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

Ryan Dempster Day at Fitch Park

Greg Rohan singled, doubled, clubbed a three-run homer, and walked with the bases loaded, leading the Daytona Cubs to a 10-6 victory over the Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels Hi-A affiliate) on Field #3, and Wes Darvill smacked an RBI triple to give the Chiefs the lead and then scored on a Sergio Burruel RBI single to key a two-run 4th, as Peoria defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels “A” affiliate) 4-2 on Field #2, in Cactus League Minor League game action this afternoon at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ.

Named the Cubs Opening Day starter last week by Manager Dale Sveum, veteran RHP Ryan Dempster made the short trip to Fitch Park (instead of the long bus ride to Goodyear) and got the start for Daytona.

He was supposed to throw six innings or 90 pitches (whichever came first).

Pitching to a lineup of “A”-ball kids, Dempster allowed six runs on eight hits (including three triples) in five innings of work. He threw 88 pitches (58 strikes), with 50 of the pitches thrown over his final two innings, as he was obviously laboring, and possibly tiring, too. He walked one, struck out four, and unleashed one wild pitch, with an 3/8 GO/FO (he had trouble keeping his pitches down).

RHP Zach Cates was scheduled to start for Daytona today, but was switched to the Peoria game to accommodate Ryan Dempster. Cates (acquired from SD in the Anthony Rizzo-Andrew Cashner deal) threw four innings and allowed one run on four hits and a walk, with two strikeouts.

There have been a number of roster moves at Minor League Camp over the past couple of days, including CF Jae-Hoon Ha from the Iowa squad to the Tennessee squad, CF Matt Szczur from AA Tennessee to Daytona, 2B-OF Zeke DeVoss, C Rafael Lopez, and OF John Andreoli from Tennessee to Peoria, RF Reggie Golden and CF Pin-Chieh Chen from Daytona to Peoria, and SS Javier Baez, 1B Dan Vogelbach, C Neftali Rosario, OF Trey Martin and several others from Peoria to Boise/Mesa.

As usual, players and pitchers from the Boise/Mesa squad were dispersed among the four full-season squads who played games today (AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa played the Angels AA and AAA squads at Diablo Park in Tempe), and several of the ones who did not travel to Tempe saw game action for Peoria or Daytona.

Although the Chiefs and D-Cubs were leading their games after 8-1/2 innings, the bottom of the 9th was played in both games so that all of the Angels pitchers who were scheduled to throw today could get their work in, and a top half of the 10th inning was played on Field #2 so that Cubs RHP Jin-Young Kim could get an inning of work.

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games played at Fitch Park (Cubs players only)

FITCH PARK FIELD #2

PEORIA LINEUP:
1a. Zeke DeVoss, 2B-DH: 2-4 (1B, 4-3, 1B, 4-3, R)
1b. SLOT WAS SKIPPED 5th TIME THRU ORDER
2. Arismendy Alcantara, SS-3B: 1-4 (F-9, 1B, L-8, BB, 3-U, R, SB)
3. Rafael Lopez, DH-C: 1-4 (1B, 4-3, 4-3, BB, F-8)
4a. Reggie Golden, RF: 0-2 (F-8 SF, K, K, RBI)
4b. Jeffrey Baez, RF: 0-1 (5-4 FC, RBI)
5. Paul Hoilman, 1B: 0-3 (1B, F-7, BB, F-7)
6. John Andreoli, LF: 1-3 (4-3, 1B, BB, 5-3, R)
7a. Wes Darvill, 3B: 1-3 (F-8, 3B, 3-1, R, RBI)
7b. Marco Hernandez, SS: 0-1 (6-3)
8a. Sergio Burruel, C-DH: 1-3 (3-U, 1B, F-8, RBI)
8b. Brian Inoa, PH: 0-0 (BB)
9a. Pin-Chieh Chen, CF: 1-2 (2B, K)
9b. Shawon Dunston, Jr, CF: 0-2 (4-3, F-8)
10a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED 1st TWO TIMES THRU ORDER
10b. Kenny Socorro, 2B: 0-2 (P-6, 5-3)

