Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Hoffpauir, The Sequel

Paul Sullivan writes in the Tribune that the Cubs will recall Micah Hoffpauir from Iowa as the team begins its interleague schedule with three games at SkyDome this weekend. Lou Piniella's plan is to let Hoffpauir play first base and left field, which will alternately allow Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano to "rest" as they see DH duty.

Daryle Ward, still on the DL, took batting practice Tuesday and according to Sullivan "will report to the Cubs' complex in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday to get some at-bats before going on a minor-league rehab stint at Iowa."

Comments

EPat is tearing it up at Iowa -- .333BA, 10-for-10 in SB. Pie continues to flail -- .178 in 101 AB. Gotta believe they will try EPat in the OF at some point, but with Pie, Fuld and Colvin playing CF at AAA and AA, where can he get the chance? Moving Pie out of CF would further crush his confidence, and Colvin (although very disappointing this year) is a #1 pick who needs to play. Maybe winter ball and spring training?

Maybe the Cubs could try to trade a prospect when their value is high instead of after they have proven they can't hit in the majors. I hope Epat keeps playing great all the way to the trading deadline.

[ ]

In reply to by Sonicwind75

why? so we can then have long posts with everyone bitching about how we let another stud get away from us? I for one would rather try and develop the talent and see what we get. I know sometimes you gotta make a trade, but there are times when you are better for trades you don't make. you wouldn't be asking this if Pie had worked out.

[ ]

In reply to by Sonicwind75

ya you are right. there have been some that worked great. some that didn't though. i shoulda let it be though. no reason to dig up old arguments. its a gamble either way. I just hate it when old cub farm hands end up gold on other teams. via trade, free agency, whatever. I think my memory is being one sided though. I am forgetting some of our recent successes with Marmol, Soto, Hill, Marshall. Though a couple those names are having problems. I just remember the Willis's, Wellemeyer's (ya he sure looked like a dud with us) and others. Of course, I am also forgetting that sometimes it takes these players a change of scenery in order to turn a corner. I definitely want to see this team make a trade though. I would like to see a reliable starter added. I for one am happy with our offense as is. And of course a trade to get said reliable starter will obviously cost us.

[ ]

In reply to by joshb

I don't blame the Cubs at all for getting rid of Wellemeyer, Florida and Kansas City also gave up on him. I'm still not convinced he will perform as well all season as he had in his start. There is always waaay too much griping that goes on about losing 'prospects' that never turn out to be much. Andy Sisco had one decent ERA with the Royals and everyone thought he was going to be great, didn't turn out. Dontrelle is the only player that the Cubs traded in the low minors who really turned out to be a major league stud, and his run seems to have only lasted about 4 seasons. If we had kept him chances are it would be us not the Tigers fan griping about the $30 million dollars we are paying him. The Cubs orginization outside of the recent examples (Marmol, Soto) has been really bad at actually getting promosing prospects to perform at the actual major league level, I will shed no tears over lost prospects or 'could have beens'.

[ ]

In reply to by joshb

Presenting the June 11, 2008 Cubs Soto Farm Ramirez Trade Theriot Farm DeRosa FA Lee Trade Soriano FA Johnson/Edmonds FA/FA Fukudome FA Blanco FA Cedeno Farm Fontenot Farm Hoffpauir Farm Pitching Staff Cotts FA Dempster FA Eyre FA Gallagher Farm Hart Farm Howry FA Lieber FA Lilly FA Marmol Farm Wood Farm Wuertz Farm Zambrano Farm Totals: Farm 11 Free Agent 12 Trade 2* *yep, only two have stuck.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

This would obviously take a long time to complete, but it would be interesting to see how this breakdown compares to the other teams in the league with an analysis on what mix of Farm/FA/Trades generally leads to a higher WP. This will likely remain an interesting hypothetical though, because that would a TON of work.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Fontenot should not be farm, but Trade since he came over for Sosa. Hart should also be Trade and not farm since he came over as the PTBN for Freddie Bynum. Cotts was not a Free Agent, but came to the Cubs via a Trade for David Aardsma and Carlos Vasquez. That makes the breakdown 9-11-5, 1/5 of the roster aquired via trade.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Cotts was an error But by Farm, I mean the player was developed in our farm system, not that he was drafted by the Cubs. e.g. Matt Murton is Farm. Unfortunately, for some reason the edit feature has been taken from us, so I can't fix the Cotts error. But the edited breakdown (by my reckoning) is 11:11:3

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I mean the player was developed in our farm system, not that he was drafted by the Cubs. e.g. Matt Murton is Farm. I don't buy this. What does "developed" mean? Is Ryan Dempster "Farm"? He rehabbed in our system. I think Wiscgrad's breakdown makes more sense. And Matt Murton was tough for Theo to give up, by the accounts I read. He's the last part of that trade the Cubs can hope to get any productivity from. Clearly a "trade".

