Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

No Antidote for Carmona

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Fausto Carmona threw six innings of two-hit shutout ball and Austin Kearns reached base three times and scored two runs, leading the Cleveland Indians to 9-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park this afternoon in warm & sunny Mesa.

box score

Battling for a spot in the Cubs starting rotation, Jeff Samardzija got the start and worked four innings (63 pitches - 41 strikes, 4/4 GO/FO), allowing two earned runs on four hits (two doubles and two singles) and two walks, while striking out four (Mark Grudzielanek, Jhonny Peralta, Chris Gimenez, and Mike Redmond).

Samardzija looked OK (not great), but better than he has at any time previously this Spring. Jeff Baker made an outstanding leaping catch in the 3rd to prevent a double that would have made The Shark's day a lot worse, but the inning before Samardzija was the victim of some shaky Cubs defense and a mental error that led to a run.

Austin Kearns led-off the top of the 2nd with a double, and then Derrek Lee fielded a chopper and made an inadvisable throw trying to cut down Kearns at 3rd base instead of taking the easy out at 1st, putting runners at 1st & 3rd with no outs. 2nd baseman Bobby Scales then made a terrible relay throw on what should have been an easy 6-4-3 DP, and the Indians scored their first run of the day, although it was an earned run because no official errors were charged.

The Indians scored their second run of Samardzija in the third, when Anderson Hernandez led-off with a single and stole 2nd (Samardzija did a poor job of holding baserunners today). Then after Samardzija got a couple of outs (one being the spectacular Baker catch) and was on the verge of getting out of the inning, Jhonny Peralta ripped an RBI single to drive-in Hernandez from 2nd base.

John Grabow came into the game in the 5th, and could not finish the inning. He threw 25 pitches (16 strikes), allowing two unearned runs (thanks to a fielding error by third-baseman Baker that kept the inning alive, allowing the Indians to string together three hits and two runs off Grabow when the lefty should have been out of the inning).

RHP Jeff Stevens and Blake Parker were both brought up from Minor League Camp for today's game (possibly to be showcased for the Toronto Blue Jays?), and Stevens was brought into the game with two outs and the bases loaded in the 5th, getting the final out (and stranding all three inherited runners in the process) on a line-drive to shortstop. But then the Indians did score a run off Stevens in the 6th, as Brian Bixler crushed a lead-off triple, and--after Stevens got two pop-ups and (like Samardzija earlier in the game) appeared on the verge of getting out of the inning unharmed--Matt LaPorta laced an RBI single past Ryan Theriot. Stevens threw 1.1 IP (21 pitches - 15 strikes), allowing the one run on two hits.

Blake Parker was better, throwing a 1-2-3 7th (14 pitches - 9 strikes), coming back from a 3-0 count to strike out Jose Constanza for the 3rd out of inning.

Rule 5 pick Mike Parisi entered the game in the 8th, and was terrible, failing to retire a hitter and having all kinds of trouble throwing strikes (17 pitches - only five strikes). Parisi allowed a lead-off line double to Chris Gimenez, then walked Brian Bixler and Anderson Hernandez to load the bases, before uncorking a wild pitch and hitting Matt McBride with a pitch.

Even though he is a Rule 5 pick and would have to be offered back to the St. Louis Cardinals if the Cubs decide not to keep him on their 25-man roster, Parisi is not guaranteed a roster spot. Unlike David Patton--who was selected by the Cubs in the December 2008 Rule 5 Draft as more of a "long term investment"--Parisi has two full years of AAA experience (249 AAA IP 2007-08) as well as 12 MLB games under his belt, so he was drafted by the Cubs as an "MLB-ready" guy. While Parisi did have Tommy John Surgery post-2008 and missed most of the 2009 season, he pitched very well as a rotation starter in the Arizona Fall League post-2009 and has had no arm problems so far this Spring. But I would say he is in big trouble right now.

Justin Berg was brought into the game in relief of Parisi with no outs and the bases-loaded, and proceeded to allow all three inherited runners to score (one on a 6-3 ground out and another on a Donnie Webb two-out, two-strike, two-run RBI triple), although he himself was not charged with any runs. Berg does throw strikes (18 pitches - 14 strikes today), but he pitches to contact and doesn't miss a lot bats, so he is less likely than a "strikeout pitcher" to strand inherited runners.

