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

My secret Cub Fan reason for loving the Anthony Rizzo for Andrew Cashner trade

So the Cubs traded flamethrowing Andrew Cashner for a real first base prospect, Anthony Rizzo of the Padres Sure, young Andrew has tremendous potential. Last year, he was one third of the whole reason we were supposed to be excited about the Cubs. The other two thirds... well one got traded and the other accused of sexual assault (but that's another story or a hundred, just wait). The point is the Cubs got a seriously fabulous chance at a real first baseman, and I no longer have to worry about Cashner's shoulder. As a Cub Fan, pitchers and shoulders and elbows and MRIs and towel drills - those things make me want to set myself on fire. No can deal any more. When Cashner went down with the shoulder last year, that was all I could think about. When was the Big Disaster gonna happen? You know the one. It comes after he secures an important role in the starting rotation. He's cruising along about the 5th inning of a game against the Cardinals in July and you've got the fire going and some burgers on the grill and a frosty cold brew and suddenly Pat Hughes says, "Uh oh. Something's wrong with Cashner..." I can't do those things any more. So yeah, it's great the Cubs got Anthony Rizzo. But I'm telling you, the other reason I'm happy is Cashner's shoulder ain't on my list of concerns. Hopefully, he never has another issue with his arm at all and pitches like the stud he's supposed to be. I'd be happy as a clam if it worked out that way. I'm just sayin'... PS: I don't mean to be mean to Scott Maine, but his performance against the Red Sox last year... Yeesh! PSPS: Yeah, I know there were other guys in the trade. I ignored 'em to simplify.

Comments

It seems the press is perplexed by the off-season moves being made by the Cubs. However, I think they are thinking about things the way McPhail/Hendry thought about things and not the way Theo/Jed think about things. To the MSM, signing Fielder made all the sense in the world. I don't see big contracts going to players with obvious downside risk, in this case Fielder's weight. No, the new Cubs are signing young talent (Rizzo, DeJesus) and low cost vets with some upside potential and who cost virtually nothing (Volstad, Wood, Sonnanstine, Sappelt, Corpas). The later acquisitions confound the MSM. However, the goal is not to be competitive with these players. The goal is to bet that at least one of these players breaks out this year, and then can be traded at the deadline for players in the former category. For instance, let's say that Sonnastine has even a decent first half out of the bullpen. Bye-bye for two real prospects; its been nice knowing you, I hope you do well in the Rangers organization. But have no fear, I predict there will be a least one big signing in the next two weeks. The Cubs have shown the willingness to give big contracts to young foreign talent. Hence, the Cubs will sign one or both of the big name Cubans: Soler and Cespedes. In my mind, the real target is Soler who is 19 and will need significant time in the minors, and that was the real reason for signing Balaquert and Martinez, who provide Soler some degree of home cooking in Class A. Things are looking up at Clark and Addison.

Bruce Levine on his sat am talking baseball show... said he expects Samardzija will be in the bullpen ("we haven't been told that yet") now that Cashner is gone. Shark was told he would get a shot at starting, but these moves make more sense to keep him in the pen also said they are still working on adding a starter aka Paul Maholm (or another trade) and expect that action to be resolved one way or another next week. and mentioned the remaining Cubans as targets still some discussion on the remaining possibilities of trading Garza (but no names mentioned) or giving him a "John Danks" type contract...vs the value of going for a 100 loss season and upgrading the 2013 draft picks.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

I see a lot of people saying we shouldn't punt 2012. I don't think not signing Fielder/Wilson/Darvish/etc is punting. Keep in mind that only 4 teams in baseball had a worse record than the Cubs last year, so bringing back Pena or upgrading to Fielder, resigning Ramirez, and getting a Kuroda added to the rotation isn't going to fix this team. I believe that this "punted team" will have a better record than last years team, even after the front office turned over a huge portion of the dead weight on the team. The real benefit is that not going "all in" for 2012 like Hendry did year in year out will not fuck next years team in the ass. Maybe we'll only improve onlast years record by 5-10 games, but going the FA rout wouldn't do much better without screwing future teams the way this one is screwed now.

