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

Oh, Really? No O’Malley

Althouugh no official announcement has been made by the Cubs, LHP Ryan O'Malley and OF Miguel Negron have quietly been removed from the Cubs 40-man roster. I suspect both have been Designated for Assignment, with their final disposition TBD within 10 days. The 26-year old O'Malley is a true Cinderella (Cinderfella) story... signed by the Cubs as a Non-Drafted Free-agent (NDFA) out of the University of Memphis in 2002, pitched in anonymity for five years in the Cubs organization, worked as the #5 starter at Iowa for most of the 2006 season, was brought up from AAA (and driven from Austin to Houston via limo!) when the Cubs needed an emergency starter, pitched eight shoutout innings in his MLB debut against the Astros at Minute Maid Park, won his first big league game, left his very next start with an elbow strain, was placed on the DL, was shut-down for the rest of the season, and now, he has been removed from the 40-man roster. Whoa!!! As Jack Brickhouse used to say, "Next time you come by, bring my stomach!" (Or maybe "Ryan O'Malley was just a day late and a dollar short"). The left-handed hitting Negron was a one-time #1 draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays (18th overall selection in the 2000 June Draft), and was claimed off waivers by the Cubs last May. (And the fact that Cubs Director of Scouting Tim Wilken had drafted Negron back when Wilken was Director of Scouting for the Blue Jays just may possibly perhaps have had something to do with that). An outstanding defender with a plus-arm, the 24-year old Negron had struggled with his hitting throughout his career in the Blue Jays organization, but the light finally seemed to go on after the Cubs acquired him from Toronto and optioned him to AA West Tenn. (Negron hit .291 in 86 games for the DiamondJaxx this past season). Unfortunately, Negron probably lacks the power, speed, and/or OBP skills needed to advance to the big leagues as an everyday MLB outfielder, and after seven seasons in the minor leagues, he has yet to advance past AA, so even if he does get to The Show eventually, it will almost certainly be as a "4th outfielder" (see Angel Pagan). So here is the Cubs up-to-date 40-man roster (including non-roster players who have received NRIs to Spring Training): CHICAGO CUBS 40-MAN RESERVE LIST (updated 11-22-06) 40 players (all roster spots are occupied) * bats or throws left # bats both PITCHERS (21): Rocky Cherry * Neal Cotts Ryan Dempster * Scott Eyre Angel Guzman Adam Harben * Rich Hill Bob Howry Carlos Marmol * Sean Marshall Juan Mateo Wade Miller Roberto Novoa * Will Ohman Mark Prior * Clay Rapada * Glendon Rusch Jae-kuk Ryu Kerry Wood Michael Wuertz Carlos Zambrano NON-ROSTER PITCHERS (4): Jason Anderson Ben Howard * Les Walrond John Webb ============================= CATCHERS (4): Michael Barrett Henry Blanco # Jose Reyes Geovany Soto NON-ROSTER CATCHERS (1) # Koyie Hill ============================== INFIELDERS (8): Ronny Cedeno Mark DeRosa Brian Dopirak # Cesar Izturis Derrek Lee * Scott Moore Aramis Ramirez Ryan Theriot NON-ROSTER INFIELDERS (1): * Jason Smith ================================= OUTFIELDERS (7): * Freddie Bynum * Buck Coats * Jacque Jones Matt Murton # Angel Pagan * Felix Pie Alfonso Soriano NON-ROSTER OUTFIELDERS (0): NONE

Comments

Didn't he come from the Yankees in the Lawton deal?

I thought the only thing the Cubs received from the Lawton trade was hate mail from yankee fans.

I'm pretty sure you are confusing Mr. Lawton with Mr. Perez.

anyone know who the cubs might take in the 2007 draft they have the third overall pick or does anyone have a link to a mock draft or list of top draft prosects

I hear that we're looking to draft Troy Smith, OSU, and make a catcher out of him.

I hear that we're looking to draft Troy Smith, OSU, and make a catcher out of him. I thought we needed a centerfielder and leadoff hitter. Smith could do it. We could also take Brady Quinn - I heard he has a canon and should fit in the starting rotation.

Smith's leadership skills would be better at catcher, but CF is also a good choice. Brady Quinn as SP is gold.

With Brady Quinn at SP, the Cubs could find an interesting way to get more ad revenue with uniforms sponsored by Abercrombie. Nair might also be interested considering that he shaves his entire body.