RHP (and ex-catcher) Jake Muyco was brought up from Minor League Camp and tossed a 1-2-3 eight-pitch 9th.

Other than Alfonso Soriano, the Cubs could do nothing with Fausto Carmona today (Soriano, rapped a two-out single in the 2nd and a one-out double the 5th, but was left stranded both times), as Carmona retired 12 of the first 13 men he faced.

And the Cubs in fact remained scoreless until the bottom of the 9th (they couldn't do anything with Jamey Wright or Saul Rivera, either), as Kosuke Fukudome reached base on an E-6 (errant throw) and advanced to third on a James Adduci double into the LF-CF gap with one out, before both scored with two outs on a two-strike two-run RBI ground single into RF (off LHRP Rafael Perez) by Micah Hoffpauir, who--after being in an ice-cold slump for most of Spring Training--has started hitting the crap out of the ball the last few days.

Xavier Nady in particular had a bad day at the plate, going 0-4 with a ground out, a pop out in foul territory, and two strike outs (both swinging, the last one with one out and runners at 2nd & 3rd).

Andres Blanco returned to game action today after missing the last two weeks with a sprained knee, and made two nice defensive plays, one ranging far to his left to capture a ground ball and throwing out a batter 6-3, and the other ranging far to his right and making a fine running catch in foul territiory.

The Cubs travel to Surprise tomorrow to play the Kansas City Royals.

Tags
Cubs Spring Training Recap
Micah Hoffpauir
Jeff Samardzija
Justin Berg
Jeff Stevens
John Grabow
Blake Parker
Mike Parisi
Alfonso Soriano
Andres Blanco

Comments

Submitted by The E-Man on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 03:33 pm

Thanks PHIL. Are there days when the club, other than folks really fighting for a job, just "mail it in" out there? Also, what do you think is up with Grabow? Is he hurt? Putting in extra time with coaches? He is supposed to be our "lock-down" LH out of the pen? Finally, do you really believe that Lou will want to have BOTH Millar and Tracy on the bench?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:46 am