[ ]

In reply to by Vegas Brian

Because until now, it's the road not taking. I'm excited, not because I'm certain they know what they're doing, but because they're doing something I haven't seen before (and with the Cubs, that's always a good thing). Ok, I'm also excited because I think I know what they're doing and agree with it. Signing veterans to long term deals (most of the FA's this year) to 'compete' this year just seems pointless because the team has too many flaws. The one and two year deals (DeJesus, etc) don't bother me because they won't cripple the team when they are ready to compete. Likewise, I'm happy to trade away guys who have value now (which won't really help us) for higher upsides who are a farther away from the majors...especially if it's a 1B for a RP. I'll be happy if they sign younger FA agents (the Cuban dude or Fielder) but won't be breaking my balls if they who are smarter than me decide not to. I also click shlenny's point that the signing of all of these high(ish) potential guys gives us a greater chance that at least one or two will do well and can be traded immediately upon success.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

Well I'm in the minority, but I've said before the Cubs were closer to .500 than many say. A better coaching staff and 4/5 starters (replacements) were arguably the difference. So I agree with Hoyer's recent comments about that. Now as mentioned, we'll keep the veteran contracts short to allow for young players. Oswalt/Bedard/Beltran would've been targets, while I'd go for Fielder longer. I would prefer to keep ARAM over Stewart, but am okay with the Z trade. That would give us: Oswalt, Dempster, Garza, Bedard, Volstad, Wells Castro, Barney, Fielder, Beltran, ARAM, Soriano, Byrd, Soto We could still complete the other trades & free agent pitchers we did to acquire some depth, with the exception of Rizzo, off course. I'm not saying this is it, but at least this keeps us a chance to compete (especially with the Brewers/Cards taking steps back) while letting the kids grow for 2 or 3 years and stay within a reasonable budget.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

How are you coming up with a payroll less than $100M in 2012? I mean, unless you don't count money still being paid to Pena, Silva, and Z. Even if Theo unloads Soriano, you can count on most of his $18M salary being paid by the Cubs this year. I'm at $110M+ for 2012 right now, and can give you the breakdown if you need that. Obviously, if they trade Garza, Marmol, Byrd, and Soto for prospects, that would subtract over $26M but that hasn't happened yet. Since Leo Durocher and John Holland, I've watched a collection of owners, GMs, and Managers tell Cubs fans, 'We've got a plan'. Maybe Theo does and maybe he'll fail too, but I'm inclined to see how this all plays out for the time being. If Baseball has proven anything since the Free Agency Era, the team with the highest payroll doesn't win the World Series every year or even makes it to the Series. Also, I don't give a damn about being 'competitive' and/or 'contending' for the NL Central title. I've been waiting decades for the Cubs organization to put together a consistent contender that would win the Series. I'm in the camp that you can't effectively build/re-build to that end, and spend to make the playoffs in Years 1 and 2 of that plan.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

But yeah there is a huge reason you can't field a competitive team. It requires signing old, injured players to a bad team and if those players end up on the DL the very real possibility exists we end up worse than last year with more crippling contracts and without as much future possibility. I'm not sure why it's so hard to get why Theo wouldn't want to sign players like Beltran to this team without it being forced on him by Ricketts or something. If this were the Red Sox with a lot of good players already then sure he'd probably be all over it but we are not anywhere near the Red Sox. Theo is a very young, egotistical dude who won 2 World Series with the Red Sox and has a chance to go down as a legend if he does so with the Cubs. This dude is not here to run a Royals team in the long term. I dunno if everything he does is going to work out. I'm sure he's going to make mistakes and maybe in the end moves like Rizzo won't work out. Overall though what he is doing is what we should have done the offseason we signed Soriano. Imagine if we had built up a base of good, young players then and been able to sign Fielder this off season with that base? It'd be done already and this off season we could be epically excited instead of having to shed those (dare I say it again) old, injured players that Hendry signed just to seem competitive despite having to give too many years and too much money. Let's not keep repeating history.

