Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-23-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
* Matt Mervis
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 9 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Predictions

Submitted by CTSteve on

UPDATE: Fowler's homecoming and Desmond going to the Rangers means we have a tie for first place: billybucks and Robert Marciano. How's that for maximum late inning drama!

Everyone but Desmond is off the board, so congrats to billybucks for his win in the Free Agents Predictions Contest. It turns out that the predictions business is something of a blood sport and not exactly easy (see Y. Berra).

While billy is doing his victory lap, the rest of you can start your prognostication engines for the 2016 Season Predictions Contest. Thanks to WISCGRAD for his kind assistance in putting this together. 

We'll run it the same way--with the Google doc, which makes my life that much easier. Let's say that it closes at 12pmCST on Opening Day, April 3.

And good luck! You're going to need it.

Tags
2016 Predictions

Comments

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 02/24/2016 - 02:20 pm

Well, first of all, I'd like to thank the players, because without them this wouldn't be possible. And, of course, the GMs and owners, who are so important in the process. Oh, and the agents! Can't forget the agents... ~~orchestra music slowly builds~~...and, and the media!, they are a big part of this, too ~~music steadily builds, rendering the rest of my acceptance speech inaudible as I am led offstage~~...

Submitted by Real redbird on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:46 am

Heyward signing Being a Cardinal fan for many, many years I watch many of their games, and, of course the Cubs rivalry. I want to thank the Cubs for getting Hayward because he was more of a let down for us offensively. His offensive stats were not as good as Dexter Fowler's, and struck out to much, many with the bat on his shoulder. P Good luck with him, but if you would have resigned Fowler you would have may more $$$$$$'s still in your pocket!

[ ]

Submitted by Dusty Baylor on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:30 am

Fowler was better. Fowler .250/.346/.411... Heyward .291/.359/.439 Heyward is much better defensively, struck out less, got on base more..and is younger. Okay. Thanks for the effort though Troll. Heyward is overpaid, but He's a better player.

[ ]

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:33 am

Well, let's fact check this: OBP: JH .357, DF .346. Advantage Heyward OPS: JH .798, DF .757. Advantage Heyward SB: JH 23/26, DF 20/27. Advantage Heyward. WAR: JH 6.5, DF 2.2. Huge advantage Heyward. K: JH 90, DF 154. Advantage Heyward. I like Dexter, but to say Heyward's stats weren't as good as Fowler's is truly moranic.

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:37 pm

The Cardinals beat up on the Cubs for years. You can take your beatings now for a change. Regarding Heyward- I dreaded him coming up to bat last year, he was such a tough out with a disciplined strike zone. He would just foul off pitch after pitch until he got one he liked or got walked.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:31 am

Wonder what they see in Aaron Brooks? I guess it's more AAA depth and clears a roster spot for someone else (CF backup with defensive chops). Also, Cogs was due $4.8M this year so it's "cash in our pockets" (as the cardinal dude says the cubs should have done with Fowler/Heyward) per mlbtr...Maybe Brooks can be flipped for Zobrist again (unpossible says Ralphie Wiggums)
Brooks, 25, was acquired by the A’s late last season in the Ben Zobrist trade. He made nine starts for the A’s in 11 appearances with forgettable results. His 6.71 ERA was a sight worse than his 6.18 K/9 and 2.47 BB/9.
Now Arismendy Alcantara and Matt Szczur are the top backup outfielders on the depth chart. Of course, that also overlooks Javier Baez who is expected to be used in a super utility role.

[ ]

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:22 am

"Wonder what they see in Aaron Brooks?" Ryan Williams type? Strikeouts on the low side of respectable, but walks are very low: 1.9 BB/9 in five seasons in the minors. Brooks, that is. No one can come near Williams's 2 walks in 53.2 innings (18.50 SO/W) at South Bend last year. Kyle Hendricks also relevant here.

Submitted by Rob Richardson on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:44 am

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 31s31 seconds ago Dexter Fowler has re-signed with the #Cubs, per @MDGonzales. One year deal with mutual option.

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:53 am

If Soler gets traded, I refuse to return my FA Picker championship trophy (I already sold it on ebay).

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:03 pm

i knew something weird happened when i checked TCR to see 20 new comments since i last checked not too long ago... ...wasn't expecting fowler...especially after it was reported on tuesday he had signed with the O's. ...so there's either a $13m 4th OF'r...or soler's about to go...or something. *shrug*

[ ]

Submitted by johann on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:59 pm

I just heard the Theo interview and while obviously he's not committed to anything he says is a great trade were to open up he was very clear and firm in saying there would be no more trades. I sort of believe him. Also Soler will be playing some LF and Heyward will be playing a lot more RF.

