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

Saturday funnies: Travis Wood fails to break Cubs' pitching record.

 

 

Travis Wood allowed a home run in each of the first 5 innings of yesterdays latest loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, this one 6 to 9.
That tied some kind of record with the 5 consecutive innings, but it also tied a more personal team record of 5 homers allowed in the same game by a single Cub pitcher.
The others were Carlos Zambrano, Ismael Valdez, Steve Stone and Warren Hacker (who pitched for the Cubs from 1948 - 1956).

But there were signs of life yesterday, and the Cubs did score more runs than in the entire last series so, you know, not that bad for this year.
Anthony Rizzo, he looks like he puts about as much effort into his swing as it takes me to hit this "X" key.

Ready?

X

See how easy that was?
Only Rizzo's effort produces a number on the scoreboard at Wrigley and generates fabulous crowd excitement.
Mine's just a stupid X. 

(I was searching for a subject for today's drawing, and found it here. Thanks Cubster!)

Comments

My dumb predictions, but I'll stick by 'em: Dempster: going to braves (darkhorses Yankees/BoSox) Soto and Maholm: White Sox Reed Johnson and Camp: Tigers Garza and LaHair: Dodgers (backup: Texas or BoSox) Soriano: Rays (Darkhorses Dodgers Yankees) Bonus: Marmol DOES get traded (no idea where unless Cubs pay all his salary - then I say Braves).

So what’s still available on the pitching market? Ryan Dempster, obviously. We won’t rehash his resume, since we’ve done it a half-dozen times in the past couple of weeks. Suffice to say, I think if you’re going to give up a top-10 prospect – one, not multiple top-10 prospects — for a rental player, he’d be a reasonable one to do it for, given his seasonal and recent performance, the fact he badly wants another trip to the postseason and to finish strong in his free-agent walk year, and this: In the past three seasons, he’s 9-5 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 August starts, with 99 strikeouts in 106-1/3 innings, and 6-7 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 September starts, with 95 strikeouts in 110-1/3 innings. And no, neither he nor the Braves have ruled out the deal, despite all the water under that bridge. Still won’t surprise me if it happens. http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/28/braves-wouldnt-make…

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Agreed! Ideally: 1.) Dempster goes to braves for Delgado. Cubs give extra cash and/or a player like Soto Marmol or Reed Johnson to compensate for the shit storm. 2.) Garza goes to LA with Soriano and a shitload of $$ for Zach Lee and/or Alan Webster and change. then I stop whining like a baby and once again feel there is a purpose in the universe that knows the Cubs exist!! ha! I won't hold my breath . . .

I guess the Dempster for Brian Roberts deal is off the table. Again. --- Per Rotoworld: Brian Roberts - 2B - Orioles Brian Roberts will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a right labral hip tear. Roberts realized the hip wasn't going to get any better after playing in a rehab game Saturday and decided to have the surgery now so he can be ready for the start of spring training. The rehab will take 4-6 months, so he'll have to avoid setbacks if he indeed wants to be ready for the first drills in Sarasota.

new GM...same as the old GM... SD signs H.Street to a 2/$14m extension...because a team with already existing decent pen arms needs to spend 1/8th of their payroll on a closer. decent deal...but for a $50-$60m team? ...from the team that made ernesto frieri expendable for a utility/bench guy.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

So I rarely post, but since the "they can do both" argument is being repeated again I think it's worth pointing out how difficult this new CBA makes it to do both. You all know the CBA rules, so I won't repeat them, but singing anyone who has received the QO is out of the question for the Cubs, who value the draft as highly as any improvement opportunity. They will not give up a first or second round pick (I know the first will be protected) due to the loss of draft spending pool . So if you want to spend on a bunch on non-QO guys, then yes, to some extent, you can do both. But that will just result in more DeJesus's and Maholm's. So I sure hope the people who are bitching about not doing both now aren't going to bitch when we sign the next crop of second tier FA's this offseason.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

All that seems like it could still happen. Why rush into it? The scouting, minor leagues and facilities (like batting cages and clubhouse under the field) all need to be closely looked at first, and that has at least taken 1/2 a season. Even though the flaws are pretty obvious, getting the right people in place, scouting new players, etc., does take time, and no one wants to panic spend or panic trade until The Cub Way is put in (yes, I believe, heck, we've tried everything else). I think you will see some spending - just not right away. Not many people can put a jigsaw puzzle together in a few minutes... epilogue - I would like to see some Ameritrade money go into a Wrigley refurb, too, before the centennial year. No Gov. money unless they tax the White Sox for it...

