Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

It’s Official: Pie called up

Submitted by Transmission on
The Tribune is now reporting that Pie will lead off and play center for today's game in Chicago. As of this hastily written post in response to the briefest of announcements at ChicagoSports.com, there is no explanation of how the roster will be worked to fit Pie. Soriano reports he is feeling much better, and the MRI is negative. (No indication of a torn hamstring)

Comments

Submitted by Bogey on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:45 am

Right now Soriano is expected to be out 7-10 days but you know, it's a hammy, so who knows. Pie is indeed in CF and leading off today.

Submitted by TJ on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:46 am

Maybe Will Ohman can take over Pie's lease in Iowa. If they are getting rid of a pitcher he has a bulls-eye on his head.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:48 am

I know Cubster sent an article to Rob G, but how is the MRI negative? He doesn't have a hamstring? I thought Cubster told us last season that all strains are tears of some sort... My guess is still Guzman, he just isn't pitching enough, and having pitched yesterday he wouldn't pitch today anyway. Ohman, as OCF pointed out, is a prime candidate because of his last two outings, as well. Can't remember if he has an option year left, though...

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:53 am

a tweaked/strained hammy is the perfect excuse to re-assign AS to left when he returns to go easy on the leg...platoon murton and jones/floyd in RF and jettison the other, or jettison ward, replace him w/ floyd and put jones in the RF platoon...here we go!

Submitted by Transmission on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:55 am

Negative = No indications of a tear. It's the presence of a tear that is the negative. (i.e., not there.)

Submitted by Mark in IN on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:56 am

Speaking of Guzman, he looked incredible yesterday. He hit 94 regularly, 97 twice and 99 once (if CSN radar reading is accurate). He had good movement, too. I wonder how many starts Miller gets before Guzman takes #5 over. It's probably a lot, and too soon to credit Guzman with too much, but I was very impressed.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:59 am

So much for not bring Pie up to not start his clok for the first however many days it was to ge an extra year out of him. Man, I hope Soriano isn't hurt bad, that would be a hit.

Submitted by Rynox on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:01 am

Mark in IN:
Speaking of Guzman, he looked incredible yesterday. He hit 94 regularly, 97 twice and 99 once (if CSN radar reading is accurate). He had good movement, too. I wonder how many starts Miller gets before Guzman takes #5 over. It’s probably a lot, and too soon to credit Guzman with too much, but I was very impressed.
Miller has already said he doesn't want to pitch in the minors, so if the Cub's replace him with Gooz, they'll have to buy him out. So, they'll give him a real good look before they do that, to make sure it's what they want to do. 1 or 2 bad starts won't be enough, and rightfully so. Gooz owned in that last game, tho. I hoping he pulled a "Rich Hill".

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:08 am

They won't 'have' to buy him out. They can send him down, and he can refuse, but then he won't get paid. Of course, he and Hendry may have some gentlemen's agreement that they wouldn't do that, but the Cubs won't be forced to release him and pay his salary.

Submitted by WPZ on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:08 am

Would've been nice to have more time to evaluate, but now I think we have a week or two before Hendry starts doing the EKG Autodial Shuffle: trade Murton or trade Jones? Expecting the former, hoping for the other. Also, per the recent Dusty vs. Lou comments, may I ask what the Dusty defenders would think are the odds that Pie would lead off today in a Dusty lineup, if even start? One way I strongly prefer Lou: see what you got.

Submitted by WPZ on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:10 am

I guess I should clarify a little - not that we can't carry 5 OFs, but we're talking about 5 OFs who all "require" significant playing time. No one in that group is a "5th outfielder."

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:15 am

I'm not a doc, but Soriano is one of those guys who stretch like a gymnast--you know, sitting, legs in a V, upper body straight forward and down until your chin touches the ground--in other words, he's in great shape (like somebody trying to give you your money's worth). He'll probably be back in record time for a hammy. So this is probably just a brief audition for Pie. Still, there were two things I was worried about with Pie, and this takes care of one of them: that he'd never actually get an at-bat with us. Even in a couple of weeks he should make an impression on the team and the fans, and that will make him less likely to be traded--which was the other thing I was worried about. So this is good.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:22 am

We'll see what the lineup is today, but if Theriot is playing he should bat leadoff imo.... Of course with Pie's newfound patience I should just shut up... I do love when our prospects finally get the call to play, adds a whole new level of excitement to today's game.

Submitted by Rynox on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:24 am

The Real Neal:
They won’t ‘have’ to buy him out. They can send him down, and he can refuse, but then he won’t get paid.
I wasn't aware of that, thanks. My point still sort of remains, they're going to give Miller a fair shot and not "over-react" after a couple of bad outings.

Submitted by Jace on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:26 am

Everyone seems set on Miller having a bad outing today. How is that such a foregone conclusion? He was not THAT bad during spring training.

