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 Sign Kevin Millar

Submitted by Rob G. on

As spring training approaches, the Cubs are pulling out the heavy weapons to fill out their roster. Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Cubs will sign Kevin Millar to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

Year Age Tm G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ GDP IBB
2004 32 BOS 150 588 508 74 151 36 0 18 74 57 91 .297 .383 .474 .857 117 16 0
2005 33 BOS 134 519 449 57 122 28 1 9 50 54 74 .272 .355 .399 .753 98 12 0
2006 34 BAL 132 503 430 64 117 26 0 15 64 59 74 .272 .374 .437 .811 111 14 3
2007 35 BAL 140 562 476 63 121 26 1 17 63 76 94 .254 .365 .420 .785 106 8 2
2008 36 BAL 145 610 531 73 124 25 0 20 72 71 93 .234 .323 .394 .717 89 8 3
2009 37 TOR 78 283 251 29 56 14 0 7 29 31 49 .223 .311 .363 .674 79 10 0
12 Seasons 1427 5382 4688 648 1284 296 15 170 699 564 838 .274 .358 .452 .810 110 117 17
BOS (3 yrs) 432 1725 1501 214 423 94 2 52 220 171 273 .282 .362 .451 .813 109 42 5
BAL (3 yrs) 417 1675 1437 200 362 77 1 52 199 206 261 .252 .352 .415 .768 101 30 8
TOR (1 yr) 78 283 251 29 56 14 0 7 29 31 49 .223 .311 .363 .674 79 10 0
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2010.

As you can tell by the last four years, baseball has passed Millar by, but at least he'll get some per diem money in spring training. By some miracle, if Xavier Nady's rehab isn't going so well and he has to go to the disabled list to start the season, or Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Micah Hoffpauir and Chad Tracy all get hurt stepping into gopher holes at Fitch Park, I suppose Millar could make the team in a bench role.

Tags
Cubs Roster Moves
Kevin Millar

Comments

Submitted by Jace on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:50 pm

Isn't Millar the guy that is always joking around in the media with Dempster whenever they play each other? I think that's him...

Submitted by Mike Vail on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:56 pm

(Crusty the Clown laugh here). Swell. Nice guy, can't hit fo' shit anymore and slow. Comic relief fodder and that's about all he's worth. If we play .500 ball with this lineup, I'll be impressed. Reds got Aaron Miles. Look out

Submitted by Ryno on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:32 pm

Cubs Sign Kevin Millar
Reds got Aaron Miles
... and just like that, the Pirates all of a sudden have 2010 playoff aspirations.

Submitted by navigator on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:06 pm

ESPN explains all- Gary Hughes, Chicago's assistant GM, signed Millar to his first professional contract with the Marlins in 1993 after he spent one season with St. Paul Saints in the independent Northern League. Blame Hughes. No wonder the Cubs are mad at Theriot. He wants their Millar Money.

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:52 pm

Strongly disagree on that statement. Martz was offensive co-coordinator during the Rams heyday, not just turning Warner into a pro-bowl QB and possible hall of famer, but getting the absolute most of out Marshall Faulk and the receivers. Martz went to wasteland Detroit and even resurrected John Kitna, creating an offense that allowed Kitna to pass for 4,000 yards. In SF he never had a QB and ultimately didn't get along with the in-season newly appointed head coach who wanted an offense that resembles 1930's football. Now, will the Bears offense suddenly become 24 karat gold? No, they're the Bears. Angelo and Lovie will do their best to give Martz the worst talent in the league, and screw it up further by mismanaging that. But it's still a good hire, even more so when you look at most of the stiffs the Bears had been talking to, like guys who got fired after 1 year in Cleveland and 1 year in Atlanta, etc. -- As for the Millar signing, he had better only be Spring Training fodder. I can't see how they could fit him on the roster unless DLee is on the DL, and even then, I wouldn't want Millar. Just another "alleged" steroid cheating piece of crap. And a no-hit "alleged" steroid cheating piece of crap at that.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:56 pm

i heartily disagree that he got the most out of Marshall Faulk... Kitna threw for 3,000 and 3,500 yards on bad Bengals teams before the Lions with similar completion percentages although he did do even better with the Lions. Frightening thought is how often Kitna got sacked in Detroit, 63 and 51.

