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

Knee High to the Hall of Fame

"Andre Dawson, the Hawk...no player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen. The Hawk, I watched him win an MVP for a last place team in 1987. It was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way. I hope he will stand up here one day."

                          --Ryne Sandberg, in his Hall of Fame Induction Speech


No matter what hat his hall of fame plaque has, Andre Dawson will represent the Cubs honorably into Baseball's Shrine. This is a man who overcame his own obstacles, or more specifically his own knees. We all know that Dawson came to the Cubs in 1987 to flee the hard artificial turf of Montreal Olympic Stadium which was playing havoc with his knees.

Dawson might have never made it to Chicago, where he said he rejuvenated his career, were it not for the encouragement of his wife, Vanessa. Dawson was in so much pain in his fourth big league season because of a “fractured knee” that he told her he didn’t know if he could play any longer. Pain medication was barely getting him through games.

“The third (Darvocet) took the pain away but it came back at night. That’s why I didn’t want to do it anymore,” Dawson said. “And she looked at me and said, `You know you’re hurting now, but just see what the problem is because a year, two years from now you are going to regret walking away.”’

The last 10 years of his career (including 6 with the Cubs) were based in home parks where right field had mother natures own soft grass turf. This prolonged his career well beyond what most of his early teammates could have projected.

In 1985, then-Expos teammate Tim Wallach said of Dawson's perpetual struggles with his knees, "It hurts me as much as it hurts him. Sometimes I wish I could give him my knees. He never moans. He never complains. He has no excuses. Everyone here respects him."

Most watched in awe at the agony he put up with but few knew why Dawson had to methodically prepare for games and baseball seasons. He made it onto the field for 2627 games over 21 seasons.

His first injury ironically was due to football, well before his professional baseball career started. 

His first knee operation dated to a 1972, when he tore up his knee while playing defensive back for Miami's Southwest High. In hindsight he realizes how beneficial physical therapy would have been, because he never fully regained his range of motion. Compounding matters was playing his first 11 big-league seasons on the hard artificial turf of Montreal's Olympic Stadium.
"A lot of people only see the glamour side of the game, when we're out on the field," said Dawson, currently a Marlins special assistant. "There's a lot of preparation that has to take place. For myself, I had a very painful career. I had to take medication almost daily to get through those three hours."

Dawson recounted the daily taping before games and icing afterwards before ever leaving the clubhouse. Sometimes the knees would flare up again and he'd have to ask his understanding wife, Vanessa, to run late-night errands for more ice bags.

As Dawson explained, "The damage was done very early on in my career. I couldn't really control that, but I could control how I reacted to that."

Back in 1972, orthopedic surgeons didn't understand knee anatomy very well and many of the reconstructive procedures didn't really restore the normal kinematics of ligaments. Knee surgery involved fairly large incisions to open the knee joint and look around just to see what was wrong. Torn cartilages were removed in their entirety rather than repairing or trimming just the torn portions. This usually lead to life-long knee problems and eventually arthritis at a fairly early age. The structures that were most poorly understood were the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and the medial and lateral meniscus cartilages. Back then, if a knee was unstable from an ACL tear, the ACL's function wasn't thought to be important and the instability was addressed by taking nearby tendon structures and shifting them around the outside of knee joint. This left the knee with less instability but more stiffness. Fractures inside of the joint involving articular cartilage back than might have been identified but the treatment to replace focal damage didn't develop until the 1990's.

When I think of these procedures, I always reflect on my Chicago Bears hero, Gale Sayers who's career was all too brief because his knee ligament injuries (initial injury in 1968) happened before the modern era of orthopedic knee surgery.

Chalk up Andre Dawson's hall of fame career to his courage but not his doctors. The modern era of orthopedic knee surgery didn't develop until the fiberoptics of the arthroscope and the MRI scanner (magnetic resonance imaging) were available in the early to mid-1980's. This lead to a renaissance of insight into functional knee anatomy. The development of many tools and techniques to do procedures that directly repair or replace and restore damaged intra-articular meniscal and articular cartilage and ligaments came from this new understanding. ACL reconstructions have evolved and drastically improved over the last 30 years but alas the damage had been done too soon for this to help Dawson. I've read that Dawson has had as many as 12 knee surgeries. 