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

"I seem to remember some fool who was all over the LaHair band wagon and jumping down my throat" I doubt that was me. I rarely jump down anyone's throat about anything here. I just don't get emotionally invested in sports the way I used to. I have, however, always been on the LaHair bandwagon. So, I'm not convinced yet LaHair is done. He still gets a league high average of pitches per plate appearance. A lot of his strikeouts seem like he is just not seeing the ball well right now, and he has fallen into that trap that any slumping player, such as Josh Hamilton, gets into: trying too hard. I'd like to see how this plays out as the season goes on. It's not like he is holding anybody back by playing, and it's not like the Cubs are contending. I'd be more concerned if the players hadn't voted him as an All Star. When your peers show that kind of respect, there is something there.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/14088559-419/ryan-dempsters-trade-saga-i… Could this bozo possibly be a bigger dick about this? This is not free agency, they are trade options and require: A.) anticipating the obvious and being ready WHILE THE TRADE IS ON THE TABLE. B.) recognizing that trades are hard to make even without veto rights and that is why Theo approached him early and tried to take his preferences in order. Respect and common sense come into play. I am convinced he is having a very emotional reaction and probably doesn't want to leave. I've never seen anything like it. Have you guys? It seems he thinks there will be a bunch of options laid in front of him at 2:55 Tuesday and he'll get out his magnifying glass and make a decision. Wtf?

After reading that Sun-Times article, I've just come to the conclusion that Dempster is not a very smart human being. And terribly unprofessional... Also certain is this: His reluctance to waive his hard-earned no-trade rights for a deal to the Atlanta Braves last week had nothing to do with the ‘‘personal issues’’ Braves general manager Frank Wren repeatedly mentioned when talking about the would-be trade. So let's stop waving that excuse around.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

So Rob, I obviously agree. If you were Cubs do you cut and run with the best available deal if possible? Or do you hold to your guns, requiring a top prospect, and risk keeping him around all year and risk him accepting the $12mil next year. (If indeed those are the available options). I was clearly in the former, but after reading the suntimes article and knowing how pissed Theo reportedly is . . . maybe the damn Dodgers get their way - a cheap deal? But Theo is notoriously unemotional . . . maybe he holds onto him and lets Sveum look at his beard all year when Theo doesn't have to . . . and evaluates it in October.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/7/30/3200012/prospect-josh-vitters-… "I had given Vitters a rating downgrade pre-season, giving him a C+ grade and kicking him out of the Cubs Top 10 prospects, though I still had him at #11. Although his game still has flaws, I think he's made enough progress to move his grade back up to B-. Depending on what happens in August, and what the final scouting reports (especially about his defense) indicate, he could end up a notch higher at Grade B. Either way, his stock is back up, and he will be in the Cubs Top 10 again for 2013."

Ken Rosenthal‏@Ken_Rosenthal Holdup in Dempster talks remains quality of prospects #Cubs would receive from #Dodgers. Want actual talent back.

I wonder what kind of a market there is or isn't for DeJesus. His name hasn't been mentioned much, so I doubt any, but the fact that there is apparently a market for Denard Span means a guy like DDJ, with identical numbers and a slightly preferable contract, might be worth a chip to someone. I'm happy keeping the guy as I like what he brings to the field. He's earning his money this year, which is both a veiled compliment and critique for a veteran. He's certainly preferable to a Campana/Mather combo. But if his rights can be swapped for a decent pitching prospect, he's certainly expendable.

With 24 hours to go, it's not over yet. But considering the Cubs haven't done anything at all at this time indicates they're in line to be one of the big losers of the deadline this year. It's not all on management - Garza got hurt, Dempster is acting non-predictably, and LaHair as of late couldn't hit a tree in the forest. But the fact that no one has left at all - Camp, Soto, Johnson, Maholm, Soriano and cash, Marmol and cash, Baker, and the above-named guys are all still on this team - means that things have not gone according to plan. I don't mean to write the obit while the patient's still on the deathbed, but even at this time I think it's fair to say this hasn't gone wonderfully. There's only 24 hours left to "acquire more assets," as TheoThink would state.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

You will have to admit that the trades have been down in general this year, except for major players - which we are not. Things are changed now with the current rules in place and lots more teams are in the hunt still Grienke got a nice haul, or a nice player. The Phillies made a huge investment. Sox got an injury risk just like Peavey. The Tigers deal was really sweet for them, but the Marlins did ok. The other big dominoes have not fallen yet. If the shot is not there, why take it? They still have control of many of the players talked about - except for Demp.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I would think that the Cubs will be very active (trade-wise) in August, since that's when a lot of contending teams look to set-up their post-season rosters prior to the 8/31 post-season roster eligibility deadline. Post-2012 FA who aren't candidates to receive a "Qualifying Offer" like Reed Johnson, Shawn Camp, and Jeff Baker will probably get traded in August (albeit only for marginal prospects), likewise arbitration-eligible (and non-tender) candidates like Geovany Soto and Manuel Corpas. One pitcher who should be in demand among some of the contenders is Paul Maholm, because he is a "hot" starting pitcher who is signed to a reasonable contract and who is under control through the 2013 season.