PEORIA PITCHERS:
1. Zach Cates: 4.0 IP, 4 H 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 54 pitches (35 strikes), 5/5 GO/FO
2. Carlos Martinez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 26 pitches (15 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
3. Ramon Garcia: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 27 pitches (20 strikes), 4/2 GO/FO
4. Bryce Shafer: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 8 pitches (6 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Jin-Young Kim: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 7 pitches (6 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO

PEORIA ERRORS: 2
1. P Zach Cates - E1 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base)
2. C Sergio Burruel - E2 (errant throw on stolen base attempt at 2nd base allowed runner to advance to 3rd)

PEORIA CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Sergio Burruel: 1-2 CS, 1 E (see above)

FITCH PARK FIELD #3

DAYTONA LINEUP:
1. Matt Szczur, DH #1: 2-5 (K, 1-2 FC, 1B, 2B, 5-3, 3 R)
2. Elliot Soto, SS: 2-4 (6-3, BB, 1B, 1B, E-6, R, 2 RBI, CS)
3. Rubi Silva, LF: 1-5 (F-8, E-6, 1B, 3-1, E-6, R)
4. Greg Rohan, 3B: 3-4 (2B, BB, L-7, 1B, HR, R, 4 RBI, PO)
5. Richard Jones, 1B: 3-5 (K, 3-1, 1B, 1B, 2B, R, RBI)
6. Abner Abreu, RF: 1-5 (6-3, 4-3, 6-3 DP, 2B, F-8, RBI)
7. Dustin Harrington, 2B: 3-5 (1B, 1B, 1B, K, 4-3, R)
8a. Micah Gibbs, C: 0-2 (K, F-8)
8b. Anthony Giansanti, C: 2-3 (2B, P-4, 1B, 2 RBI)
9. Trey Martin, CF: 1-2 (BB, HBP, K, 1B, R)
10. Dan Vogelbach, DH #2: 0-3 (BB, 4-3, K, 4-3, R)

DAYTONA PITCHERS:
1. Ryan Dempster: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R (6 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 88 pitches (58 strikes), 3/8 GO/FO
2. Eduardo Figueroa: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 23 pitches (17 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
3. Jeff Lorick: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 17 pitches (10 strikes), 1/0 GO/FO
6. James Pugliese: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 14 pitches (8 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO

DAYTONA ERRORS: 3
1. P Ryan Dempster - E1 (errant pick-off attempt at 2nd base allowed runner to advance to 3rd)
2. 1B Richard Jones - E3 (dropped pop-up in foul territory extending AB)
3. 3B Greg Rohan - E5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

DAYTONA CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Micah Gibbs: 0-3 CS

ATTENDANCE: 51

WEATHER: Overcast and breezy with temperatures in the 80’s

Comments

Thanks Phil! How does Greg Rohan look at 3B to you? His fielding stats have been very poor there, but it seems like the Cubs would really like to develop him as a backup 3B/1B. Also, do you know any of the players' contract situations that might be assigned to Iowa (i.e. Amezaga, Tolbert, E Gonzalez, R Lopez, Jaramillo, etc.)? Can any of them refuse a minor league assignment and become free agents? If they can, do you think any of them will? Thanks!!!

[ ]