[ ]

In reply to by johann

But yeah there is a huge reason you can't field a competitive team. It requires signing old, injured players to a bad team and if those players end up on the DL the very real possibility exists we end up worse than last year with more crippling contracts and without as much future possibility.
One of the reasons we keep going around and around on this subject is because of comments like this one. Why does fielding a competitive team in 2012 require "signing old, injured players?" Do you honestly believe that is the only way the Cubs can be competitive in 2012? What I (and others) have been saying is that we see the need to improve the Cubs farm system. What I don't see is the requirement that it be done by punting the 2012 (and maybe future) seasons. Start the rebuild now. Sign two or three FAs who are good enough to build around and young enough to be around for a while. Nobody is suggesting that the Cubs do everything necessary to be competitive in 2012 and to hell with the future. There is a way to be more competitive in 2012 and still build for the future.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

or very expensive flop Ricketts handed Theo the keys without his interference, told him the approximate budget (about $200M per year for all baseball operations) and said see you in 5 years. He probably gave him permission to carry over saved money one year to another as well as I recall that Theo did that in Boston and thinks its a valuable tool. I'm sure Theo also took it as a challenge and opportunity to build a team the way he always envisioned without Leisure Suit Larry meddling. I think Theo deserves the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he's doing the first few months, I'll probably give him the first season. Not that I won't question some of his moves, nor should others, but I certainly like the overall philosophy so far. Find guys that make pitchers work, trade guys when their values are high, find long-term assets, try to build a young core, improve the defense.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

'backloading all of them' Soriano laughs, Hendry cries. You really haven't been paying attention. 2 things: 1. The only guy worth signing this year for the Cubs is Fielder, and maybe Darvish (although once bitten twice shy for Theo). And 2. They could have signed every fucking free agent out there and still not have competed this year, mostly based on lack of starting pitching. Beltran vs. DD-- DD is cheaper and more reliable. And as for the money, the team may very well be saying F Bud, we're spending on the draft every other year anyway, which (I believe) Az Phil talked about in an earlier thread. Theo's not spending money because even a 2007-Cub or 2011-Marlin spree WASN'T GOING TO BE ENOUGH. And even if it was, it would have MAYBE been one of the next 1-3 seasons, IF everything broke just right. This entire franchise has been fucking flawed for a long time, and I for one am thrilled to see ALL of it (minors on up) getting evaluated/addressed.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Rob -- I'm not sure what you mean by
Pujols and Fielder play the same position and I think the Cubs have a SS.
Are you saying that Pujols, Fielder and Reyes (?) were the only FAs worth building around? I'm just not sure what you mean. As an example, I'd like to see the Cubs sign Fielder, Cespedes and/or Soler. All three players are (or appear to be) the type of players you can build around. I'd also like to see the Cubs add a pitcher, but I'm not sure that anyone available this off season fits the bill. CJ Wilson might have been the guy, but I'm not at all certain that he is worth what the Angels paid for him. Maybe Edwin Jackson. He's young enough, but I'm not sure if he is the guy (along with Garza) that you want around long term. Others are high on Darvish. I think he's way too expensive for a guy who is unproven, but he certainly is young enough to stick around a while. A FA pitcher (or two) may have to wait until next off season. I think what you would like to see is for the Cubs to wait a year or two, and then introduce a core of young players at the big league level they can build around (BJax, Rizzo, ???). To me, that's risky because you don't know who's going to stick and who isn't. I would prefer to see them build around a core of FAs who are available now and next year, and fill any holes with prospects. It just seems less risky to me.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

