Cubs MLB Roster

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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 May Seek Reliever...Hopefully One That Can Hit

Submitted by Rob G. on

What are you gonna say about last night's game? Rich Harden looked dominating for a second straight game and the offense looked maddening for the about the 60th time this year. There's not a lot of strategy to complain about when the Cubs couldn't even muster a hit. The Cubs need to try to punch through tonight with Carlos Zambrano on the mound versus Father Time to avoid the sweep.

According to Wittenmyer, the Cubs do have some limited payroll flexibility to add a "mid-level" player, but don't expect a run at Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee. Wittenmyer mentions relievers as the most obvious targets and throws out the names of George Sherrill and Chad Qualls. If Geovany Soto has any setbacks recovering from his oblique injury, a catcher will become the focus with Rod Barajas being mentioned.

Milton should be back in the lineup today after a few private hitting sessions with Lou. Lou says he needs to relax at the plate and then spends a few sentences throwing Hendry and Milton under the bus for not getting Raul Ibanez or a left-handed hitter that could actually hit a home run or two.

"The only thing I talked about last season was a need for a left- hand bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup who could hit the ball for power and drive in some runs," he said. "You look at our production last year and it was mainly from the right side.

"We didn't bring [ Jim] Edmonds back and Edmonds hit quite a few home runs, so we needed a left-handed bat. That's it. That was what I mentioned, that we could use a nice productive left-hand bat in the middle of our right-handed hitting."

Piniella paused for some time before finishing his thoughts and finally said:

"Look, we still need a left-hand bat who can hit for some power and drive in runs."

This is as much on Lou as Hendry...as well as Bradley. Fine, Lou wanted a run-producing bat from the left side and Bradley hasn't delivered and Hendry (so far) signed the wrong guy. How about stop being so stubborn and move Bradley from the middle of the order and put him in a spot that his current talents might be better suited for? While I still think he'll start hitting, right now he's nothing more than a guy that can take a walk, move him to the top of the order and let him set-up some guys who are hitting. And while you're complaining about hitting, how about getting Jake Fox a start behind the plate instead of Three-Finger Hill?

You know, I don't think managers are all that important to a team, it starts with the talent, but if there's anything a manager needs to do its to work with the talent he does have and give them the best chance to succeed, not force them into pre-conceived roles that they're not suited for.

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Cubs rumors

Comments

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 07:10 pm

". . . move him to the top of the order and let him set-up some guys who are hitting." Lee is 4 for his last 21, and Aramis is hitting .190 since his return, so I'm not sure who he would be setting up. If you have to play Bradley, then yes, he'll do the least harm batting second, where he'll draw a few walks. But there's something to be said for speed at the top of the order. You're already playing the OBP game with Fukudome at leadoff, where he has stolen zero bases. He's not a real leadoff man, any more than Bradley is a real number two. You'd rather not have either player. Fukudome, at least, is not a bum. He's almost tradeable, which is an improvement. It's conceivable that someone might want Fukudome for, say, six million a year, assuming the Cubs absorbed half his salary over the next two-plus years. Bradley and Soriano may not be worth a third of what they're getting, so you're not showcasing them. You're only putting them in the lineup to protect Jim Hendry. All the more reason to fire Hendry. Meanwhile, Lou is justified in complaining that he didn't get what he asked for and that his hands are tied, lineup-wise.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 07:48 pm

But there's something to be said for speed at the top of the order.

that something is that it's not that important...and Bradley can take an extra base which is all you really need. Lou don't call for the steal much anyway.

Lou is justified in complaining that he didn't get what he asked for and that his hands are tied, lineup-wise.

or he coud fill out a different lineup and not complain, just a thought...

Fuku, Bradley, Lee, Ramirez, Fox, Soriano, Fontenot, Theriot...

see not hard, then Bradley can do what he does which is control the strike zone w/o folks bitching about him not swinging at close pitches

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Submitted by MikeC on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 07:14 pm

Based on Bradleys career and this year Fuld could give Bradley a run for his money. I am not saying Fuld is good or deserves to be a starter its just Bradley is so god damn awful. Your talking about a career .820 OPS from Bradley coming off a career year at age 31. His career year was 22 HR and 77 RBI. Not a 40 HR, 120 RBI season, but a 22 HR, 77 RBI season. A league average OF in his career year. Didnt impress me then doesn't impress me now. If your brought in being billed as our teams huge offensive upgrade, you are batting in the middle of the lineup and all you have to show for it is a .242 average and 22 RBI, i think its time for his ass to take a seat and let Sam Fuld play. I think we can squeeze 22 RBI out of Sam Fuld from 227 AB's. Or even better let Fox play RF.

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Submitted by MikeC on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 07:20 pm

What blinders are those? RF is a prime run producing position right? At what point does a .240 BA and 22 RBI from the heart of the lineup disgust you? And i have blinders on because i believe Sam Fuld if given the same chances as Bradley could easily match those historic numbers? Its not a terribly difficult feat to accomplish what Bradley has done this season with any career minor leaguer. This idea that Bradley is going to suddenly, any day now morph into this massive offensive force knocking in runs left in right is still living in a fantasy world. He hasn't done it his entire career what makes you think he will start at age 31? I think most of you thought you were getting a 30 HR, 100 RBI RFer and are still waiting for that guy to show up. He has never even come close to a 100 RBI season and he isn't a major power hitter. He is an .800 OPS hitter who averages 50 RBI a year. Thats what we paid 30 million for. This isn't a guy who averages 30/100 coming off a career high of 50/150. He is a 13/50 coming off a 22/77. And your shocked he sucks? LoL.