In reply to by Wrigley Rat

Sun, 03/25/2012 - 6:53pm — Wrigley Rat Thanks Phil! How does Greg Rohan look at 3B to you? His fielding stats have been very poor there, but it seems like the Cubs would really like to develop him as a backup 3B/1B. Also, do you know any of the players' contract situations that might be assigned to Iowa (i.e. Amezaga, Tolbert, E Gonzalez, R Lopez, Jaramillo, etc.)? Can any of them refuse a minor league assignment and become free agents? If they can, do you think any of them will? Thanks!!! =================================== W RAT: Greg Rohan is a poor defensive third-baseman, but right now there is a hole at 3B at Daytona, and Rohan is a good hitter, so that's where the Cubs decided to put him. His best defensive position is 1B, or maybe LF (or DH). And he really should be at AA Tennessee, not Daytona. As post-2011 Article XX-B MLB free-agents who signed a minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, both Rodrigo Lopez and Trever Miller automatically get a $100K roster bonus if not released by March 30th (five days prior to MLB Opening Day) or placed on the MLB 40-man roster by MLB Opening Day. Both would also get automatic opt out rights on June 1st if not added to an MLB 40-man roster by that date (and the opt-out can only be exercised on that date). I don't know if any of the other veteran NRI guys you mentioned have a special opt-out clause in their contract. A lot times we don't find out about special opt-out clauses until something happens. But there is no MLB roster rule that prohibits assigning a player signed to a minor league contract to a minor league club.

CUBS MINOR LEAGUE CAMP ROSTERS (3/25) NOTE: Players listed as "INACTIVE?" have disappeared & may have been released * bats or throws left # bats both IOWA (34) PITCHERS (19): Dallas Beeler * Jeff Beliveau Alberto Cabrera Esmailin Caridad Marco Carrillo Hung-Wen Chen (INACTIVE?) * John Gaub Marcus Hatley Jay Jackson Oswaldo Martinez * Brooks Raley Kevin Rhoderick * Nate Robertson * Ryan Rowland-Smith * Chris Rusin Brian Schlitter Ryan Searle Nick Struck Casey Weathers CATCHERS (3): Juan Apodaca # Jason Jaramillo Mario Mercedes (INACTIVE?) INFIELDERS (9) Leugim Barroso * Adrian Cardenas Jonathon Mota Rebel Ridling * Anthony Rizzo Nate Samson # Bobby Scales Marquez Smith Josh Vitters OUTFIELDERS (3): * Jim Adduci * Brett Jackson Ty Wright TENNESSEE (27) PITCHERS (14): * Jeffry Antigua Frank Batista Dan Berlind * Frank del Valle * Casey Harman Ty’Relle Harris * Eric Jokisch Matt Loosen * Andrew McKirahan Trey McNutt Dae-Eun Rhee Juan Serrano Larry Suarez Tony Zych CATCHERS (2) Michael Brenly Chad Noble INFIELDERS (7) * Justin Bour * Matt Cerda Pierre LePage (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Junior Lake # David Macias (INACTIVE?) * Jake Opitz (INACTIVE?) * Logan Watkins OUTFIELDERS (4) * Michael Burgess Jae-Hon Ha Taiwan Easterling Nelson Perez DAYTONA (27) PITCHERS (12) * Kyler Burke (ex-OF) Zach Cates * Gerardo Concepcion Eduardo Figueroa P. J. Francescon * Austin Kirk Luis Liria * Jeff Lorick A. J. Morris Jose Rosario * Matt Spencer (ex-OF) Brett Wallach CATCHERS (2): Anthony Giansanti (ex-OF) # Micah Gibbs INFIELDERS (7): * Ryan Cuneo Dustin Harrington * Richard Jones Greg Rohan * Rubi Silva Elliot Soto Ronald Torreyes OUTFIELDERS (6): Abner Abreu Xavier Batista Eliecer Bonne Evan Crawford (INACTIVE - MEDICAL) Mayke Reyes (INACTIVE?) Matt Szczur PEORIA (27) PITCHERS (14) * Hunter Ackerman * Willengton Cruz Ramon Garcia Ryan Hartman Michael Jensen Su-Min Jung Carlos Martinez * Sheldon McDonald Bryce Shafer Hayden Simpson Charles Thomas (ex-3B) Yao-Lin Wang Ben Wells Joe Zeller CATCHERS (3): * Sergio Burruel Wilson Contreras (ex-3B) * Rafael Lopez INFIELDERS (6): # Arismendy Alcantara * Wes Darvill # Zeke DeVoss Paul Hoilman Dustin Geiger # Marco Hernandez OUTFIELDERS (4): John Andreoli Yasiel Balaguert * Pin-Chieh Chen Reggie Golden BOISE/MESA (57) PITCHERS (27) Jose Arias David Cales (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Ian Dickson Ethan Elias (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Ricardo Estevez (see NOTE) Dustin Fitzgerald (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) David Henrie * Graham Hicks (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Jin-Young Kim Pete Levitt Dillon Maples (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Hector Mayora Tarlandus Mitchell (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Yoannis Negrin (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Starling Peralta (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Felix Pena Roderik Pichardo James Pugliese Austin Reed Colin Richardson (INACTIVE?) * Zac Rosscup (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Tayler Scott Bryce Shafer * Brian Smith Austin Urban (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Scott Weismann Rob Whitenack (ACTIVE REHAB) NOTE: Ricardo Estevez is on the RESTRICTED LIST, but he is participating in Minor League Camp activities CATCHERS (9): Yaniel Cabezas (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Taylor Davis Luis Flores (see NOTE) Nate Maldonado (INACTIVE - player-coach) * Justin Marra * Alberto Mineo (INACTIVE - may have returned to Italy) * Wilfredo Petit Neftali Rosario Antonio Valerio (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) NOTE: Luis Flores is on the RESTRICTED LIST, but he is participating in Minor League Camp activities INFIELDERS (12): Luis Acosta Gioskar Amaya Javier Baez # Jeimer Candelario Ryan Durrence (INACTIVE?) # Brian Inoa * Danny Lockhart Carlos Penalver # Rock Shoulders Kenny Socorro * Dan Vogelbach Brad Zapenas OUTFIELDERS (9): * Delbis Arcila Jeffrey Baez * Shawon Dunston * Eduardo Gonzalez * Trevor Gretzky (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) Dong-Yub Kim Trey Martin * Garrett Schlecht (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY) # Oliver Zapata