#9 of 12: By b (November 22, 2006 11:39 AM) anyone know who the cubs might take in the 2007 draft they have the third overall pick or does anyone have a link to a mock draft or list of top draft prosects ======================================= b: John Manuel at Baseball America rates the 2007 draft this way (very, very preliminary and subject to change): (college players in bold) 1. David Price, LHP (Vanderbilt) 2. Matt Wieters, C-1B (Georgia Tech) 3. Andrew Brackman, RHP (North Carolina State) 4. Matt Harvey, RHP (Fitch HS - Groton, CT) 5. Justin Jackson, SS (Roberson HS - Asheville, NC) 6. Michael Burgess, OF (Hillsborough HS - Tampa, FL) 7. Julio Borbon, OF (Tennessee) 8. Joe Savery, LHP (Rice) 9. Daniel Moskos, LHP (Clemson) 10. Josh Vitters, 3B (Cypress HS - Cypress, CA) Price is a polished power-pitcher and was the ace of Team USA at the FISU World University Games in Havana this past summer. 'Nuff said. Wieters is a 6'5 240 switch-hitting catcher who also throws in the mid-90's off the mound and is used as a closer at Geargia Tech (although he does NOT catch himself). He was voted by scouts as the #1 prospect in the Cape Cod League this past Summer, displaying awesome power from both sides of the plate (like another former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, one Mark Teixeira), excellent plate discipline, and (obviously) a cannon for an arm, although he needs to improve his receiving skills (catching mechanics) if he is to remain a catcher. Brackman is 6'11 (some places list him as 7-foot) and also plays forward on the NC State basketball team. He was rated the best pitcher in the Cape Cod League by scouts this past Summer. Brackman is also a power pitcher, although not quite as polished as Price. As things stand right now, the Cubs should get a VERY good near-MLB ready college pitcher (Price or Brackman) or player (Wieters) with their #3 overall pick next June, but for teams picking #4 overall or lower, the dilemma is whether to select a HS kid with a high ceiling or a more-polished college player or pitcher a notch below the three best high school players.

Phil, I imagine I already know what your answer is, but do you recommend the BA subscription? I've been on the fence about whether to buy in. Worth the money?

TRANS: Yes. I've been a BA subscriber for almost 20 years, and I do not regret it. There's a lot of advanced stuff you get in the print edition and in the subscribers-only section of their web-site that you can't get elsewhere, and the print edition usually comes out about a week before stuff gets posted on the free section of their web-site. (If that matters to you).

elaborate on "stuff you get" ? I'm obviously not the scouting and minor league afficianado that you are, which is why I'm wondering just how badly I need to subscribe....

TRANS: Just off the top of my head, a subscription gets you advanced scouting reports on high school and college players before, DURING, and after the June Draft, specific scouting reports on the annual Top 10 Prospects for each MLB organization, and access to on-line chats regarding the June Draft and each of the 30 MLB minor league systems. There also are a lot of stories in the print edition that go into great detail about various subjects like international baseball, scouting, player development, the June Draft, Rule 5 Draft, and college baseball (I watch a LOT of college baseball). I also really enjoy the obituary section in the print edition. I will say this, though... BA was more valuable to me before they started their web site, but I still wouldn't think of canceling my subscription.

"Brackman is 6'11 (some places list him as 7-foot) and also plays forward on the NC State basketball team." brick quit playing basketball due to a hip injury that nearly killed his status as both a basketball and baseball player last year. officially he's still part of the program, but he's not going to play or suit up. kid is ready to be drafted and "get on with life" he should have gone go G.Tech, but NCSU let him play both sports so he came to NCSU. the idealistic, 2 sports and a college degree thing has kinda worn off...especially after the injury scare. btw, he reached 99mph (still trying for 100mph) in wood bat leagues this summer, but he doesnt work high-90s constanly. can reach mid90s with relative ease, though. and yeah, he's tall as hell and a fidgety kid.

wow...pierre getting 9m a year...matthews 10m a year...both secure for the next 5 years. hell, love or hate the soriano deal...it was for too much and too many years and i still cant believe hendry put the team on the hook for a 31-38 year old at that price and commitment.

Thank you Angels!!

"hell, love or hate the soriano deal...it was for too much and too many years and i still cant believe hendry put the team on the hook for a 31-38 year old at that price and commitment." One World Series out of it, and I could care less.

I guess Matthews Jr's D was worth an extra mill over Pierre. I know Salmon is retiring but I wonder if they're going to bring back Erstad as a 1B option or OFer off the bench. Levine hasn't ruled out Hendry signing Counsell...clearly not enough middle INFers on the roster yet.

hey, i dont mind the soriano deal, but i'd rather it be 3-5 years for that kinda loot. essentially, though...im of the camp that if you're a fan of a 100+m team there just isnt that much to complain about compared to 25+ other teams who have to (or choose to) build a team with less. if the cubs wanna be a 110+m team...so be it...and soriano is nothing to cry over. i just cant believe he got the years AND the money.

