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, 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

2010 Cubs Extended Spring Training Stats - Updated Thru 5/22

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Here are the unofficial statistics for EXST Cubs players through May 22nd. (There is no Official Scorer at Cactus League Extended Spring Training games, so the stats are not official).

2010 EXST CUBS RECORD: 12-22-7 (41 GAMES PLAYED THRU 5/22)

* Bats or throws left
* Bats both

EXST CUBS BATTING:

CURRENT ROSTER:

George Matheus (3B) – 615/600/692
(8-13, 2B, 3 R, BB, SH, 4 GAMES)

Chris Huseby (P-DH) – 571/667/857
(4-7, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 K, 3 GAMES)

Jae-Hoon Ha (C-RF) – 394/432/667
(13-33, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 5 K, SF, 2 GIDP, CS, PO, 12 GAMES)

Jesus Morelli (RF-CF-LF) – 377/460/603
(20-53, 8 2B, 2 3B, 8 RBI, 9 R, 5 BB, 11 K, 4 HBP, SF, 3 SB, 17 GAMES)

* Alvaro Ramirez (CF-LF-RF) – 356/359/508
(21-59, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, BB, 9 K, HBP, 3 SH, GIDP, 6 SB, 2 CS, 18 GAMES)

* Pin-Chieh Chen (2B-SS) – 333/400/360
(25-75, 2 2B, 9 RBI, 10 R, 9 BB, 11 K, SH, 4 SB, 4 CS, 23 GAMES)

Brandon May (3B-1B-2B) – 301/402/425
(22-73, 7 2B, 3B, 11 RBI, 17 R, 12 BB, 15 K, HBP, SF, 2 GIDP, 23 GAMES)

Manuel Pestana (LF-CF) – 300/300/400
(3-10, 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 K, 4 GAMES) - DISABLED LIST (sprained shoulder)

Luis Flores (C) – 273/370/364
(6-22, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K, SF, SB, 11 GAMES) - NOTE: Was reinstated from Suspended List on 4/26

* Bobby Wagner (1B-3B) – 264/355/472
(14-53, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 6 R, 7 BB, 19 K, HBP, SF, 19 GAMES)

# Rafael Disla (2B-SS-3B-LF) – 262/300/476
(11-42, 4 2B, 3 3B, 8 RBI, 10 R, 3 BB, 10 K, HBP, 2 SF, 2 SH, GIDP, 3 SB, CS, 18 GAMES)

# Vismeldy Bieneme (3B-2B) – 231/340/256
(9-39, 2B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 7 BB, 14 K, SF, 2 SB, 14 GAMES)

* Sergio Burruel (C-1B) – 225/304/275
(9-40, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 12 K, HBP, SF, 2 GIDP, CS, 17 GAMES)

Runey Davis (LF-CF-RF) – 203/278/234
(13-64, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 15 K, 3 HBP, SF, 2 GIDP, 3 SB, 3 CS, 21 GAMES)

Xavier Batista (RF-CF-1B) – 200/247/371
(14-70, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 R, 4 BB, 34 K, HBP, SF, SH, 4 GIDP, 23 GAMES)

Cody Shields (LF-CF) – 196/240/304
(9-46, 2 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 10 K, SF, 2 GIDP, 3 SB, PO, 18 GAMES)

# Arismendy Alcantara (SS-2B) – 193/258/318
(17-88, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 17 R, 5 BB, 16 K, 3 HBP, SF, 4 SB, 2 CS, 28 GAMES)

Jose Guevara (C-1B) – 192/300/192
(5-26, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 9 K, HBP, SB, 14 GAMES)

* Wes Darvill (SS-2B) – 189/308/189
(10-53, 5 RBI, 5 R, 10 BB, 10 K, 2 SH, SB, 3 CS, 21 GAMES)

Albert Hernandez (LF-RF-1B) – 177/224/242
(11-62, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB, 20 K, SF, 5 GIDP, SB, 2 CS, 22 GAMES)

Blair Springfield (LF-2B-3B) – 164/193/164
(9-55, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 22 K, 2 GIDP, SB, CS, 21 GAMES)

Carlos Romero (C-1B) – 152/265/182
(5-33, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K, 3 HBP, GIDP, 16 GAMES)

Melvin Camarena (1B-LF-RF) – 150/208/200
(3-20, 2B, RBI, R, 2 BB, 10 K, SF, SH, SB, 8 GAMES) - DISABLED LIST (broken hand)

