Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

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

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

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

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

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

 



 

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Rule 5 Draft 
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Game 40 Recap: Cubs , White Sox

Pagan Worship

Game Center, Box Score, Play by Play, Photos, Game Chart

W - Lilly (4-2), Paganism, newspaper editors in need of another round of inane puns L -MacDougal (1-1) S - Dempster (9) Things to take from this game 1. The other Chicago team can play ugly ball, too. Four errors, passed balls and wild pitches. The Cubs capitalized on a very sloppy game by the Sox. 2. The other Chicago team's bullpen can blow games, too. Buehrle left with a 3-1 lead, and MacDougal tacked on two more runs to Buehrle's record. MacDougal had no control at all today, and wasn't helped by catcher Toby Hall, who was playing his first game from coming off the DL for shoulder injuries and spelling A.J. against the lefty. 3. The Bullpen strikes back. Howry and Dempster pitch 2 spotless innings, with 4 K's. Man, did we need that. 4. Lilly struggles through Lilly didn't have the dominant curve or sharp command of his fastball, but managed to pitch out of trouble all game. 5. Pagan's big game. It wasn't just the hitting (3-5 with a triple and 2 RBI), it also was the energy. His triple was on a ball that didn't get passed the spot on the first-base line where the outfield wall juts outward, and he then scored on a wild pitch on what would have been an impossible play for a slower runner. The details follow.
  • Lilly with an easy 1-2-3 start to the game. We needed that.
  • Can hear sox fans gooing "ohh" at a Buehrle pitch off the corner, called a ball.
  • and Buehrle also goes 1-2-3 in the first.
  • Rough top of the second. Konerko single, Iguchi walk, and now Lilly and Barrett are getting crossed up on back to back pitches, the second one resulting in a wild pitch. Runners on 2 and 3, no outs, Uribe up. Sac fly to Soriano scores Konerko, 1-0
  • Small victory, getting out of an ugly second inning with only one run allowed. Buehrle ends it with a slow bouncer to second.
  • Barrett homers in the second, a solo shot a few rows deep into the LF bleachers. 1-1
  • Dye responds in the top of the third, hitting a very pedestrian Lilly fastball further back into the LF bleachers. 2-1 sox.
  • Aramis doubles down the RF line to lead off the 4th. Barrett K's, then Dye makes a nice back-handed, sliding catch on a DeRosa blooper, keeping Aramis at second. Doubtful Aramis could have scored on a hit, as he couldn't have run with the crack of the bat. No damage done after the leadoff double.
  • Lilly hasn't looked especially sharp up to now, but he strikes Dye out looking in the sixth, on a nice backdoor slider.
  • Pagan singles to start the 6th, and with an out, advances to third on a slow roller to the left of Iguchi at second. Very nice running by Pagan, and Ramirez is also safe on the play. Runners at 1st and 3rd, one out. From there, Barrett flies to Dye, who throws a laser-beam in to home, keeping Pagan at third. Hall can't handle the one-hop throw, and Ramirez advances to second. Both RISP, two outs, DeRosa up. Should they have sent Pagan on the throw? Personally, I say no. But he would have scored, in spite of Dye's perfect throw, since Hall couldn't hold on. In any case, DeRosa grounds out, and we don't score.
  • 7th inning, Lilly rather upset he didn't get a called strike 3 on Hall, and Hall then doubles down the LF line. Soriano boots the ball around for awhile, but likely would have been a double, anyway. Hall still on second with two outs, and a full count on Erstad. Everyone is on their feet. Erstad lines a shot over Soriano's head. Again, Soriano doesn't look to good, sort of belatedly jumping for the ball and then misjudging it, whiffing on his attempt to catch it. 3-1