Submitted by Transmission on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:27 am

In totally unrelated news, Tim Kurkijan is talking about ambidexterity in ball players - about how for isntance Brooks Robinson was totally right-handed, except for writing, in which he was lefthanded. He gets to Mark Mulder, who evidently claims that he is left-handed dominant for all activities above the waist (overhand throwing, pitching) but right-hand dominant for all things done below the waist (golfing, softball pitching.) This strikes me as very odd.

Submitted by Andrew on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:38 am

Yeah, not really sure what to do with the roster at this point. Probably the best option is to send Guzman down to get some regular work in. When Soriano gets back, and if Pie's been too good to demote, I agree with getting rid of Ward (although he's a useful cog in the limited role of pinch-hitter) and use Floyd as the backup 1B.

Submitted by Mark in IN on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:42 am

I understand Hendry's situation with Miller and that they'll take all the time they need to evaluate him. I really hope that Guzman keep throwing like yesterday and presses Miller. Either way, I'd hate to lose Miller in favor of Guzman then have another injured pitcher to replace.

Submitted by Chad on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:50 am

Trans: I do anything small and detailed (writing, eating) left handed. I do all things strong and active (throwing, punching) right handed.

Submitted by cubster on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:55 am

but how is the MRI negative? He doesn’t have a hamstring? I thought Cubster told us last season that all strains are tears of some sort… --------------- My article is posted now under Can we just start playing in May. Check the links ("hamstring injuries" and "reinjured or just leave lingering soreness" for the medical discussion, the 2nd link goes to post #90 from the game 13 area). The MRI being "negative" usually means it's a grade I strain. A grade I hamstring strain is probably not going to show anything on an MRI since the muscle cells are injured but not torn hence nothing structural to show changes. If there is swelling, the MRI might show some fluid at most. Grade II strains indicate some stretch to the damaged muscle. Grade III strains indicate there is a complete tear of the muscle with an area of separation. ...and just for clarification of terms: Strain is the term used for muscle injury (with attached tendon) Sprain is the term used for ligament injury (ie. anterior cruciate ligament), these also have a 1-3 grading system that is commonly used. If they brought up Rocky Cherry and sent down Ohman...now that would be profound. Rumor has it that Eyre's recent hospitalization was for food poisoning, a prescient event? ...I wonder if he had a bad piece of Cherry Pie?

Submitted by aaronb on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:14 am

If indeed Soriano is now expected to be out 7-10 days, wouldnt the 15 day DL seem like the best move? Why short your staff for that long by dropping a pitcher?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:09 pm

The Real Neal — April 17, 2007 @ 11:08 am They won’t ‘have’ to buy him out. They can send him down, and he can refuse, but then he won’t get paid. Of course, he and Hendry may have some gentlemen’s agreement that they wouldn’t do that, but the Cubs won’t be forced to release him and pay his salary. ========================== NEAL: It doesn't work like that. What happens is, if the Cubs want to option Wade Miller to the minors, they have to get his permission. If he refuses, then he must remain on the 25-man roster. Of course, they can always trade him or release him, but if they release him, they owe him his $1.5M base salary. If another club signs him, the new club has to pay him at least the MLB minimum (prorated), but the new club would also be on the hook for Miller's $3.75M in potential performance bonuses. Likewise, the Cubs cannot place Miller on Outright Waivers, either (and hope he refuses to go to the minors), because he has three-plus years of MLB service time. That's the reason the D'backs had to place Russ Ortiz on Release Waivers last year instead of on Outright Waivers. (Release Waivers are irrevocable, and cost a claiming club only $1, but if a club claims a player off Release Waivers, the claiming club assumes the contract in total, which is why you never see players claimed off Release Waivers).

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:18 pm

AZ Phil - how does pie's call-up affect his service time status or countdown to arbitration eligibility/free agency? was he @ iowa long enough to buy the cubs that extra year of control?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:33 pm

Mike Wellman — April 17, 2007 @ 7:18 pm AZ Phil - how does pie’s call-up affect his service time status or countdown to arbitration eligibility/free agency? was he @ iowa long enough to buy the cubs that extra year of control? ============================= MIKE: If Pie remains with the Cubs for the rest of the season, he gets credit for a full year off MLB service time and can be a FA after the 2012 season. If a player spends less than 20 days on minor league optional assignment in a given season (count begins on MLB Opening Day, NOT the day he was sent to the minors during ST), he gets the entire year, although he also does not use up a minor league option for that year, either. Pie had spent 15 days on optional assignment to Iowa prior to his recall, so five more days and the Cubs buy another year of Pie's MLB service time, and he would not be able to be a FA until after the 2013 season (at the earliest, depending on what happens to him next year). As far as salary arbitration is concerned, a player doesn't necessarily need three years of MLB service time to qualify. It varies from year-to-year, but normally a player can qualify as a "Super Two" for arbitration purposes wiith about 2+140 MLB service time (a "Super Two" being the top 16%--or one in six--of players with more than 2.5 years but less than three years of MLB service time), meaning Pie would probably eventually qualify as a "Super Two" (when the time comes) if he spends no more than about 45 days on optional assignment to the minors this year.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:01 pm

thanks phil - you should play a role in hammering out the next CBA - i dare say you know more about the fine print than most of the players and probably some of the agents too!