Hey Should we read anything into this latest movement of Baez and other high ceiling kids to Boise? Is this, as some have argued, a way for the Cubs, the "new" Cubs, to indoctrinate their key youngsters on the "Cubs way"? Or is this just another blip, and we'll see some of them back up as they decide which of the older guys can't hack it. Also, should this be viewed as a positive sign for Marco Hernandez's chances to start at Peoria? Any thoughts on him early this spring? Thanks. Best.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Sun, 03/25/2012 - 8:00pm — toonsterwu Should we read anything into this latest movement of Baez and other high ceiling kids to Boise? Is this, as some have argued, a way for the Cubs, the "new" Cubs, to indoctrinate their key youngsters on the "Cubs way"? Or is this just another blip, and we'll see some of them back up as they decide which of the older guys can't hack it. Also, should this be viewed as a positive sign for Marco Hernandez's chances to start at Peoria? Any thoughts on him early this spring? ========================================== TOONSTER: Although the Cubs will not say this, I strongly suspect the young prospects are remaining in Mesa so that they can get indoctrinated into the "Cubs Way"as a group. As for Marco Hernandez, right now it looks like he will start the 2012 season at Peoria. I guess it's possible that the Cubs might go with just three middle-uinfielders in Peoria (DeVoss, Alcantara, and Darvill), but I don't think there will be any more INF drop-downs from Daytona, other than maybe Ryan Cuneo (who could alternate at 1B-DH with Paul Hoilman and maybe get some reps in LF). Darvill is developing into a 2B-SS-3B guy (solid defender at both 2B and 3B, BTW), and Alcantara has been playing 2B-SS-3B, too. I think both Darvill and Alcantara will be at Peoria on Opening Day, but what would hurt Hernandez's chances of starting the season at Peoria is if Alcantara becomes the Chiefs everyday SS. So far that hasn't happened, but it could. The team that's probably going to be a bit of a drag to follow is Daytona. There's Matt Szczur, Ronald Torreyes, and probably Taiwan Easterling (who is still with the Tennessee squad), but otherwise (as things stand right now) the position-players who will be at Daytona are not among the Cubs better prospects.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Thanks. I really don't see the point of having Alcantara as the main shortstop ahead of Hernandez. We've been there and done that with Arismendy, but well, maybe they want to indoctrinate Marco as well. Yeah, Daytona's looking pretty thin, but that was somewhat expected since that was the crew in Peoria last year (and the reason why a lot of fans looked at the minors and were troubled with the lack of talent). The pitching side looks pretty good if most of the guys stay there (and considering the youth or intrigue with several of the guys, I wonder if many of them hold firm there and we end up with more guys in the upper levels being cut). Three quick Daytona questions - 1. How does Giansanti look at C? I guess I'd have to have hope that he could hit as well for him to be a key prospect, but curious if he can hack it back there. 2. I liked a bit (at one point, thought he would be more intriguing than Ridling/Bour). I recall a big uppercut to his swing. Any thoughts on his offensive development? 3. Do you know if they are working Rosario as a pen arm or a starter in Daytona?