Are you saying that Pujols, Fielder and Reyes (?) were the only FAs worth building around? yes, maybe Darvish and definitely Soler, possibly Cespedes, although both those are more projection than sure thing right now. Those other 2 aren't signed yet, are they? I would have been all for Fielder(even Pujols but not at the money he got), but I understand not wanting to go 7-10 years at $23-$25M for a fat guy when you play in the NL that is known as a poor defender and baserunner. I wouldn't mind Reyes either, but the Cubs have a SS and Reyes is injured a lot. Wilson wasn't going to give the hometown discount to the Cubs. From what little I know, I think I prefer Soler over Cespedes. Cespedes is probably looking at a Fukudome deal over 5-6 years cause of his age. What if he experiences the same tough transition? Don't know the history of Cuban position players but I don't get that he's a sure thing. Soler seems a safer bet, possibly the better player and a longer term asset. I wouldn't have minded signing some long term free agent options, but you're always overpaying in those situations. I don't think it'll take as long as people think to be competitive again. They have to know that they have 1, maybe 2 years at best of patience and big market teams can do it a lot faster than the smaller markets.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

Also, I don't give a damn about being 'competitive' and/or 'contending' for the NL Central title. I've been waiting decades for the Cubs organization to put together a consistent contender that would win the Series.
That's like a politician saying that he doesn't give a damn about the primary, he only cares about the general election. It's a nice sentiment, but it doesn't work that way. Before the Cubs can ever worry about winning the World Series, they have to build a team that can compete in the NL Central. This is especially true with the unbalanced schedule. If the Cubs can't successfully compete against their NL Central counterparts, they have no chance of making the post season. Until the Cubs can be competitive in their division, the World Series is just a distant dream.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

That wasn't really my point, so let me clarify. What I hear Dr. Aaron and Crunch saying is that the Cubs should have been 'in' on Fielder/Pujols, Beltran, CJ Wilson with the payroll coming off the books. I interpret their posts as the Cubs should be fielding a playoff contending team in 2012 while re-building the crap this organization became under Hendry. All this because they're a 'big-market' team and should have a payroll to match. If I got any of this wrong, I'm sorry and mean no disrespect to those fine posters. What I am looking for Theo's group to do is produce a winning organization that does more than win the NL Central two years in a row and goes three and out in the NLDS. Obviously, you have to win your Division or the Wild Card to have a chance to play in the World Series. I'm shooting for an organization that is consistently in a position to make the World Series (e.g. like the Braves of the '90s). Eventually, like Atlanta you should win it all at least once. If Theo's group can do that, well, that would be really great.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

I think the playoffs are largely a crap-shoot. You need to build a team that can make the playoffs before you can worry about things past that. (part of the Milton Bradley folly) I agree that I want to see the minor league system to be more productive. I am thrilled that we are going to start focusing on plate discipline and fielding ability as well. My contention is that we shouldn't need to lose 100 games at the MLB level to effect these changes. Why can't we patchwork some short term contracts around what is at the MLB level and try to bridge a competitive team to these new prospects. Waiting on the kids Theo/Hoyer drafts to develop before spending money just seems giving up for the next several years. And many of these "rebuild' fans will tire of losing quickly if things stay bad around here. Winning or building a system should never have to be a choice in a big market. You can absolutely do both at the same time. Just as Boston, ANA, LAD, ATL and NYY have shown us over the last several years.

[ ]

In reply to by Vegas Brian

I'm sure you're talking about others as well, but I wouldn't describe my feeling right now as "excited." I think more like "patient" and "curious." Maybe "hopeful," but that one applies to nearly every offseason since 2003 or so. If the Cubs wanted an immediate turnaround in 2012, they needed to sign one of Fielder/Pujols, one of Wilson/Darvish, Aramis, maybe Beltran instead of DeJesus, and Reyes to push Castro to 2B wouldn't have hurt. I don't think the Cubs could have done that. I certainly don't think the Cubs could have done that and improved the farm system in order to build toward sustained success. I'm curious to hear specifics about what some think the Cubs needed to do to compete at the big league level and how they could've done that and improved the system.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