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Submitted by The E-Man on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:12 pm

In 1999, winning the Super Bowl, the Rams leading receiver that year was Torrie Holt? Nope. Marshall Faulk - over 1000 yards rec. and over 80 catches. He got plenty out of him (Faulk). That was MArtz' M.O. - 60%-40% pass to run ratio. You can expect that our backs will be used as a check-down in the same manner. Olsen may get the ball more. But while I do not at all agree with NOCE that "Angelo will get the worst talent in the league", when you compare our talent just to the Central - other than Detroit - we are NOT on the same page talent-wise with G.B. and the Vikes. And the Lions have who I believe is a budding All-Pro at QB, plus a terrific #1 receiver. The team sold its soul to the devil with Cutler, and after the 2010 season, hopefully we will see wholesale changes.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:36 pm

That was MArtz' M.O. - 60%-40% pass to run ratio.
my point is that isn't a good M.O (and I would guess the disparity is higher, or at least it feels like it). too pass happy, too turnover happy, got to control the clock at times and I don't think a Martz offense knows how to do it.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:21 pm

What are you talking about? I can tell by Kevin Millar's 531 AB's and 20 HR's in 2008 that he's a capable every day player. The difference between Kevin Millar and Jake Fox? A short ride in Christopher Lloyd's Delorean.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:36 am

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 4:16pm. If we can't be good, we'll be likable. =========== ROB G: This actually has been the Cubs Mission Statement since 1945, something Hendry apparently forgot when he signed Milton Bradley.

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:39 pm

offered closing job in Florida, set-up job in Colorado...

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Submitted by Stevens on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:52 am

Well, I don't think Gregg is going to see a Wood-sized contract. But of course, the Cubs don't want him back because of the Cubs' often misplaced tendency to err on the side of the "voice of the fan". Get booed loud enough, and you won't be back. I'm not advocating for Gregg's return, per se, but I do think there's plenty of room for criticism of Hendry's reactionary tendencies. Similar to Bradley.

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Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:41 am

MLBTR reports that the Blue Jays have repalced the Marlins as the main competition for Gregg's services, with the Padres an outside possibility. Hmmmm....If the Blue Jays are dangling Frasor and/or Downs to the Cubs, why would they have an interest in adding Gregg?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:47 am

Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 11:41am. MLBTR reports that the Blue Jays have repalced the Marlins as the main competition for Gregg's services, with the Padres an outside possibility. Hmmmm....If the Blue Jays are dangling Frasor and/or Downs to the Cubs, why would they have an interest in adding Gregg? ============================================= SEAMHEAD: Both Jason Frasor and ex-Cub Scott Downs will be MLB free-agents post-2010, so if the Jays can trade one of them for a pitching prospect or two while replacing the traded pitcher with a FA (like Kevin Gregg) making the same money (especially one that doesn't cost them a draft pick), they come out ahead.

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Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:21 pm

Phil: Makes sense, as Downs is signed for a whopping $4m this year and Frasor for $2.65m. Gregg is going to take a hit against the $4.2 million he earned last year from us, and will likely take Frasor money or a bit more as a set-up man. Since the Cubs have made no movement on signing either Park or Calero, does the Blue Jays' interest in Gregg signal that the Cubs may indeed send a couple of prospects for Frasor? Do they even have that money available since Theriot is esentially holding about $500,000 hostage with his refusal to budge off of his $3.4 million arb demand?

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Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:58 pm

Applying Phil's theory, the Jays would probably demand one from among the guys likely to be at AAA this year (Berg/Caridad/Stevens,etc.) and one from AA or below. That seems like a high price to pay when you take into account Frasor's salary as well. But if Hendry feels that we really need that one additional experienced bullpen arm and Park isn't budging...

