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

Cubs vs. Pirates: Series Thread (Games 91-93)

Submitted by Charlie on

Welcome back from your well-deserved break. Starting Friday, the Cubs get back at the division battle with a three-game set against the Pirates. They'll try to leave behind a bit of a mid-season slump (one in which the entire division had been mired) and put some distance between themselves and their division rivals. See game-by-game matchups below.

Game 91, Friday, July 12, 1:20pmCDT
CHC: RHP Yu Darvish (2-4, 5.01 ERA)
PIT: RHP Chris Archer (3-6, 5.49 ERA)

Darvish has faced the Pirates twice this year and is 0-1 allowing 8 earned runs in 12 innings pitched. The no-decision was his last start, in which he allowed four earned runs on two homers and no walks in 6.1 innings pitched. He's allowed nine homeruns over his last five starts. Darvish nemeses Cervelli and Chisenhall remain unavailable. Dickerson is also out of the starting lineup with a groin injury.

Chris Archer went five innings and struck out eight while also allowing three earned runs on two homers and three walks against the Cubs. Javy is 7-12 with a homerun off of him.

Game 92, Saturday, July 13, 1:20pmCDT
CHC: LHP Jon Lester (5-5, 4.36 ERA)
PIT: RHP Jordan Lyles (8-6, 3.72 ERA)

Jon Lester last held the White Sox to three runs, one earned, over 6.1 innings. His only start against Pittsburgh earlier this year was the two-inning affair that was shortened by his injury. He's held current Pirates to a .687 OPS in 214 at bats.

Last time out, Jordan Lyles was clobbered by the Cubs lineup. He allowed seven earned runs on ten hits, including three homeruns, in four innings pitched. Almora, Bryant, and Contreras hit the homers. Rizzo is 3-16 with four strikeouts against him.

Game 93, Sunday, July 14, 1:20pmCDT
CHC: LHP José Quintana (6-7, 4.19 ERA)
PIT: RHP Trevor Williams (3-2, 4.54 ERA)

Quintana earned a win against the Pirates in his last start. He went seven deep, allowing three earned runs and striking out six. Dickerson is 5-11 off of him and Josh Bell is 2-9 with a homerun.

Trevor Williams allowed five earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched but still earned a win against the Cubs in his last start. That's because Adbert Alzolay allowed seven earned runs in only 2.2 innings pitched. Bryant is 3-11 with five walks off of him. Schwarber is 6-17 with two homeruns.

Tags
2019 Gameday Thread

Comments

Submitted by Eric S on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 07:22 pm

Somebody wake Theo up. Evidently, Descalso is STILL on the roster. Amazing 

Also, Cubs bats still on the All Star break 👎

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Submitted by Eric S on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 07:39 pm

I was surprised to see Schwarber is actually on the higher end of average number of pitches seen per at bat but it’s not enough to offset the low on-base etc. He doesn’t make opposing pitchers uneasy at the plate or on the basepaths. Time travel and get 2016 Dexter back please. 

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Submitted by Jackstraw on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 07:00 pm

Same fucking mistake time after time after time.  Caratini scoots to the outside edge to a RH batter, Strop misses outside-er by 6 to 12 inches.  Only guy in the league who swings at those pitches is busy playing SS for the Cubs.  Strop gets behind, fastball gets rocketed somewhere.  Once into the ivy today, the other one estimated at 454 feet.

Watching Caratini/Contreras scoot to outside edge with Strop pitching is like the moment in the horror film when the teenagers grab the candles and matches out of the kitchen drawer and then split up.

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Submitted by Jackstraw on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:17 am

Cubs have three offensive black holes on the roster at the moment (Descalso, Almora, and Russell).  Almora should play the most due to his defense and also the number of guys needing to move position when he is out.  I'm OK with Cubs having 2 auto outs at the bottom of the lineup if Almora is going to play near GG caliber CF.  Seems to me Joe plays Almora and Russell together since it's his best defensive lineup and he's hoping both of them will start to hit better.  Bote or Garcia at 2B are both offensive upgrades so I think they should get regular play and take advantage of whomever gets hot.  Pick whomever are the Cubs 2 most groundball pitchers and play Russell with them for his D, Bote and Garcia get the other games til somebody wins out by hitting the best.

