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

Billy Goat Kurcz Alive & Well at Papago Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Michael Gilmartin laced a double off the right-field fence with one out in the bottom of the 9th, knocking-in the tying run and the winning run, as the A’s Split Squad #2 rallied with three runs in the 8th and two in the 9th to edge the Cubs 7-6 in AZ Instructional League action at Papago Park Baseball Complex Field #2 in Phoenix this afternoon.

The Cubs were in control early, as starter Aaron Kurcz (Cubs 2010 10th round pick out of the College of Southern Nevada) threw three shutout innings, allowing just one broken-bat single and no walks while striking out three. The 20-year old RHP started his college career at the Air Force Academy, before resigning after his freshman year and enrolling at CSN, where he was a teammate of the Washington Nationals #1 draft pick (and 2010 overall #1 pick) Bryce Harper. Kurcz had the misfortune of allowing a walk-off HR in the JUCO World Series that eliminated Southern Nevada, but then he had a very impressive debut pro season after signing with the Cubs, going 2-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, with 48 strikeouts in just 27.1 IP combined between AZL Cubs and Boise.

Although Kurcz likely projects as a closer or 8th inning set-up guy at the MLB level (he features a mid-90’s heater and a hard-breaking slider), he has been used as a starter so far at Instructs (two GS), as the Cubs are apparently doing with him what they sometimes do with pitchers they project as late-inning relievers, and that is use them as starting pitchers at the lower levels of the minor leagues to force them to use (and hopefully develop) their secondary pitches, and to accumulate as many innings as possible as soon as possible.

While Kurcz was shutting out the A’s, the Cubs scored one run in the 2nd on a two-out RBI ground single to CF by Max Kwan, and then another run in the top of the 3rd on a one-out single by Marco Hernandez (his first of three hits today), a HBP, and a two-out RBI bloop single to right-center by Justin Bour.

After the A’s tied the game in the 5th, the Cubs scored three times in the 6th as Cubs 2010 3rd round pick Micah Gibbs (LSU) crashed a one-out solo HR over the RF fence, and Cubs 2010 2nd round pick Reggie Golden (Wetumpka HS - Wetumpka, AL) ripped a two-out two-run RBI double down the LF line, scoring Dustin Geiger and Xavier Batista with the Cubs 4th and 5th runs of the day. The Cubs finished their scoring (and took a 6-2 lead) in the top of the 8th, as Geiger, Batista, and Kwan stroked three consecutive two-out singles to plate one run.

But the Cubs bullpen could not hold the lead, as 19-year old Dominican RHP Amaury Paulino surrendered three runs (but only one ER) in the bottom of the 8th on a lead-off double and a walk, two errors, and a passed ball. Then RHP Kevin Rhoderick (Cubs 2010 9th round draft pick out of Oregon State) came into the game in the bottom of the 9th trying to protect a 6-5 Cub lead and rack up the save, but he didn’t fool anybody, as the A’s strung together two singles and Gilmartin’s walk-off double to win the game 7-6. Rhoderick had an impressive pro debut last Saturday at Fitch Park, but he didn’t appear to have the same velocity on his fastball or control of his slider in today’s outing.

Here is today’s abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1a. Evan Crawford, RF: 1-4 (E4, F-8, 1B, K, SB)
1b. Oliver Zapata, CF: 0-1 (5-3)
2a. Logan Watkins, 2B: 0-2 (6-3 GIDP, HBP, L-6 DP)
2b. Wes Darvill, 2B: 0-2 (L-8, K)
3a. Justin Bour, 1B: 1-3 (6-3, 1B, K, RBI)
3b. Ryan Cuneo, 1B: 0-2 (4-3, 3-U)
4a. Micah Gibbs, C: 1-2 (F-8, BB, HR, RBI, R)
4b. Engel Santana, C: 0-1 (3-U)
5. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 2-4 (P-4, 5-U FC, 1B, 1B, 2 R, SB)
6. Xavier Batista, DH-LF: 2-3 (1B, K, BB, 1B, 2 R, SB)
7. Max Kwan, DH #2: 2-4 (1B, 3-1, K, 1B, 2 RBI)
8. Reggie Golden, CF-RF: 2-3 (K, 1B, 2B, BB, 2 RBI)
9. Chris Huseby, LF-DH: 0-4 (F-9, K, 4-3, 4-3)
10. Marco Hernandez, SS: 3-4 (1B, 4-3, 1B, 2B, R, PO)

PITCHERS:
1. Aaron Kurcz: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 36 pitches (21 strikes), 3/3 GO/FO
2. Tarlandus Mitchell: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 38 pitches (22 strikes), 4/0 GO/FO
3. Luis Liria: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 27 pitches (19 strikes), 3/2 GO/FO
4. Amaury Paulino: 1.0 IP, 1 H 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 21 pitches (12 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
5. Kevin Rhoderick: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 17 pitches (11 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: (3)
3B Dustin Geiger E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base – eventually scored unearned run)
SS Marco Hernandez E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base – eventually scored unearned run)
CF Oliver Zapata E-8 (errant throw from CF on play at the plate allowed batter-runner to advance an extra base – eventually scored unearned run)

