendry doesn't know who the hell he wants and that's why they're doing interviews? just a thought....

If Hendry hires anybody else besides Girardi, then I just don't know what I am going to do. It might be the end of my 41 year love affair with the Cubs.

media : have some table scraps. people : thank you can we have some more? media : here, suck the marrow from this bone. people : mmm...this is so good. got anything else? media : here, lick the plate. people : oh god, yes. no one needed anyone from any source of power to say torre/arod were here or good as gone. the media whipped the fanboys and casual fans into a frenzy printing one unsubstantiated and unattributed article after article til it became a story. and *poof* just like that...it was gone. i think i'll throw bobby cox to the cubs into the mix...its about as valid as anyone else's ragwork...i'll just say...hmmm...lemmie see if i can find a bone with meat on it...oh yeah, andrew jones and bobby cox both being traded out of ATL cuz umm...let's just say ATL's new ownership's lack of money investment in the team. that sound good enough? =p

seriously, though...any article with the words "could/should/might" anywhere near the actual point of the article is barely worth mentioning as legit without some actual people behind it pointing it in the right direction. the crux is sometimes an annoymous source is a legit lead. unfortunately there's more baseless crap tossed about than legit breaks. ...and some reporters, esp. some for minor publications (even if they do contract work for bigger publications occasionally) just make up crap all the time hoping their theories stick...relishing in it when they get one right.

The Cubs don't NEED to spend $150 mil. in 2007 to compete. They don't need to buy 3-4 top FA's. What they need to do is spend money wisely. No bidding against yourself or overpaying for backup/replacement level guys like Izturis, Neifi & Rusch. No paying Pierre $9-$10 million. No offering Kerry Wood more than a low-ball incentive-laden 1 year deal. I love Henry, but save the money and use Soto as a backup instead. Add starting pitching and OBP. There is plenty of BA and SLG already on the team and a heckuva bullpen. If anything, go after Soriano for CF/LF - whichever you prefer. SS - Theriot 2B - Loretta/Durham/Fontenot 1B - D-Lee 3B - Aramis C - Barrett LF - Murton RF - Jacque CF - Pie/Brady Clark Find a cheap, productive RH hitter to platoon with Jacque. How about that? That offense should be plenty and then you can spend money on aquiring Schmidt, Suppan and locking up Big Z. Rotation

im not bitching, btw...rumors, much like politicians who make racists comments, open up dialogue and that's what msg boards are about. i just find it hard to get into the hype til someone tips their cap.

"...no one needed anyone from any source of power to say torre/arod were here or good as gone. the media whipped the fanboys and casual fans into a frenzy printing one unsubstantiated and unattributed article after article til it became a story. and *poof* just like that...it was gone." --- Applause!!! Make 'em simmer down, crunch...

Big John Stud - I agree that the Cubs can compete next year if they get some pitching. The NL sucks. it'll probably only take 87 or 88 to win the Central.

I don't know how likely the Sox are to deal with Hendry, but if it could get done without trading away too much, I'd be for adding Freddy Garcia as the #5 starter. I know McCarthy is moving into the rotation and one of Garcia or Vasquez are getting traded. I have no idea what they'd want, but if you take on all of the salary, I'd assume you wouldn't have to give up too much.

Ryan Theriot as everyday shortstop? I don't think so. He doesn't have the defensive chops to play that position, even on a part-time basis. Theriot is a utility infielder type at best who just so happened to piece together a nice one month stretch. Major league pitchers will catch up to him. It happens all the time. See Chadd Meyers and Kevin Orie for reference points in your Cubbie encyclopedia. Cesar Izturis is an exceptional shortstop. Cub fans will learn this in 2007. I dare say he is without peer at his position. Anything he contributes with the stick will be a bonus

"Cesar Izturis is an exceptional shortstop" Agreed. But he also costs too much, has trouble staying healthy and can't get on base. And if the manager Hendry hires is one of those "We need a guy who can handle the bat hitting second" types- things will truly get hideous.

Theriot could handle SS just fine. He certainly won't hit .320 and no one expects him to. It's likely he will hit .275 with a .360 OBP. He's patient at the plate, good on the bases and has (at the very least) adequate defense. Izturis is not Ozzie Smith and he can't stay healthy. Cubs fans will learn this in 2007. A no-hitting SS like Izturis has to be a friggin' wizard in the field (similar to Ozzie or Vizquel in his prime) to make it worth having his sub .300 OBP in the lineup on a full time basis. What we saw of Izturis this year was far from exceptional.

OBP blah...blah...blah.... YAWN

"OBP blah...blah...blah.... YAWN" YAWN.

Damn T-Bone using my own slam to slam me. Clever. I guess i just got served.

Pinnella inside track? I'm sure many of you have read today's reports that Sweet Lou is perhaps being seriously considered for the manager's gig. For those of you who this he is "just like Dusty", here is one man's opinion, courtesy of Mariotti (whom I loathe) for the sake of discussion: "Even in his 60s, Lou would be a crackling leader, an in-your-face bulldog, a clever strategist who shamed Jerry Manuel and the White Sox in the 2000 divisional series. But he also takes losing hard, accustomed as he was to winning in Cincinnati and Seattle."

Anybody else totally torn on the Pinella or Girardi decision. I like Girardi a lot, but listening to Pinella and seeing the success of Jim Leyland in Detroit makes me think, we gotta get Pinella. He won't take any crap from anyone. We need that here. No more nice guys. Maybe its the right idea to get Pinella and Sign 2 or 3 FAs and Try and win this thing in the next 2 years. Maybe a few players would like to come here. Carl Crawford? Ichiro? Not sure? Girardi will be available in 3-4 years, after Pinella gets his shot here.

Think of it as anti-comedy, Chad. Pointing out a lame slam by using it again to slam that same person. Very post modern.

"Brian Cashman came out publicly today that said Alex Rodriquez will not be traded." No, he said he expects A-Rod to be with the Yankees. Unless someone has a quote otherwise, I don't think Cashman said the above in that way. Which, of course, means he could easily be dealt.

Damn, in this thread I get called post modern and in the next a neanderthal. That is so cool.

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.