Submitted by Sonicwind75 on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:34 pm

Another player leaving money on the table in order to play with the Cubs. If/when Fowler starts, does he lead off, Heyward 2 and Zobrist bats 6/7 taking either Soler's or Montero's spots. My brain is having a hard time wrapping around playing time and batting orders. Assuming no injuries or trades, I could see starting the game with an offense first line up and then moving to a defense first as the game dictates. Amazing depth, this team could absorb multiple position player injuries and keep starting a great line up.

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:58 pm

Oh Lord, I already forgot about Murton. The depth of this team is almost staggering. If they don't pull a Golden State Warriors I'll be disappointed. I did actually have a dream where the Cubs were something like, 53-17. I don't have any idea why my dream cloud came up with that number.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:42 pm

"MASN's Roch Kubatko reported Tuesday evening that Fowler had agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Orioles, but that deal apparently fell apart when the 29-year-old requested an opt-out after the 2016 season."

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:06 pm

per mlbtr (pre-Fowler news):
It’s possible the Cubs are narrowing on a free agent outfield acquisition. Top available names include Austin Jackson, David DeJesus, and Shane Victorino. Ian Desmond could also be viewed as an option.
someone here must be really happy to see Austin Jackson speculation get crushed like an empty beer cup

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:06 pm

Front office supposedly claiming there's no trade in mind following the Fowler signing, but there's a serious OF surplus unless Schwarber gets a lot of C time and Baez gets a ton of infield time. While Soler seems most likely to be on the block, that does make the lineup (the OF in particular) very left-handed. Kind of don't understand how Fowler fits, but the contract seems too reasonable to pass up given that the two-year cost is so close now to the qualifying offer they made way back when.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:21 pm

using soler as a part-time player would be both a hell of a great luxury and a hell of a waste. i would be willing to bet soler was good as gone if they didn't get rid of coghlan so quickly. heyward isn't very good vs lefties (as well as sapped of power) and soler in LF would be a good time to rest schwarb vs lefties (really bad, but small sample size, etc)...so there's that to consider from the team's POV, too. i'm kinda leaning toward the team actually going with this setup. hopefully soler isn't going to throw a fit about it.

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:30 pm

Didn't they just trade Coughlan? I assume this is the trade that corresponds to the Fowler signing and Soler gets relegated to the Coughlan role as 4th outfielder, Baez as the backup middle infielder. Fowler easily slots in as the leadoff hitter: Fowler CF, Zobrist 2B, Heyward RF, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Schwarber LF, Montero C, Russell SS, Pitcher Crazy.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:11 pm

WIN TOTALS: The E-Man is going 93-69 for 2016 Put 'em up, bitches.

Submitted by johann on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:19 pm

Lost in the Fowler stuff are some rule changes. Managers will only get 30 seconds on the mound, rolling double play break up attempts are banned and neighborhood plays are reviewable.

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:58 pm

Sad to see Coghlan go. I really liked the guy and his versatility. Maddon said Coghlan was very upset with the news. I feel for the guy. Brooks is a AAA pitcher who is stretched out as a starter and has some options left, so he can bounce up and down if needed. He hasn't had much success at the big league level yet, but did OK at AAA and keeps his walks down. That trade mainly saves some payroll. Overall, these moves definitley make the team stronger. And it also seems like Fowler brings some intangible clubhouse benefits, the players really seem to like him and the story of his surprise return today was fun to read. 

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:21 pm

brooks has a fastball, change, and a slider...nice control...but he has been hit rather strongly on every level he's played from rookie level on. i don't recall how he looks pitching, just going by the numbers over here. that said, i'm a little surprised cog wasn't worth more or another target searched out even though brooks technically has some upside (and club control) to match his tools.

[ ]

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:30 am

Had to be a tough day to be Chris Coghlan yesterday. While you are packing your bags to leave town, there is a love-fest Dexter reunion going on outside. Nobody really said anything about the guy, who was a solid contributor last year and played some decent 2B when asked.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:46 pm

We now have a natural leadoff man and 4 strong outfielders allowing for a platoon if Schwarber doesn't figure out how to hit Lefties. Also dramatically improves our defense in Right Field. I see zero downside to this.

Submitted by John Beasley on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:53 pm

The Cubs won't pick until the end of the 3rd round, plus they are restricted on the international front. It's safe to say 2016 will not be a banner year for young talent acquisition. Still loving the move for Fowler. It's just the gray lining.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:17 pm

Ar present, Jorge Soler is signed to a nine-year contract that runs through 2020 and that will pay him $3M in both 2016 and 2017, and $4M per season in 2018, 2019, and 2020, However, Soler is eligible to opt-out of the contract if he is eligible for salary arbitration, and (at present) he is on target to be eligible for salary arbitration post-2017.