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 11:00am — toonsterwu Three quick Daytona questions - 1. How does Giansanti look at C? I guess I'd have to have hope that he could hit as well for him to be a key prospect, but curious if he can hack it back there. 2. I liked a bit (at one point, thought he would be more intriguing than Ridling/Bour). I recall a big uppercut to his swing. Any thoughts on his offensive development? 3. Do you know if they are working Rosario as a pen arm or a starter in Daytona? ============================== TOONSTER: 1. Anthony Giansanti has been a pleasant surprise behind the plate so far. He sets up properly, moves well with the pitch, recevies the ball without boxing it, and (of course) he has a cannon for an arm. Not all catching conversions work-out (Matt Cerda, Jae-Hoon Ha, Brandon May, et al), but some do (Robinson Chirinos), and I would say right now it looks like Giansanti might be one of the successful ones. 2. If you're talking about Daytona #1 1B Richard Jones, he does have an extreme uppercut swing with plus-power, but he is also an aggressive hacker who doesn't take a lot of walks. And he is below-average defensively at 1B, too. (He was a catcher in college and in his first year in pro ball, but didn't have the defensive skills necessary to stay there). I would be surprised if he ever gets past AA. 3. Jose Rosario has been stretched out as a starter/piggy-backer at Minor League Camp. He has thrown the ball very well so far, certainly better than most of the pitchers presently assigned to the Daytona squad. (I would expect at least a half-dozen pitchers to drop to Daytona from Tennessee this week). He probably profiles as a late-inning reliever at the higher levels, but I would think that the Cubs would want him to get as many innings as possible under his belt in the meantime.

Some notables missing from your rosters above (any ideas where they are?): - Justin Berg (Injured) - Rafael Valdes - Brent Ebinger - Blair Springfield - Gregori Gonzalez (previously MIA) - Ben Klafczynski - Jordan Latham - Yohan Gonzalez - Cam Greathouse

[ ]

In reply to by Wrigley Rat

Random comment on Jordan Latham that I've made elsewhere - I remember being fairly high on him once upon a time. One of the final DnF's if I recall correctly (along with Jovan Rosa and I want to say one more). At the very least, I thought he'd make a nice power arm, and I really wanted to see him in the rotation. A few years back, when both were roughly at the same level, I never thought Blake Parker would become the better pen prospect. Everything went downhill after ... the issue that happened for him. (granted, one might not have to do with the other, as it's quite possible he would've faltered anyways, but I just use that as a point of reference in his timeline).