I'm making a few assumptions. 1. Some of these guys will be traded for some prospect return: Garza Soto Marmol Byrd Soriano Dempster (long shot) 2. Carlos Pena will sign with another club and get the Cubs another supplemental draft pick. The Cubs will end up with 4 picks in the top 75 or so, including the #6 pick. 3. Between now and next June or July when the CBA rules kick in for the international markets, the Cubs will spend a bunch of money grabbing up talented players for big money, boosting the farm. 4. The last crop of draftees/international signings will start making progress and at least some of them will provide positive returns. 5. The next offseason will produce more positive player turnover. Part of my optimism comes from the major league players that were added. I couldn't list them on the improvements to the farm system, but filling a position at least capably on the major league team takes pressure off the farm to rush a player. For example, if Rizzo mans 1B for the next four years with at least league average production, Vogelback won't be looked at as a savior to the position. Instead he'll be another in a line of promising players who could be traded or upgrade the major league team. That's kind of a trickle down effect, but I think it's real.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

from rotoworld, the original source links seem to be dead by this point. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs are working on a five-year contract worth between $75 and $85 million. The deal would include this season, which has Zambrano scheduled to make $12.4 million. It seems somewhat unlikely that Zambrano would agree to what is essentially a four-year extension with free agency and a possibly six- or seven-year deal right around the corner. Source: Chicago Sun-Times Mar 28 - 9:01 AM The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano are closing in on a five-year contract worth more than $80 million, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports. Source: FOXSports.com Apr 1 - 5:51 PM Carlos Zambrano has extended his Opening Day deadline for a contract extension. ''Our discussions have progressed to the point that we are going to extend the deadline for an indefinite period,'' Zambrano's agent Barry Praver said. The contract is expected to be five-years for between $80-$85 million. Zambrano's agents and the Cubs are in the process of finalizing the incentive clauses and opt-out clauses to complete the contract. Source: Chicago Sun-Times Apr 2 - 8:44 AM 4/40 must have been before 2006 or even 2005, considering he made $12.4M just in arbitration and McPhail was still there.

Things will change some more before March, certainly, but could you post the current depth chart for the minors? With all the movement of late, I'm curious where the Cubs stand at several positions, particularly at AA and AAA. If too much bother right now and holding off to later, no problem.....thx Phil.

AZ Phil: Now that 1B issues are somewhat clearer (LaHair/Rizzo/Vogelbach) and if LaHair sticks he moves to LF (if not, maybe the bench)...what do you think Josh Vitters projects to? What are his chances that he shows enough defense at 3B? and if not then LF and backup at 3B? ...or if he isn't showing enough defense regardless of his bat, then off to another organization? How long do you expect Hoystein and McLeod to have patience with Vitters future progress? None (he's being moved soon), Spring training, Mid-season, One more milb season? Please comment on how the timing/patience issue will devalue his tradability vs whether he should be an organizational keeper. David Kelton comes to mind. http://luolsdong.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-hell-happened-to-david-kelto…

