Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

The Fall of Rome

Pinpointing the Cubs demise this year is worthy of a dissertation, but if I were to paint some broad strokes, I'd start - in order of importance -  with the overreaction to last year's playoff loss, injuries, underperforming players (duh!) and good-old fashioned luck (good last year, bad this year). I did take a look at some team offensive numbers from ESPN.com and Baseball Reference just for fun.

 Stat  2008 2009
BA w/RISP
.278
.241
BA w/RISP, 2 outs
.222
.230
BA w/Runners On
.279
.257
SLG w/Runners On
.438
.404
BABIP
.321
.294
SO%
18.6%
19.2%
BB%
9.5%
10%
AB/HR%
30.4%
32%
LD%
19%
18%
SO/BB
1.86
2.03
GB/FB
0.76
0.78

That .321 BABIP the Cubs put up last year was tops in the league by the way, so some of that regression should have been expected and i do think to a degree many of us expected some drop-off to the Cubs offense this year. The 30 pt drop in BABIP has contributed to the 30 pt drop in BA and SLG with RISP and Runners On, which has coincided with the Cubs leaving runners on base. The patience that many of us wished for during all the Dusty years is still there, but they basically just can't get the big hit. And I know we don't need a lot of fancy numbers to tell us that, but I like the fancy numbers and often times our perceptions don't match up with reality. In this case, they do seem to do just that.

Comments

Surely some of this regression can be attributed to Michael Barrett?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

thanks navigator. since it's brought up...how the hell he go from his hip falling off to shoulder soreness? and how freaky is it that dick pole brought up possible arm soreness and railing on the WBC/winterball just a couple weeks ago?

At least we don't have a hitting approach like Cincy does Last in Runs Batting average OBP Slg OPS Rbi's They are 8th in HR's though. Gotta love the Dusty Baker Solo HR offense

The Brewers aren't in it this year either, I'd be interested in those number comparisons for them as well (and the payroll). Their Michael Barret may be Tony Gwinn Jr.

weird thing is injuries killed the cubs almost all year...and now that everyone is healthy they're playing some of their worst baseball all year. go figure. FREE BOBBY SCALES! DFA ANYONE MAKING MORE THAN 4m A YEAR!

MLB Network had a classic game earlier today, Detroit's Mark Fidrych vs. Yankee Kenny Holtzman in 1976. If they replay it later tonight it's worth watching.

Heyman says Cards will give Smoltz a shot at the rotation first.

ROB G: Thank you for the excellent chart! The BB % is closer than I would have thought. This has to be largely in part due to MB & Fuku. DLee has been taking free passes this year as well. However, the 38 pt. difference in RISP/BA is telling. I have to think that losing our #2 RBI player from a year ago has helped this stat, as well as overall wins. Losing DeRosa truly is turning out to have been huge for this run-starved team. Fuck the Cardinals and Fuck Hendry.

bill hall to SEA for a 25 year old nobody pitcher (Ruben Flores)...talk about a crash in value... 10m cleared up for MIL and another nail in the coffin for SEA.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Seattle is taking the contract? WTF? That GM is an idiot. Update: "The Brewers will reportedly pay the rest of the $6.8MM salary due Hall this year and a large portion of his $8.4MM he earns in 2010." That's more like it.

I had to laugh the other day when Russ Ortiz requested his release from the Yankees AAA team because he wanted to pitch for a contender. He was with a mild contender in Houston but sucked so bad he was released, and then apparently he wasn't impressing the Yankees enough to get called up. Which contender does he think is going to give him a shot?

I think we're pretty much stuck with the same team next year. That said, with some success at the major league level, the young guys will increase their value and at least give us some trading chips. So if we crash and burn in LA I absolutely think Ramirez should sit and Fox should play. Same goes for Fuld and other kids. Make a trade for a true second baseman or shortstop and try again. I think the standard line is "wait til next year". I did have the pleasure of having dinner this past winter with Don Kessinger (at Randy's fantasy camp). He told me they broke the team up a couple years early. They whole team wanted another chance or two to try to get it done... Since we're stuck with the core team and their huge contracts we have to send em back out and hope we have better luck. Maybe they'll be like my moms' chilli-better the next day after the flavors marinate.