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

TOONSTER: You have a good memory! RHP Jordan Latham, RHP-OF Marcus Hatley, 3B Jovan Rosa, and RHP Cedric Redmond were the last four DNFs signed by the Cubs (2007). All four were JC guys. I remember writing about them here at TCR when they reported to Extended Spring Training at Fitch Park in 2007. Hatley was a power-hitting CF at Palomar, but the Cubs immediately converted him to RHP after he signed. As a result, he was a bit slow to develop, and then his progress was further delayed by TJS post-2009. Rosa was a 22nd round pick in 2006, but by May 2007 his draft stock was sky-high (he was projected to possibly be a Top 5 round pick), and so the Cubs gave him $180K to sign as a DNF before the 2007 draft. (He also was a transfer recruit to NC State). Latham was a definite closer prospect and was Arizona State's top JC recruit in 2007, but the Cubs gave him a $100K bonus (he would have been a Top 10 round pick in the 2007 draft). Latham threw 94+ when he was drafted by the Cubs in 2006, and he and Chris Huseby (who had just completed his TJS rehab and was finally 100%) were brought to Fitch Park (at the same time) that summer for additional work-outs ("live" BP) and to get the Cubs "best final offer." Huseby got what he wanted ($1.3M bonus - "1st round money" at the time), but Latham did not. So he went back to the College of Southern Idaho (Scott Eyre's JC alma mate, BTW) for another year, and the Cubs Northwest area scout continued to monitor him. For those of you who don't remember the old "Draft & Follow" (DNF) rule, prior to the 2006 CBA clubs could sign JC players and college seniors they had drafted the previous June up until one week prior to the next June Draft (Rule 4 Draft). The problem was that players could not sign during the school year (unless the player dropped out of school) and until their college team's season was over, so it gave clubs a fairly short window between the conclusion of the college baseball season and the June draft to sign DNFs. (The JC season ends in May, but players on four-year college teams playing in the College World Series could not sign as DNFs because their team's season was still in progress as of one week prior to the June draft). DNF used to be a big deal, especially for area scouts. They had to monitor the organization's DNF candidates in their area fairly regularly during the next season, get a good read on their current draft value and college transfer options, and try and ascertain what kind of bonus they might want.

Hung-Wen Chen say he want CUBS to release him (or RETIRE) and join CPBL baseball league. Indeed,at this time.He didnnot move his ass to U.S.A. but stay in National Sports Training Center(Taiwan) in Fact,Hung-Wen Chen hate CUBS :-p i dont care....lawl

[ ]

In reply to by dassault

Hung-Wen Chen was at Minor League Camp at Fitch Park as recently as ten days ago, but he has since disappeared. Chen was not happy when he was assigned to AA Tennessee at the start of the 2011 season, so (with his permission) he was " loaned" to Capeche (where he developed into one of the top closers in the Mexican League), before returning to the U. S. and being assigned to Iowa in August when the Mexican League playoffs were over. So it's possible that the Cubs are working out a deal to once again either loan or sell his contract to a team in the Mexican League, or maybe sell his contract to a team in Taiwan or Japan. No matter where he ends up this season, Chen will almost certainly be a member of Team Chinese Taipei in the WBC next spring.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Sounds like he likes Barney to bat 2nd as of now. Prediction for Opening Day: Dejesus, Barney, Castro, LaHair, Soriano, Soto, Stewart, Byrd, Dempster, barf, fart, d'oh.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

where was sveum when i was bitching about soriano not needing the leadoff spot to "get more fastballs" as if they're going to load him up with what he can hit the best solely because he's leading off? hell, he'd probably fare hitting 2nd under that guise with a legit hitter behind him in the 3 slot...2 isn't a good slot for him, though.

The Cubs have signed 36-year old RHRP Shawn Camp to a minor league contact. I would presume he'll get an NRI. He was released by Seattle last week after pitching fairly well in Cactus League games. He pitched as recently as last Monday (against the Cubs, BTW), and so he should be ready to pitch in games right away.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I never followed him in the AL, but he seems like a pretty consistent reliever. Lefties hit him pretty hard, though. I wonder if they see him making the team if someone goes on the DL, or if they expect him to report to Iowa and be ready when needed. Sonnanstine was a bust. I don't think Corpas is getting a real chance to make the club. Robertson and Rowland-Smith have major league experience, but don't look like they're going to make a team (even in the minors). Camp seems to be that valuable arm with major league experience that everyone needs to have in the waiting. Good signing.

I haven't seen enough games to judge, but how has Soriano looked in the field this spring? It seems like he's shown up with something to prove with the bat (he was terrible last spring). Any possibilities he's in for a rebound year (prior to a trade, I hope!)?

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?

  • 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.