Dear Jim: Find out how much it will take to get Jason Schmidt to sign with the Cubs, and then give it to him. Thank you. Your pal, AZ Phil

At $88 a year BA is pricey, so if you don't really follow college or minor league baseball it's not really worth it...though you get free access to the internet content which normally runs $42 I believe. Makes a great holiday gift for a family member or girlfriend to get you though. Avoid the argyle sweater or hideous pink trendy tie.

It depends on what Hendry's actual budget is as to whether he can realitically sign Schmidt. McD mentioned on Mike Murphy (WSCR) that Hendry does have a budget. The Cubs are at just over $100 million, with basically 2 starting pitchers left to sign. If Hendry can go up $125 million, then Schmidt is possible, if not then it won't be happening. I hope so...

Wow, never before have I seen so many take so long to do so little, as my just-completed one-hour trip to the rural Arkansas city Post Office. unbelievable. Congrats to Gary Matthews Jr. Always liked him, nice to see him cash in on a career year.

*I'm all for throwing money at Schmidt and bringing Maddux back on a 1 yr deal * Maddux? Didn't his last run in town prove that charity and nostalgia will get you nowhere? Gary Matthews Jr. just received a 500% raise. That's almost as bad as DeRosa's contract. I guess now the smart thing for average players will be to play a year or two in Arlington, put up semi-gaudy numbers then rake in the money. Baseball Reference has this humorous data: Similar Batters to Sarge Jr. through Age 31 Compare Stats Michael Tucker (945) Oddibe McDowell (943) Todd Hollandsworth (943) Chris James (943) Al Smith (942) Johnny Grubb (942) Lee Maye (942) Mike Devereaux (942) Leon Roberts (940) Mark Whiten (940) Michael Tucker doesn't make 10 mil. Nor does Todd Hollandsworth. Totally insane.

if Z wants 6/90, that's 15 million a year for a workhorse who is at the threshold of being a "True Ace" in his primo years. Do it now.

Rob G.: "Z possibly asking for 6/85-90" That is about what he should get, as it is right in line with the Oswalt deal. Sounds fair for both sides.

Maddux? Didn't his last run in town prove that charity and nostalgia will get you nowhere? I don't know what Maddux is actually asking for, but if the going rate for league average pitchers who make their starts is going to be 9-10 mil for 3-4 years, I'll take Maddux on a one year deal for 5-6 mil, same thing, less money. Of course Maddux might be asking for more (like a 2 yr deal and 8 mil) and the price tags for the Padilla's of the world might drop as well.

#34 of 35: By Transmission (November 22, 2006 01:33 PM) if Z wants 6/90, that's 15 million a year for a workhorse who is at the threshold of being a "True Ace" in his primo years. Do it now. =================================== Yes. Do it now. And sign Schmidt. Whatever it takes. I do NOT want Meche or Marquis. Do what you can to pull the trigger on a deal for Westbrook or Jennings, too. And Miguel Batista would be OK as a "swingman" (starting rotation if both Miller AND Prior are unable to make their starts AND pitch effectively, or bullpen if either Miller or Prior are healthy AND are capable of pitching effectively). After you're finished upgrading the pitching staff with Schmidt, Westbrook or Jennings, and Batista, if you can convince Cliff Floyd to be the back-up 1B-LF-LHPH and Julio Lugo to be the IF-OF supersub (and how could they refuse?), that's fine. Go ahead. But make sure you take care of the pitching issues first. Do all that, and then you can take a vacation until the Cubs Convention in January.

*I'll take Maddux on a one year deal for 5-6 mil, same thing, less money.* The man clearly can no longer pitch well enough to justify that kind of expense...unless, apparently, half of his starts come at Chavez Ravine.

I say sign Jason Marquis to fill the void we've had since losing Brooks Kiechnick ah, longing for the days of double switches...Brooks would have confused the hell out of Dusty...or would he?

Maddux 2006 15-14, 4.20 ERA 210 IP 34 GS 6 GS at Dodger Stadium 1.76 ERA 11 GS at Wrigley Field 3.79 ERA

Soriano's contract-"One World Series out of it, and I could care less" Amen. In Chicago resident dbag and Sox apologist Dan McNeil on ESPN1000 was saying that Soriano's contract was not fiscally smart due to 7th and 8th year. Of course he doesn't mention that if the Cubs win WS in years 1-5 it is worth it. He was very bitter that Soriano was taking lime lite from his Bears on Monday. Manny- I would think McD has to say they have a budget for leveraging reason with players. Where it is anybody's guess though. Z- SIGN HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

agreed, no Marquis or Meche. The Westbrook and/or Cliff Lee trade speculation is much more appetizing. Same with signing J. Schmidt.