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 04:02 pm

not to mention owners/GM-types...

Submitted by The Real Neal on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:22 am

AZ Phil, Thanks for correcting me. So what is the magic number then, three years of service time and you can refuse assignment? I can see why the players like that, not sure what the benefit is for the oweners/GM's. Prior could also refuse assignment then if he were to theoretically get healthy, right?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:00 pm

The Real Neal — April 18, 2007 @ 7:22 am AZ Phil, Thanks for correcting me. So what is the magic number then, three years of service time and you can refuse assignment? I can see why the players like that, not sure what the benefit is for the oweners/GM’s. Prior could also refuse assignment then if he were to theoretically get healthy, right? ====================== NEAL: It's five years MLB ST for refusing an optional assignment, and three years of MLB ST for refusing an outright assignment. In addition to having the right to refuse an optional assignment to the minors, players with at least five years of MLB service time can also refuse a DL rehab assignment to the minors. Also, Any player with at least three years of MLB service time cannot be placed on Outright Waivers without his permission. EXAMPLE: Glendon Rusch (that's why the Cubs had to release him instead of sending him outright to Iowa) In the case of Outright Waivers,(which are irrevocable), a player who clears Outright Waivers must be sent outright to the minors within seven days after clearing Outright Waivers, or on the day the waiver period ends if the waivers were requested less than seven days and more than two days before the end of the waiver period. (Outright Waivers cannot be requested during the last two days of a waiver period). . Any player with less than three years of MLB service time who had been outrighted to the minors previously in his career can refuse an outright assignment to the minors immediately (in which case his contract is terminated and his former club owes him nothing), or he can wait until the minor league FA period begins (October 15th). Most players who are outrighted to the minors after signing an MLB contract for that season opt to defer their right to be a FA until after the season, because if they defer they continue to get paid per their MLB contract for that season (with a $60K minimum minor-league split) while they are playing in the minor leagues. . EXAMPLE: Michael Restovich last year Any player outrighted to the minors who defers his right to be a FA until after the end of the MLB regular season can be added to his club's 40-man roster again anytime prior to October 15th. Any player who otherwise would have been eligible to be a six-year minor league FA (defined as having spent parts of at least SEVEN separate seasons on a regular season minor league or MLB roster, including DL) who is outrighted to the minor leagues after October 15th and before he signs an MLB contract for the following season has the option to be a FA immediately when he gets outrighted. . EXAMPLE: Miguel Negron Any player who is added to the 40-man roster after August 15th cannot be outrighted to the minors between November 11th and 25 days prior to the start of the MLB regular season. (Such a player can be released or traded during that period, he just can't be outrighted). EXAMPLE: Ryan O'Malley Any player with at least five years of MLB service time who has minor league options available cannot be optioned to the minors without his permission. Any player who has spent all or part of at least three separate seasons on a regular season MLB roster (including DL) must pass through Major League Waivers before he can be optioned to the minors. (Major League Waivers are revocable the first time they are requested on a particlular player in a given waiver period, and irrevocable the second time they are requested on a partcular player in that same waiver period). . EXAMPLE: Mark Prior getting optioned to Iowa last month A club may have a maximum of seven players on Major League Waivers at the same time It takes 47 hours for a player to clear waivers, with the day's "waiver wire" transmitted to all 30 MLB clubs at 2 PM (ET) every day, and with waivers expiring at 1 PM on the third day, at which time any claims are announced. The previous season's standings are used to determine waiver claim order through the waiver period that ends on April 30th, then the current standings (as of 2 PM on the day the given player is placed on waivers) are used to determine waiver claim awards starting with the waiver period that begins on May 1st. Once a player passes through Major League Waivers in a given waiver period without being claimed, the waivers on that player are good for the rest of that waiver period. That's why a lot of clubs will place all players who would need to clear Major League Waivers before being optioned to the minors on Major League Waivers right at the start of each waiver period (except for the waiver perood that runs November 11--February 15, because players don't get optioned to the minors during the off-season). MLB WAIVER PERIODS: 1. February 16th through April 30th; 2. May 1st through July 31st; 3. August 1st through November 10th; 4. November 11th through February 15th. Also, for players who are transferred to the 60-day DL from the 15-day DL, time spent previously on the 15-day DL is included when determining when a player is eligible to be activated from the 60-day DL. No player may be transferred to or placed on his club's 60-day DL before March 1st or after the conclusion of the season, and all players on the 60-day DL must be reactivated by November 20th (when 40-man rosters are submitted to the MLB office in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft).

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

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