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Sat, 01/07/2012 - 1:14pm — Cubster AZ Phil: Now that 1B issues are somewhat clearer (LaHair/Rizzo/Vogelbach) and if LaHair sticks he moves to LF (if not, maybe the bench)...what do you think Josh Vitters projects to? What are his chances that he shows enough defense at 3B? and if not then LF and backup at 3B? ...or if he isn't showing enough defense regardless of his bat, then off to another organization? How long do you expect Hoystein and McLeod to have patience with Vitters future progress? None (he's being moved soon), Spring training, Mid-season, One more milb season? Please comment on how the timing/patience issue will devalue his tradability vs whether he should be an organizational keeper. David Kelton comes to mind. =============================== CUBSTER: On a contending team, Bryan LaHair would be a 1B-LF-LHPH. I would have even platooned him with Alfonso Soriano last year, but Hendry was never a big fan of giving "4-A" guys much of a chance. As for Josh Vitters, I doubt very much that he will play 3B at the big league level. And wherever he does play, he will have defensive shortcomings. I would say his best defensive position would be either 1B (best) or LF (next-best). He did play some RF in the AFL and looked OK there, but I would rather play him at the less-demanding LF corner. I doubt that the new regime will have much patience with Vitters. It wouldn't surprise me to see him included in a trade at some point. BTW, I do think Vitters' bat will take him to the big leagues. He might not get there with the Cubs, but I believe he will be a solid MLB #5 hitter. Vitters was constantly being challenged by the Cubs Player Development Dept because they wanted to keep him motivated (he gives the impression of being extremely laid-back), so he was never able to spend an entire season at one stop until 2011. As soon as he showed any sign of mastering a particular level, he was immediately promoted. To get an idea of what Vitters can be, look at his numbers after he had a chance to adjust to each league (326/365/498 & the #1 prospect in the NWL as an 18-year old at Boise in 2008, 316/351/535 with 15 HR in 70 games as a 19-year old at Peoria in 2009, 291/350/445 as a 20-year old at Daytona in 2010, and 283/322/448 as a 21-year old at Tennessee in 2011). I can see why some people might compare Vitters to David Kelton, but Kelton had a career-limiting chronic shoulder problem that affected both his defense and his hitting. Kelton also had a weird mental block where he could not make accurate throws from 3B to 2B (he would either bounce the throw, or sail it into RF).

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I am very confident that he'll be the everyday 3B at third Iowa this year. His upside is definitely tied to his position, and as everyone has stated moving to LF/1B makes him look a lot worse. He can always improve on defense, and I believe he's made progress on it over the years (no basis for this statement other than random articles remembered) I don't think they promoted him fast because he was a high pick, but to continue challenging him. His low strikeout/low walk numbers prove that he has exceptional contact skills. Regardless of why, he has been moving at an elite pace with respect to age at different levels throughout his entire minor league career. You have to acknowledge that this could make him look worse as a prospect.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15800 A third-round pick in 2010 who signed for an over-slot bonus of $765,000, Cates had a 4.73 ERA in his full-season debut at Fort Wayne, but his peripherals were much better than that: He allowed just 107 hits over 118 innings and struck out 111. Cates is a converted catcher, and he still looks like a position player learning how to pitch. However, he has considerable potential based on his low- to mid-90s velocity. His control and command can waiver when he struggles to find consistency in his delivery, and his breaking ball is well behind his surprisingly solid changeup. Some scouts believe his power stuff and delivery are better suited for bullpen work, but he'll remain a starter until such a move is forced by need, injury, or continued inefficiencies. Nobody has every questioned Cashner's arm; he can consistently ramp his fastball into the upper 90s. The only question is what San Diego can—and will—do with him. Cashner was the best college closer in the 2007 draft, but the Cubs converted him to a starter because he had both a slider and a changeup. Early returns were impressive, but his first big-league role was back in the bullpen, and after struggling with shoulder problems in 2011, there is plenty of reason to believe he's just not designed to pitch 200 innings per year. Cashner has pure closer stuff, but his command has always been an issue. Reviews of his Arizona Fall League performances last November were lackluster, as he fell behind in the count far too often, and while his fastball possesses plenty of heat and sink, it also tends to elevate.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

This is great ROB G. I believe I was reading something from his Junior College where Cates, who indeed was a catcher, was leading his team with strikeouts while also being a catcher. So, one more emergency catcher for the Cubs. I am curious what the "one more move" will be for this team prior to the Convention? I cannot see them not getting the K Wood deal done at least.

"According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Angels have reached a four-year extension with Howie Kendrick." ...and there goes the only 2nd baseman in the post-2012 FA market worth a damn aside from a 32 year old brandon phillips...unless kelly johnson has a bounce-back season.

Jesus, this is ridiculous. Let's just take a poll now. Who officially wants to go on record as claiming they are smarter than Theo and company? Seriously ... You think they haven't considered the options, now and long term? Honestly? Cause they are too busy playing fantasy Walmart Cashier to do what they're paid to do and what they've dedicated their lives to? But no, the cubs fans, we're frickin geniuses ...