I have to think the Dodgers will eventually pony up for Maddux. Their rotation should look something like this Lowe Penny Billingsley Kuo Hendrickson/Tomko Dodgers can definitely use an innings eater and really you can't count on Kuo, who was supposed to be their lefty in the pen until having to be slotted in the rotation late in the season, or Billingsley who routinely has nagging injuries if LAD are serious about upseeding the Pads. Maddux, like Zito, needs to find the biggest home parks possible..which is why the Mets look to be the best suitor for Zito(with Peterson) and Maddux in LA or SD. I'm sure the Dodgers are just hoping Maddux will settle for a 1 yr deal or a 1 yr + low buyout option.

I agree with az phil.. get the pitching then try to get floyd and lugo but no meche or marquis

I don't think Lugo is coming, unless Izturis is getting moved. Floyd will only be here a bench option, occassional starter. Really good to hear Hendry isn't ready to cough up the entire farm system and sees a role for Pie. With the spending spree, guys like Murton, Pie and Hill are going to be very necessary to compete in the future, especially if/when Z gets his deal. That would be 4 monster contracts on the books, better find some cheap talent around them.

Some bits on Ted Lilly... The Red Sox haven't been mentioned among the suitors for lefty Ted Lilly, who may be too expensive for their tastes. According to one club executive, Lilly is seeking a deal in the four-year, $40 million range. Full Story The agent for Blue Jays free agent Ted Lilly says he expects the New York Yankees to come through with an offer any day now but that Toronto is also still very much in this particular hunt. "Obviously, Toronto's going to be one of the clubs until J.P. (Ricciardi, Jays' general manager) tells me differently," agent Larry O'Brien said. "I've had a couple of conversations with Brian Cashman (the Yankees' GM) and the Cubs are among a couple of National League teams interested. I expect multiple offers this week." Full Story 4 year/$40 mil? For Ted Lilly? Really?

Gary Matthews ... almost 60 percent of what Pierre got and only one year younger when his contract is up. HA!!

Gary Matthews ... almost 60 percent of what Soriano got and only one year younger when his contract is up. HA!!

It seems this year the Cubs and Angels swapt positions with the Cubs getting the big fish and the Angels signing the head scratcher. Nice.

CRUNCH: YOU ALWAYS BITCH About the YEARS or the MONEY, Man!! I know North Carolina is CHEAP living - but you can fantasize all you want... Do you recall you said the same thing about JJones, too before he signed. So what happened? After you complained about his "3 years is too much"? Encarnacion signed for the exact SAME contract! 3 years - near the same money. And JJones ended up with better stats...Didn't you press that they also should have signed Burnitz because, "They were a wash". Why spend the extra money? Horseshit! Man I'm glad you are not the GM!

Not a fan of Colangelo as a person, but he knows how to run a sporting organization. Still wish it was Mark Cuban swooping in to buy...

The latest reports on WSCR is that the entire Trib shebang may be sold to two LA billionaires.

the E-Man: The latest reports on WSCR is that the entire Trib shebang may be sold to two LA billionaires. Yeah... From the Forbes.com article: Don Levin, a Chicago businessman who wants to buy the Cubs, said he believes after talking with the company last week that the Cubs aren't for sale "right now." "The Tribune corporation would like to sell itself, and whoever buys it might sell some of the pieces," said Levin, owner of the Chicago Wolves minor-league hockey team. "I remain firmly interested."

I think the Cubs are going to spend a lot of money so that they can hopefully win this year, and then sell. A winning Cubs team is a lot more valuable than a losing Cubs team.

No way do I want Meche or Marquis. The best way Marquis fits in is as a pinch hitter. I want to see him back with the Cardinals so we can face him more. Meche wants $8 mil a year. No way would I give him that much. I'd be hesitant at $5 mil a year.

"CRUNCH: YOU ALWAYS BITCH About the YEARS or the MONEY, Man!!" just cuz i didnt think furcal was worth 3/13m-per? that's the only guy i can recall ive come out and said "wtf? years/loot" aside from when rusch got that 2nd year (hell, when he got signed at all cuz i thought he was expendable.) "I know North Carolina is CHEAP living - but you can fantasize all you want..." its not that cheap in the city. "Do you recall you said the same thing about JJones, too before he signed." no i dont because i didnt. aka...did not. aka...not me. seriously, go look. you wont find it. in fact you'll find defenses of the signing saying to the effect of "at least we didnt get encarcenon" in fact...if you dig deeper you'll find posts by me saying barring a trade its gonna be jones or encarcenon and i'm all about jones if encar's the other option. in fact...i think ive defended jones being worth 5m a year for his production in the face of people going "wtf?" even as recently as a week or 2 ago. seriously...archives on the right.