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Engel Santana: 1 PB

. =================================================

ATTENDANCE: 14 (mostly scouts)

WEATHER: Partly cloudy & breezy, with temperatures in the 90’s

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

2010 CUBS INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE ROSTER:

FIELD COORDINATOR:
Dave Bialas

INSTRUCTORS:
Jeff Fassero
Franklin Font
Dave Keller
Greg Maddux
Carmelo Martinez
Marty Pevey
Tom Pratt
Mark Riggins
Min-Kyu Sung

GAME MANAGER:
Juan Cabreja

ACTIVE LIST (47):

* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS (22):
* Hunter Ackerman
* Brent Ebinger
Dustin Fitzgerald
* Cam Greathouse
* Casey Harman
Ryan Hartman
Jin-Yeong Kim
Aaron Kurcz
Luis Liria
Matt Loosen
Robinson Lopez
* Jeff Lorick
Tarlandus Mitchell
Amaury Paulino
Starling Peralta
Austin Reed
Kevin Rhoderick
Jhon Rodriguez
* Brian Smith
Alvaro Sosa (ex-C)
Charles Thomas (ex-3B)
Ben Wells

CATCHERS (5):
* Sergio Burruel
# Micah Gibbs
Max Kwan
Chad Noble
# Engel Santana

INFIELDERS (12):
Gioskar Amaya
* Justin Bour
Willson Contreras
* Ryan Cuneo
* Pin-Chieh Chen
* Wes Darvill
Dustin Geiger
* Marco Hernandez
* Hak-Ju Lee
D. J. Lemahieu
Josh Vitters
* Logan Watkins

OUTFIELDERS (8):
* Delbis Arcila
Xavier Batista
Evan Crawford
Reggie Golden
Jae-Hoon Ha
Chris Huseby (ex-P)
* Kyung-Min Na
# Oliver Zapata

Tags
Cubs Minor Leagues
Aaron Kurcz
Micah Gibbs
Reggie Golden
Max Kwan
Kevin Rhoderick
Amaury Paulino
AZ Instructional League

Comments

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:56 pm

Submitted by Charlie on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 7:42pm. AZ Phil, Is Logan Watkins at instructs to work on something in particular? Thanks for your reports! ================================ CHARLIE: Nothing specific that I can tell, but I would imagine he is here mainly to work on his hitting, fielding, and baserunning. That's why most of the position players are here. To smooth off the rough edges. I had thought they might try moving Watkins around the diamond a bit (LF-CF-SS-3B) like they did right after he first signed in 2008 (when the Cubs weren't sure what position he should play), but so far he's been working out at just 2B. He has been out of action with back spasms for the past week, although he did play today.

Submitted by jacos on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:35 pm

10th inning on PBS. Writer Bosley(?) said he saw a "hall of famer" drink a powdered drink. Asked player what it was? Player said "Jose Conseco milk shake". Bosley said that player had his best hr season ever that year. Who was it? Start speculation now......

[ ]

Submitted by JoePepitone on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:08 am

Hitters voted into the HOF by the BBWAA since 1993 (have to be retired 5 years and Canseco's first 40-40 year was 1988: Which of them had his best HR year after 1988? Mike (steamin' pile 'o) Schmidt '95 - no Robin Yount '99 - no George Brett '99 - no Tony Perez '00 - no Carlton Fisk '00 - no Dave Winfield '01 - no Kirby Puckett '01 - no Ozzie Smith '02 - no Eddie Murray '03 - no Gary Carter '03 - no Paul Molitor '04 - yes (22 in '93) Ryne Sandberg '05 - yes (40 in '90) Wade Boggs '05 - no Cal Ripken Jr. '07 - yes (34 in '91) Tony Gwynn '07 - yes (17 in '97) Jim Rice '09 - no Rickey Henderson '09 - yes (tied high @ 28 in '90) Andre Dawson '10 - no So, in essence, Molitor, Sandberg, Ripken, Gwynn and Henderson. OK, boys (do we have any females posting comments on this site?), there's the list of eligibles -- have at it.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:45 pm

With tonight's start at 1B, Xavier Nady just picked up another $100K in performance bonuses (70 GS), for a current running total of $225K. He gets another $250K if he can reach 350 PA (he was at 325 PA going into tonight's game).

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:03 pm

And speaking of Xavier Nady, his alma mater (University of California) dropped its baseball program today. This is (was) a big-time Div-1 PAC-10 baseball program, too. They were at the College World Series as recently as two years ago. #1 Cubs position-player prospect OF Brett Jackson also attended Cal.

