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

It's Matt Capps Signing Day

The anticipation has reached a fever pitch as Pirates closer Matt Capps is expected to make his final decision today. Take the main set-up role and back-up closing duties in Chicago for a team that shouldn't completely suck...on the sale floor they like to say they're a team in contention.

Or...

Close for a team that has been the worst in baseball over the last two years and big acquisitions so far have been signing Ivan Rodriguez about seven years too late and signing Jason Marquis (insert own joke here). It would stand that as a closer for the Nationals, he'll probably get even less chances than he did in Pittsburgh.

The money being rumored is in the two year, $7-8M range, basically Grabow money. I wasn't overly thrilled with what they gave Grabow or how quickly they gave it to him. On the other hand, I think Capps is a better pitcher despite the hiccup last season, so it certainly wouldn't be the worst middle relief contract Hendry ever handed out.

If Capps decides he wants to close and signs with the Nationals, the Cubs could move on to rehab projects like Kelvim Escobar or maybe hope they can find enough money in the Ricketts sofa cushions to sign Jose Valverde if his price drops after mistakenly not taking the Astros arbitation offer.

Comments

Jason Marquis...um..he..isn't a great pitcher? Hahahaha....um, yeah. I'd make more jokes about Marquis, but I'd take him as the fifth starter right now, at least with Lilly scheduled to miss April. Zambrano Dempster Wells ? ? Marshall, Gorzelanny, Caridad, Atkins, Samardzija, Pitcher X? 2 spots to fill worries me.

Just as a point of information, because he is a non-tendered free-agent rather than an Article XX MLB free-agent, Matt Capps will not get automatic "no trade" rights through June 15th. What's interesting about the Matt Capps sweepstakes is that apparently ex-Pirate teammates John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny have been rushing Capps from the Cubs side, while ex-Buc teammates Sean Burnett and Nyjer Morgan have been pimping the Nats.

[ ]

In reply to by Seamhead

I heard the same information from Capps' interview with Bruce Levine on Talking Baseball this past Saturday. I usually hate speculation but I did notice that Capps ended the conversation with Bruce by saying "I look forward to meeting you guys." Maybe he gave us his answer right there. It would be nice to have him...especially for the three week stretch that Marmol will inevitably go through where he overthrows his slider and can't throw strikes.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

"If it's better suited for me to set up for the team in the seventh inning or eighth inning, that's what I'll do," Capps said. "If they sign me and tell me they want me to play shortstop, I'll play shortstop. I want to win. I want to be in an environment [where winning is important]." -From Matt Capps in MLB.com's Ladson article (beat writer for the Nats). If anyone listened to the audio when he was on Bruce Lisspy Levine's Talkin' Baseball, he said the exact same thing about the Cubs. He does add this tid bit "All signs are looking good with what they are trying to do so far." The other interesting footnote is that he would still have to compete with Brian Bruney for the closer role (maybe competition to say its competition), but he still could end up playing for another team that ends up finishing last in that division and setting up, while making less money. The Braves and Phils have made upgrades, the Marlins are young and developing, and the Braves are trying to improve offensively. The Mets will do something, just a matter of time. But even if they just get healthy, I would not lock them in for last place.

Did you catch this yesterday? Mesa, AZ says the Cubs have eliminated the Gila River indian reservation bid from consideration for the new spring training complex. The battle is down to Mesa vs Naples. On the other hand, the Cubs have refused to tell Mesa which one or two of ~10 possible sites in Mesa they prefer. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/148693

[ ]

In reply to by Seamhead

Levine: the Cubs will contact Kinzer sometime Wednesday evening with either a proposal in hand or stating that they are bowing out of negotiations. Either way, Capps is expected to sign with a new team before midnight Wednesday. --- This implies Hendry hasn't given Capps a proposal yet? But when he does get a proposal it will be an obvious decision? Something smells here.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

This is such an odd feeling that we have been exclusively preoccupied with Hendry cleaning up his own pile of shit, then, waiting to see what scrap-heap players he can sign to small deals. GO CUBS!