hehe..found my initial reaction to the signing/money/years... --- #25 of 223: By crunch (December 20, 2005 06:06 PM) its just j.jones...its not the end of the world. hell, its 5% of the payroll and he can field and play CF if needed in 07+. maybe t.walker gets to stick around now. i dont think anyone was expecting anything but a 25+hr guy who can field anyway...most people were expecting 1-2 years, not 3...but its not a bad gamble for a guy who can play 3 possitions in the OF. now hendry can work on who gets what contract extention...i'd expect a 3 year deal to zambrano to happen any week now.

from later in the same post. btw...wish Z got that extension. hehe --- #78 of 223: By crunch (December 20, 2005 07:29 PM) so...who would the cubs have signed that would keep you people from complaining? r.sanders? oh...he's too old...there's 100 posts there. encarcenon? oh...he's not at all what the team needs and bats righty and etc. blah blah blah? oh..he's blah blah blah. face it...when giles spurned a 3yr/33m offer from toronto to stay in SD for 10m a year there went the RF market, period. he's not even trash...he's not the power fixture...he's just a stupid role player getting 5m a year which is a whole lotta nothing worth mentioning for a guy his age who can play CF/RF.

Dave, in theory, I would agree with you. But do you really think that a winning Cubs team is worth "a lot more" than a losing Cubs team? I mean, as a losing team, they reportedly already are worth about $800 million. I just cannot imagine that the price would go up much more if they somehow turned into a winning team next year. I just think this is one of those franchises where the worth of the franchise does not depend on the team winning. I mean, look at the fans. 3 million of us turn out each year regardless of how many games the team wins. And is the amount that the Trib charges for ads on WGN during games really impacted by whether the team had a good year last year?

And is the amount that the Trib charges for ads on WGN during games really impacted by whether the team had a good year last year? Of course it is. Do you really think there is no effect on August TV ratings when the team is playing like it did last year and was out of it in late May? Like, umm, the ratings wouldn't be higher if they were in a pennant race in September? Not everybody watches this team 24/7, ace.

*2006 Park Factors per ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor 1 Great American 2 Coors Field 3 Kauffman Stadium 4 Chase Field 5 Ameriquest Field 6 Wrigley Field 7 Rogers Centre 8 Citizens Bank Park 9 U.S. Cellular Field 10 Dodger Stadium * and *Maddux 2006 15-14, 4.20 ERA 210 IP 34 GS 6 GS at Dodger Stadium 1.76 ERA 11 GS at Wrigley Field 3.79 ERA* Thanks for proving my point, guys. And: *4 year/$40 mil? For Ted Lilly? Really?* If Gary Freaking Matthews Jr is worth 10 mil/year, than yes, really.

CRUNCH: You are vindicated! My bad on that. You are special to archive these things... The "two year or less deal" that you crave are gonna only be available to third-tier FA's in the near future, or former first-tier guys that are closing out their careers (Moises, for instance, and probably Cliff)

its no big issue...the archives are on the right...just looked for the month jones signed and searched inside. if what you thought was true, you'd have every right to say what you did.

Hendry better spend quick before Tribco sells.....

What ever happened w/ the Igawa posting? Wasn't that suppossed to be earlier this week?

Is the Trib really that close to selling? Isn't it more likely that it sells sometime next summer or fall? Igawa was posted earlier this week. We should know the winner by early next week.

Stoney on the SCORE...leary of Schmidt w/velocity going down and high fastball pitcher..not good idea for Wrigley.

I don't really understand the theory that the recent spending spree means the Tribune is going to sell the Cubs. To me, handing out huge contracts and full no trade clauses seems an awful lot like taking on debt, which is something you do when you're trying not to be bought.

Also, Schmidt's salary > Lilly's, Padilla's and Meche's. Is Schmidt really worth $15 mil a year? Probably not. With a low 90s fastball he won't be a real power pitcher anymore. No way on Meche, I like Lilly, maybe Padilla. Schmidt is better than Lilly, Padilla, and Meche but is he worth the extra money?