Submitted by W Flag on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:05 pm

AZ Phil- I saw your write up on Oliver Zapata yesterday and I was wondering if you had opinions on Marco Hernandez or Delbis Arcila? Also, I know I asked this in another thread but do you have any ideas why Arismendy Alcantara or Junior Lake wouldn't be at instructs? Another person I figured would be at Instructs is Jesus Morelli so any light you could shed on these things would be great. Thanks in advance

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:24 pm

Submitted by W Flag on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 9:05pm. AZ Phil- I saw your write up on Oliver Zapata yesterday and I was wondering if you had opinions on Marco Hernandez or Delbis Arcila? Also, I know I asked this in another thread but do you have any ideas why Arismendy Alcantara or Junior Lake wouldn't be at instructs? Another person I figured would be at Instructs is Jesus Morelli so any light you could shed on these things would be great. Thanks in advance =============================================== W FLAG: I don't know why Arismendy Alcantara, Jesus Morelli, or Junior Lake are not at Fitch Park right now, but there is another Instructs at the Cubs Dominican Academy that starts after the AZ Instructional League ends, so I would think that Alcantara and Morelli will probably be there. The main reason Santana, Zapata, Amaya, et al were invited to the Cubs AZ Instructs is part of the exchange program the Cubs implemented last year, where a few of the more-promising Cubs Latin American DSL kids get to go to the AZ Instructional League, and then a few U. S. kids go the Dominican Instructional League after the AZ Instructional League is over. It's not because Santana, Zapata, Anmaya, et al are better prospects than Alcantara or Morelli, because they're probably not, but they are considered the most-promising prospects among the 2010 DSL Cubs. Junior Lake did not get invited to the AZ Instructional Leaguer last year when he was at Peoria, so I'm not surprised that he didn't get invited this year either. He's not exactly the most "coachable" player in the Cubs system, and if you can't take instruction, you don't get invited to Instructs. As far as Marco Hernandez and Delbis Arcila are concerned, Hernandez has slightly above-average speed, adequate range, and a decent arm, and he is sort of a slap hitter, whereas Arismendy Alcantara (for example) has plus-range, a plus-arm, and some HR power. So Alcantara is the better prospect of the two. Delbis Arcila has below-average speed and a below-average arm. He also has a line-drive stroke and shows good plate discipline for a 17-year old. Because of his lack of speed and a below-average OF arm, he probably will end up in either LF or at 1B. But to play 1B or LF and progress up through the pipeline, he will have to hit AND develop HR power eventually. But he's only 17, so he has plenty of time to add some muscle to his lanky frame.

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:53 am

Thanks for another update, AZ Phil. I had a quick question about your view of Reggie Golden right now. In his limited games played for the Cubs (3 or 4 AZL games and now the 3 at Fall Instructs), it appears that he has well above average raw power; is good at taking a walk; but has trouble making contact (i.e. over a strikeout a game). I know he was considered extremely raw coming out of HS, but the walks have to be at least a little encouraging, right? Are we looking at a much shorter, more athletic version of Adam Dunn here, or do you feel that the contact potential is there? Also, how has his defense looked? Thanks again.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:48 am

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 8:53am. Thanks for another update, AZ Phil. I had a quick question about your view of Reggie Golden right now. In his limited games played for the Cubs (3 or 4 AZL games and now the 3 at Fall Instructs), it appears that he has well above average raw power; is good at taking a walk; but has trouble making contact (i.e. over a strikeout a game). I know he was considered extremely raw coming out of HS, but the walks have to be at least a little encouraging, right? Are we looking at a much shorter, more athletic version of Adam Dunn here, or do you feel that the contact potential is there? Also, how has his defense looked? Thanks again. ========================================================== Hrubes20: Reggie Golden reminds me most of Jimmy Wynn (the "Toy Cannon"), Houston Astros OF from the 1960's. Golden runs just barely well enough right now to play CF (he has just average speed), but he throws well enough to play RF, so as he gets older he will probably be a corner OF. Maybe Gary Sheffield (after he moved to the OF) or Albert Belle (minus the personality disorder) would be better top-ceiling projection-comparisons. That is NOT to say that Golden will be as successful as those guys (he has a long, long way to go), but just in terms of his "game," that's who I would compare him to. He could also turn out to be a complete bust and never get out of AA. But as of right now, Golden has plus-power and is a dangerous hitter. As for his defense, it definitely needs work, but that's not unusual for a kid his age.