* Kyung-Min Na (CF-RF) – 111/143/111
(3-27, 2 R, BB, 8 K, CS, 11 GAMES)

THE DEPARTED:

* Francisco Guzman (CF) – 471/500/588 (8-17, 3B, 5 RBI, 7 R, BB, K, 3 SB, CS, 5 GAMES) - MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/23

Jonathan Mota (C-2B) – 308/375/538 (3 2B, 4 RBI, R, 2 BB, K, SH, PO, 5 GAMES) - MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/23

Charles Thomas (3B-1B) – 303/342/348 (20-66, 3 2B, 8 RBI, 13 R, 5 BB, 8 K, SF, C-INT, 4 SB, PO, 19 GAMES) – MOVED UP TO PEORIA 5/12

Rebel Ridling (1B) – 286/286/333 (6-21, 2B, RBI, R, 4 K, 5 GAMES) - REHAB COMPLETED 4/23

D. J. Fitzgerald (LF-RF) – 267/354/400 (4-15, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 5 GAMES) – MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/23

* Matt Spencer (1B) – 250/308/833 (3-12, 2B, HR, RBI, 3 R, BB, K, 2 GAMES) - REHAB COMPLETED 4/18

Jason Dubois (DH) – 214/267/357 (3-14, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R, BB, 4 K, GIDP, 4 GAMES) REHAB COMPLETED 5/15

EXST CUBS PITCHERS:

CURRENT ROSTER:

Corey Martin: 0.00 ERA, 0.47 WHIP, .136 OBA
6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 8/8 GO/FO, 5 GAMES

Andres Quezada: 0.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 231 OBA
3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 4/4 GO/FO, 2 GAMES

Alvaro Sosa: 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 167 OBA
3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 6/1 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (2 GS) – NOTE: ex-catcher converted to RHP April 2010

* Casey Lambert: 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 167 OBA
1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 2 GAMES (2 GS) - REHAB (2009 TJS)

Juan Yasser Serrano: 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, .000 OBA
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/FO, 1 GAME (1 GS)

Frank Batista: 2.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .234 OBA
20.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 16 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 21/22 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (3 GS)

* Marcos Perez: 2.22 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .182 OBA
24.1 IP, 16 H, 7 R (6 ER), 2 BB, 19 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 29/23 GO/FO, 9 GAMES (3 GS)

Marcus Hatley: 2.43 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, .286 OBA
3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (3 GS) - REHAB (2009 TJS)

Luis Liria: 2.95 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, .267 OBA
21.1 IP, 23 H, 8 R (7 ER), 10 BB, 21 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 20/16 GO/FO, 8 GAMES (4 GS)

* Drew Rundle: 3.24 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, .264 OBA
8.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 4 K, 1 PO, 8/9 GO/FO, 7 GAMES - NOTE: Ex-OF converted to LHP September 2009

Tarlandus Mitchell: 3.38 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, .261 OBA
16.0 IP, 17 H, 6 R (6 ER), 10 BB, 14 K, 2 HBP, 2 WP, 14/14 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (5 GS)

* John Mincone: 3.47 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .202 OBA
23.1 IP, 17 H, 12 R (9 ER), 6 BB, 14 K, 1 WP, 3 GIDP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 31/22 GO/FO, 8 GAMES (3 GS)

* Austin Kirk: 3.66 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .247 OBA
19.2 IP, 19 H, 8 R (8 ER), 6 BB, 19 K, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 2 PO, 14/25 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (3 GS)

Jose Rosario: 3.94 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, .292 OBA
16.0 IP, 19 H, 12 R (7 ER), 7 BB, 10 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 3 GIDP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 25/11 GO/FO, 7 GAMES

Alvido Jimenez: 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .232 OBA
11.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R (5 ER), 6 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 14/10 GO/FO, 8 GAMES

Jadel Mendez: 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .311 OBA
11.0 IP, 14 H, 8 R (5 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO, 15/9 GO/FO, 7 GAMES

Rogelio Carmona: 4.24 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .250 OBA
17.0 IP, 17 H, 10 R (8 ER), 7 BB, 18 K, 1 WP, 14/15 GO/FO, 14 GAMES

Danny Keefe: 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, .289 OBA
18.0 IP, 22 H, 12 R (12 ER), 2 BB, 25 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 16/13 GO/FO, 12 GAMES

Jesse Ginley: 6.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .285 OBA
12.0 IP, 14 H, 8 R (8 ER), 7 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 14/16 GO/FO, 8 GAMES (1 GS)