  • With Fontenot sent down and Lee hurting, it's Blanco as the only right-handed pinch-hitter against Buehrle in the 7th. He draws a walk, and Theriot singles, chasing Buehrle from the game with two outs in the seventh.
  • MacDougal in, and Pagan serves up a triple down the shallow RF line on the first pitch. Blanco scores, and Theriot scores as well. One of the shallower triples you will see that wasn't misplayed. 3-3
  • Pagan then races home on a wild pitch. 4-3. A slider in the dirt, but not unblockable by any means. (Later changed to a passed ball) This game has turned around on a dime, it seems. Soriano procedes to single.
  • It should be noted that Pagan slapped the plate with his hand, when he scored. Was this a response to AJ's plate-slap, last year? Personally, I don't think so. As he was sliding, his front leg got blocked out of the way by MacDougal, who was standing there to cover home. His back leg barely grazed the plate, and it was questionalbe whether he had actually tagged home at that point.
  • Wrigley continues to be abuzz. It's been electric, all game.
  • Soriano on third, Ramirez on first with two outs and Barrett up. He K's, end of inning.
  • Remember, Blanco has already been used as a pinch-hitter, when Barrett gets his throwing hand knicked by a foul ball. He had his hand out, when receiving a pitch, and it got dinged. Mercifully, we don't have to go to the Emergency Backup Catcher.
  • Wrigley's just going bonkers, as Howry retires the side 1-2-3 in the 8th.
  • Cubs half of the inning, DeRosa and Murton single, Izturis tries to bunt, but Hall throws the ball into center trying to pick DeRosa off second after a pitch in the dirt had gotten away from him. Rough day for Hall. Izturis strikes out, so good thing we got the runners moved up, by other means.
  • Floyd pinch-hitting for Howry, grounds a ball to Uribe who recognizes his only play is trying to get Murton advancing from second to third. Ozuna, at third, tags murton out but then drops the ball. DeRosa, meanwhile, scores on the play, everyone safe.
  • and Theriot beats out a potential 5-4-3 double play, scoring Murton. 6-3!
  • Dempster in to close, again today. No problems, Cubs win 6-3. Really good to see Howry and Dempster close the game out without incident.
Parachat Recap Inning 1: What is a rampart, and why don't you see them around much anymore? And why is it glaring at us? Beware the murderous fungo. Lilly's non-flukiness. Low fly-overs. The Free Fontenot movement. Inning 2: Teaching your kids to be Cubs fans. Is Izturis good? Is Barrett good? If Izturis were a woman, would you dance with him? Inning 3: 12 inch and 16 inch softball. Rules to being an internet Cubs fan. Second life and loose Belgian politicians. The difference between Izturis and a grizzly bear. Does Angel Pagan need a nickname? Inning 4: Debating the debate over Cubs Middle-infielders. (Oh great, I now have to summarize meta-analysis?) Conversation topics we wish we could set up "ignores" for. The Theriot hall of fame. Inning 5: Barry Bonds. The ethical issues surrounding kidney donation. Colonial new england. How drunk was Lou at that press conference? Bad TV Show Titles. Inning 6: Can the Cubs bullpen hold a one-run deficit? Bowl-scrapers. Mr. T's Commandments. Inning 7: Duckula and Bunnicula. Strike zones. Erstad's "humpbacked liner." Santo's rendition of the 7th inning stretch. Fantasy trades, MLB.TV, signing Buehrle in the off-season, celebrating the rally. Colt Griffin and Heinie Massman. Inning 8: Lee's head amputated, day-to-day. What could a headless Lee hit? Lots and lots of fun with parachat sounds, scaring peoples' dogs. Murton vs. Floyd. Claire Danes, Great Danes, the Danish, Pastries, Cow-milking. Inning 9: Anti-scemantics. Descartes jokes. The definition of science. Celebration.

