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

Free Agent Frenzy Update

Here's an update on the Free Agent Frenzy contest.

Current Standings

  1. Real Neal - 66
  2. CincyKid - 56
  3. Jackie T - 53
  4. Tito - 51
  5.  John Beasley - 49
  6. Andrew - 47
  7. Eric - 46
  8. JD- 44
  9. Dejon R. - 42
  10. Carlos  - 41
  11. RW - 41
  12. Rob G. - 39
  13. Tom R. - 35
  14. Ruz - 32
  15. Big Lowitzki - 31
  16. jacos - 31
  17. allinginge - 30
  18. twcoffee - 29
  19. Brian H. - 8
Unfortunately reader "Charlie" had to be disqualified as he doubled up on some confidence levels. Neal with a commanding lead at the moment with 6 correct picks.

Comments

Luck is better than skill, as they say. If the current rumors hold true, I am not going to get any more points, though.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I still don't get the Angels, I figured my logic on that one was pretty infallible. Teixiera was going to the East Coast Rodriguez was going to the Mets Anderson was going out to pasture So they should have the money. Manny wants to play on the Leftist coast and it's a big 'nah nah' to the Dodgers, and it gives them the big bat to protect Vlad. Instead they re-sign their 5th outfielder and call it an off-season. Maybe it is that Manny has really killed his value with the pouting in Boston. Coming off that second half, you would think that some team would think, "well, we will just keep him happy". Best player to never win an MVP?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Angels are pretty big on the team concept, they simply just don't like his attitude.

Although Scioscia said he's okay with it, their GM flat out said he'll never be an Angel.

anything beyond a 1-yr deal for him is too risky, he's just as likely to pull the same shit again. 

but yeah, probably is the best player to never win an MVP....can't think of anyone else.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Mel Ott I would say would be better right now and never won one. Maybe Al Simmons, guys like Eddie Mathews, Billy Williams, and Al Kaline never won one either. Buy yeah, Manny is right up there, and easily the best current player (over guys like Sheffield and Thome who have high count stats).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

they still got a solid 120m team, imo...and their league is pretty weak. no one from the AL West has stepped up this offseason so far. they could use a 1st baseman...maybe another reliever. they got enough power to not add a top notch 1st, but it'd be the easiest point of upgrade. dunno what their $$ situation is, but they lose a LOT of important parts after next year they're gonna have to spend $$ on to replace. they got a good amount of cheap contracts...and that matthews jr. dog of a contract.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Angels are fine, actually need a 3b upgrade more than 1b imo. I think Morales can handle it...offensively at least. Figgins though at 3b is sketchy...should just give the job to Brandon Wood.

Unless Adam Dunn is dead-set on not being a DH, there's they guy they need to bring in. I don't see Boston complaining that Ortiz doesn't play the field much.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

it probably would be woods' if he wasn't stuck in the "AAAA zone." he's still young enough that being in that zone is no biggie, but while he looks like he belongs on the field with his glove it seems he swings a bat like jason dubois. he's still got a lot of time, though. dunno what his swing hole(s) is/are...he just has steady lopsided minor/major K/bb totals. even if he "only" gets his game in that 150-180K area (which would be pretty bad) he'd still be valuable with his glove/arm at SS/3rd if he can hit 25+ homers.

If Andruw Jones goes to the Mets, he'll play RF. Which would make Ryan Church, a left-handed hitter Hendry has sought before, available. Hmmmm....

"Unfortunately reader "Charlie" had to be disqualified as he doubled up on some confidence levels." Someday I will actually read directions. Or only get involved in games I understand.

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).