Eduardo Figueroa: 6.51 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, .341 OBA
19.1 IP, 30 H, 19 R (14 ER), 8 BB, 13 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 5 WP, 2 PO, 14/23 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (4 GS)

Yao-Lin Wang: 7.13 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, .306 OBA
17.2 IP, 23 H, 14 R (14 ER), 4 BB, 20 K, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 13/12 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (4 GS)

Carlos Rojas: 7.63 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, .292 OBA
15.1 IP, 19 H, 19 R (13 ER), 7 BB, 14 K, 4 HR, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 17/14 GO/FO, 12 GAMES

Tzu-An Wang: 13.00 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, .356 OBA
9.2 IP, 16 H, 17 R (14 ER), 5 BB, 7 K, 1 HR, 3 HBP, 2 WP, 10/12 GO/FO, 7 GAMES

Gian Guzman: 19.20 ERA, 3.43 WHIP, .333 OBA
4.2 IP, 7 H, 10 R (10 ER), 9 BB, 0 K, 3 HR, 1 HBP, 4/8 GO/FO, 4 GAMES – DISABLED LIST (sore elbow)

Hector Mayora: 21.00 ERA, 3.67 WHIP, .438 OBA
3.0 IP, 7 H, 10 R (7 ER), 4 BB, 3 K, 4/2 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (1 GS)

* Cody Hams: 40.50 ERA, 6.75 WHIP, .600 OBA
1.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R (6 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 2/0 GO/GO, 2 GAMES – DISABLED LIST (back strain)

Chris Huseby: INFINITE ERA, INFINITE WHIP, .000 OBA
0.0 IP, 0 H, 4 R (4 ER), 4 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 1 GAME

THE DEPARTED:

Esmailin Caridad: 0.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .000 OBA - 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 1 GAME – REHAB COMPLETED 5/2

Yohan Gonzalez: 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, .200 OBA - 11.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 14 K, 1 GIDP, 9/10 GO/FO, 7 GAMES – MOVED UP TO PEORIA 5/13

* James Leverton: 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, .000 OBA - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 GAME – MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/18

Larry Suarez: 3.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, .357 OBA - 3.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 2/3 GO/FO, 2 GAMES – MOVED UP TO PEORIA 4/18

Chris Carpenter: 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, .375 OBA - 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/FO, 1 GAME (1 GS) – REHAB COPMPLETED 4/18

David Patton: 9.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .250 OBA - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 1 GAME – REHAB COMPLETED 4/15

EXST CUBS DEFENSE:

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Sergio Burruel: 5-18 CS (28%), 3 PB, 1 PO, 1 E
Luis Flores: 6-13 CS (46%), 1 PB, 1 PO, 3 E
Jose Guevara: 3-5 CS (60%), 4 PB
Jae-Hoon Ha: 2-10 CS (20%), 6 PB, 3 E
Jonathan Mota: 1-5 CS (20%), 1 E (DEPARTED)
Carlos Romero: 4-10 CS (40%), 2 PB, 4 E

ERRORS BY INFIELDERS:
Wes Darvill – 11
Arismendy Alcantara – 10
Rafael Disla – 7
Pin-Chieh Chen – 6
Vismeldy Bieneme – 4
Blair Springfield – 3
Charles Thomas - 3 (DEPARTED)
Brandon May - 2
George Matheus – 1
Bobby Wagner - 1

OUTFIELD DEFENSE:
Xavier Batista: 1 E
Runey Davis: 1 ASSIST, 2 E
Brandon Guyer: 1 ASSIST
Francisco Guzman: 1 ASSIST, 1 E (DEPARTED)
Jesus Morelli: 1 E
Kyung-Min Na: 1 ASSIST
Manuel Pestana: 1 ASSIST
Alvaro Ramirez: 1 E
Blair Springfield: 1 ASSIST

ERRORS BY PITCHERS:
Marcos Perez – 3
Eduardo Figueroa – 2
Luis Liria – 2
Carlos Rojas – 2
Chris Carpenter – 1 (DEPARTED)
Danny Keefe – 1
Casey Lambert – 1
Andres Quezada – 1

INJURY REHAB GROUP (15):
Justin Bristow, P (unknown)
Melvin Camarena, 1B-OF (broken hand)
Esmailin Caridad, RHP (elbow)
Manolin DeLeon, P (2010 knee surgery)
Brandon Guyer, OF (left elbow)
Angel Guzman, P (2010 shoulder surgery)
Gian Guzman, P (elbow)
* Cody Hams, P (back)
Dylan Johnston, P (2009 TJS)
Dong-Yub Kim, OF (unknown)
Marcos Mateo, P (2010 knee surgery)
Mike Parisi, P (2010 shoulder surgery)
Manuel Pestana, OF (shoulder)
Melvin Rosa, P (2010 TJS)
Adam Spencer, P (shoulder)