Comments

Despite the tedious over analysis of Izturis and Bonds*, I think the win made it a pleasant parachat. Still very schizophrenic but fun nonetheless. And Hey! the Cubs rally and get the win. I feel a lot better about going to tomorrows game. I may stop at the Alley on the way up there Trans, should I get your sister a Bowl Scraper?

Great stuff, as always, Trans If it gets to be too much stick with the "Things to take" and the "Parachat recap." The rest is just bonus material.

Happily, you still haven't figured out this terminology. It's impossible to give to someone else. Impossible.

Good win, and a solid pitching effort all around, but I'm still concerned about the 'pen. Going into today: 2-11, 4.11 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 8 Blown Saves The worst perpetrators are, of course: Eyre: 0-1, 8.10 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, 3 BS Howry: 0-3, 4.58 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 3 BS

okay, I actually listened to the mp3 link now.... Mike North went off on Ozzie big time, pretty sweet actually!!!

that would be the only link in the comments so far there Chad... read the story, you'll see the mp3 link for 670

According to sportline.com: "Smiling in Wrigley: The Cubs snap a four-game skid. (US Presswire)" I think they meant the Phillies yesterday.

I honestly am not being sarcastic when I say this but, I'm completely surprised the pen did not blow the game. I watched the last two innings 100% expecting them to implode again. I still think they suck and I don't trust any of them (an over statement but still) with any thing.

Dempster has not sucked this year. 1-2, 4.43 ERA, 9/10 Saves, 1.03 WHIP, 8.85 K/9, 2.38 K/B The ERA, of course, is inflated because of yesterday's meltdown.

I guess I meant the blown saves aren't inflated enough...okay whatever, I'm with you anyway Wild Thing.

CT Steve: "Let the Ozzie watch begin!" I started the Ozzie watch last year. I think he is as good as gone if they don't make the playoffs this year, which i don't think they will. I always said while they are winning, Ozzie's shtick will be beloved and tolerated, but as soon as they stop winning, it will deteriorate very quickly and the media and fans will turn on him fast.

Gotta disagree Manny, Winning the World Series buys you at least 5 years of decent baseball. And while they maybe bad this year, two straight 90+ seasons will negate this year. I'd say as long as next year he stays +.500 he'll be around.

"Winning the World Series buys you at least 5 years of decent baseball." Ask Bob Brenley about that...

Ozzie is a loudmouth prick? Who knew? Next your going to tell me our bullpen sucks Its amazing how Ozzie is untouchable. Please fire his ass already

I love having Ozzie in White Sox land so I can truly work up a meaningful level of hate for them. Otherwise it's so boring. "Pagans in the Outfield" must be done as a headline, by the way/

You can't imagine the pressure I'm putting on myself to avoid bad Pagan puns.

Chad: "Winning the World Series buys you at least 5 years of decent baseball. And while they maybe bad this year, two straight 90+ seasons will negate this year. I’d say as long as next year he stays +.500 he’ll be around." For like 99% of managers, I would say you are right, but this is Ozzie Guillen, who can't keep his mouth shut. His win/losses or x/o's won't get him fired, but his personality and mouth will, IMO. Just a side note, Jack McKeon (Marlins - 2003) only lasted 2 years after winning WS before his contract was not renewed/fired. Bob Brenly (Diamondbacks - 2001) did not even make it 3 years after winning WS before he got canned. So there is some precedent just over the past few years to show Guillen can easily get fired before 5 years, and none of those guys were anywhere close to Guillen's personality.

I am enjoying this season than for no other reason that egotistical jerk, Andy McFailure is no longer a part of the Cub organization. I still believe with the improved starting pitching, this team can win half their games. This organization has to begin long range planning and not just patch, patch, patch every year.

interdivisional play last yr was painful but this is a different season it seems: Tori Hunter hit a grand slam against Capuano who only lasted 5 1/3 IP; the Tigers have 14 runs vs the Cardinals and Sammy has a 2 run double as the Rangers have a 6-0 lead vs the Strohs.

Manny, There is a difference bewteen Ozzie and Brenly/McKeon and it is the fans. The Diamondbacks are not really that popular in Phoenix cause the area is filled is with Midwest retirees who viewed them more as a 2nd team. (and that is why the Tigers were there AL rival). With McKeon nobody cared about the Marlins. Sux fans love the man. I think there might be riots (circa the Bulls 91 and 92 championships) if they fired him.

Reinsdorf won't fire Ozzie. Period. He prizes loyalty above everything else, so as long as Ozzie is loyal to Reinsdorf, he'll keep his job. If he gets really out of control, Reinsdorf may kick him upstairs - make him, say, assistant vice-president in charge of rosin bags or something like that - but as long as he's loyal to Reinsdorf, he'll have a job in the organization somewhere.