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

seems that what the resolution is... for those holding out hope silva can do something...the guy has 2 pitches, his sinker lost it's bite years ago, he throws everything in the zone, and it's not getting any better. the guy had 3 things going for him...stamina to pitch, a ground ball pitch, and someone willing to pay him stupid loot to do it. i'm not that thrilled about caridad, either. his stuff doesn't have much movement.

I wonder how receptive the A's would be in trading Ryan Sweeney and/or Eric Patterson? Both are cheap, under club control for at least 4 more years. Potential upside is the answer for both CF and 2nd base. Downside isn't much, other than what you'd have to trade to get them. Shouldn't be too high? Assume that a non-Castro SS prospect would be involved.

Coco B Crisp's contract: the deal with pay Crisp $4.75MM in 2010, with a $5.75MM option for 2011. The buyout for the 2011 option is $500K, making the one-year contract worth $5.25MM. (via MLBTraderumors). :doesn't bode well for what we're going to give Byrd. I was thinking about a million a year less for Coco. I am trying to ease the queezy feeling in my stomache I get whenever Byrd and the Cubs are linked... Come on trade or Ankiel!

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I didn't get a chance to read comments about my Ankiel as CF idea but if you're making fun of me I wouldn't blame you. My gut tells me he is just a good hitting pitcher but my cubs side wants him to somehow pick it up and roll and beat the deadbirds down. I wouldn't be a Cubs fan if I didn't have fantasies to roll with.

If Capps signs with the Nats - fuck him. Same old same old - he states he wants to "Play for a contender." Yet, he'll sign with a last place team. Go figure. Well, IIRC, they had the best "O" in the NL - or near the top, anyway. And with MArquis aboard - they are guaranteed a Playoff spot. He is the good luck charm.

Nah i wouldn't blame him. Just, I find these guys hippocrates. Just keep your mouth shut and don't bullshit people on how, If they ask me to play shortstop, I will.". That's the only thing that is just a fabrication. Belly up to the bar and say, "I am happy to get the opportunity to close for a last-place team."

Missing out on Capps could prove crucial. Not to be one for the dramatic, but the Cubs bullpen is very much unproven. If this team thinks that going into the season and not getting a centerfielder is a problem, wait until the bullpen comes in.

Nats Journal again
Posted at 11:54 PM ET, 12/23/2009 Still waiting on Capps So as midnight comes and passes, here's where things stand: The Washington Nationals are still waiting to learn if Matt Capps, their latest free agent target, will agree to a contract offer and become their next closer.

I see that the mlb.com writers have mobile web link pages... m.mlb.com/chc or in Matt Capps case: m.mlb.com/wsh

Levine has more details The deal is for $3.5 million for 2010, with a chance to make another $425,000 in performance bonuses. The performance incentives kick in at 40-65 games finished. Capps The deal went down to the end between the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Washington, Capps' agent, Paul Kinzer, said. The Mets were a late entry into the Capps pursuit, offering a similar contract to what Capps signed for with Washington. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4769951

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Honestly given the division, that might be enough to win it. The Cards are likely to lose atleast one of if not both Holliday and DeRosa. Their top 3 pitchers in the rotation (Carpenter, Wainright and Penny) while extermely talented are just as injury prone. Carpenter pitched like 95% of the season last year and I doubt he can repeat it. The Astros arent bringing back Tejada, did nothing to stregthen their rotation, though they did a decent job adding to their pen. Do you really think Randy Wolf is the cure to all of the Brewers pitching woes?

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

The only good that will come out of 83 wins next year will be the firing of Jim Hendry. I don't even think Teflon Jim would be able to survive an 83 win season with no playoffs. I hate to say it, but long term for the organization the best outcome for them might be the situation above and get a real GM in here to properly build this team.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

TRN, Agree 100%. Can't blame Hendry on this one. Obviously playing for a contender was not that important to Capps. He wanted to stay a closer and hopefully up his value going into next offseason. It is a pretty bad sign for Cubs and Mets fans though that they couldn't land a guy like this even though it is not make or break. I do give Hendry credit though, this offseason isn't as bad as last, mainly because he hasn't done anything really except unload his disaster from last offseason.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Well, there's still a chance that Valverde winds up being the man left out and we can get him cheap on a one-year deal like Alou wound up taking last year. There's also a chance Hendry decides to say "screw it, we'll use Blake Parker" and puts the money towards signing Hudson, which is probably what I would do at this point. If the bullpen faulters, trade during the season.

