Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus six players are on the 60-DAY IL

Last updated 10-2-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 22
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Brad Boxberger
Ben Brown
Jose Cuas
Tyler Duffey 
Jeremiah Estrada
Shane Greene
Kyle Hendricks
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Daniel Palencia
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 8
# Jeimer Candelario
Nico Hoerner
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom
* Jared Young

OUTFIELDERS: 8
Kevin Alcantara
* Cody Bellinger
Alexander Canario
* Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennen Davis
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

60-DAY IL: 6
Nick Burdi, P
Michael Fulmer, P 
Codi Heuer, P
* Brandon Hughes, P
Nick Madrigal, INF
Ethan Roberts, P
 


 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Player Posting - NPB & KBO

NIPPON PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL (JAPAN):

There are two Japanese "major" leagues, the Pacific League and the Central League, with each league consisting of six teams. Together the two leagues are known as "Nippon Professional Baseball" (or "NPB").

Unless the player is released or signed by an MLB club after being posted, all NPB players remain under club control (the player is "reserved") for nine seasons. After the 9th season, the player becomes an unrestricted free-gent.

1. An NPB player who is not under the control of an NPB club can sign with any MLB club.

2. With the consent of the NPB club, an NPB player who is under club control can be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a three-month period extending from November 1st to February 1st.
NOTE: Beginning with the post-2018 off-season, an NPB player who is under club control can be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a 35-day period extending from November 1st through December 5th.

3. The NPB club decides in advance on the amount of the release fee it will be paid if the player signs with an MLB club (it can be any amount up to $20M), and all MLB clubs are notified of the posting by the MLB Commissioner.
NOTE: Beginning with the post-2018 off-season, the release fee for NPB posted players will be:
MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: If the guaranteed value of the contract is $25M or less the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract, if the guaranteed value of the contract is $50M or less but more than $25M the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract up through the first $25M and 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for any amount above $25M, and if the guaranteed value of the contract is more than $50M the release fee will be 20% of the of the guaranteed value of the contract for the first $25M, 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for the second $25M, and 15% of the guaranteed value of the contract above $50M. In addition, the MLB club must pay 15% of the value of any bonus earned, salary escalator, and/or option exercised over the length of the contract. 
MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: The release fee is 25% of the signing bonus, and the MLB club must pay a supplemental fee if the player is subsequently added to the club's MLB reserve list (40-man roster) and is tendered a Major League contract (see "MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT" above).

4. Any MLB club willing to pay the release fee can negotiate with the NPB player during a 45-day period starting on the day after the player is posted.
NOTE: Prior to the post-2022 off-season, the negotiation period was 30 days. 

5. If an MLB club signs a posted NPB player, the NPB club receives the designated release fee from that MLB club. The release fee can be paid in installments over an 18-month period, with the MLB club required to pay 50% of the release fee within 14 days of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within six months of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within 12 months of the submission of the posted player's contract, and 16% of the release fee within 18 months of the submission of the posted player's contract. (The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll).

6. If a posted NPB player does not sign with an MLB club within 45 days after being posted, the NPB club does not receive the release fee, and the player cannot be posted again until the next November 1st (unless he becomes an unrestricted free-agent in the meantime).



KOREA BASEBALL ORGANIZATION (SOUTH KOREA):

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is the South Korean "major" league. With a new club beginning play in 2015, there are now ten teams in the KBO.

Unless the player is released or signed by an MLB club after being posted, all KBO players remain under club control (the player is "reserved") until the player's contract has expired.

1. A KBO player who is not under the control of a KBO club can sign with any MLB club.

2. With the consent of the KBO club, a KBO player who is under club control can be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a three-month period extending from November 1st to February 1st.
NOTE: Beginning with the post-2018 off-season, a KBO player who is under club control can be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a 35-day period extending from November 1st through December 5th.

3. If a KBO club decides to post a player, the KBO club advises the MLB Commissioner of the posting, and then the MLB Commissioner notifies all MLB clubs. Once the posting notification is transmitted, MLB clubs have four days to decide whether to submit a bid. The bid is what the MLB club is willing to pay to the KBO club as a "release fee" if the MLB club signs the posted KBO player.
NOTE: Beginning with the post-2018 off-season, the release fee for KBO posted players will be:
MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: If the guaranteed value of the contract is $25M or less the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract, if the guaranteed value of the contract is $50M or less but more than $25M the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract up through the first $25M and 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for any amount above $25M, and if the guaranteed value of the contract is more than $50M the release fee will be 20% of the of the guaranteed value of the contract for the first $25M, 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for the second $25M, and 15% of the guaranteed value of the contract above $50M. In addition, the MLB club must pay 15% of the value of any bonus earned, salary escalator, and/or option exercised over the length of the contract. 
MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: The release fee is 25% of the signing bonus, and the MLB club must pay a supplemental fee if the player is subsequently added to the club's MLB reserve list (40-man roster) and is tendered a Major League contract (see "MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT" above).

4. The bidding closes at 5 PM (Eastern) on the 4th day following the posting notification. Any interested MLB club may submit a sealed (secret) bid to the MLB Commissioner prior to the deadline. There is no limit on the amount an MLB club may bid. Once the deadline has passed, the MLB Commissioner advises the KBO club if any bids were received, and if so, the amount of the winning bid, but not the identity of the club that submitted it. The KBO club then has three days to decide whether to accept the winning bid. If the KBO club accepts the bid, the MLB club that submitted the highest bid is awarded exclusive negotiation rights to the posted KBO player, but beginning with the post-2022 off-season, the club can negotiate with the player for no more than 45 days (was 30 days post-2018  off-season through post-2021 off-season).
NOTE: Prior to the post-2018 off-season, - ANY - MLB club willing to pay the release fee could negotiate with the KBO player during a 30-day period starting on the day after the player was posted. 

