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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Sun Sets on 2009 Solar Sox

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Mike Leake (CIN) threw four innings of shutout ball and Lance Zawadzki (SD) had three hits, including a solo home run and a two-run double, leading the Peoria Saguaros to an 8-1 victory over the Mesa Solar Sox at HoHoKam Park this afternoon.

box score

This was the final regular season game for both teams, as the Phoenix Desert Dogs (East Division Champions) and the Peoria Javelinas (West Division champs) will play in  the 2009 AFL Championship Game at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday. The Solar Sox finished in last place in the AFL East Division, with the worst record in the league.

Starlin Castro, Josh Vitters, and Michael Brenly were in the Solar Sox starting lineup today, and went a combined 1-11.

Castro hit 2nd, played six innings at SS, and got three ABs, grounding out all three times (4-3, 5-3, 4-3). He also made only his second error of the AFL season, a bad throw to 1st base. Castro finished the 2009 AFL regular season with a .376 batting average (6th in the league) and nine stolen bases (tied for 3rd). 

Vitters returned to the lineup at 3B this afternoon and went 1-4, roping a double down the line into the LF corner with two outs in the bottom of the 4th. He also bounced out 6-3, popped-up to the shortstop, and was called out on strikes. Vitters finished the 2009 AFL campaign 9th in the league in hitting (.353).       

Michael Brenly was the Solar Sox catcher today, and went 0-4, flying out to RF, striking out (swinging), popping out to the second-baseman, and reaching base on an E-6 in the 9th. Brenly went 1-13 over his last four AFL games and hit .240 overall.    

LHP John Gaub and RHP Blake Parker (both vying for spots on the Cubs 40-man roster) made their final AFL appearances versus the Scorpions last night at Scottsdale Stadium.

Gaub struggled in his one inning of work, throwing 23 pitches, but only 11 strikes. He loaded the bases on two walks and an infield single, but was able to escape the frame with no runs scoring. Gaub struck out one batter (lefty-swinging SF 3B Brandon Crawford).

Parker threw one inning of shutout ball, allowing a two-out double before striking out Steve Susdorf (PHI) for the 3rd out. 

LHP James Russell completed his AFL season on Tuesday, working a scoreless 9th. Russell pitched very well, finishing 3rd in the league in ERA (1.26) and tied for 2nd in WHIP (0.98). Russell had a 0.00 ERA over his last ten appearances, allowing eight hits and two walks while striking out 12 over that ten game span.   

RHP Andrew Cashner made his final AFL start on Tuesday, and went three innings. He finished 10th in the league in strikeouts.

AZ PHIL'S 2009 AFL FIRST-TEAM ALL-STAR SQUAD:

P - Stephen Strasburg (WAS)

C - Nevin Ashley (TB)

1B - Brandon Snyder (BAL)

2B - Marcus Lemon (TEX)

3B - Brandon Laird (NYY)

SS - Starlin Castro (CUBS)

LF - Colin Curtis (NYY)

CF - Grant Desme (OAK)

RF - Casper Wells (DET)

DH - Matt McBride (CLE)

MVP: Grant Desme  

 

 

Tags
Josh Vitters
Michael Brenly
Starlin Castro
John Gaub
James Russell
Blake Parker
Andrew Cashner
Arizona Fall League

Comments

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:22 pm

Thanks for all the reports, Phil. I see you've got Strasburg as your pitcher- is this a best performance list or best prospects or a combination of both?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:48 pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 8:22pm.
Thanks for all the reports, Phil.

I see you've got Strasburg as your pitcher- is this a best performance list or best prospects or a combination of both?

================================

REAL NEAL: Best performance, but not just by stats. I also considered Donald Veal and Ian Kennedy for Pitcher, but after getting lit up in his first AFL start, Strasburg has been outstanding. His fastball has been consisently clocking 100 MPH+ in his last three starts. He supposedly will get the start on Saturday for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the AFL Championship Game.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:35 pm

Hmm, maybe you should squeeze in one more AFL game report then ; ) Looking at his stats, you can see Strasburg's ERA is 'artificially' high. He rarely gave up fly balls, but managed to have three go out of the park. It wouldn't be possible to do that over a full season (give up 40 HR's with a 4:1 GB to FB ratio and all those K's). In your mind is there any need for Straburg to pitch in AA next year (arbitration clock aside)?