[ ]

In reply to by Stevens

Now, for some damn reason, you're being disingenuous. I don't believe you don't know the difference between rehabbed and developed. It's my list, my rules. For simplicity (and sanity's sake), players developed in our minor league system are Farm. And by developed I don't mean MLB players who have regressed to the minors or are assigned there for rehab. But there always will be grey areas. e.g, if the Cubs lose their minds, obtain the contract of Dontrelle Willis, assign him to his present level (A+ Florida State League), and after a year or two in our system he reemerges as a major league arm, he would defy categorization.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I guess it depends on how you define "developed." Fontenot played 2002-2004 in the Orioles system, advancing from A, to AA, to AAA. He was then acquired over the winter made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2005. He spent part of 2005, all of 2006 and parts of last season in AAA Iowa. By my reckoning his development was accomplished in his first 3 years in the minors to the point that the Cubs were willing to give him time on the major league roster the year they acquired him. Similarly Kevin Hart spent 2004-2006 in the Orioles system and spent only part of 2007 in the minors with the Cubs before being called up to the big league team. Again, we can agree to disagree on "development" but by my reckoning I would not consider either of these two players to be complete flyers that the Cubs traded for earlier in their careers and developed into big league talent. I would instead consider them major-league-ready, or near-ready talent that the Cubs acquired via trade.

"The Daily News in New York reported Tuesday that Viagra has become a popular pick-me-up for athletes looking for an edge on the field and perhaps some frisky behavior off of it." http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8228928

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Palemeiro - "When your testicles shrink to the size of California raisins, you are going to need a little help..."

Hey, DHing our regulars and putting Hoffpauir in the field. I like that. Good idea, Lou. I hadn't thought of that.

Orioles signed LHP Randy Keisler to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Keisler had been pitching for the Cubs at Triple-A Iowa, posting a 3.14 ERA and 65/26 K/BB in 66 innings before being let go. (Rotoworld)

Speaking of Iowa, it looks like Randy Wells has made a lot of progress over the past year and is a viable option for the rotation if someone breaks down or Marquis implodes. In his 7 starts at Iowa he as put up a line of 38 IP, 26 H, 5 ER, 10 BB, and 33 SO, with an ERA of 1.18. I'd have to imagine that if Hill doesn't put things together soon, and if Marshall doesn't get healthy, Wells becomes option #1.

Couple of interesting notes from Ken Rosenthal this morning. The Cubs not only will pursue the best available starting pitcher — C.C. Sabathia? — but they also have shown interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, a left-hander who would help reduce the late-inning load on righties Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood. Fuentes, a free agent at the end of the season, could fill a variety of roles — matchup specialist, setup man, closer — making him appealing to virtually every contender.. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8233548/Win-now-mentality-has-Dodger…-?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49 (under the Around the Horn section)

Those must be some strong nets holding that concrete. ========== ...and strong troughs

The new SORIANO?! Dusty Baker used him as his leadoff hitter yesterday.

Jair Jurrjens will miss Wednesday's scheduled start after twisting his ankle walking down the dugout stairs on Tuesday night. Jurrjens' ankle didn't improve overnight, and now the Braves are hoping that he doesn't become the fourth member of their starting rotation to head to the disabled list. Jeff Bennett will start the game in Jurrjen's place on Wednesday night.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Wow yeah this is like the 85 Cubs all over again, luckily it happens while they are playing us :) but I guess we shouldn't get too overconfident but I'd rather face Bennet than Jurrjens. I do remember Bennet won a big game against the Brewers last year in September that helped us out alot.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Voodoo doll attacks again...now it's attacking beyond the ex-cub factor. I'm going to have to use a spreadsheet to track this. It's like a buzzsaw chewing through the teams who are about to face the Cubs. Dodgers (Furcal, AJones, Garciaparra, 3/44) Padres (S. Estes, G Rusch, CYoung, JPeavey, #22) Rockies (Tulowitzki, Haupe, Barmes) Braves (C. Jones, Glavine, Jurrjens, Smoltz, Kotsay) In the division... Reds (J. Hairston, JR, Keppinger, A. Gonzales, R. Freel) Brewers (Gallardo, Weeks, Gagne, Cappuano, Riske) Cardinals (Pujols, Wainwright, Isringhausen, Wellemeyer, Carpenter, Muldur, Clement) and we play Tampa next week and I'm hearing Carl Crawford has a hamstring problem and is facing a 4 day suspension too (not sure when that happens). Carlos Pena and Troy Percival are also on their DL http://www.rotoworld.com/content/injuries.aspx?sport=MLB

yes, sorry...the Crawford suspension got reduced to 2 games and won't impact the cub series. He's dealing with a sore hamstring but the suspension will probably be to his benefit regarding the leg.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).