Capps would pitch more innings for the Cubs than he would for the Nats. Nevermind about CF our pitching is weak. Zambrano is streaky, Lilly is comming off shoulder surgery, Dempster isn't much more than a number 3, Lets see how Wells does now that hitters have faced him last year. The Bullpen is inexperienced and wouldn't strike fear in a AA team.

[ ]

In reply to by Southpaw

I know that I have a biased opinion, but Capps is taking the Washinton job in hopes of closing. He signed a one year deal, so essentially he wants to close and then land a big deal the following year, and as we know, the market is soft for high priced closers (see Jose Valverde, but Capps will be 27 albeit). So, why not take a chance at setting up and have more innings pitched under your belt. We know that Hendry is not shy about tossing money to relievers (unless Capps knows something we don't about next year's offseason). I would like to see what the terms of Hendry's offer were. One year? Two years?

"But I really like the decisions the Nationals have made this offseason and their commitment to winning beyond 2010. I'm excited about what can be." - Matt Capps on Washington's offseason. he must be refering to the aging Marquis signing who is with his 5th team and will have a great 1st half. Marquis should look into the Clemens 3 month work program.

Nationals | Capps to take physical in January Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:59:42 -0800 Bill Ladson, of MLB.com, reports Washington Nationals RP Matt Capps will take his physical during the first week of January. Until then, the deal will not be official.
It will be interesting to see if he passes. Capps hasn't been the same since this...
Pirates | Capps to miss at least eight weeks Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:14:14 -0700 Rob Biertempfel, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Pirates CL Matt Capps (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, July 2, and will miss at least eight weeks with a right shoulder injury. Capps returned to Pittsburgh Wednesday to have a magnetic resonance angiography which revealed bursitis and internal rotation deficit in his shoulder and it seems the muscles in his shoulder are not allowing him to fully extend when he throws. Capps will not require surgery but will spend four weeks in a rehab program and another four weeks in a return-to-pitch program. He is expected to return to the team in early September. Manager John Russell said RP Tyler Yates, P Romulo Sanchez, RP Damaso Marte and RP John Grabow would be in the mix to close games while Capps is out.
In dealing with his shoulder it looks like he screwed up his mechanics because in May he was out over a week with a bad elbow.
Pirates | Capps dealing with faulty mechanics Tue, 19 May 2009 11:26:20 -0700 MSNBC's Keith Olbermann reports Pittsburgh Pirates CL Matt Capps has been over-rotating on the mound this year, according to pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. Capps' arm has been well behind his body and he is expending his energy way before his arm is fully extended and he is ready to release the ball. The problems with his mechanics may also be an explanation for his elbow bruising and discomfort.
Then, Mark Prior-like, he was hit in the elbow by a line drive(off Geo Soto's bat!) a few days after he returned to the mound.
Pirates | Capps exits after being hit by line drive Mon, 25 May 2009 22:37:33 -0700 Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports Pittsburgh Pirates RP Matt Capps (elbow) left the game after being hit on the right elbow by a line drive. After acting in a reflex using his right arm to shield a liner hit by Chicago Cubs C Geovany Soto, Capps hunched over and eventually walked off under his own power after talking with Pirates manager John Russell and a team trainer. He was scheduled to be taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for X-rays. P Sean Burnett recorded the final two outs for his first MLB save.

If the Cubs really wanted Matt Capps at the exclusion of other free-agent RH relievers, they should have offered the Pirates a couple of minor leaguers (like the Cubs got from Arizona for Aaron Heilman) prior to the December 12th non-tender, so that the Pirates would have gotten something in return for losing Capps, and the Cubs wouldn't have to compete with other clubs to sign Capps. That's why it's wsometimes better to give up a player or players to get a player who is going to be non-tendered instead of waiting until the player becomes a free-agent.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.