[ ]

Submitted by JoePepitone on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:30 pm

"Strasburg was injured while shagging fly balls Thursday afternoon. He was then taken to a local hospital for X-rays, which revealed some inflammation in his left knee. The Nats released a statement terming it an issue that is "not considered serious," so he should be fine to continue his offseason regimen once the inflammation clears. He'll be good by the start of spring training." Hmmmmmm. Thus began a series of freak injuries that dogged a career that held much more promise than it ever delivered. If this ends up happening, he'll be mentioned along with Prior for more than his record-breaking signing bonus.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:49 pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 9:35pm.
Looking at his stats, you can see Strasburg's ERA is 'artificially' high. He rarely gave up fly balls, but managed to have three go out of the park. It wouldn't be possible to do that over a full season (give up 40 HR's with a 4:1 GB to FB ratio and all those K's).

In your mind is there any need for Straburg to pitch in AA next year (arbitration clock aside)?

=============================================

REAL NEAL: If I was the GM of the Nats, I would want Strasburg to spend at least a month at AA, partly because it would push back free-agency for another season, but also to make sure he hits-the-ground-running when he does arrive (as happened with Kerry Wood in 1998).

To avoid eventual "Super Two" status, he would have to spend at least two months in the minors, but I wouldn't leave him at AA beyond a month if he shows he is obviously ready for The Show.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:10 am

Submitted by Old and Blue ============================================= Yes, Old, and Blue, I am the very best spring training/minor league reporter that has ever walked this earth. Why do you ask?

Submitted by jacos on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:03 am

Thanks Phil, head over to the Woodshed in Mesa on Dobson and University and have some chicken wings and tell them the King Salmon sent you.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:34 am

Oh, I lost the link, but Keith Law of ESPN graced us all with his top 50 free agents. According to MLBtraderumors he says Marlon Byrd is not a starter for a contending team. Which of course makes me wonder if what Keith Law was doing during the 2009 season while Marlon Byrd was a starter for a contending team, and Melky Cabrerra won the World Series.

[ ]

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:11 am

Rank Player 31 Marlon Byrd Age: 32 Bats: R Throws: R Position: Center field/Left field '09 team: Texas Rangers Status: Free agent (Type B) 2009 STATS GM 146HR 20RBI 89R 66OBP .329SLG .479AVG .283Byrd is a classic fourth outfielder -- he doesn't play center field well enough to handle it on an everyday basis, but doesn't have quite the bat to play every day in a corner. His offensive line in 2008 was starter-worthy in a corner, but Byrd regressed in 2009; 25 regular corner outfielders beat his unadjusted .808 OPS. Plus, there's reason to doubt even that number for Byrd. Playing two years in a good hitters' park in Texas, Byrd has done much of his damage at home, posting a .290/.339/.415 line in 516 road PA over the past two years. A corner outfielder with a sub-800 OPS (that's light on OBP) who plays average to slightly above-average defense isn't a starter for a contending club.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:27 am

Thanks, though that's going to get Rob upset (unless it's in the free bit which I doubt). Since the Cubs are looking at him as a starter in CF - and even Law listed him as CF, and he played CF for a contending team which caught the ball better than expected in 2009, it doesn't make much sense to talk about him as a left fielder.

Submitted by Tony S. on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:50 am

Not sure if you guys are on twitter (what a stupid name) but just saw this: mlbtraderumors@SI_JonHeyman - how could the Cubs be a suitor for Holliday? They're already right up against their budget limit. Not sure where TF MLBTR got that one (and I asked), but thought I'd share. Either Jimbo has a helluva trade up his sleeve to free payroll, Ricketts is opening the coffers even further, or..... Somebody's full of shit and trying to stir up business where there is none.