Guesses on Lou's changes? I still fail to see where the few of you who think Lou and Dusty are "the same guy" get that from. Dusty was as stubborn as an old mule. Lovie Smith is cut from the same cloth, imho.

what's left to change that hasnt already been changed? at least as far as a manager goes. no matter your personal opinion on derosa/theriot/izturis and which should get 2 of 3 spots...they're a collection of minor plus/minus over each other in different areas...none of them getting any kind of job change would be revolutionary. you got the usual crew in the OF...nothing new that hasnt been changed a ton already...all that's left is putting soriano in RF, but even as much as some of us (including me) would like him there for his arm...still, not much of a revolutionary change there if it happens. the starting pitching is steady enough...adding marshall insted of guzman wouldnt be much of a shock. minor league...hell, not much left around there to pick from. cherry/marmol/marshall...handicap the arms all you want (shouldnt use that word about cubs arms, huh?) adding any minor leaguer to the pen is business as usual. ...i just hope things arent about to get f'n weird and it was just lou blah blah blahing to the media for the sake of saying something to the media.

2 messages gone to moderation...1 a repeat of the other with a minor change as a test. both dont need to be released, fwiw. its gotta be a content thing at this point cuz that was my first post in a few hours.

tribune cubs website headline...it kinda gets to the point. May 18, 2007 Chicago Cubs Top Headlines Cubs bullpen does its job

CRUNCH: The two duplicate comments weren't sent to "Moderation" (that usually happens when there are too many links in a comment), but rather they were both flagged as "Spam." You're not hawking Viagra or bestiality porn videos elsewhere on line, are you?

I think there will be 2 pen moves: 1. the one already hinted with Marshall to the rotation and Guzman to the pen. Erye to the DL or DFA. 2. A trade of somekind. Maybe JJ and a pitching prospect for Linebrink or pitching prospects for Otsuka. or maybe a Pericval signing. Marmol down and Pie up if JJ leaves. I just cant see Lou having that press confernce and the "big" moves being Guzman and Marmol in the pen. I think a vet pen guy will be added and I hope there not counting on Wood to save the day.

That was a great win for the Cubs that also made me realize why the Cubs haven't won the World Series in 99 years. The moment was when Buehrle left the game up 3-1 and got a standing O. He pitched great and deserved it and all, but tipping his cap with the lead run in scoring position was one of the Cubbiest things I've ever seen a non-Cub do. You can't tempt Karma like that! I think Wrigley Field is a giant pulsating vagina for ballplayers' egos. Hell, I love the place and I've never even stepped on the field (except for Camera Day in about 1981-82). Playing there, especially with the atmosphere like it was today, has got to make you think karma can't touch you.

Haha #45, give me some of what you're smokin', pal. JJ for Scott Linebrink, suuuuure, that'll happen. Can we trade Pizza Pizza for A-Rod while we're at it?

Where would we be without Theriot, Pagan, Fontenot, etc? Just goes to show you money doesn't do it alone, we need to develop our system and constantly sprinkle these young, energetic, hungry players in the mix.

What we should do is get rid of Izturis. It would be like adding another player to our roster.

It really is amazing that the Cubs have a +29 run differential and are currently 19-21. By way of contrast, the 1st place Dodgers have a +25 run differential and are 25-17. Atlanta is 26-16 with only a +20 run differential. 26-16 Milwaukee is only +24. Notwithstanding our playing them really tough, the Mets are looking like a special team at +58. Other than the Mets, the Cubs are best in the National league in the only thing that really matters: scoring more runs than you allow. This is what you get when your wins are blowouts and all your losses are close. Only the Cubs could pull this off.

had to laugh at the image this painted when I read the quote below (from Christina Kahrl in BP) regarding Dempster's 9th inning in New York: ...but the Mets had the good fortune to catch Ryan Dempster in another one of his too-frequent impersonations of a napalm-stuffed piñata.

Let's face it ---Hendry bought too many relief pitchers again, all good, but none good enough. i mentioned having 3 good left handed arms- was excessive. in reality, only having one is fine, and having 2 is a luxury. at that point, we should have traded Eyre, who actually had trade value, and another arm like Guzman, and brought in a good outfielder. i always mention Rocco, ...he is struggling, ....that being said, we may actually be able to pry hiim away cheap right now. For his talent, i'd consider making a move. this being said, maybe we give pagan the shot in centerfield??