According to WSCR's Terry Boers his Cubs source is telling him that Lou will leave at end of season if not sooner(mathematical elimation), doubt that part. Said Lou has been in funk since last years playoffs ended. Wanted Ibanez not Bradley Did not like the players breaking things in dugout Felt bad about singling out Bradley ("piece of shit") And said the happiest he seen Lou this year is when All Star break started. IMO- I don't see any marque managers stepping into this pile of dog shit, get ready for the Sandberg era.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

I don't see any marque managers stepping into this pile of dog shit, get ready for the Sandberg era.

I assume that's just frustration spilling out, but that was the same sentiment in 2003 and 2007 before the Cubs landed, you know, marquee managers.

although I'm all for a non-marquee manager and new regime at this point...

 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

A bit of frustation sure, but also a reality check. New owner with questionable assets, whose main priority will be to redo the stadium. Several shitty contracts for a few years. A large fan base awaiting for the manager to walk on water. I don't know how many with, reps and brains, will answer the sirens song. Ergo Sandberg.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

there's 30 major league managing jobs, you don't get much chance to be picky, and never underestimate the ego...the chance to be the guy that breaks the curse

 A few bad contracts and all, the situation isn't as dire as everyone wants to make it, the team was in first place less than a month ago and has been bitten more by the injury bug than anything else. Not a lot of managers gonna turn down a $140M payroll....

IF this becomes true - the following will get interviews: Trammel, Brenley, Sandberg, an African American candidate (let's say Dave Winfield, because I have no clue who it would be - and he is tall), and a latino candidate. Let's say Henry Blanco or Joey Cora - just because.

IF this becomes true - the following will get interviews --- If hendry is doing the interviewing, he will add a lefty to the manager candidate list.

John Smoltz will likely start on Sunday against the Dodgers, according to general manager John Mozeliak. I wonder how they're going to manage that considering the Cubs are playing the Dodgers on Sunday.

Riot, Bradley, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Soriano, Baker, Hill, Harden http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/819_hendry_its_whatever_it_t… "We can't be happy with anything," Hendry said. "We haven't, what I consider, come close to playing even the level we were playing after the break. It's that time now. It's whatever it takes time. There's a fine line between 'giving it your best shot' and doing whatever it takes, and it's certainly whatever it takes time now. "We've got to grind through it, we've got to play our best, we've got to play hurt, we've got to play sick," he said. "We've put ourselves in a very tough spot and we've got to find a way to get out of it." We've got to start packing our office up for the next GM.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Why are midwest team fleeing FL? Because Midwesterner tend to go to AZ for sun and east coast people go to FL. THis of course does not include Disney World. When I went to ASU, they refered to the state as Illizona. They are not going to FL, at most they move to somewhere else in Phoenix.

Telling Stat: Ramirez, Bradley, Soto = combined 93 RBI's

looking at that Collier County map...it's looks like it's right in the middle of the Everglades. Jumping from Alligators will put new meaning in Soriano's hopping around.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"First of all, I haven't given up on my career, by any means," said Prior from his home in San Diego. "I had a setback with my shoulder in May and I totally understand why the Padres decided to release me, because they knew I couldn't pitch this season. It's literally painful to read.

If you don't parachat, this is the kind of goodness you are missing: crunch: aram's bald spot is getting too big to ignore

I personally would love to see Brenley manage the cubs that way we all could see what he would do with Soriano and his lazy ways, he has no problem bringing them up on tv.

The BillyBucks calculator has the Cubs winning 88 games this season -- may not be enough. Cards have has impressive wins against good relievers (Bell, Broxton). Drat.

ONE of the thing not discovered yet by this forum (here in Rome) is that MB was a big part of the win last night. And amazingly, he had a very vocal "fan" screaming at him the entire game just to the side of the dugout (wearing a Johnny Unitas Colt's uni). Milton ignored him until the fan became obnoxious after MB hit the opposite field HR. MB did yakety-yak hands going back into the dugout, but you MB detractors can come on over to the family anytime now. Compared to Soriano, Gameboard is showing them how to play.