Submitted by Tony S. on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:25 pm

Also from Heyman-- "• Cubs. New owner Tom Ricketts hasn't said how he will proceed. The general feeling is that new owners don't like to make waves, but they make big money and there are no guarantees." I thought Ricketts already covered this?

[ ]

Submitted by Aisle 424 on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:15 pm

Yeah, but he is aware that there must have been an introductory news conference, and that something about how they would proceed would almost have to be covered. I wouldn't think it would be difficult for him to find a transcript or adequate coverage to give him a flavor of what was said, so that he didn't blatantly lie by saying the Ricketts haven't said how they are going forward. The media hasn't figured out how dumb Twitter makes them look by throwing casual, unfounded blurbs out onto the interwebs under the guise of "insider information."

Submitted by MikeC on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:35 pm

In the back of my mind i think Ricketts is going to do something big to show he wants to win. Just an odd feeling of a big money free agent signing coming this way. At worst he will go over the budget limit for a year to do it. He can fund that personally out of his own pocket.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:49 pm

At worst he will go over the budget limit for a year to do it. He can fund that personally out of his own pocket. Assuming that the Cubs are a corporation, no he can't fund anything personally out of his own pocket. He could, in theory, issue some new stock and buy it for a ridiculous price - 10 shares at $1 million per - or something then later have the corporation buy the shares back at a $1 a piece, and earmark those funds for additional player salary, but that's all pretty convoluted, especially if it is a corporation that is owned by a partnership. Anyway, there's no reason to do that. According to Scott Boras the Cubs are making $100 million in profit a year, so they can easily add $10 million in payroll and still get an outstanding ROI on the $850 million purchase price.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:52 pm

Thanks for the additional research. I don't even know what a LLCompany is. Any Illinois tax or audit accountants around that can answer? With a 90 year old ball park you would assume the owners need some protection from a law suit in case a grandstand collapses and kills 312 people. Back to the original point. It would be difficult, but not impossible to throw some extra cash to the company without aquiring some new stock. I'd be surprised if Tom has got $10 or $15 million lying around, anyway. It would make considerably more sense to take the money out of the company and show a tax loss than it would to invest his own money is some convuluted charity program.

Submitted by terry on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:55 pm

No I meant Limited Liability Company. I always thought that LLC stood for Limited Liability Company which is kind of a hybrid between a partnership and a corporation.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:56 am

A limited liability company or A company with limited liability (abbreviated L.L.C. or LLC or W.L.L) in the law of the vast majority of United States jurisdictions is a legal form of business company that provides limited liability to its owners. Often incorrectly called a "limited liability corporation" (instead of company), it is a hybrid business entity having certain characteristics of both a corporation and a partnership or sole proprietorship (depending on how many owners there are). An LLC, although a business entity, is a type of unincorporated association and is not a corporation. The primary characteristic an LLC shares with a corporation is limited liability, and the primary characteristic it shares with a partnership is the availability of pass-through income taxation. It is often more flexible than a corporation and it is well-suited for companies with a single owner. All according to the arbitrator of all things good and holy, Wikipedia. Personally, according to that, I have my doubts that they are a LLComapy. But, again, I'd look for an accountant who works in the state of Illinois to really clarify matters.

Submitted by Southpaw on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 11:16 pm

AZ Phil, I was wondering what you project Jeffrey Antigua as. Do you think he has the potential to be a top of the rotation pitcher also what pitches does he throw? Last but not least, where do you rank him among other pitchers in the organization?

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil:
    Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
     

  • crunch (view)

    masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around.  i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I THINK I agree with that decision. They committed to Wicks as a starter and, while he hasn’t been stellar I don’t think he’s been bad enough to undo that commitment.

    That said, Wesneski’s performance last night dictates he be the next righty up.

    Quite the dilemma. They have many good options, particularly in relief, but not many great ones. And complicating the situation is that the pitchers being paid the most are by and large performing the worst - or in Taillon’s case, at least to this point, not at all.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Wesneski and Mastrobuoni to Iowa

    Taillon and Wisdom up

    Wesneski can't pitch for a couple of days after the 4 IP from last night. But Jed picked Wicks over Wesneski.

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