I didn't realize things had been that medically difficult for Dawson until I heard WSCR's Mike Mulligan ask him about how his health was lately in an interview this morning. Apparently his knees don't give him pain nowadays but he still has to work around some stiffness issues particularly in cold weather. In 2006, at age 51, he had two knee replacement surgeries on his left knee. That means that his cartilage was severely worn and with significant pain, arthroscopic options were no longer worth considering so the joint was replaced with metal and plastic components that resurface/replace the worn articular cartilage. I don't have details but in the interview Dawson implied something didn't go well with the first surgery (in October 2006) and it had to be revised (in December 2006). The second surgery seems to have held up. Currently, his right knee is bone on bone and it has an occasional flareup but generally any pain has calmed down since the left knee replacement (which now is protecting the worn right knee from overuse). He said in the interview that the right knee will need replacement eventually if and when the pain returns.

It's been a tough road to the Hall of Fame, Hawk. My heartfelt congratulations and thanks for some great Cub memories. On a personal note, I'm finally getting to make the trip to Cooperstown this May (after my daughter's graduation from nearby Syracuse University). I've been long promised a visit to the Hall of Fame.

If things fall into place, I just might make it two trips...seeing Hawk getting inducted into the HOF on July 25th at 1:30 pm, would be, well lets just say... hard to estimate a price (although admission to the ceremony is FREE!).

Comments

Dawson was a tough SOB. It's good to hear that he's not crippled after Earl Cambelling himself. I wonder if the knee pain was partially responsible for his much publicized lack of patience at the plate.

CCO reports that Hendry during a radio interview a few days ago mentioned several times wanting a bench bat who can play both LF and RF and occasionally give Fukudome a day off against tough lefties.

I think I enjoyed this article the most of any you've written, Doc, and only partly because it doesn't involve any current Cub injuries. Great writing.

Brian LaHair? Bats left, throws right. Iowa's newest first baseman? Give me Micah Hoffpauir and Brad Snyder (both lefty bats) for the bench before this one. Is Brad Snyder still in the Cubs system? ---- http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/121409-Latest-MLB-buzz The Cubs have signed first baseman Bryan LaHair to a minor league contract, two major league sources told FOXSports.com. LaHair will be invited to Chicago’s major league spring training, the sources said. With a strong camp, it's possible that he could make the team as a power bat off the bench. LaHair, 27, had spent his entire professional career with Seattle. He didn’t appear in the majors last year, and the Mariners removed him from their 40-man roster in October. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lahaibr01.shtml

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

The beat writers would have fun with his name though: Hair of the dog is a colloquial English expression predominantly used to refer to ingestion of alcohol as treatment for a hangover. It is occasionally used with respect to dealing with the after effects of use of other recreational drugs. It is a shortened form of the expression “the hair of the dog that bit you.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_of_the_dog (thanks for all the kind words, above)

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 11:38am. I don't recall seeing anything about us re-signing Snyder, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Looks like Micah insurance, as you mentioned. He's played a little left as well. ======================= REAL NEAL: Exactly. Bryan Lahair is actually a younger version of Micah Hoffpauir, and (like Hoffpauir) Lahair is a 1st baseman who for the first time in his career played more corner OF (both LF and RF) than 1B in 2009. The main difference between them is that Hoffpauir has more MLB experience, has had more success at the big league level, and has one minor league option left (so he can be sent back & forth to the minors as needed in 2010), while Lahair is out of options (in case he gets added to the Cubs 25-man roster at some point in 2010).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I hope they work him out at first base and give him at least a few innings in CF, just to see whether he could be a solid substitute for Hoffpauir or Fuld in the case that one of them struggles or gets injured. He should've gone to another organization, though. The Cubs are never going to give him much of a chance, and he has maybe one more year where it's possible he could establish himself as a platoon player for a team like the Nats or Pirates.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 1:12pm. I hope they work him out at first base and give him at least a few innings in CF, just to see whether he could be a solid substitute for Hoffpauir or Fuld in the case that one of them struggles or gets injured. He should've gone to another organization, though. The Cubs are never going to give him much of a chance, and he has maybe one more year where it's possible he could establish himself as a platoon player for a team like the Nats or Pirates. =================== CHARLIE: Brad Snyder played mostly CF in 2008 (his last year in the Cleveland organization), and then the Cubs played him in RF at Iowa to take advantage of his plus-arm (one of the best in baseball), but he certainly has the speed and range to play CF. My concern about Snyder is whether he can be a part-time player. His main problem has always been making contact (793 strikeouts in less than 3000 career minor league plate appearances), and playing only occasionally probably won't help that. As you said, he really should have signed somewhere where he can get more-regular playing time (that's presuming he has in fact re-signed with the Cubs).

oops...edited wrong comment box while playing around with special characters. woo...boredom. nothing of value was lost...

phil rogers whispers says Dawson almost had a Marlins hat on his HOF plaque...he's also spreading Heath Bell to Cubs rumors again: Dawson included a cap clause in the contract he signed to go to the Marlins in 1995, but the Hall responsibly stepped in to stop players (including Wade Boggs and Jose Canseco) from auctioning their historical ties. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-100109-rogers-wh… According to sources, the Cubs are kicking the tires again on Padres closer Heath Bell, as they did at the winter meetings.