[ ]

Submitted by W Flag on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:18 pm

My guess is that they will leave him in CF because for the most part, if you can learn the angles and making good reads as a CF, you can still be a productive fielder. Marlon Byrd doesn't have above average speed but he makes fantastic reads and takes excellent routes to the baseball. Plus, coming up through the system, he has exponentially more value as a center fielder with power and plate discipline (if he keeps the walks and maybe cuts the k's down or keep the near the level they are now). As he gets older, if he can't handle CF, hopefully he has developed enough power to be an "acceptable" corner outfielder (though there are several very valuable corner outfielders with patience and not a ton of power), he just won't have the same amount of value because he wouldn't be playing a position with such defensive significance.

[ ]

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:36 pm

I think he already has the power to be an acceptable COF. It's his contact rates that will determine how good of a player Golden can be. If he can stick in CF, I wonder if a poor man's Mike Cameron would be a good comp. He has shown the ability to take a walk, which in an 18 year old kid is huge. But he definately does have some contact issues. I don't know if he has trouble recognizing pitches or what, but he definately has whiffed a bit. As you can tell, I'm pretty excited to monitor the progress of this kid. I have a better feeling about him than most of the other high risk/high reward types that we have drafted in the past 10 years. Can't explain it, but I just do. Maybe it is the walk rate.

[ ]

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 09:02 pm

I'm excited that he is finally healthy and performing as his scouting report suggested he could. And there really isn't any arguing that he will be a power-hitting corner outfielder. He already has power. It's like the aforementioned Cunningham; you can't argue that he didn't have power. He just sucked in every other aspect, which is what Golden needs to keep improving upon. You are claiming that I am overrating him based on 4 games at fall instructs, whereas I believe you are underrating him based on 3-4 AZL games. I have always maintained that the sample size is terribly small, but which small sample size should you be looking at if you are going to: (1) 3-4 games where Golden made his minor league debut after taking a couple months off of baseball and got hurt; or (2) 4 games where Golden is finally healthy; has been around baseball continuously; and no longer has the rust from the down time? As I stated before, the numbers don't mean anything in this small of a sample size unless a person wants to be optimistic (Me) or pessimistic (You). I just have higher hopes for the kid than to automatically bring up Earl Cunningham when a HS OFer is mentioned. I still realize his insane probability of busting out, as with most of our minor leaguers, but it certainly doesn't hurt to be optimistic a little bit. I understand and appreciate your pessimism with the Cubs' minor leaguers. We have not had a good track record at all with HS players (Cunningham, Harvey, Patterson, Pie, Dopirak, Montanez, etc., etc.). But that really is no reason to not get at least a little excited by the upside some guys bring to the table. Or at least to try to take that excitement from other fans. The Cubs have given very few reasons to get excited the past 2 years (3 after next year); minor leaguers offer at least a little escape from reality for many fans, as they can sit at their desks and wonder what it would be like to have a legit, home-grown RF putting up a line of .270/.360/.550 in his peak years. So, in essence, you can be pessimistic all you want, but quit harshing my mellow. ; )

Submitted by Paul Noce on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:48 pm

Bruce Levine speculates the Cubs might consider moving Aramis this offseason, perhaps to the Red Sox, who have shown interest, and to free up money to potentially sign Adam Dunn (he says that spread over two different posts)... http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chicago/chat/_/id/34649 I only can understand moving Ramirez if it's to get a solid 3b replacement with a better track record of staying healthy. If it's to move an acceptable defensive 3b who can hit for a horrible fielding 1b who can't hit .270, I think it's not smart. There are going to be 1b bargains out there because the 1b free agent market is crowded. Sure, Dunn has the most power, but that's all he offers, and at a crazy price (seeking 4 years, $60 million). Laroche could be signed for something around $8 million per or less for 1-2 years. But there are plenty of other guys too. I don't see the logic in spending another big $ contract on another slow, one dimensional, old player who can't run or play defense and who doesn't make consistent contact.

[ ]

Submitted by George Altman on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:49 pm

My read is that I can think of 14.6 million reasons to try and move Ramirez. On top of that he's given up trying to play 3B. The next time he steps in front of a ball to field it instead of his patented 'Ole' move to the side will be the first time in about 3 years. He gives every indication of an overpaid, got-it-made veteran who cares only about his 4 AB's a game. Notwithstanding his salary, he's now suited to an AL DH position only. Can the Cubs move him to Boston or some other AL team?.....have at it. The unfortunate scenario with the 2011 Cubs (and maybe even 2012) is that Ramirez is just one lousy contract that needs to be moved to restructure this team - Silva, Fukudome, Samardzija, Grabow, Soriano............and unless he pitches more like his last 10 starts from this point forward, Zambrano. Of course, this all assumes the team has a President and GM who can execute a plan that would take them to the World Series.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 09:27 pm

not cubs-related, but yow...via rotowhirled... A scout told ESPN.com's Jason Grey that Brandon Webb looked "alarmingly bad" during his instructional league appearance Wednesday. The scout said Webb topped out at 82 MPH with his fastball and "rolled" his curveball.

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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