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

Gooz Gets Outrighted to Iowa

The Cubs reinstated RHP Angel Guzman from the 60-day Diabled List today, and then outrighted the 28-year old righthander to Iowa. Guzman missed the 2010 season after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of Spring Training, and spent most of the past seven months rehabbing at Fitch Park.

Guzman was signed by the Cubs as a 17-year old Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) out of Venezuela in November 1999 after a contract he had signed earlier that year with the Kansas City Royals was voided due to a pre-existing medical condition. He was long considered one of the Cubs best pitching prospects, and was rated by Baseball America as the Cubs #2 overall prospect in 2003 and then their #1 overall prospect in 2004. He finally established himself as a solid member of the Cubs bullpen in 2009, going 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, with 41 hits allowed and 23/47 BB/K in 61 IP (55 games). However, Guzman's career in the Cubs organization was marked by frequent stints on the disabled list as the result of shoulder and elbow injuries, including surgery for a torn labrum in 2003, an elbow ligament transplant (Tommy John Surgery) in 2007, and then another shoulder surgery in 2010.

Because Guzman has three-plus years of MLB Service Time, he has the right to be a free-agent under Article XX of the CBA if he is outrighted to the minors. Guzman has up to seven days to decide whether to exercise this right, but since he is unsigned for 2011 (he was arbitration-eligible), he will almost certainly exercise this right immediately. The Cubs could then try and re-sign Guzman to a minor league contract for 2011 at a low base salary with a pre-arranged MLB split salary in case he is added back to the Cubs 40-man roster at any point during the 2011 season. Or Guzman could choose to look elsewhere.

Last year the Cubs non-tendered LHP Neal Cotts on 12/12 as the lefty was still rehabbing from July 2009 Tommy John Surgery, and then offered him a minor league deal at a low base salary that would have allowed him to continue his medical rehab uninterrupted at Fitch Park in 2010, but Cotts opted to sign a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates instead (Cotts spent the entire 2010 season at the Bucs Minor League HQ in Bradenton, FL).

The Cubs choosing to ourtright Guzman now instead of waiting to non-tender him on 12/2 means they probably feel they need his roster spot ASAP, either for an MLB free-agent they plan to sign later this month, or for a minor league player they want to add to their 40-man roster by the November 20th roster filing deadline. The Cubs already had two roster slots on their 40-man roster available (I'm not counting John Grabow being on the 60-day DL, because he will be reinstated soon), so now they have three. 

The Cubs would have been a bit hamstrung by having a rehabbing Guzman on the 40-man roster going into the 2011 season, because he is eligible for salary arbitration and he has no minor league options left. So it was just a case of whether he would be non-tendered, released, or outrighted.

The Cubs also saved about $800K in 2011 payroll by dropping Guzman from the 40-man roster prior to tendering him a 2011 contract (by offering him salary arbitration), since players eligible for salary arbitration usually don't get pay cuts while recovering from an injury. (Guzman made $825K in 2010). 

Comments

Today was Cubs Day at HoHoKam Park, as the Cubs owners, front office, manager & coaches, scouting department, and player develpment staff took a break from Organizational Meetings to enjoy a catered lunch on the picnic patio above the 3rd base stands. This is just about the only time during the year when all of the Cub area scouts get together in one place. As is the case every year on Cubs Day at HoHoKam Park, all of the available Cubs players assigned to the Mesa Solar Sox got into the game, with Ryan Flaherty getting the start at 2B, Jake Muyco the start on the mound, and Chris Carpenter, Kyle Smit, and David Cales working out of the pen. Neither Brett Jackson nor Josh Vitters were in uniform, however. Jackson has been in the hospital with a staph infection on his leg and then he will be sent home when he is released, but I don't know why Vitters was absent. But he was definitely not in uniform. Vitters is scheduled to play in the AFL Rising Stars game in Surprise on Saturday and maybe he was excused for that reason, but Cartpenter is also on the Rising Stars roster, and he got into today's game.

via rotowurld "Giants GM Brian Sabean said Friday that Pablo Sandoval will begin the 2011 season in the minors if he doesn't "get his act together."" daaaamn...

