Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Cubs Pitching & Defense Frustrates A's at Fitch Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Micah Gibbs ripped a solo home run and an RBI single, Danny Lockhart had three hits including an RBI double, and six pitchers combined to throw a five-hit shutout, as the Cubs whitewashed the Athletics 6-0 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.  

20-year old RHP Ian Dickson (Cubs 2011 35th round draft pick out of Lafayette College) made his pro debut today, getting the start and throwing one inning. Dickson pitched-around a first-pitch lead-off double, retiring the next three A’s hitters on a strikeout (swinging) and two 6-3 GO. Dickson missed the 2011 college baseball season after suffering a torn ACL in 2010, but Cubs scouts apparently had seen enough of him in previous years to offer him a contract at the 8/15 deadline once he proved he was 100%.

Besides the Gibbs HR and Lockhart’s three hits, today’s game featured two excellent defensive plays by Cubs players.

Reggie Golden showed-off his plus arm, making an outstanding pinpoint throw from CF to nail an A’s runner trying to score from 2nd base on a line-drive single to CF with two outs in the top of the 2nd inning, and 2B Rubi Silva made a terrific turn on a 6-4-3 DP in the 5th.

Although he played mostly OF this past season at Peoria and Daytona, Silva looks very comfortable at 2B, making four other nice plays on grounders to retire A’s hitters today (each play harder than the previous one), and showing off his plus-arm on two of them. Scouts in attendance were impressed (and apparently surprised) with Silva’s play-making skills at 2B.

While Cubs 2011 3rd round draft pick 2B-LF Zeke DeVoss (U. of Miami) is probably better-suited to play LF, it would appear that Silva does have the skills required to play 2B. So don’t be surprised if the Daytona Cubs 2012 Opening Day lineup features Rubi Silva at 2B.

Silva played for the Cuban Junior National Team and then later for Havana in Serie Nacional (the Cuban major league) prior to defecting, and received a reported $1M bonus when he signed with the Cubs last December.

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Rubi Silva, 2B-DH: 0-4 (1-3, K, 3-U, 4-3)
2. Danny Lockhart, SS-2B: 3-4 (1B, K, 2B, 1B, R, RBI)
3a. Rafael Lopez, C: 1-2 (1B, 5-3)
3b. Alberto Mineo, PH: 1-1 (1B, RBI)
3c. Mark Malave, C: 0-1 (K)
4. Reggie Golden, CF: 0-3 (K, 1-3, 6-3, BB, R)
5. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-4 (K, 1B, 3-1, 1B, 2 R)
6. Dustin Geiger, 1B: 1-4 (1B, K, F-7, 4-3)
7. Micah Gibbs, DH #1: 2-3 (HBP, HR, 4-3, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
8a. Yaniel Cabezas, DH #2: 0-3 (6-3, 6-3, 5-3)
8b. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-1 (4-3)
9. Jeffrey Baez, RF: 0-3 (1-3, 1-3, K)
10. Garrett Schlecht, LF: 0-2 (K, BB, L-5, R)

PITCHERS:
1. Ian Dickson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 24 pitches (16 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
2. Frank Del Valle: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 BALK, 30 pitches (18 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
3. Dustin Fitzgerald: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 25 pitches (12 strikes), 5/0 GO/FO
4. Austin Reed: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 21 pitches (11 strikes), 3/3 GO/FO
5. Luis Liria: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 9 pitches (5 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
6. Andrew McKirahan: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 16 pitches (11 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Rafael Lopez: 0-2 CS

OUTFIELD ASSIST
CF Reggie Golden threw out base-runner 8-2 trying to score from 2nd base on a line drive single to CF

ATTENDANCE: 18 (mostly scouts)

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90’s

Tags
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Micah Gibbs
Reggie Golden
Rubi Silva
Ian Dickson
Danny Lockhart
AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:12 pm

My favorite time of the year (since the Cubs usually suck) -- AZ Phil Post Time. Seems like every time I read one of these posts so far this year there's some guy I've never heard of who has signed a huge bonus. I guess Ricketts is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to player development. I've always kinda wondered what would happen if a team focused on pouring massive amounts of money into player development as opposed to free agency. Instead of signing the Carl Crawfords of the world for $100 mil or whatever it was, pour that money into signing these Latin kids. Things could get interesting in a few years if I'm still alive to see it. Cough cough.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:51 pm

Maddon names Matt Moore Game 1 starter, Shields for Game 2

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:47 pm

Speaking of Moore, anybody know how an 8th rounder in 2007 becomes the most promising young lefty in the league in 2011? Not only the Cubs, but every other team including the Rays found other players to draft in the first seven rounds. If you look at Moore's numbers, he's been great at every level since he was 19. It's not like they had to teach him something.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:54 pm

is it march yet? :( at least there's playoffs left...wish it was a WBC year...wish MLB network would telecast fall/winter local and international games...i don't even care if they don't have a pbp announcer...wood bat baseball woo.

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:26 am

f'n hell...we're going to have to hear about this crap being the next chicago suit for the next few weeks, too, i'd imagine... "According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosnethal, the Red Sox are expected to part ways Friday with manager Terry Francona."