[ ]

In reply to by artskoe

After the Cubs had a 3-0 lead he did great. And true, maybe I'm too rough on Milton Bradley, but I didn't want Hendry to go get him and I still don't think he's going to be the guy to put the team over the top.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

i think the rabbit ears thing was him yelling at another fan who was telling him to stfu. he kept yelling "i can't hear you!" back at him. hecklers...because some people think others pay $30+ to listen to amateur comedy hour rather than watch a baseball game. the best thing to happen to a heckler is having his car vandalized. at least take that crap to the bleachers with the other drunks not watching the game until a ball flies near them. most aren't clever...or funny...or anything but persistent.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

"He hears everything" is right. It used to be a common expression to denote a player who hadn't developed a thick layer of insulation over his eardrums--a player you could rattle. Funny that it's gone out of circulation. I wonder if Bradley had to look it up?

I fucking can't stand this blowhard Terry Boers. To my dismay, and anger, he seems to be accurate with his prognostications and insider stuff more often then I would believe possible.

MB - I must give credit to him. He has not mailed in this 2nd half at all. It is not his fault that the manager mis-managed him. HE for sure is a talented guy. Not worth the money as our expectations were much higher - but certainly a valuable player. I guess he reminds me some of Nick Swisher in that regard, in his good times, for some reason.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

E-man: That may be spot-on comparing MB to Swisher...kinda..less power, higher average.. He's a valuable member of the team in July and August for sure..he is thriving in the #2 spot in the lineup. Unfortunately, the Cubs, and everyone else, may have expected more power and RBI's. Lou may have mismanaged him, but Bradley sure stunk overall from April though July...no matter who was managing.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Wow E-Man, very big of you to come clean on that. I think it's been obvious to those who have been able to objectively watch Bradley that he does care and he does bust his butt. His defense really stands out compared to Mr. $18 million in that other corner slot. Despite the recent slump he's at .301 .431 .441 for the 2nd half and sneaking back up on the top 10 in OBP after last night's game.

If you were Cubs GM would you...... Trade Soriano to Toronto for Vernon Wells and Travis Snider? Jays could bite because it saves 8.5 million and brings the highest profile guy to them.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Nah, this off season I would A. Blow up the bullpen, get some quiet veterans out there. Gregg, Gooz, and Marmol might get the right to stay, but only as middle relief. Nothing more. b. Move Theriot to 2B and get a legit SS. I don't care about batting stats, I just want a guy that can get after it. Jack Wilson, even. c. Trade Bradley for a lefty low-drama contact hitter. Maybe a CF and move Fuku to RF. So basically I would undo everything Hendry did this last off season.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Problem is that the cubs are probably up against it payroll wise. If we have no money to spend then I'd go for 1. a higher upside vet guy to back up 4 corners LHB (Chad Tracy for example) 2. Let Miles compete with Blanco for the middle infield SS/2nd backup job. No free lunch 3. Invite 5-6 Minor League FA or Scrap heap guys to compete for bullpen spots 4. Offer arbitration to Harden,Grabow and 50/50 on Gregg depending on how he closes out the season 5. Look to INVEST HEAVILY in amature talent next year. Theriot Kfuk Aramis Lee Bradley Soriano Soto Fontenot Fox Chad Tracy Fuld Blanco Koyie Hill Z Lilly Dempster Marshall Gorzellanny/Wells Marmol Guzman Grabow/Beimel 3 open spots Should still be enough to win 85-90 games next year. However the foundation is getting older. Better to begin to prepare now, rather than have to repeat the 2006 spending spree again in 2-3 years. JMHO

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

And Miles has had slightly more success hitting than Andres Blanco... The point, and I should probably change my signature to read this because it needs to be explained about five times a week here, is that you don't judge a baseball player based on 100 PAs.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Aaron Miles career OPS+ is 74. He still stinks. He has no power or speed, and doesn't walk much. I get your point TRN, and you're right...but Miles still stinks. If he isn't going to be good enough to start at 2B, then Blanco should be here, backing up both 2B and SS. I would rather not see Miles tapping out weakly to 2B again... Sorry...went off on a "Miles sucks" tangent...