IM Slacker -- My thought is that the Cubs are on a spending spree to generate buzz, excitement and fan goodwill to maximize the value of the asset. In a normal/typical sale, you're right, committing to long term deals before a sale would not be wise. But the Cubs are a unique asset that rarely comes up for sale, so the backloaded deals for star players will not only make the team more attractive and exciting on the field -- and therefore all the more irresistible to Cubs fans who have dreamed of owning this team -- but they will ultimately be paid out by the buyer. It's a crafty strategy, if it's a strategy at all. And to quote Bobby Brady, it's so crazy it just might work. The risk is that it banks heavily on the fact that a lifelong fan(s) will be the bidder(s) for the team. (Based on recent press, that seems to be the case.) Buyers who are fans will be caught up in the excitement of a pennant/wildcard race and that extra surge of emotion really could impact the price. Put it this way, if any of us had a spare $1 billion and the Cubs were for sale, we couldn't help but get excited about having Soriano, Schmidt, etc. etc. as part of the picture, especially with playoff fever running rampant. I could see that inflating the price, and not turning off a buyer. What is the alternative, wait for the next time that the Cubs come up for sale?

*I don't really understand the theory that the recent spending spree means the Tribune is going to sell the Cubs. To me, handing out huge contracts and full no trade clauses seems an awful lot like taking on debt, which is something you do when you're trying not to be bought.* Would you buy a car that couldn't hit 67 mph? Would you consider it if the seller supercharged it? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Uh, uh... you didn't list Z as a switch hitter. ;-) Hmmm, I know I'll care a lot more about the payroll problems in 2011-14, but right now it really seems like we're all worried about how much billionares are spending on a team we've all been wishing they'd spend more on. I'm just relieved that the Cubs are the ones who ended up with the (desperately needed) best bats this offseason.

Has anyone heard any new rumors about ARod or Miguel Tejada being traded? I saw a brief mention on Ben Maller's site about the Angels renewing their interest in Tejada, but I haven't heard anything about the Orioles trying to trade Tejada. Any news?

Dayn Perry over at Foxsports.com has listed the most overrated and underrated free agents from this year's FA class. Number 2 on the list of overrated players is new Cubs 2nd baseman Mark DeRosa. Perry says: "Last season, DeRosa had an impressive .296 AVG/.357 OBP/.456 SLG in near full-time duty. However, remove 2006 from the equation, and he's got a career batting line of .263 AVG/.319 OBP/.380 SLG. Throw in the fact that much of DeRosa's success in '06 was tied to his batting average (the traditional hitting statistic most prone to random fluctuation) and you've got what was, in all likelihood, a fluke season. Expect him to return to form in 2007 and beyond, which means that three-year, $13 million contract was thoroughly ill-advised. Cub fans should hope that Lou Piniella doesn't adore him the way Dusty Baker did with last year's dubiously useful reserve middle infielder, Neifi Perez." Among the most underrated are: #1 -- Julio Lugo #2 -- Gil Meche #3 -- Justin Speier #4 -- Ted Lilly #5 -- JD Drew I wasn't a big fan of Julio Lugo when his name came up as someone the Cubs were seriously looking at for CF, but I'm starting to come around. He gives the Cubs a lot of options and Piniella apparently really like him. Here's the link: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6185144

man if Eric Patterson takes over 2nd (bye bye to DeRosa) Cedeno takes over short (adios Izturis) and Felix Pie takes over center (sorry JJ), well then in 2008 (unless we trade some of them for pitching) could it look like this? 2B Eric Patterson LF Matt Murton 1B Derek Lee 3B Aramis Ramirez RF Alfonso Soriano CF Felix Pie SS Ronny Cedeno C Michael Barrett whoo-hoo! cant hurt to dream.

Would you buy a car that couldn't hit 67 mph? Would you consider it if the seller supercharged it? Yeah, that's what I thought. Is this supercharged version gonna go 75 mph and cost me an extra $17 million per year for eight years? If so, I'm going to pass.

"Dayn Perry over at Foxsports.com has listed the most overrated and underrated free agents from this year's FA class." Just like Brian Urlacher. I love these writers who have never done shit on the field remarling about :overated" players...

#81 Think what the Mets did. Two years ago, Beltran. Last year Delgado. Think bigger.

As Jack Brickhouse used to say, "Next time you come by, bring my stomach!" Can't say I remember that one. What I remember him saying a lot was "It surrrrrrrrre could've been worse", then follow it with "Two runs, two hits, one error, THREE left ... we go to the bottom of the eighth, Cardinals three, Cubs one." I use that a lot in golf after a bad hole somehow salvaged with a putt or chip: "It surrrrre could've been worse" Happy Thanksgiving to all.

My vote is bring in Lugo too, and let Pie, Jones and Izturis fight it out for the 8th hitter slot. Pie can go to AAA when he loses, and Jones or Izturis will make fine backups.

"Cub fans should hope that Lou Piniella doesn't adore him the way Dusty Baker did with last year's dubiously useful reserve middle infielder, Neifi Perez." He's comparing DeRosa with Neifi? How does this guy get that job? His second most underrated player is Gil Meche. Come on. His third most overrated player is Greg Maddux, please the guy is an instant hall of famer. I wouldn't worry too much about what that guy says.