However, opting-out when he is eligible for salary arbitration will NOT make Soler a free-agent. Rather, opting-out will only terminate his present contract, but he will remain under club control and be eligible for salary arbitration until the conclusion of the season in which he accrues at least six years of MLB Service Time. 

So (as things stand right now), Soler will be eligible for salary arbitration (making him eligible to opt-out of his current contract) post-2017, and he will be eligible to be a free-agent post-2020. 

Soler has used three minor league options, but he is eligible for a 4th minor league option that can be used in either 2016 or 2017 (but not both seasons), and if he spends at least 45 days on optional assignment to the minors in either 2016 or 2017, he would remain under club control through the 2021 season instead of through 2020, although he would still be eligible for salary arbitration post-2017 (as a "Super Two"). Therefore, the Cubs could buy an extra year of club control over Jorge Soler (without changing his eligibility for salary arbitration and the right to opt-out of his contract post-2017) if he is optioned to the minors for at least 45 days in either 2016 or 2017. 

While the Cubs cannot overtly send Soler to the minors just to buy another year of club control (Soler and his agent would certainly file a grievance if it was presented that way), if there is a plausible reason to option Soler to the minors in 2016 (let's say), it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen (at least from the Cubs POV) if it buys another year of club control. 

For example, Matt Szczur is out of minor league options, and the Cubs could option Soler to the minors at the end of Spring Training and keep Szczur on the MLB 25-man roster at the start of the 2016 season somply because Szczur is out of minor league options (a perfectly plausible reason to keep Szczur over Soler, something that has been done by MLB clubs at the end of Spring Training many, many times over many, many decades), and then recall Soler from the minors sometime after he spends at least 45 days on optional assignment. 

Again, optioning Soler to the minors cannot be done overtly just to gain an extra year of club control, just like the Cubs could not come out and say publicly that the reason Kris Bryant and Addison Russell were sent to Iowa to start the 2015 season was to make sure that they would not get credit for a full season of MLB Service Time in 2015 (thus delaying free-agency for both players to post-2021 rather than post-2020), even though that was clearly the real reason.

But if it is presented in a way that is not a matter of sending Soler to the minors just to gain an extra year of club control, but rather because he needs to get regular playing time and because of roster pressure related to wanting to keep players who are out of minor league options (like Neil Ramirez, Matt Szczur, and Christian Villanueva) on the MLB 25-man roster rather than risk losing the player to another club off waivers, then it could be done (for a minimum of 45 days), if the Cubs were so inclined to do so. 

Submitted by fullykräusened on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:56 pm

As I see it after a day of surprises, the Cubs have traded Coghlan for Fowler as a spare outfielder. I like the move. Fowler can actually play center field. He hits lefties better than righties, and the Cubs have two outfielders (Heyward and Schwarber) who hit less well against lefties. I see a lot of guys playing 135 games (there are hints on FanGraphs that this is the New Thing), a lot of lineups based on matchups, a lot of pulling Schwarber and Soler after the sixth inning, and a lot of Baez playing second base and Zobrist (who lately has also been hitting lefties well) as the supersub. Of course, Soler could get traded tomorrow, but I think this is unlikely. I think today's events have improved the Cubs' prospects, and I am digging the new wave of thinking from the front office.

Submitted by Real redbird on Thu, 02/25/2016 - 02:12 pm

Great move in signing Fowler back. He had a great 2015. Sad news trading Coughlin he also contributed very well in 2015, and filled in every time he was called upon I sure would have loved to see him with my Cardinals. I believe Soler and Baez won't last the season with the Cubs. GO REDBIRDS'

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:58 am

AZ Phil: Do you recall any Cubs team that had two switch hitters at the top of their lineup (assuming Fowler, Zobrist bat 1-2)? The last major league team to have this?

[ ]

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:33 am

It's actually not as uncommon as you might think. There have been a number of key top of the order switch hitters and at some point in their careers they have been paired with another switch hitter at the top. Pete Rose and Tim Raines did 1-2 for a while for the Expos, Jose Reyes paired with Angel Pagan and Luis Castillo for the Mets, Devon White and Roberto Alomar for the Blue Jays, etc.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:11 am

On a separate note, I hope the Pirates can find a way to keep McCutchen. He's my favorite ballplayer not wearing blue, and I like the Pirates and their ability to grow the team from the inside. It's bad for baseball if he leaves Pittsburgh.

Submitted by cubbies.4ever on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:47 am

So the old Saints QB took some Sammy Sosa cream and came out of retirement and switch sports to try to play baseball??