Submitted by The E-Man on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 7:33pm. Thanks PHIL. Are there days when the club, other than folks really fighting for a job, just "mail it in" out there? Also, what do you think is up with Grabow? Is he hurt? Putting in extra time with coaches? He is supposed to be our "lock-down" LH out of the pen? Finally, do you really believe that Lou will want to have BOTH Millar and Tracy on the bench? =================================================== E-MAN: There are some players who appear to phone-in Spring Training in its entirety. I think Grabow is probably just not in gear yet. He knows he has a job, he knows how to get ready for the season, so he's just getting his prep-work in, and isn't trying to do anything beyond that. I think Lou would LOVE to have both Millar and Tracy on his bench, but he would also like to go with an 11-man pitching staff, too. I suspect that the bench will be Baker, Hill, Nady, Tracy, and either Blanco, Fuld, Colvin, or Millar (still TBD). If the Cubs feel they need a true 4th OF who can play all three OF positions, PR, PH, and replace Soriano in LF in the late innings when the Cubs are trying to protect a lead, then it's probably Fuld. If the Cubs want somebody who can platoon with Byrd AND replace Soriano in the late innings when the Cubs are ahead, then it's probably Colvin. If the Cubs want a true SS who can spell Theriot when The Riot needs a day off or if he's off for a few days with an injury but not long enough to go on ther DL, then it's Blanco. If the Cubs don't care about a 4th OF who can be a Soriano defensive replacement or a true shortstop to back-up Theriot, then it could be Millar. Or Millar could replace Baker, but if that happens, Blanco (or Barney) HAS to make the team. Actually the Cubs could at least start the season with an 11-man pitching staff (and six-man bench) by putting Carlos Silva on the 15-day DL this Friday (the first day players can be placed on the 15-day DL) and having him start a couple of minor league AAA ST games next week, and then (presuming Silva gets the 5th starter gig) he can be reactivated from the DL on Saturday 4/10 or Sunday 4/11 (whenever the 5th starter is needed), and then a position-player can be cut at that time. Remember, Blanco and Baker are out of minor league options and would have to clear waivers in order to get sent to the minors, and then even if either were to clear waivers, the player could refuse the outright assignment and become a FA immediately (Blanco because he has been outrighted previously in his career, and Baker because he has 3+ years of MLB Service Time), although the player would get no termination pay if he opts to become a FA immediately (if an outrighted player defers the right to be a FA until the end of the MLB regular season, the player receives 100% of his salary through to the end of the season). Blanco would probably get claimed off waivers, but (because he's making close to $1M) Baker might not. In the case of Baker, IF he signed a non-guaranteed 2010 contract, the Cubs would only have to pay him 45 days salary (which is about 25% of his 2010 salary - or about $250K) as termination pay if they release him prior to Opening Day. That would clear a roster spot for Millar, AND the $750K saved from Baker's 2010 salary would likely cover Millar's $750K or so MLB salary if he gets added to the 40. But again, if Millar replaces Baker on the 25-man roster, Blanco (or Barney) HAS to make the 25-man roster, because otherwise there's just Fontenot and Theriot on the 25 to cover 2B-SS. Micah Hoffpauir making the 25-man roster would require that he beat-out Chad Tracy, except Tracy has more value to the Cubs than Hoffpauir because he can play 1B AND 3B and is a more-proven MLB LH PH. Millar's best chance to make the Opening Day roster would probably be if Xavier Nady starts the season on the DL, but the Cubs have said that won't happen, even if Nady can't throw. And once Tracy and Millar are added to the 40, both would have enough MLB Service Time where they can refuse an outright asignment AND get 100% of their remaining salary as termination pay if they get outrighted (no different than getting released). So the Cubs need to be real sure about both Tracy and Millar before adding either to the 25-man roster (and 40-man roster). On the other hand, both Tracy and Millar likely have opt-out deals where they can be a FA if they are not on the Cubs Opening Day 25-man roster, and Tracy (in particular) might be useful later in the season in case Aramis Ramirez gets hurt again. Fuld, Colvin, Hoffpauir, Adduci, and W. Castillo have options available (and Barney, Castro, Robinson, and Chirinos would too, if they get added to the 40), so the Cubs can move these guys back and forth from Des Moines to Chicago and back to Des Moines pretty much as needed. However. Brad Snyder and Bryan Lahair are out of minor league options, so if either gets added to the 25-man roster during the season, it would be problematic sending either of them back to the minors because they would first have to clear waivers.

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Submitted by DavidP on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:40 am

I suppose that depends upon your definition of supersub. If you define it as being able to substitute at a number of positionswithout embarrasing himself defensively, then Baker, Fontenot or for that matter Tracy and Blanco can be called supersubs. If instead you define it as a substitute that is good enough to be a starter at a number of positions as DeRosa was, than no one on the team is a supersub, and most teams in the majors have no supersub.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:18 pm

"If the Cubs want somebody who can platoon with Byrd AND replace Soriano in the late innings when the Cubs are ahead, then it's probably Colvin." I certainly agree that Colvin is more likely than Fuld or Adduci to appear on a lineup card at the start of a game; but I see him replacing Soriano or Fukudome, not Byrd. I just don't think the Cubs like Fukudome at all, which is why they've hired replacements for him the past two seasons. The current replacement is rehabbing his right arm. That's Colvin's opening.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Wed, 03/24/2010 - 03:27 am

1) You're dreaming if you think Nady is only going to play once or twice a week, against lefthanders. 2) Fukudome was signed in '08 as a rightfielder, then replaced in '09. He slid over to center, where the offensive expectations are smaller. Where is he now? The Cubs have to be careful what they say about their expensive mistakes, but we don't.