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 11/05/2010 - 2:44pm. it'll be interesting to see where the cubs splash whatever limited loot they have...they have trade chips they will probably try to use to do things on the cheap. guzman/caridad/marshall/marmol pen strength? ...or add another arm that's less of a question than guzman/caridad? 1st...SP...either/both? *shrug* =================================== CRUNCH: I think Hendry will target an established FA RH set-up guy who can close on days Carlos Marmol is not available. It would probably require a $4M base salary, plus another $2-4M in performance bonuses based on Games Finished (GF) in case the guy ends up closing more than expected. Possible candidates among the post-2010 MLB free-agent class could be Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel, Frank Francisco, Jason Frasor, J. J. Putz, Koji Uehara, Dan Wheeler, and Kerry Wood. The fact that some of them (Francisco, Frasor, and Wheeler) are Type "A" free-agents only matters if the player's 2010 club offers salary arbitration on 11/23 (not that Hendry cares about losing a draft pick, because the money not used to sign a 2nd round draft pick will just get redirected and be spent on a Korean HS player or an overslot bonus on an "unsignable" U. S. kid instead).

Guzman's career is a sad one. Saw him pitch in Tennessee in the spring of 2003 before he got hurt and he was flat out nasty. I went to the game with a guy who worked for the team and we sat in the scouting section. One scout said around after maybe the fourth inning and said, "I've seen enough of this kid this spring to tell you that Prior has the second best stuff in this organization."

AZ Phil: In your estimation, what is the likelihood that Hendry kicks the tire on Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez?

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Submitted by John Beasley on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 9:38am. AZ Phil: In your estimation, what is the likelihood that Hendry kicks the tire on Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez? =============================================== JOHN B: I don't think Adrian Gonzalez will be made available until the trade deadline (and that's only if the Padres are out of contention), and I can't see the Brewers trading Fielder within the division. But the Cubs do have a very deep farm system right now, and should be able to put together a decent package for just about anybody (especially a high-quality "rent-a-player") who is made available in the near future. Adrian Gonzalez (in particular) would be a perfect long-term fit for the Cubs at 1B, and they should be able to make him a substantial $$$ offer post-2011 once Aramis Ramirez and Kosuke Fukudome are off the books. Whether Gonzalez (if given a choice) would want to play for the Cubs, I don't know. But getting him in a trade before he becomes a FA (like at or near the 7/31 trade deadline) would give the Cubs a much better chance of signing him long-term. Just for that reason alone it might be worth signing a Nick Johnson (if he can pass his physical) or making a trade for somebody like Luke Scott (who can be moved to the OF if he isn't needed at 1B) now, and then upgrading 1B at the trade deadline if the opportunity presents itself. Signing Adam Dunn for even two years would preclude the Cubs from going after Adrian Gonzalez, even though they probably have the quantity, quality, and variety of prospects necessary to get him in a trade when and if he does become available.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Nah, gotta give NY some time to forget they won 95 games, to think maybe Boston found some money between the couch cushions, and start thinking they "need" him. I'll go with Dec. 3. Gonna do a Free Agent Frenzy, Rob?

news from the "why does crunch care about this dude, anyway?" department... matt "i'm matt f'n bush" bush added to the rays 40-man roster. btw, he's a pitcher now for those not keeping track.

via rotowurld via ESPN GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!! "The Tigers and Jhonny Peralta are close to coming to terms on a two-year, $11.25 million contract, according to ESPNDeportes.com." really? damn...

So what is up with this?: I have heard this week that Old Boy Jim's friendship circle has anointed Oneri Fleita as the AAA Iowa manager? Is he going to do both gigs? I really do not get it - other than Hendry really likes him, of course. They are close friends. He must have gone to LSU. Or, Notre Dame. Or, Creighton. OR - hired Hendry before. Or, they play golf. BTW - FA starts tonight at 12:00! It will be very interesting for teams other than the Cubs.

:( via rotowurld: "Escogido GM Moises Alou believes free agent Jamie Moyer's career is over after the left-hander reinjured his elbow in a Dominican Winter League game Saturday."

has had a 3-year offer on the table by Nats for awhile, is said to be seeking a 4-year deal, no word on the money yet.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Barry Rozner, apparently close confidant to Ryno, stated that he really never had a shot. The Cubs were placating the fans by allowing him to ride buses. To their surprise, and chagrin probably, all he did was win and develop the youngsters at Peoria and Tenn. Quade was Hendry's choice all along. He is another one of Hendry's Minions. That is a good title for a film, actually: "Hendry's Minions" Starring Brian Denehey as Jim Hendry.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.