Did you ever hear of a third-base coach having problems communicating with a runner on third on a sac fly? They're both just standing there waiting for the catch. What's the problem? Hendry is a nice guy, maybe too nice. There were two times last winter when someone asked him for something and he said, "Okay, sure." I have regrets about both transactions. Once was when Quade interviewed for the mgr's job and asked to at least be promoted to the major-league coaching staff. The other was when Ken Williams asked for David Aardsma.

quade didnt come over from oakland to linger in the minors forever. he's a coach/manager with a LOooOOOoong history in the minors. he's paid his dues AND he's coached 3rd in the minors and majors before. take from that what you want...its not like quade is some new guy on the block who got a job coaching 3rd cuz he made buddies with someone.

from scout.com Miller, who is coming back from shoulder surgery, rejoined the parent club after his short stint for the Smokies. Veal had been told to be ready in case Miller didn’t go seven innings, and the right-hander left the game after 5 2/3 innings. btw, that's why Veal was moved to the pen for the day, he gave up his starting spot to Miller. interesting about Miller rejoining the big club, is he scheduled to pitch anywhere tomorrow? wonder if he's part of the "big" changes?

Eric, Do you know that Towers almost sent Linebrink to the Phillies this winter straight up for Aaron Rowand? or that the production that SD has gotten from LF is the worst in MLB? BTW here are Rowand's stats compared to JJ career wise: JJ 279/328/458/786 160 HR 570 RBI AR:283/340/451/791 72 HR, 279 RBI Rowand's higher BA is because of the hot start is he is off to this year, but other than OBP there simlar players. Add in the fact that Jones is under contract for 08 and I'd toss in a pitching prospect like Cherry to replace Linebrink I think its a simliar deal to one Towers actually discussed.

jones has value for his contact, alone. a lefty with his skills of any OF slot who can hit for power is worth millions more than his current deal in this market. he's definately worth more than 4m this year and 5m next season by a couple million a year, easy.

great...so i guess dumpster is gonna start again? yawn. hell, could be anything...dunno...just guessing. his "surprise you" quote was plural in subject manner...if playing murton/floyd as RF's and the constant mixing of innings-eatters vs. situation guys in the pen were handled without any fanfare by lou, so who knows what the scope of his latest media rant could be...

don't recall that Rowand/Linebrink rumor and why would the Padres want another centerfielder? maybe they'd move one of them to lf between cameron and him. Linebrink/Sheffield rumors I recall............ Juan Cruz has been pimping JJ anyway this year so I doubt they'd look to make that move right now as is....

chifan, someone described Jones as a good player for a second-division team, meaning that he cranks out his hits and reaches his numbers but he doesn't help you win. Some people on this board are registering amazement at what I just said, but it's true. Many players are professional number-generators. Think economics (or Darwin). If numbers are rewarded, then players will give you numbers. Winning has a different set of rewards that motivates some players (Theriot) but not all. The contract through 2008 makes Jones virtually untradeable. Reason: Jones could help a team out for a couple of months but they all think they can find someone better during the offseason. Jones fans on this board should mull over the fact that nobody wants him for next year. Jones does nothing well, although he's made a few running catches lately. When Z was pitching the other night, Reyes hit a short fly to center which found Jones playing too deep (as the announcers remarked). Jones also misjudged the ball at first, and ended up making one of his funny throws. With Pagan displaying attributes that help win games, Jones has become even more of an albatross than before. But I've given up on the hope that he can be traded before July '08. I don't think Hendry is in a position, Tribune-wise, to offer to pay for Jones to play somewhere else.

chifan, someone described Jones as a good player for a second-division team, meaning that he cranks out his hits and reaches his numbers but he doesn’t help you win. Some people on this board are registering amazement at what I just said, but it’s true. Many players are professional number-generators. Think economics (or Darwin). If numbers are rewarded, then players will give you numbers. Winning has a different set of rewards that motivates some players (Theriot) but not all. yeah, Jacque and 76 career post-season Ab's say otherwise...

no one wants to pay jones 5m...a guy who can play all 3 OF slots and hit 20+ homers? he's not old or slow...he's left handed...RF's and CF's are both not exactly flowing and the market's money value is through the roof.

and before we get into how the Twins got rid of him and everything, they offered him arbitration, they just didn't want to commit to a multi-year deal which is what you try to do when your the Twins with their financial restrictions.

i find the twins ownership as disgusting to the game as the yanks ownership. one spends hand over fist to strangle competition...the other never gives its playoff ready teams an extra bump in tallent that's anything but someone's bench castoffs. if youre gonna be a cheap ass owner and your team is in a position to make the playoffs...hell, you dont gotta be stupid as houston has been, but you can go get something that wont ruin your team's future.