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Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:50 pm

Rob: Does Guzman's experience and $825k salary push him out of the "prospect" class at this point? If the Jays are looking to swap out guys like Frasor and Downs for up-and-coming kids, I'm not sure that Guzman fits the bill. Hendry would probably embrace the idea of sending back some salary in a Frasor swap, as it nets out for his strapped budget.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 02:00 pm

Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 12:21pm. Phil: Makes sense, as Downs is signed for a whopping $4m this year and Frasor for $2.65m. Gregg is going to take a hit against the $4.2 million he earned last year from us, and will likely take Frasor money or a bit more as a set-up man. Since the Cubs have made no movement on signing either Park or Calero, does the Blue Jays' interest in Gregg signal that the Cubs may indeed send a couple of prospects for Frasor? Do they even have that money available since Theriot is esentially holding about $500,000 hostage with his refusal to budge off of his $3.4 million arb demand? ========================================= SEAMHEAD: It's not clear to me exactly what Hendry's payroll budget is at this point. After signing Xavier Nady, Hendry said something like he wanted to thank Ricketts & Kenney for allowing him to spend the extra money needed to add Nady. That could mean Hendry was including the additional $2M in potential performance bonuses in his calculations (bringing Nady's potential 2010 salary up to $5.3M), because while post-season buy-outs are added to the following season's payroll, performance bonuses are figured (as contingencies) into a club's current season's payroll (which would mean Hendry probably figures he has already committed $136M+ toward the Cubs 2010 MLB payroll, including Nady's potential $2M in performance bonuses and the estimated $5M that Theriot and Marmol will likely get eventually). As for Theriot, even if the Cubs lose in arbitration and The Riot gets his $3.4M, that's not going to have a major negative impact on Cub payroll. If Nady reaches his max performance bonus ($2M) and Theriot gets $3.4M, that still would leave the Cubs projected 2010 payroll at $137M. So even if Hendry's absolute payroll ceiling is $140M (and I believe it has been reported that it's more like $143M), that should leave about $3M (or possibly as much as $6M) in available 2010 payroll that could be allocated toward a veteran MLB relief pitcher (like Jason Frasor) right now, although Hendry may want to hold $3M in reserve (perhaps the $3M that extends beyond $140M) in case he wants to make a mid-season trade or two. (Remember, a "$6M player" would cost the Cubs only $2M in 2010 payroll if the player is acquired at the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, because there is only 1/3 of the season left at that point). If I had to guess, I would say Hendry figures right now he has about $3M (max) to spend on a veteran RH reliever with closer experience (to be a fall-back option in case Marmol gets hurt or implodes), and that $3M would pay for Jason Frasor's 2010 salary ($2.65M)--IF--the Cubs and Jays can agree on who the Jays would get back in the deal.

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 02:58 pm

a 38 year old signed to a minor league deal... ...keep your panties on and your purse arm by your side, ladies. big f'n deal. cubs got 2 vet guys who may or may not make the team in him and tracy...meh...*shrug*...etc... but hey, he's no milton bradley. he's good for 100-110 wins if he makes the roster.

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Submitted by jacos on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:55 am

Same as it ever was... (chops at forearm)

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:20 am

if you're looking for the user login, it's in the menu bar now... Rob G.

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Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:12 pm

Back to our regularly scheduled programming... Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Sun Times weighs in on the Millar signing, and shrugs: "Millar, a 38-year-old right-handed first baseman on the decline the past several years, is not in the Cubs' realistic plans. Even with a good spring, there doesn't appear to be a spot for him to compete for in camp. The Cubs plan to carry five outfielders and just two backup infielders - one of them being the second baseman who's not in the Opening Day lineup (between Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot). The other backup infielder has to be able to play middle infield - in particular, short - and Piniella already said he expected that guy to be Andres Blanco."

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Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:22 pm

I don't see how bringing Millar in helps the team at all. It seems he will be stealing some valauble ABs away from someone in Spring Training who could use them to develop, like Soriano. In all seriousness, are they inviting him to impart a winning attitude or some leadership skills? Otherwise, why waste the spot?

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Submitted by Seamhead on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:29 pm

I truly think that Hendry is simply doing Millar a favor by giving him an audiiton stage to demonstrate that he can still help someone, even if it isn't the Cubs. In return, Millar provides six weeks of comic relief for a ST that is probably about two weeks too long for everyone involved anyway. Seems like a fair deal.

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Submitted by crunch on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 02:37 pm

a guy like millar would be great to have in spring given his attitude and the use of it in the past...and if he's willing to go to AAA he could probably keep the kids there loose while giving Iowa attendance something to look at. maybe he'll get an injury or sept. callup if things go good for him. meh...

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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