CCO has a summary of Bruce Levine's Talking Baseball show...including commentary that Podsednik's contract with KC ($1.75M plus and option year at $2M) might bring Reed Johnson's price tag more in line with the Cubs budget for that right handed batting OF option to share time with Fukudome. Also another mention of Cub interest in Contreras and Smoltz. I listened to most of the show and it was 95% about the HOF. http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2010/01/cubsrumors11010.php#more also a reminder that this week is the Cubs Caravan and the weekend will have Cubs Convention activities...so there should be some of the hype machine in gear this week.

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In reply to by Wes

his big knock on his fastball from what im told is his motion to his release and his balance...which isn't a huge deal from a corrections point of view. he's got a lot of motion up top with his shoulder/elbow (he keeps his elbow above his shoulder for those that care) and his landing foot isn't always as straight and repeatable-on-spot as it should be.

not quite a confirmation, but a few more tweets that it's the Reds, so far Cards, Brewers and Pirates were eliminated as well.

5/30 has been the rumor so far, Cincinnati writer John Fay said they're still negotiating and deal could be up to 10 years...

Watching Ch 5 TV tonight for their 10:30 pm Sunday sports extra show. I decided that I like watching Paula Faris do sports (I'd probably also like to see her do a few other things as well). Seriously, she knows what she's talking about and she's definitely got the MILF thing going. I'm also pitiful enough that I'd be happy hanging out talking sports with her for the fun of it plus the intelligent girl = sexy factor. In my world, Erin Andrews & Paula Faris are a current day Ginger vs. Marianne. In this one, I vote Marianne. Signing off as I comment on a blog from my mother's basement.... (sigh)

Ryan Church to Pirates, Aubrey Huff to Giants, official Chapman announcement today...

6 yr deal worth 25-30M with payments spread out of over 10 years...well-done Reds.

If Aroldia Chapman signs a 5/25 or 5/30 deal with Cincinnati, it has to be a major league contract and not a minor league deal, meaning Chapman will have to be added immediately to the Reds 40-man roster. However, Chapman will get four minor league options, so the Reds will not have to rush him if he needs more time. He could spend 2010 at Intermediate "A" Dayton, 2011 at A+ Lynchburg, 2012 at AA Carolina, and 2013 at AAA Louisville if necessary, although I'm sure the Reds will try to move him along as quickly as possible to maximize their investment (just as the Cubs have done with Jeff Samardzija). .

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9931 interesting article on what teams got from their free agent players and own players... as you'd expect, Cubs did below average (although not terrible) on "Non-Market Players" (arb-eligible and pre-arb players), but obviously a huge drop-off last year in their "after-market players" from 40 to 24 WARP-3.

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In reply to by Rob G.

I don't know. If Aaron, Ruth and Cobb didn't get it, and a complete media darling like Nolan Ryan didn't get it, I'm sure some idiot can find a reason not to vote for Maddux. All it probably takes is a snub, real or imagined, to some beat reporter in 1988 to do the trick.

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In reply to by tbone

Ryan wasn't that good, and there was a legitimate reason that Ruth et al didn't get 100%. The HoF should simply take the vote away from anyone who doesn't vote for Maddux. Though I am sure no writer would actually admit it, firing and public caning would be appropriate additional punishment I think.

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In reply to by Rob G.

Some yahoo probably won't vote in Maddux as some sort of grandstanding "no votes for the steroid era" nonsense or some other "no one should be elected unanimously if the Babe wasn't" nonsense. But yes, if anyone can get 100%, it's him.

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In reply to by Rob G.

Oh, baseball-related assistance. That's got to be a positive. Might sound weird, but has he completely ruled out pitching real games?

McGwire admits to using steroids of and on for about a decade, including during 98. His statement to the AP: "I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era."

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In reply to by Bleeding Blue

I knew McGwire had taken it up a level when I saw him in a California Chicken Cafe on Westwood Blvd in LA the winter before the '98 season. He was positively massive and on his plate were the bones of at least three whole chickens. He wore a tank top and his shoulders were covered with acne. I knew then the Cardinal would be having a big power year. And that chickens might be extinct by the turn of the century.

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.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • 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.