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Submitted by Charlie on Wed, 03/24/2010 - 03:01 am

2) I don't think it's fair to say that when Jim Edmonds wasn't resigned and Bradley was added to the roster, that Fukudome was replaced. Normally if one is moved from RF to CF we'd say that they believed in his defense or were making use of his versatility to adapt to the free agent market. 1) It's not even likely to be a straight-up platoon with Nady until he can throw, and we don't know when that will be. He may also get starts in LF and at 1B, depending upon the health and performance of Soriano, Lee, Fukudome, and perhaps even Byrd (Fukudome could end up shifting back to CF). Even if they split time 50-50 in RF, that's not being replaced. I do agree that Fukudome is the most likely starting outfielder to be traded, followed by Byrd, but only because their contracts are more tradeable than Soriano's, especially if they perform. Not here to defend Fukudome, really--I just don't think that it's fair to say that he's been replaced. If the Cubs want to open a spot for Colvin in 2011, Lee will be off the books unless they resign him. That opens up some other possibilities as well. Although unless they plan to move Soriano there, it would be smart to find room for Colvin by trading an outfielder than by putting up with a mediocre 1B in a big market. If Colvin makes it to the bigs as a starting/platoon player with the Cubs in 2010, it's likely to be because someone doesn't perform or is hurt, and of course because Colvin produces at AAA.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Wed, 03/24/2010 - 03:51 pm

Since they got a first-hand look at Fukudome in 2008, the Cubs have signed three veteran free-agent outfielders, one to play center and two in right. That's what they think of Fukudome. We'll see how many games he starts this year. Maybe I missed it, but I haven't heard Lou use the word "platoon."

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 03:34 pm

according to len/bob on the CSN replay on MLB Network...soriano's been seeing almost nothing but offspeed stuff this ST from pitchers. either they feel more comfortable trying/warming the offspeed stuff on him or people are just gonna quit throwing the guy fastballs.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 03:39 pm

Arizona Phil--thank you as always for your updates. I don't comment much, but I always make sure to catch your posts for the great information. Regarding today, did you happen to catch any of Ted Lilly's simulated game?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:53 am

SHEFF: I did not see Lilly's sim game.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:53 am

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 8:00pm. I am wondering if the Cardinals will even take Parisi back at this point. =================================== REAL NEAL: And even if the Cardinals do want him back, Parisi can refuse the outright assignment to AAA Memphis and become a FA because he's been outrighted previously in his career (rare for a Rule 5 pick). If a club opts to take back a Rule 5 pick, the player MUST be outrighted to the AAA club from which he was selected. So the Cardinals cannot take Parisi back and put him on their 40-man roster, at least not until Parisi is first outrighted to Memphis and is given the option to be a FA. Same thing if the Cardinals opt not to take Parisi back, and the Cubs outright him to Iowa.

Submitted by thedirtbag on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 03:30 pm

It is not really too comforting knowing that Samardzjia and Silva are fighting for the last starter's job. Samardzjia has yet to show that he can handle the role at this level. He is signed through next season and has club options for '12 and '13. Based on his pitching rep, he is better suited for the bullpen. Then again, I understand the reluctance to put him in the bullpen. Very expensive bullpen pitcher who posesses a no trade clause with a rookie contract.

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Submitted by Ryno on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:02 am

At least in the rotation he can only screw up every fifth game. You know, y'all just had to get rid of Marquis... .500 wpct wasn't good enough for you for a #5 starter... Say what you want about the guy, but he always took the ball, usually pitched deep into a game, and sometimes even gave you a good game.

Submitted by MikeVail on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:34 am

The Tribune Cubs recap today says that Berg "continued to impress" with a scoreless inning. I guess Sullivan can't be bothered to pay attention to the games and just looks at the box score to write his recap. Sheesh.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:48 pm

He's too busy chasing the Mariners down for Milton Bradley interviews to do what he's paid to do. Luckily we here at TCR have AZ Phil and various other fans who can actually watch and report on games for free.

Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:44 am

from flat ground." --- the ground was really flat and he's really really ahead of our realistic expectations, obviously.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:35 pm

not sure what exactly their rankings are based on, seems to include revenue, how they use the revenue, GM, talent, etc... The Mets will get more out of their core of Wright, Reyes, Santana, Beltran than the Cubs (most likely) over the next few years. I'm also guessing it's really close between the two.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:20 pm

placed on waivers by Yankees.

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Submitted by crunch on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:25 pm

a 3m contract on waivers...must be nice having a 200m payroll...i mean, a brilliant GM who understands tactical moves... ...nah, i mean a 200m payroll =p at least it's a non-guaranteed contract.

Submitted by baseball20 on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:41 pm

So you mentioned Parker being showcased for Toronoto possibly. Do you think there is a trade in the works?

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

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