Almost all tweets right now are saying one of three things: 1) cubs are bending over backwards and want to grant Dempster his dodgers' wish. 2) specifically saying dodgers have taken Lee, Webster, and Reed off table. 3) cubs need real talent to make deal. Y'all smell a theo PR campaign here? I do: I think those are Chicago leaks setting Dempster up to go to Atlanta. Hope it works!

I saw this on Arguello's blog the other day. It's a video attached to a tweet by Matt Cerda. Cerda comments, "check out this catch by @superSZCZ4 (Matt Szczur) of your Daytona Cubs. Top ten worthy!" A stationary camera behind home plate shows a ball driven high and deep toward center field, never to reappear in the frame. What does appear dimly in the distance is an outfielder (Szczur) streaking from right to left--and back--and then diving. From beginning to end, Szczur is never out of the frame, except at the very end when he has either gone slightly too far to the left, or else is hidden by the curve of the field (since he's flat on the ground and nearer the wall than where he started). I just find the sequence fascinating, not so much for ball fans--you don't get a good look at the play--as much as for video buffs (like a son of mine) who tend to appreciate maximal capture with minimal editing and camera movement.

Ryan Dempster is a jack wagon. The Cubs owe him?!? What, paying you $52 million over the last 4 years for a middling 2009 thru 2011 isn't enough?!? This from the same douche bag who said in the aftermath of the Cubs getting swept by the Dodgers in the 2008 playoffs...and I quote..."I wasn't ready for playoff baseball." Guess that explains the 7 walk outing in Game 1, huh. I don't care if TheJedi trade Dempster for a can of spinach...just get rid of him. He's self-entitlement and me first attitude makes me want to vomit. Gee, I wonder why the guy's marriage broke up.

I was just working on a Dempster twitter-stop equation: (Salary / (salary - #followers))+300*number of foundations you have in your hometown + 2 * the % chance you will end up on espn = # minutes you wait before you tweet after a nap. So if you make $30k and you have 256 followers and no foundations and espn doesnt care, you must wait about 1 minute before you tweet after a nap. However if you make $10mil and you have 15,000 followers and 1 foundation + 99% chance espn reports on it, you must wait 499 minutes or 8.3 hours before you tweet after a nap.

Theo and Jed are reduced to the following options... 1. Trade Dempster to the Dodgers for whatever warm body they are willing to provide. The cancer that is Dempster needs to be removed. Dempster stole all the leverage the Cubs had, so its time to dump him. 2. Hope like heck Garza has an outstanding final two months, thereby raising his off-season trade value to a contender. He's the only trading chip to get desperately needed young pitching potential into the organization. 3. Pray to heavens that Maples or some of the 2012 pitching draftees develop in a BIG HURRY. 4. Curse Hendry some more.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

You're right. Ryan Dempster is a swell fella and there are zero hard feelings between him and the Cub front office. It IS my opinion that the guy is a cancer. He torpedeoed a trade to Atlanta having told Theo and Jed that the Braves were an acceptable destination. This being the same douche bag who said "he wasn't ready to play playoff baseball" in aftermath of getting smoked in game 1 of the Dodgers v. Cubs playoff series in 2008. And he's got the arrogance and ignorance to say the Cubs "owe him" for his 9 years of service...this for a pitcher who is currenty playing on a $52 million contract foolishly handed over by Diamond Jim Hendry in aftermath of the 2008 playoff debacle. He loves the country club atmosphere of the Jim Hendry regime...that's why he so vehemently objects to leaving Chicago.

lolol...d.barney with a 3 run homer that bounces out of the park off the back of the bleachers. nailed. i know a lot of people look at the 10-120 record and want to pass judgement, but if you haven't been watching there's been some good cubs baseball for over a month now.

9 homes in 27 games is like 53 homers in 160 games.

Man, Jeff Belliveau sure gets the yips when he takes a MLB mound. I hope he can get over that or he will not last long in this profession. Of course, maybe he could be reverse-positioned to a catcher.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • 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.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    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?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • 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.