It's because Adam Dunn is a formidable figure that he's the most tradable player on the Cincinnati roster. He would return value - a first-rate pitcher, presumably, or a consistent right-handed hitter - that is more along the lines of what the ballclub really requires as it reshapes itself according to the Krivsky model. Trading Dunn would fundamentally change the Reds' makeup and karma, which is precisely what needs to be dunn. And management knows that. "I would absolutely tell you that all options are open," Castellini said on the team's desperately needed day off. He had not been asked about trading Dunn, specifically. He had been asked about spending more money. "Read that any way you want." Click here for the full story. Too soon? Yeah, probably too soon for the annual Dunn/Cub rumors. Sorry, please ignore.

Just heard on ESPN locally - Guzman to the 'pen. 5th starter not named yet. Talked about Sean Marshall or Dempster. Bruce Levine broke the story originally.

given lou's penchant for looking at what a guy has done on paper and giving it to them (theriot, murton, floyd, etc's shuffling into less than ideal positions defensively) a move of dumpster back to the rotation seems to fit his mold. guzman vs. dumpster to me is a whole lot of whatever...either/or...not like i'd be upset to see someone else close...well, unless its guzman. rather have wuertz or howry, myself. if that is his mini-revolution...whatever, seems harmless.

Dempster? that's got to be a joke. Myers to the pen sure worked for the Phils so far so I'm all for Guzman. thnx E-man.

...man, are we waiting around til "monday/etc" so cherry can close? i hope not...

Live by the stats, die by the stats, Rob. In those 76 postseason at-bats Jones accomplished this: .197/.215/.342. Not to mention that he may soon go over a cliff in terms of production. Today he has one home run and 13 RBI. It's early, but it is May 19th. Over the last three years, Jones has averaged 8 HR and 26 RBI by the end of May. His ABs are going to decline significantly this year and therefore his numbers are bound to decrease, but so may his rate of production. Scouts are paid to predict the future, anyway. They don't see a bright future when they look at Jones.

"Scouts are paid to predict the future, anyway. They don’t see a bright future when they look at Jones." you must talk to different scouts than i have...granted the ones ive talked to arent exactly scouting directors.

VA Phil, you're missing the point by pointing out Jones line in postseason play. If Jones is a "second division" player who doesn't help teams win, then how did he get those postseason ABs in the first place? And as Rob mentioned, the team that won 3 division titles with Jones as an everyday player made an effort to keep him, so one would think they thought he was at least a useful tool in making the playoffs those years. But don't let any of that stop you from thinking that he's a guy who only generates numbers who doesn't help a team win...

"1. the one already hinted with Marshall to the rotation and Guzman to the pen. Erye to the DL or DFA." There's no way the Cubs eat Eyre's contract. He might get the Rusch treatment, but there's no way they eat 6.5+M.

yeah Bonds hit a buck ninety with a homer in Pitt in the postseason. what a loser...

and thnx Bleeding Blue for the retort to VA Phil's comment, exactly what I would have said.

Crunch said: "you must talk to different scouts than i have." I don't talk to any scouts. All I know is what I read in the paper (and by reading between the lines). I know the Cubs have been trying to trade Jones since the winter meetings; and also that a couple of AL GMs think it's funny when they see the Cubs shopping Jones. Remember the bit about the Cubs trying to "foist" Jones on someone? In other words, they got him, now they're stuck with him--ha, ha, ha. And these are GMs who talk to scouts and pay their salaries. I don't think it's funny, or fair. I don't think Jones is funny. I don't like picking on guys wearing Cub uniforms, anyway. I always regret it later. I managed to lay off him for a few months, even while Pie was around, but this Pagan thing has reminded me how easy JJ would be to replace.

but this Pagan thing has reminded me how easy JJ would be to replace. Yea... because two or three games of good Pagan mean that he will be able to replace Jones production in the lineup. Maybe you forget about how well Pagan produced last year...

Where would we be without Theriot, Pagan, Fontenot, etc? Well... Theriot I can understand. Pagan has played in what - eight games? He has had a signficant impact on two games. And Fontenot? He of the two at-bats? Yea... where would we be without those two at-bats? He has really been a life saver for the cubs...

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • 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.