Perry uses no scouting in his analysis, he is strictly a numbers guy. So in the case of DeRosa (or 2005 Lee) he sees the season as an anamoly, where a scout can watch one or two at bats and tell you there is a difference. He's really embarrasingly ignorant, and it makes me wonder if he's even a baseball fan, or just a mathemetician who needed a job.

Danville Joe: I do the same thing. Me and my Merrillville buddies do that all the time when we're golfing. Brickhouse was the ultimate cheerleader. I met him once at Junedale Little League when he was broadcasting the 7th game of the Senior Little League World Series. One of the appeals of Harry when he took over was that he ripped the lousy players. Something Brick would never do... I for one think Meche is a solid choice. I think he has some "upside" and should be a consistent #3 starter. I trust Az Phil is right on Patterson's defense. I'm hoping the Cubs move him to center and Pie to right to start the season in Iowa.

*Is this supercharged version gonna go 75 mph and cost me an extra $17 million per year for eight years? If so, I'm going to pass.* So the Cubs are only 12% better with Soriano? Whatever. Some of you people will just bitch and complain about EVERYTHING. If you were a zillionaire potential owner, damn straight you'd want the Cubs more if they were a BETTER team. Jeebus.

"If you were a zillionaire potential owner, damn straight you'd want the Cubs more if they were a BETTER team." I think it's been proven repeatedly over the last thirty years that even 'zillionaires' get tired of losing money with sports franchises. Anyone who buys the Cubs is going to want to, at the very minimum, break even over a 4 year stretch. If you think Mark Cuban and George Steinbrenner are losing money on their sports franchises... well, let's just say you're not very astute.

I'm with you, NO. All these whiners!! As I posted in an earlier thread, "If this gets us ONE World Series, I could care less". The low and mid-level FA signings over the last ten years AND the lack of minor league position-player development HAS NOT WORKED, Right?! So - its time to try BUYING a team, getting the best manager to work with the employees - and making trades. Then - re-load the minors... Just a reminder - to TCR bloggers - once again, this is the "E-Man STIFFS LIST" for the last 2 years, courtesy of Jim Hendry: "Holly", Jody Garut, DuBois, Neifi, Macias, Grissom, Mabry, Rusch, Womack, Hawkins, Williamson, Hairston, Cedeno, Burnitz, ROrdonez, Grieve, Kelton, EWilson, SMcClain, Lawton 20 PLAYERS that MEDIOCRE would be considered high-achievement!

So the Cubs are only 12% better with Soriano? Whatever. I thought nine wins was pretty generous. Do you think adding Soriano automatically makes the Cubs a 90 win team? Some of you people will just bitch and complain about EVERYTHING. Who's bitching and complaining? I'm glad the Cubs signed Soriano. If you were a zillionaire potential owner, damn straight you'd want the Cubs more if they were a BETTER team. hmm. I suppose if there were such a thing a zillionaire, you might have a point. The Cubs were plenty valuable before signing Soriano. People were lining up to buy them. My only point is that adding long term contracts with full no trade clauses probably will lower the price potential buyers are willing to pay for the Cubs rather than increasing it.

Re:DeRosa Looking at his stats, he hit, by my calculations, exactly the same number of singles that his career numbers would predict (despite striking out 9 more times than expected). The difference in his BA comes from his increase in doubles and triples, which he had a 43% increase over his career numbers. So it wasn't like he got a few bloop hits here and there that raised his BA. The increase actually comes from his power numbers. He also had a few more walks which helped his OBP. And last year accounts for almost a third of his ABs, so to throw out last year's numbers and concentrate on the first 2/3rds of his MLB career seems kind of silly.

"I'm with you, NO. All these whiners!!" Um, I don't think that Slacker was whining, he was merely pointing out that increasing your company's long term debt isn't always the best strategy to build your company's net present value. I am pretty sure any 300 level finance professor could confirm his opinion. Will the Cubs have increased revenues because they signed Soriano? Sure. Will the revenues increase by $140 million? Maybe, maybe not.

happy thanksgiving to all- I'm with you, NO. All these whiners!! does repetitive posting about "whiners" constitute whining? Will the Cubs have increased revenues because they signed Soriano? Sure. Will the revenues increase by $140 million? Maybe, maybe not. real neal, isn't it also a fair question to ask if the cubs have already earned a significant portion of that money (that's 140 mil over several years, not one payout)? with ticket hikes, expanded bleachers, and "revenue enhancement" through in-park advertising that has clearly not been spent on top-shelf free agents prior to this past week and a half? not looking for a flame-throwing contest; seems to me that the sale of the tribune en masse and the sale of the cubs (or cubs plus wgn) are 2 entirely separate discussions. and that the need to scrutinize the "cubs-only" books is pretty small potatoes when the entire tribune sale is the one under the spotlight at present. thanks for reading.