Castro article by David Haugh in the Trib including a Patrick Kane parallel...
During spring training with the Red Sox, Epstein invited professors from Northeastern University's Sport in Society Center to conduct seminars on violence prevention and anti-misogyny. Epstein plans the same for the Cubs.
Epstein is also bringing along the Red Sox's informal mentorship program which pairs young players with veterans. Next January, the Cubs plan to invite their top 12 to 15 prospects to Chicago for a two-week orientation on how to behave like a big leaguer.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0108-haugh-cu…

Boston Globe's Nick Cah-fah-do and his Sunday Baseball Cub Notes:
2. The Red Sox don’t seem interested, but the Cubs should have a buyer for Alfonso Soriano, since they’re willing to pick up most of the $54 million he is owed. The Orioles and Cubs have had conversations.
5. I think Theo Epstein is having fun dismantling and rebuilding the Cubs.
6. How is that compensation for Epstein coming? CEO Larry Lucchino still insists that the Red Sox are getting a quality player. “We fully believe we are entitled to such compensation,’’ he said. And when will this happen? “This offseason.’’
13. Kerry Wood is closing in on a one-year deal with the Cubs. He might have been a good fit for the Red Sox.

and Cafardo has an entirely new section for the Cubs called...Updates on Nine
1. Bryan LaHair, 1B, Cubs - After years of being told that he lacked something for the big leagues, the 29-year-old Worcester native is going to get his chance to be the Cubs starting first baseman, according to GM Theo Epstein. “I’m under the impression I’m going to get a chance to play every day,’’ said LaHair. “It’s been a long journey to get to this point, but when you get there, you don’t want to give it back.’’ LaHair hit .331 with 38 homers and 109 RBIs at Triple A Iowa last season and was Pacific Coast League MVP. On Friday, Epstein and Jed Hoyer reacquired their old Red Sox first base prospect Anthony Rizzo (from the Padres for righthander Andrew Cashner), and he will start the year at Iowa. Rizzo hit .331 with 26 homers and 101 RBIs in 93 Triple A games last season, but in his 153 major league plate appearances, he hit only .141. “It’s the right time for our organization to give [LaHair] the opportunity,’’ Epstein said.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2012/01/08/good_s…

And Beltran at 120 games is still better than David Dejesus, IMO. ---- I don't think anyone is saying that Beltran isn't a better power hitter than DeJesus, but the Cubs still don't have a leadoff hitter and Jedstein recognized this immediately and possibly that was why DDJ was their very first transaction. DDJ will have to do (unless Campana learns to hit the ball into the ground or Brett Jackson is deemed ready for mlb action)...therefore he does fill a current need albeit the Cubs needed upgrades everywhere with their 71 win power hitters (Pena and ARam, maybe Soriano too?) going away. Apparently the Cards GM/Mozeliak has said Beltran's batting 2nd so they don't need him in a 3-4-5 spot even without Pujols (so he's not really replacing Pujols in that context). Hendry kept dropping the leadoff hitter ball over and over since letting Lofton go, muffing on Furcal, losing Nolasco (which would have been a significant long term asset) for one year of a crappy Juan Pierre, and it only got worse from there as in Soriano, even as his legs fell off. Fukudome's failure to drive in runs led to him becoming the default leadoff guy because he takes walks. What was next for Hendry, resigning Pena for the leadoff spot? Fuk batting leadoff (2011): PA 399 (.251 .352 .351 .703) Fuk batting leadoff (career): PA843 (.242 .354 .357 .711) DDJ batting leadoff (2011): only had 52 PA in leadoff/2011 DDJ batting leadoff (career): PA 2930 (.292 .365 .437 .801) DeJesus has one major advantage over Beltran other than a more reasonable price tag, Defense. Statistically (as in Bill James style) he's a pretty big upgrade over Fukudome both in RF and statistically better to Fuk in the leadoff spot. Beltran based on bad knees is at best average these days in RF and is a Fukudome equivalent if they put him in CF. DeJesus' is (according to Bill James newest handbook) the 2nd-3rd best RF based on: Runs saved: JHayward (tied Best, +15), Tori Hunter (+15), DeJesus (+13)...Beltran (+2)...Fukudome (-1)...Pence (-5), Berkman (worst, -10) Plus/Minus: Hayward (Best, +30), DeJesus (+21), Beltran (+2), Fukudome (-10), Berkman (-17), Pence (worst, -19)