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Submitted by big_lowitzki on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 07:30 pm

First, no one has said that a .240 BA or 21 RBI is good. Second, if you think that the first half of this season is more indicative of Bradley's ability than the rest of his career, then you sure aren't worth arguing with. Third, if you think that Sam Fuld will outproduce Bradley at the plate for the rest of the season, I think that is absurd. I never expected Bradley to put up a 30/100 year this year. But I did expect Bradley to play 120-130 games, and give the Cubs an OPS between 850-900. From 2003-2008, Bradley has had a line of: .295/.391/.488 OPS: .879. That is basically what I expected from him this year. And he has been a disappointment. Bradley hasn't had an OPS this low since 2002. And you are going to tell us that you expected that? Now that is worthy of laughing out loud.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 07:08 pm

you have some strange belief that Hendry is forcing roster moves and decisions on Lou, and that Lou is some poor simpleton that has to play all these overpriced FA's that Hendry stuck him with, when all Lou really wants to do is play the hot hitter.

I guess you just conveniently forgot that Lou left Seattle and Tampa because both organizations didn't spend enough to his liking and weren't committed to winning in his eyes. 

Lou may wanted a different player here or there (and the only one I can really think of is Ibanez, although Lou also said he's not really RF'er), but he's just as culpable for the spending spree as Hendry. No, he didn't sign the individual players, but he's said many times that he wanted an organization willing to put up the money to win and if you give him the players, he'll win with them.

 

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 07:43 am

My point about why Lou plays who he plays is simple and oft-repeated, if a bit lonely. The manager works for the team and part of his job is to protect the team's investment in high-priced players. At this point, I suspect the Cubs would love to pay another team $9 million/year for the next five years to take Soriano off their hands; plus $6 million per the next two years to take Fukudome; plus $5 million per two years to get rid of Bradley. Unfortunately, only Fukudome might be worth half what the Cubs are paying. Soriano's value and Bradley's value go down even further when they don't play. If they played and started hitting, their value would go up. So the manager is always tending to give them starts. Soriano, by the way, loses a lot of value batting sixth instead of first. Half of his value was the other "forty" in forty-forty. Never mind whether Soriano is really a leadoff hitter. Lou has to keep up the pretense. That's my take anyway. Hendry has tied Lou's hands. Otherwise Lou wouldn't complain, he would just play other people.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 07:56 pm

I just spent a bit of time with Cot's baseball contracts and BR's batting-order splits. If Soriano settles into the #6 hole, he'll be the only $15+ million everyday player batting lower than fourth on a regular basis--with the possible exception of Ordonez, whose contract expires this year. At this point the Tigers have very little investment in Ordonez to protect. Even Andruw Jones usually hits cleanup. Most elite hitters hit fourth, while a few (Manny, Teixeira, Beltran and Helton) hit third. (Pujols makes less than $15 mil.) Michael Young usually hits second, and Ichiro and Jeter lead off. When Cub players are on a hotel elevator on the road, Soriano rides to the top. DLee and Aramis must wonder why the #6 hitter doesn't get off on the same floor they do.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 07:08 pm

Lou has to keep up the pretense. That's my take anyway. Hendry has tied Lou's hands. Otherwise Lou wouldn't complain, he would just play other people.

sorry for the yelling but, LOU ASKED FOR THE CUBS TO SIGN HIGH-PRICED PLAYERS!!!! HE TIED HIS OWN HANDS!

but yes, when you start shelling out big contracts, you do get stuck if those players underperform, I'm not arguing that. I'm arguing your claim that Lou isn't responsible for it or he would do something different if Hendry wasnt' forcing his hand (which Hendry isn't by the way). I really have no idea where you get that from...like Lou in the last year of his deal, in his suppose last managerial job would really give a crap about sitting someone if he wanted to. He plays Soriano and Bradley and a struggling Lee because he believes they will start hitting due to their track records and because he seems to be a bit of a stubborn ass this year.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 07:24 pm

Anyone else have an issue with Lou burning through 2 pinch hitters (Fontenot and Fox) when the Cubs are up 4 runs with a man on 3rd and no outs? Just doesn't seem like it's really necessary to do that to your bench and only backup catcher in that spot. Then again, this is also pretty nit-picky. -- edit -- I should also note the original PH scenario was for Jeff Baker, so it's not even like Lou was hitting for the pitcher. Does he really have so little confidence in Baker just putting the ball in play in that spot? I don't know, I'm confused. Also, I assume Blanco has to come in and play 2B now, and we're out of backup infielders. -- edit again -- By replacing Baker with Fontenot, Lou was essentially forcing them to go with Eyre. Normally I'd be cool with that, but we were destroying Durbin. Leaving Baker in there probably keeps Durbin in the game for at least one more batter. Can anyone tell I'm extremely bored and watching all of this on Gameday?

Submitted by Banks1954 on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 07:21 pm

Why Pinella can't find more at bats for Fox is perplexing - why not start him against a lefty? The offense today obviously did well, but if you're not going to give Fox a start against a lefty when your offense is pathetic, you can't complain about Hendry. Fox played catcher all through college and in his first few years in the minors - it's not like he's just learing the position.

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

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