"real neal, isn't it also a fair question to ask if the cubs have already earned a significant portion of that money (that's 140 mil over several years, not one payout)? with ticket hikes, expanded bleachers, and "revenue enhancement" through in-park advertising that has clearly not been spent on top-shelf free agents prior to this past week and a half?" That's a helluva long question. You're answer, however, is short. No. The new owner is not going to be buying the Cubs and $45 million in cash they banked over the last 3 years, he is just going to be getting the Cubs. The Cubs as a business entity can roughly be valued as a the net present value of their future income minus their future expenses. These investor groups that want to buy the Cubs aren't going to pick up an issue of Forbes, see the valuation at $600 million, and send a check over to Tribune Tower. They are going to perform very detailed and realistic analysis of all the Cubs revenue and expense streams and come to an idea of what the team is worth. All of those factors you listed do enable the Cubs to increase their future income (except maybe the scalping deal, it is hard to say how that would play out), but can you definitevly say that they will make an extra, say $120 million (Soriano's salary - Pie's salary) over the next 8 years because they signed Soriano? There's a reason that they have the term 'bad contract'. It's a contract that hurts your organization. I am pretty sure the Cubs have linked themselves to a bad one, but it should help them put a better product on the field for the next few years, so I don't much care at this point.

NEAL: "I am pretty sure the Cubs have linked themselves to a bad one, but it should help them put a better product on the field for the next few years, so I don't much care at this point." Right on. The team made a "deal with the devil", and IF the World Series win takes one soul - so be it!

Real Neal"...increasing your company's long term debt isn't always the best strategy to build your company's net present value. I am pretty sure any 300 level finance professor could confirm his opinion..." No offense RN but if you get a chance to go to grad school you might rethink that statement. All you have to do is review the balance sheet of an annual report of some of the most successful public companies over the years and you will notice LTD on their books. Personally, I am amused by all the financial considerations regarding the contract of Soriano. As someone that has been a Cub fan longer than some of you have been alive I find the spending exciting. Or to quote another Cub fan - it's about f%$#*ing time.

No offense Rory, but I already have an MBA and your post makes me cringe. Sure companies have LTD on their books. If you own individual shares of a publically traded company go to their next shareholders meeting and suggest that they increase long term debt, and when they ask why say 'because Microsoft has more long term debt than we do, therefore it must be a good thing'. See what the CFO says. That debt is aquired with an eye towards long term profitability, you just don't add debt for the sake of adding debt. Also when you talk about debt on a balance sheet, it doesn't necessarily mean it's real debt, it often depends on how that particular company decides to depreciate its assets, and how the business environment values those assets. Soriano's contract, that is real debt.

102 neal- but can you definitevly say that they will make an extra, say $120 million (Soriano's salary - Pie's salary) over the next 8 years because they signed Soriano? no. my take on it must be from a different vantage point than yours; my belief was that the cubs are not starting from 0 in the "war chest", and must be sure that future expense does not exceed future income/revenue. just my take on it. and i am thrilled the cubs have dug some extra shekels out of the vault this year while at the same time regretting this did not occur when vlad or beltran were on the move. again, only one man's opinion. from the naivete department: is wrigley field and the real estate on which it is parked also a portion of the "chicago national league ball club franchise", or is that an entirely separate purchase/negotiation? again thanks for reading.

I think that the Cubs will most likely (99.8%) be sold including Wrigley Field. Technically they wouldn't have to sell it though, unless their is some whacky legislature I am not aware of.

Real Neal - You said: "...go to their next shareholders meeting and suggest that they increase long term debt, and when they ask why say 'because Microsoft has more long term debt than we do, therefore it must be a good thing'. See what the CFO says" Umm, you might want to check MSFT balance sheet because you might notice that they do not have LTD since they have so much cash they don't know what to do with it. "Also when you talk about debt on a balance sheet, it doesn't necessarily mean it's real debt,..." Most companies have their books issued under certain accounting standards its called GAAP the term LT Debt" is not a subjective term. In other words, their is no such thing as "real debt". Stay in school Real Neal...stay in school!

I have seen the term "drop and drive power pitcher" used above several times; I have to assume that you would also say that Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are also "drop and drive"; well, for correction, they are not "drop and drive" pitchers. Tom Seaver is the only "drop and drive" pitcher of any note to have pitched in the Majors since the early 1900s and only Tom Seaver since his day of retirement.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022.