5. If an MLB club signs a posted KBO player within the 45-day "window," the KBO club receives the release fee from that MLB club. (The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll).
NOTE: Beginning with the post-2018 off-season, if an MLB club signs a posted KBO player, the KBO club receives the designated release fee from that MLB club. The release fee can be paid in installments over an 18-month period, with the MLB club required to pay 50% of the release fee within 14 days of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within six months of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within 12 months of the submission of the posted player's contract, and 16% of the release fee within 18 months of the submission of the posted player's contract. (The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll).

6. If a KBO player does not sign with an MLB club within 45 days after being posted, the KBO club does not receive the release fee, and the player cannot be posted again until the next November 1st (unless he becomes an unrestricted free-agent in the meantime).

Recent comments

  • Childersb3 10/03/2023 - 10:46 pm (view)

    I understand this is a cost saving and control idea. But I wouldn't be happy giving up ONKC or Alcantara for Hayes and/or Bednar.

    I'm not saying they aren't good players. They are. They've never been "tested" with playing for a good team, but that isn't their fault. They produce good results. But not Jaguar and Big Red.

    Canario won't get to play for the Cubs, just like Velazquez, so he should probably go. Same for Mervis and Vazquez. Wesneski can get better but Bednar would certainly help us.

    But not to big power hitting OFs that are 21 yrs old and younger at AA already. I'm still holding out hope for the ONKC-PCA-Jag left to right OF. I'm just not giving up on that.

    Hayes for Morel kind of stings. I'd love for Morel to get a full year at 3B. Even if he failed there miserably, I'd like to give him a shot.

    Phil always comes up with common sense angles. This trade idea fills needs for sure and fills them with cost saving effective players.

    I'm thinking Morel goes to NYM for Alonso.

    We'll see what Jed cooks up.

  • Arizona Phil 10/03/2023 - 10:18 pm (view)

    It used to be that teams did not want to trade within their own division for PR reasons, but I don't see that with Ben Cherington in Pittsburgh or with Hoyer / Hawkins in Chicago, so the Cubs might target Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes and closer David Bednar.

    Hayes is a Gold Glove defender, a decent enough hitter (105 OPS+ in 2023), and he's under control at a VERY reasonable price ($8.75M AAV) through 2029 (with a club option for 2030). 

    Bednar is first-time salary arbitration-eligible post-2023 and under control through 2026. 

    One thing about the Cubs is that they can afford to overpay (which is what they would have to do to get both Hayes and Bednar) with a package consisting of a decent young MLB position player to replace Hayes in the lineup (like Christopher Morel, who could play LF in Pittsburgh) and prospects like outfielders Alexander Canario, Owen Caissie, or Kevin Alcantara (Pirates pick one, leaving the other two for the Cubs), a power-hitting 1B-DH like Matt Mervis or Haydn McGeary (Pirates pick one, leaving the other one for the Cubs), SS Luis Vazquez (who is MLB-ready but will never play SS in Chicago), 3B B. J. Murray (who could replace Hayes at the hot corner in Pittsburgh by 2025 if not sometime in 2024, and he obviously would be blocked in Chicago if the Cubs get Hayes), and an MLB-ready SP like Hayden Wesneski. 

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:02 pm (view)

    boog and glanville calling the PHI@MIL game on ESPN2.

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:59 pm (view)

    bellinger is my #1 want, but i fear he's the #1 want of many teams and will get crazy money + years, with the years being the big sting.  they need to replace bellinger's production if they don't get him no matter what position(s) played.

  • George Altman 10/03/2023 - 10:40 pm (view)

    I hope their top priorities are Bellinger, 2 RPs better than Fulmer/Boxberger (ideally 1 LH), and a 3B (Chapman my 1st Choice). That will put them right up to $237-257M AAV limit, but I don't see a playoff berth doing anything less.

    If they really want Alonso, Morel would be a good opening piece of that offer. 

    Unfortunately, Stroman will opt in ($23.7M) and Smyly ($11.5M) will be back. Steele, Taillon, Assad, Wicks will be rotation pieces. Would love a SP2 FA but don't see how they keep an effective offense and improve their bullpen while adding that.

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:03 pm (view)

    i cannot imagine getting a legit 3rd, whether signing or via trade, isn't the highest priority for the team.  it's almost obvious they don't see morel there.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:19 pm (view)

    I’m just hoping they have an actual 3B next year so we don’t need to worry about the M boys, Bote, and P Whiffy eating all the 3B at bats next year.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:13 pm (view)

    Willson was a OF/3B when we signed him too.

    On a less successful but still got to the show note, PJ Higgins was another college IF converted to C

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:03 pm (view)

    truth...and personally, i'd give him ABs (especially at 3rd) over the 2 singles-hitting-ceiling guys that got the shot.  i'm sure he can cover the ob% and defense while surpassing the power of anything masterboney and madrigal brought to the team.

    i don't view bote as a solution at 3rd, but i find it hard to believe he couldn't outperform either of the main options they had there for a huge chunk of this season.

  • KingKongvsGodzilla 10/03/2023 - 10:47 pm (view)

    Color me impressed by this assignment for Trice right out of the draft as a convert. Seems worth following after the success of Caratini