Tags
Extended Spring Training
EXST Cubs

Comments

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:47 am

He starts off by commending the Cubs for recognizing Cashner's possible value when drafting him as at three-pitch guy. He concludes, however, by saying:
"They need bullpen help, and Cashner is ready. Let's just hope it's a temporary fix so all of this really smart development doesn't go for naught."
Link: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=10950 Subscription probably required.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:15 pm

Despite a sweep of the Giants by the A's - the NL is winning the interleague series 22-20 (if my counting is correct). Normally I like to see the AL take as many wins out of the NL as possible, but I am getting a little tired of everyone saying it's the superior league.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:55 pm

But it was because he dismisses the minor league innings - if I recall. I was watching the game - the first inning if I recall was particuarly long. Crunch's argument is speculous though - because even, like in this case when you identify a guy who's innings got ramped up - crunch says it was too early in the season to count. At the end of the day, Dusty has a long line of injured or less effective pitchers in his wake. If you compare him to other managers who've managed for a similiar period - LaRussa, Great Grandpa Lou and Cox, it seems like Dusty has more guys go down, and he's also less concerned with pitch counts.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:23 pm

you do not put a pitcher in a box and "protect" him from throwing like a major league pitcher until he turns 25. this is baseball, not a spreadsheet. guys have to be able to do 200-ish workload to stay a starter...that's why we have sean marshall in the pen. if you're 20, 21, 22...and done with AAA...you need to be able to go out there and pitch like you belong once you've shown you can break that 150-200ip mark. we used to have 4-man rotations and pitch limits only raised eyebrows when people went 150+. you can't treat everyone like they're angel guzman...you'll miss the nolan ryans. ....the russ ortiz example was a comparison on cox vs. dusty (aka dusty cocks) managing style of pitchers. when cox gets a guy (lol...cocks gets a guy...gay) he can push, he pushes him pretty much without fail. people talk of dusty like he's frank "what, people used to throw 150+ a game" robinson.

Submitted by Cubster on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:31 pm

Kyle Lohse got a "stress MRI" of his pitching forearm (two for the price of two)...so no Penny or Lohse in the weekend series at Wrigley (not sure that's good or bad news).
Lohse had two MRIs on Monday, one before exercising and a second after working out.
"It was enough to show the inflammation," Lohse said. "I basically got the feeling I would get from throwing. Something is going on."
Lohse is likely to join Brad Penny (upper back) on the 15-day disabled list. Like Penny, Lohse had not mentioned that his 2009 symptoms had returned prior to Saturday's start, but problems in his latest outing convinced him he had to tell the team.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5216010

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:52 pm

"there should be a 6th tool when scouting...does he love it?" - kevin millar there's a nice piece on millar returning to the st. paul saints (indie league) (where his career started) on MLB TV "Live"...they'll probably run it a few times because they went through a lot of trouble to shoot footage and take interviews. he also stated that the cubs was the first team that ever cut him and it made him cry. he spoke of watching the team bus leave after he got cut and him and his son packing up his locker at cubs spring camp.

Submitted by navigator on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:55 pm

Earlier this year, ARIZONA PHIL on TY WRIGHT
Ty Wright is an outfielder without the defensive acumen & range to play CF or the arm to play RF, and he doesn't have the HR power you would look for in a LF. On the other hand, he's a pretty good hitter, he runs OK, and he plays LF with reckless abandon. He's the kind of player fans tend to like. Probably in an attempt to improve his versatility, the Cubs were working him out at 3B in Minor League Camp last week, but he was back in LF yesterday.
and Today, May 24
KODAK, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies made it back-to-back weeks as OF Ty Wright was named this afternoon by the Southern League as its "Hitter of the Week," for the week of May 17-23.... Wright went on a power surge this past week. His grand slam Monday against Huntsville was one of two he hit last week against the Stars. Another two late last week against Jacksonville put him at eight on the year (T-4 in the league). His 42 RBIs are second in the league and he leads the Smokies in runs scored (34), home runs (8)and RBIs (42).
What's up? Did he get Colvinized last winter?

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:07 pm

but someone lock up Hendry, another 2bmen is available Kaz Matsui was released by the Astros, apparently last week.

Recent comments

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • 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"?
     

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