at the least we should see what a better defense does to a less than high end pitching staff. Soriano playing in LF and Castro at SS are the weakest links at this point and at least Castro has some upside. Significant defensive upgrades in RF and 3B. ARam has been there for so long, it will be interesting to see what impact Stewart's glove alone has. Anyone remember watching: Theriot play SS? He didn't last the season there in Stl. Soriano, Fukudome in CF anyone? ...Juan Pierre making throws from CF? It will be interesting to see how Soriano is handled (if they have to handle him at all).

Theo doesn't have a good FA track record. Hendry wasn't very good in the FA market either. I'm thinking at least we're not Ned Colletti bad (Hendry might have been worse). Current FA's remaining (worth mentioning): Fielder, Jackson, Kuroda, Saunders, Maholm Rostered FA's: Yankees: Sabathia, Burnett, Texeira, Garcia Boston: Jenks, Lackey, Matsuzaka, Crawford, Ortiz (not signed yet) Texas: Beltre, Darvish (maybe) Angels: Pujols, Hunter, Abreau, CJ Wilson, Hawkins, GMatthews Jr (just a reminder) Brewers: ARam, RWolf Cardinals: Beltran, Carpenter (rehab project), Furcal, Berkman, Romero Marlins: Reyes, Bell, Buerle Dodgers: Harang, Lilly, Capuano, Uribe, Kennedy, MacDougal Phillies: Papelbon, Rollins, D-Train, Polanco, Contreras http://www.sportscity.com/mlb/top-25-2012-mlb-free-agents/

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Love the Gomez quote about the vote. " He wasn't ever all that good. He doesn't deserve to be there. I just remember the time he shared that burrito with me. So he gets my vote over those other guys with all those stupid credentials." HOF voting has become the shammy-est of shams over my lifetime. Maybe it was always this ridiculous?

Assets, people, assets. Until opening day ALL Theo can be considered doing is building assets (including Ricketts' McDonalds, m-m-m-m-m). Tossing around names as starters, like Vitters, LaHair is ironic since they were AA players until Theo took over! Other than Castro and Soto, MAYBE Steward and DeJesus, nobody has ANY idea what the line up will look like opening day. Heck, you cannot tell me if we will resemble the Yankees in power numbers or the Astros come April 1st. I'm enjoying the ride, and cannot wait 'til the next move. Remember the Cubs have (most years) 2 HOME seasons: wind blowing in and wind blowing out. Not only do we need better defense but 3,4,5 SP and 3,4,5 replacements in case of injury in AAA/AA. That's a long way to go even if Prince is signed, which I think he will, with the Cubs -all it takes is a phone call from Dale - well, maybe a bit more than that. Meantime, it's nice to know we have a GM that doesn't order Pepto by the case and they already have Boston, San Diego and other divisional match-ups in their experiences (like the Yanks, Giants, Rays...etc.). Since '76 it has been possible to FA victory THIS year while building a dynasty, and now...now we have a fan-owner who cares about winning, cares about his employees on and off the field, and cares about the fans. THE most interesting thing will be the Wrigley rebuild since it must be planned now and finished by opening day 2014, our 3rd STRAIGHT YEAR IN THE PLAYOFFS. Beyond that prediction, I shall not curse...

MacPhail wouldn't budge off of 4/38.5. --- Close to the stupidity shown by Larry Himes in the Maddux "negotiation" circa fall 1992. Stuff like that suggests that unless they come up with a killer prospect trade for Garza soon, they need to lock him up in a deal similar to what Danks got.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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...