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 10:27 am

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:40am. Hey AZ Phil, How would you describe Gibbs as a hitter? Does he have a slow bat? Thanks, as always! ===================================== CHARLIE: Micah Gibbs has the proverbial "slider speed bat," but he also has an upper-cut swing & has improved his strength to where he can probably at least hit a few home runs. He already is a very good defensive catcher, so anything he can do to make himself more-valuable as a hitter would help improve his chances of making it to the big leagues. While you would want a fast runner (like Tony Campana) to try and hit the ball on the ground as much as possible to take advantage of his speed, it is preferable for slow-footed catchers like Micah Gibbs to hit the ball in the air, and (if possible) have the power to hit home runs (if not line-drives). BTW, with Luis Flores on the Restricted List (serving a PED suspension) for at least the first month of the 2012 regular season, it is very possible that Micah Gibbs could start the 2012 season at AA Tennessee (sharing the catching duties with Michael Brenly), at least until Flores is reinstated. Best comp for Micah Gibbs is Koyie Hill.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:52 am

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/7950802-419/cubs-will-make… A day later in Chicago, the question became the same one uttered by a player amid the din that night: ‘‘You think [Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein] would leave to come here?’’ If the answer is yes — and one report Thursday suggested he has told friends he would ‘‘embrace the challenge’’ — the next sound could be the cheering coming from the Cubs’ boardroom. Epstein has a 2012 option that has to be exercised by Oct. 8th

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:10 pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-pulse/2011/2612… I think they fucked this up though, they said players originally drafted or signed, but not those that are past 6 years service time, but their Phillies blurb indicates Utley and Rollins did count. I asked the dude on twitter if I'm missing something, but here were his rankings regardless 1. Rays (duh) - 28.1 WAR 2. Phillies 3. Brewers 4. Tigers 5. Rangers 6. DBacks 7. Yankees 8. Cardinals - 10.8 WAR Cubs for 2011 (if I did this right): 5.1 from their hitters, 4.2 from pitching 9.3 WAR

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Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:28 pm

Suspect that will be higher in 2012 and probably 2013. Soto, Castro, Barney, Jackson, Colvin, Campana, LeMahieu, Flaherty, Marwin Gonzalez, Vitters, Marquez Smith, Clevenger, Castillo. 13 position players. Marmol, Marshall, Cashner, Wells, Carpenter, Russell, Mateo, Samardzija, Dolis, Cabrera, McNutt, Struck, Whitenack. 13 Pitchers. Would it be a shock to see 12-15 of these 26 names on the MLB roster and contributing positively (if not extraordinarily) by 2013? And, I believe, these are all guys originally drafted or signed out of Latin America by the Cubs. I suppose we could toss Ha, Rhee, and maybe one of the other Pacific Rim pitchers in their, too.

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Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:55 pm

I see the Cubs filling several starting spots with homegrown talent--Soto, Castro, Cashner, Wells, Jackson, Whoever Plays Second--and then having a steady supply of OK-to-Good minor leaguers to fill in for injured players or occupy the majority of the bench roles--Flaherty, Gonzalez, LeMahieu, Campana, Colvin, Clevenger, Castillo, Smith, etc., etc. And then there is the neverending parade of homegrown relief pitchers, who at some points may make positive contributions. Campana managed a 1.4 contribution as a bench player this season and Samardzija a 1.1 as a middle reliever. Get a handful of solid performances from minor role players, and then you can stack that on top of whatever you get from Castro, Soto, and ?. I don't see the Cubs reaching 14 without a few homegrown stars, but they could get up to 11 or so. I'm also guessing that Castro, Soto, Cashner, and maybe Wells will improve on their 2011 contributions. On the other hand, Samardzija and a couple others will probably regress a bit.

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Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:28 pm

and then Reed Johnson and Jeff Baker play instead. Too true. And there is the turd in my HopefulO's. I've never understood the need for mid-30's free agent bench warmers when you've got a bunch of guys in the minors who could do the same thing. And I guess I am expecting a new manager to agree and replace Hill, Johnson, Baker, etc., with Clevenger, Colvin/Campana, LeMahieu/Flaherty, etc. Also, I'm not so far into fantasyland that I'm saying the Cubs will be good simply because they may get another WAR or two from homegrown players in the next couple years. I think you'd better have cheap homegrown players giving you more WARs when you've got Soriano giving you 1.3 WAR in return for $17 million, Zambrano giving you .9 in return for whatever he makes, and then you pay Carlos Silva to go home. Yes, Tony Campana and Darwin Barney provided more WARs this year than Soriano and Zambrano. That is sad. It also seems like a good reason to go all-in on player development at the cost of long contracts to free agents.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:06 pm

indeed. Jackson showing more power at an earlier age though with a few more walks. Believe Stubbs was considered a really good defender coming up, Jackson merely adequate at center and Stubbs is supposed to be faster. Jackson does have the advantage of being a lefty though. I can't say for sure of course, but that should give him a bit of an advantage with the K's and batting average. Jackson has certainly shown more at a younger age than Stubbs in the minors.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:31 pm

The Rangers don't strike out when they're not facing strikeout pitchers. Pineda 17K's in 19 innings Gonzales 12K's in 10 innings Hernandez 19K's in 25 innings That's the three top 10 K/inning guys in their division. Price got 13K's in 14 innings off of them. I like Moore's chances.

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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