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

One guy's a better hitter, one guy's a better fielder, depending on how they're used one could be better than the other, but to imply that it's a 'slam dunk' decision, especially with a manager as doddering as our present one, doesn't make a lot of sense. They both suck. I'm not pimping Miles, I am pimping rational thought when playing imaginary GM.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

"They both suck." that's my opinion, too. why bother even caring which is on the roster if you have to have either. both have their +/- and none of their + make up for any of their -. sure, blanco has the better glove, but he doesn't even have a prayer with the bat. miles isn't as slick with the glove, but he's not murder in the IF and has a prayer with a bat in his hand. meh.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

If you go by OPS+ the Miles has been 124% the hitter that Blanco has been. That's not negligible. As 2nd basemen, going by Rate2, Blanco is 108% the fielder that Miles has been. At shortstop it's 104%. Not sure if that's apples and oranges, but you're vastly overestimating Blanco's prowess as a defender.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

dude, miles is a shit fielder. he has no use on a professional squad. at least blanco can be put in as a late inning defensive replacement. Miles is not that. Miles ops+ this year is 19. Call sample size. the point remains the andres blanco would have added more to this team than miles.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Miles was brought in to platoon with Fountainout at 2nd and rest Theriot and Ramirez against righties. He hurt his shoulder and wasn't able to play anything besides second or hit as well as he had previously. In 2010, he costs us whatever, $400 thousand less than Blanco would (unless he's traded), and he should give more production with the bat. Blanco's made some nice plays at 2nd, but unless all the defensive metrics have initiated some grand conspiracy against him, he's not really that good at short.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

he wasn't brought in to platoon. fontenot was named the starter with miles around to rest him against particularly tough lefties. blanco is a far superior defensive player in every way. adn the difference in the bats are so negligible. especially since i think neither should have gotten significant abs.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

I showed you the difference in the bats and the difference in the fielding, rock. You're just not able to reconcile reality with your perception of reality. As far out there as you are, though, it's hard for me to believe you don't think Miles would be playing 2nd every day if he were batting .300.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

OK, let me explain it to you. When you put Aaron Miles in as a pinch hitter, you know he's going to bat, that's something you have control over. When you put Blanco in to play his good 2nd base defense or his average SS defense, you have no control over whether he's going to have the ball hit to him. Now you may be pig headed and say 'well, Blanco should only go in to play defense, and never bat', but you see, there has never been a player in the entire history of MLB baseball who played a season like that, so that's not a reasonable argument. You're also a victim of Gold Glove voters syndrome, deciding because Miles hasn't hit this year, he's a bad infielder, which just isn't true. When you're down by a run and need to do a double switch, who do you want going into the game, personally I'll take the guy who is proven to be a better hitter and will be batting the next inning over a guy who has trouble keeping hold of the bat when he makes contact and who may, conceivably have a ball hit to him the next inning that Miles couldn't get to.

I would see if Francisco Cordero is worth it. The Reds are looking to dump salary. The insistence of whomever to promote Smaninja is characteristic of shitty team thinking and that mentality needs to go. Apparently Hank White, KW,or some other departed personnel was responsible for keeping Geo and Z in check. Without them. these guys are not focussed on winning.

sometimes there is no better company when you're sufferin' than somebody else's similar misery... showing his Cub roots...bobby howry (even without the gregg goggles) gives up a leadoff HR in the 10th to the great Drew Stubbs for a Cincy 2-1 win over the Giants...Matt Cain gets a no decision with 8 IP and a Nix HR for the only run off him. I believe Kevin Gregg is Howry's cousin, and long lost cousin to Latroy Hawkins...so remind me why did they decided to use Homer Gregg as closer if they never considered Homer Howry as closer material and only used Howry to close when Dempster (as closer) or Wood was out. Answer: Must have been because of the Latroy as closer experience? That was long enough ago (it was Dusty not Lou's lesson) so it qualifies as a new event. Learning from history, especially recent history. A novel idea.

SD is the latest team (3rd of the year) to take a chance on rocky cherry...minor league deal

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.