Descalso should play every time Chatwood comes into the game.  Only then.  The position player sign of surrender.

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Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:09 am

I’m sure everyone is hoping Almora and Russell start to hit better. There could be a small sliver of hope for Albert, but I think Addison just is what he is at this point. I know he’s still pretty young but he basically puts up the same line every year. Mediocre BA, below average OBP, some HR power. 

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 07:29 pm

Posey grand slam in 10th vs Brewers Breaking 6-6 tie after brewers scored on Yelich triple to tie in 9th. Cards lose to DBacks. v fine start to the 2nd half.

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Sat, 07/13/2019 - 07:31 am

Three free outs at the bottom of today’s lineup. They have to be thinking Baddison should be heading back to Des Moines, right? Right? RIGHT?

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 07/13/2019 - 07:13 pm

brewers won a hell of a game.

a 1-1 duel into the 7th where leads were traded or tied until a 2-out walkoff double in the bottom of the 9th.

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Submitted by crunch on Sat, 07/13/2019 - 07:20 pm

that was neat.

anyway, if anyone is bored enough, the ATL/SD game is in the 10th and the crowd is doing typical SD things like technically existing and occasionally reacting to the play on the field with some noise.

Submitted by Eric S on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:19 am

For the sweep: Willson out, Caratini in (Willson with a sore arch in right foot, hopefully just minor issue), KB in right field, Bote at 3rd, Robel at 2nd. 

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:36 am

It looked like Contreras was injured trying to catch Rosario in the top of the 8th. Rosario was missing his spots badly against the last batter or two of the inning and Contreras was jumping/leaping/diving on almost every pitch and then limped off the field after the third out. 

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:07 pm

k.bryant in RF...i could go for less k.bryant in RF...

he's not horrible, but he's timid about going full on and his initial break for the ball isn't that great.

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Submitted by crunch on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:30 pm

i think we might be seeing schwarb find a new home and see a bit more LF bryant in 2020...but that is pure speculation.

the pen needed help this season, but it needs a nearly total rebuild going into 2020.

corner OF'rs and 3rd/2nd isn't much a depth issue, thankfully.

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Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:44 pm

Yeah a lot of the pen is scheduled for FA this offseason. Strop Cishek Kintzler, potentially Brach. Even the ghost of Cedeno.

A handful of guys who will be out of options next year who could grab a spot and a handful who are in AAA who could grab one too. Though some of either group might be DFA or non-tendered.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:10 pm

heyward's 15th HR of the season.

most since 2012 (27).

cubs with a 2 run lead in the 5th.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 07/15/2019 - 07:14 pm

The Cubs went from being one of the best PH clubs in 2018 to near the bottom in 2019, in large part because they essentially exchanged Tommy LaStella (by far - THE - best PH in MLB in 2018 and the best in Cubs history) for Daniel Descalso (who has been unable to provide any production off the bench in 2019).

Why this matters is that one way a club can come back late in a game (which the Cubs have not done much this season) is with a couple of bats on the bench who can provide a productive PA as a PH in a key late-inning situation.

With the Cubs sweeping the Pirates this past weekend the Bucs may be moving into "sell" mode, and if so, Melky Cabrera would be someone the Cubs should pursue. He is a high-contact switch-hitter who can hit cold of the bench (he is hitting 375/524/563 as a PH in 2019 and has yet to strike out in 21 PH PA) and he can play some corner OF (preferably LF) as well.   

Otherwise it's getting to the point where the Cubs will need to seriously consider using Jon Lester as a PH on a routine basis (that is, on days he's not the SP). 

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 07:26 pm

cubs are the first NL Central team to 50 wins, 3rd in the NL to get there (ATL + LAD, who has 61 wins)

MIL is losing by 5 going into the 9th.  they will be 2.5 games back if they lose.

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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