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

Feel the Chill

3/18 UPDATE:

The Kansas City Royals have signed recently-released RHRP Justin Grimm to a major league contract ($1.25M base salary with another $300K in potential performance bonuses).

But because Grimm was signed to a non-guaranteed contract and was released by the Cubs prior to MLB Opening Day, there is no salary offset for the Cubs. The $530K termination pay Grimm got from the Cubs is - NOT - offset by the $1.25M Grimm gets from the Royals. They are considered two unrelated deals, so Grimm ultimately could make upwards of $2M+ in 2018 (close to the $2.2M he was scheduled to make if he had not been released) if he reaches all of the performance bonuses (the $530K termination pay he got from the Cubs + the $1.25M base salary he gets from the Royals + the $300K in potential performance bonuses).

If Grimm had been released by the Cubs after MLB Opening Day, he would have received the entire $2.2M salary he got from the arbitration panel as termination pay, and then the Royals could have signed him for just the MLB minimum salary ($555K) and the Cubs would have been on the hook for the remaining $1.645M.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

3/15 UPDATE:

The Cubs have released veteran RHRP Justin Grimm.

Because he was released 15 or fewer days prior to MLB Opening Day, Grimm will get 45 days salary as termination pay (which is about $530K of the $2.2M 2018 salary that he was awarded by an arbitration panel last month). Note that the Cubs would have saved themselves about $180K if they had released Grimm prior to yesterday (Wednesday), because players with non-guaranteed contracts receive only 30 days salary as termination pay if released more than 15 days prior to MLB Opening Day.

So the Cubs MLB Reserve List now stands at 39 (one slot is open), and 39 players are assigned to the Cubs Spring Training Active List (including ten NRI).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


3/11 ORIGINAL POST:

A player on an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) signed to a non-guaranteed contract who is released more than 15 days prior to Opening Day receives 30 days salary as termination pay (paid at the "minor league rate" if the player is signed to a "split contract"), and a player on an MLB Reserve List signed to a non-guaranteed contract who is released 15 or fewer days prior to Opening Day receives 45 days salary as termination pay (all players paid at the "Major League rate"). A player on an MLB Reserve List signed to a non-guaranteed contract who is released during the MLB regular season receives 100% of his salary as termination pay (paid at the "minor league rate" for players on Optional Assignment to the minors). An unsigned player on an MLB Reserve List released during the off-season receives no termination pay.

So this coming Tuesday (3/13) is the last day a club can release a player on its MLB 40-man roster who is signed to a non-guaranteed contract and pay the player only 30 days salary (which is about 1/6 of the player's salary) as termination pay - AND - at the "minor league rate" if the player is signed to a split contract (meaning the player's salary varies depending on whether the player is on the club's MLB 25-man roster or is on Optional Assignment to the minors). 
What this means is that if (for example) RHRP Shae Simmons (who has had shoulder issues recently and a long history of arm problems throughout his career) is signed to a non-guaranteed contract and then is released by this coming Tuesday, the Cubs would only have to pay him about $20,000 (30 days pay based on his minor league split salary of $120K) as termination pay. If the Cubs were to wait until after Tuesday but still release Simmons prior to MLB Opening Day, he would get 45 days pay based on his major league salary (1/4 of $750K, or about $187,500, a difference of about $165K). What the Cubs CANNOT do is send Simmons to the minors by optional or outright assignment while he is injured, because a club (in most cases) cannot option a player to the minors while he is injured and also cannot place a player on Outright Assignment Waivers unless and until a player is able to immediately render service to whatever club might claim him.

If Simmons has a shoulder injury and the Cubs do not release him prior to MLB Opening Day, the only other choice the Cubs would have would be to place him on the club's MLB 10-day (or 60-day) DL by MLB Opening Day and owe him the full $750K but with the possibility that he might be able to pitch later in the season, or possibly release him a a later date (but still owe him 100% of his 2018 salary as termination pay).

These two release deadlines (30 days salary -- with a variance if the player is signed to a "split" contract" -- as termination pay if the player is released more than 15 days prior to MLB Opening Day, and 45 days salary -- paid at the "major league rate" for players signed to a "split contract" -- as termination pay if the player is released 15 days or fewer prior to MLB Opening Day) apply to all players on a club's MLB 40-man roster who are signed to non-guaranteed contracts, which would include ALL pre-arbitration (auto-renewal) players as well as any player who is awarded a contract by an arbitration panel (even if the player loses in the hearing), which would include RHRP Justin Grimm.

So look for the Cubs to possibly release one or more players currently on their MLB 40-man roster prior to MLB Opening Day, perhaps even by this coming Tuesday.

Comments

j.grimm owes d.maples lunch for taking a little pressure off him.  they're going head to head in sucking.

The Phillies have reportedly agreed to a contract with ex-Cubs RHSP Jake Arrieta. Because they extended a Qualifying Offer to Arrieta after he became a free-agent, the Cubs will get a compensation draft pick between the 2nd & 3rd rounds of the 2018 draft. (They also got a comp pick between the 2nd & 3rd rounds after fellow Qualified Player Wade Davis signed with the Rockies). The two Cubs comp picks will be slotted after the conclusion of Competitive Balance Round "B," in the vicinity of picks #77-78-79 (exact slots still TBD, depending on when & if Alex Cobb signs). 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I am psyched he's not a Brewer. I like him too much to want him to be terrible, and obviously I can't wish him success with a division rival. Glad to have him here in Philly where he can do minimal damage to the Cubs. I am surprised it's a multi-year deal. I would've thought if he signed with the Phillies he'd be looking to recoop his value and test the market again.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Ditto -- very glad he's not in the division, or in LA or WASH.  $75 million is nothing to sneeze at, but it's likely his last big deal.  In 3 years, he'll be 35 years old.

