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

Cubs 2008 Comebacks

I can't say I'm feeling too confident about tonight's game, but for the few hours between now and game time, I'm just going to keep playing these clips over and over and hoping the Cubs have another comeback left in them this season.

The first one isn't a comeback, but Rich Harden fans 11 Nationals (Game Thread Link)

Cubs overcome an 8-0 deficit to Rockies (Game Thread Link)

Daryle Ward pinch-hit 3-run HR to give Cubs lead in the 9th (Game Thread Link & Recap)

Ramirez hits go-ahead grand slam versus Phillies (Game Thread Link & Recap)

Soto ties Brewers with 3-run HR (Game Thread link & Recap)

Go Cubs Go!

 

Comments

I know we're not really thinking this far ahead yet, but what are the chances the Cubs resign Harden? I assume he'd otherwise hit the FA market after this year, right?

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Team option on Harden for '09, no? I think after that, it will depend largely on Harden's health, whether Dempster is back and effective, and what roles Hill and Marshall have. Also depends on whether the Cubs sign anyone to a multi-year contract this offseason--I'm thinking Derek Lowe would be a good target, and I'd stay far away from both Sheets and Sabathia (for the money he's gonna get).

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I'd love to have Harden and Dempster again. Also to be fair I don't give a crap about the Cubs' corporate spending, I would take CC as a free agent in a heartbeat. In fact just sign CC and Manny and call it a world series victory (and a $200 million dollar summer).

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

Are you counting on Soriano or Manny moving to right field? Or does Hendry somehow manage to trade Soriano or move him back to 2B? Just imagine a Soriano, KFuk, Manny outfield. Now that is a defensive nightmare. If it were a matter just of the corporation digging a littler deeper, then wonderful. Sign CC, Lowe, Sheets, and Furcal. But considering that there is likely to be a limit on how much they spend, regardless of who they sign, I think CC is too big a risk on a big contract, and the same for Sheets and Burnett.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

It would be a little rough but I could deal with Soriano in RF. He has a good arm and if it meant having Manny's bat I would do that. But aside from Fuk/Pie/Edmonds/Johnson in center you are damn right there would be some UGLY defense at times. But I'll concede that the Cubs could never afford Manny and CC, SOOOOO: As far as CC I would die to have that guy, even with the risk that the Brewers just ruined his arm. At any cost. He seems like a horse and is definitely a gamer. Who wouldn't want to add him to their rotation? I think he would be more valuable than any other Free Agent this year 2009 or next 2010 for the Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

My concerns about Sabathia's health aren't solely due to the fact that he's thrown more pitches this year than anyone else. He's also a 6'7" power pitcher with most of his weight in his gut. That's asking for back problems, and if he loses some miles per hour will he still be worth the money? I could easily be wrong--he could stay healthy for years. But I'm concerned nonetheless. I believe saying Soriano would be "rough" in right field is a bit of an understatement. I mean, he's rough in left field. But, yes, a lineup with Lee, Rammy, Soriano, Manny, and Soto would be ridiculous. Lefties would especially quake in their boots.

I'd resign both Redster and Harden. They'd be effective bullpen arms even if the rotation experiments fail.

[ ]

In reply to by carlosrubi

I think it'd be hard to move Dempster back to the bullpen any time in 09 after the 08 he's had. Harden would only be moved to the bullpen because of arm issues, like Wood. I can't imagine the Cubs turning down Harden's option for 09 unless he's really hurt.

Tonight's a crapshoot. If the Cubs find themselves and get off the mat tonight I say they win the series. If they can't crawl out of the hole and regain some inkling of what they know they can be it could be a boring 2-0 or 3-1 loss. (I think that Harden and Lilly can win in LA. But weirdly enough the specter of October Night Games in Wrigley still give me the creeps -- though I think if the Cubs can get it back to Wrigley they will win with a nice performance by Z and the deflated Dodgers if it plays out that way. But regarding Wrigley Nights in October, it just doesn't work for me, does anyone else feel that? I wish the Cubs played more day games in the playoffs . . . something is just not right about it. And I'm not talking traditionalism or curses, just the vibe and intensity of the crowd and the cold. It's claustrophobic)

I'm partly optomistic 1000 percent. It ain't the offseason yet. Cubs don't need to come back in tonight's game yet, it's 0-0. Harden's last 10 starts, 5-0, 1.99 ERA. Go win a game. Please go win a game, you chokin', ef-in' dogs.

Hardnen has a $7M team option, but can demand a trade if he wants. Even if Cubs don't pick up his option, he's still under 6 years of service time so Cubs would retain his rights.

95 mph+ and throwing strikes, I like our chances. Too often he's been in the low 90's lately and missing the zone badly.

I don't know why, but CC reminds me a little of Bartolo Colon at this stage in his career - overweight, tons of mileage on his arm, I think I'll pass.

[ ]

In reply to by Dmac

I think Big ERA Z is the better comp for Colon. But in the history of baseball the only long term pitching FA contract I can recall that worked out for the team was Maddux. Maybe I am missing one (Cone?), but pretty much if you give a six year deal to a pitcher, you're going to get burned on at least one, and likely three of those years.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

How about the 6/75 deal that the Redsox gave Pedro in '98. They got one of the best six consective season runs by a SP in the history of baseball, including two seasons of sub 2 ERA's in a DH league in the midst of steroid era.

real life just called, think I'm going to miss recapping tonight's game. :( I promise I'll recap tomorrow's, instead.

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

I think the game recaps need to be retired for 2008. Everytime its been done in the playoffs the result is a Cubs lose. Infact, I think the infield F'd so bad in the second was because they were all thinking, "Gee I wonder whats going on in Parachat, I cant wait for Tran's recap tonight".

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.