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:39 am

Shane Victorino is the third post-2015 Article XX-B MLB free-agent signed by the Cubs to a 2016 minor league contract (LHRP Manny Parra and INF Munenori Kawasaki are the other two). 

If an Article XX-B MLB free-agent signs a minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, and then is either not released by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day prior to MLB Opening Day or added to an MLB Active List (25-man roster) or MLB Disabled List by 3 PM (Eastern) on MLB Opening Day, the player automatically receives a $100,000 retention bonus, and the player can unilaterally opt-out of the minor league contract on June 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (25-man roster) or an MLB Disabled List by that date.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    welp...

    bellinger...fractured rib.

    a not-very-ready PCA will probably be called up when it would be much better for him to be in AAA getting regular ABs.

  • crunch (view)

    i have no hard data, but i'm seeing the same thing.

    there used to be some parks where that was rampant (colorado during the todd helton days comes to mind), but i'm seeing it all over the place the past couple seasons.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I’ll spare the details which I’ve stated before but, in short, the Cardinals have lost their sight of their successful identity and strategy over last several dominant decades. From the beginning of the season I saw the Cardinals being in last place or near it again this year, and my prediction is that Mozeliak will be gone after the end of the season.

  • Bill (view)

    I would have kept Cooper rather than Wisdom, but at least I can understand why they did it.  In a team that lacks dominant power hitters, Wisdom can be a dominant power hitter, at least in streaks.  I suppose that there is always the possibility that the streaks longer in both duration and frequency.  I will be content if they essentially make a 100 % DH commitment to Mervis against righties and Wisdom against lefties.  When a regular needs rest, give them total rest, rather than a DH rest.  Do this for at least 2 months, and then re-evaluate at that point.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    This is Cubs adjacent but…


    Jordan Walker just was optioned by the deadbirds. For all the talk of the Cardinals development machine, they’ve really missed on a lot of can’t miss superstars lately. Walker has struggled. Gorman has been okay. They’re already trying to push Carlson out the door. Their pitching system has been so bad they had to go out and sign basically a full rotation over the last two offseasons.

    They’ve still developed a few of those pesky solid players, like Donovan, Edman, and Nootbaar. Their two best prospect to MLB players have been Adolis and Arozarena, neither of which is a cardinal.

    I hope they never figure it out again. Cardinal failure brings me such joy.
     

  • Raisin101 (view)

    Thank you so much! I really appreciate not only all your posts but how eager you are to respond to our questions.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Is it just me or does it seem that official scorers are becoming less likely to call a misplay an error? 

     

    Guess I've hit my cranky old-man phase in life.  "I remember back in the day when an error was an error.  Official scorers have gone soft.  Now where did I put my readers?!!??"

     

    Sidenote, maybe Bellinger should be a little more careful against the Astros.  That was the series last year that a play at wall put him on the IL.   

  • crunch (view)

    i hated the almonte pickup, but he's 9-10 out of 12 for good outings, following a great spring.  hope he can keep it up.

    i already miss cooper, but yeah...the thin OF roster backup the team seems to want to carry probably got wisdom preference over cooper.  i could live without seeing wisdom at 3rd unless it's a blowout, though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Things I've been wrong about:

    -Tauchman is fine as a 4th OF. I knew that. I just want a better LH DH option and he was really the DH for us until Seiya got hurt. I'm glad Mervis is getting a chance at it. Caissie is coming for that job for sure. But Tauchman continues to be highly useful as a 4th OF with Seiya being hurt

    -I wanted Yency to go to get guys at Iowa a chance. Guys like Palencia and Sanders or RileyT. Maybe even Hodge! But Yency has been better the last two plus weeks. He did hit 96 the other day. He was 93 in Texas to open the season.

    -Leiter has his split working enough. It just needs to stay there

    -I was surprised Jed picked Wisdom over Cooper. I wonder if this happens if Seiya wasn't hurt. Wisdom has more power. Cooper is the better hitter. Jed picked Wisdom and Wisdom had an option left as well.

    -Palencia just doesn't miss enough bats. Similar to ManRod, just two yrs younger. ManRod is killing AAA for TB right now!

    Things I got right so far:

    -Hendricks. Sorry Kyle. You got paid though!

    Jed, you missed there.

    -Smyly. If Jed could've traded him before or during ST, then he should have and saved some cash.

    -Mastro.  Not a LH DH. Pinch runner. Defensive utility. Maybe he's better than Madrigal but didn't get a legit chance to prove it.

    -Luke Little is good. He's had one bad outing. That's it. Needs to get better entering with guys on base. But he needs to stay in MLB.

    -Oh yeah....Morel is doing fine at 3B! He'll get better as well!!

  • crunch (view)

    bellinger "right rib contusion"

Click HERE for the last 50 comments