I always felt the "aces get seven years" quote would come back to haunt him.  Hubris, and all that.  Looking forward to some interesting sound bites from Mr. Boras.  His clients have come in miles below expectations.

 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

given the current market the phillies got f'n raked over the coals...or darvish needs a new agent.

"Arrieta will earn $30 million in 2018, $25 million in 2019 and $20 million in 2020. The right-hander has the option to opt-out after the 2019 season, but the contract also allows the Phillies to void that potential opt-out clause in the form of a two-year extension for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In that event, Arrieta would earn $20 million per season for those two years, with incentives that could drive it up to $25 million per season. All told, the final deal could wind up being for five years and between $125 and $135 million."

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Agree. Given the bargains happening, see Lance Lynn,  this seems like an overpay.  Tthe Phils wanted a shorter term deal and Boras somehow figured out a way to use that as leverage as spring training is halfway completed. As others have said, just glad Jake didn't end up with Cards, Brewers, Nats or Dodgers.  Thank you for your service Jake, it was an amazing ride. 

"Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that Javier Baez (hamstring) could return to Cactus League action "by the end of the week.""

that goalpost keeps getting moved.

happ hits HR #5...russell finally hits his 1st...both off bumgarner.

chatwood is making the regulars-heavy giants lineup look like he's playing a college exhibition game (5ip 1h 2bb 9k, 0 r/er).

also, v.caratini had a.jackson collide with him on an attempted steal of home (C to 2nd to C with men on the corners).  caratini held onto the ball and got the out.  he stayed in the game, but might be sore later.

heyward hit his 1st homer...off a nice lefty, too (r.r.ay).

hendricks went 6ip 3h 0bb 7k, 1 r/er

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

CHARLIE: Kyle Hendricks had all of his pitches working yesterday. Vintage Hendricks. He was masterful. He had more than one of the D'backs hitters so messed-up they walked back to the bench shaking their heads after striking out. I mean, how can you swing late on an 86-MPH FB? How can you take a 72-MPH curve for strike-three?

so now grimm is out of the picture, maples has 2 weeks to turn a full 180 on the crap he's been throwing, and it's still questionable whether montgomery will break the season with the team without being traded.

[ ]

In reply to by bradsbeard

he's been vocal about how he would like to be a starter rather than hang out in the pen. it's not gotten to the point of "start me or trade me" but if the cubs could accommodate it while getting a useful return, it may happen. i wouldn't count on it being a sure thing, but it's floating out there.

The Kansas City Royals have signed recently-released RHRP Justin Grimm to a major league contract ($1.25M base salary with another $300K in potential performance bonuses). But Because Grimm was signed to a non-guaranteed contract and was released by the Cubs prior to MLB Opening Day, there is no salary offset for the Cubs. The $530K termination pay Grimm got from the Cubs is - NOT - offset by the $1.25M Grimm gets from the Royals. They are considered two unrelated deals, so Grimm ultimately could make upwards of $2M+ in 2018 (close to the $2.2M he was scheduled to make if he had not been released) if he reaches all of the performance bonuses (the $530K termination pay he got from the Cubs + the $1.25M base salary he gets from the Royals + the $300K in potential performance bonuses). If Grimm had been released by the Cubs after MLB Opening Day, he would have received the entire $2.2M salary he got from the arbitration panel as termination pay, and then the Royals could have signed him for just the MLB minimum salary ($555K) and the Cubs would have been on the hook for the remaining $1.645M.

2 games televised (cubs split squad), same start time, vs CLE and vs KC...chatwood vs KC, Z vs CLE

d.maples...wtf has happened to you?

geez...

straight up one of the nastiest off-speed pitches around...the break on the slider is so nasty. but...wow...this spring has been outing after outing of ineffective play.

"Jorge Polanco received an 80-game suspension, without pay, for testing positive for performance -enhancing drugs."

uh oh.  that's MIN's starting SS.

nick gordon, you ready to play in the bigs?

harsh suspension for a team that's trying to compete this year.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Makes me wonder how many players were actually juicing back in the day. Probably much higher than I would like to believe. We always point to the bulked up sluggers as obvious examples, but so many of the guys getting caught these days are speed guys (Polanco/Dee Gordon/Starling Marte) or pitchers (Jenrry Meija 3x/Ervin Santana/David Paulino). Hell, even Neifi Perez has failed drugs tests, although for amphetamines, not steroids.

Justin Wison doing Justin Wilson (while with the Cubs) things ... 0 IP 3 H 3 ER 1 BB 0 K 1 HR 7.50 ERA. It's spring an 'at, but dayum would help if the bullpen does not suck out of the gate. 

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

he looked terrible today...so did montgomery...so did maples... also, contreras's throws from behind the plate haven't exactly been as surgically precise as we're used to and he showed it again today. hopefully that's just spring cobwebs. also also, it seems alberto baldonado needs to have an eye kept on him even if he's probably starting the year in AAA.

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).