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

The Curious Case of Clayton Richard

Something about Clayton Richard to keep in mind as we roll into the final week of Spring Training: 


Richard was arbitration-eligible post-2015, but he signed a $2M non-guaranteed contract on the contract tender date (12/2) to avoid getting non-tendered. meaning if he is released within 15 days of MLB Opening Day (technically the MLB regular season starts at 3 PM EDT Sunday 4/3), his termination pay is $500K and the Cubs save $1.5M in payroll. 

The contract becomes guaranteed if he is not released by the 4/3 deadline, so if the Cubs release Richard after the start of the MLB regular season, the Cubs are on the hook for the entire $2M, minus whatever Richard gets if he signs with another club (a prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary, but ONLY if he signs a major league contract). 

This type of contract is different from the fully-guaranteed contracts MLB Article XX-B free-agents get (like Edwin Jackson's four year deal, for example), in that if the player is released before Opening Day, the player's former team is only responsible for the termination pay (30 days pay if the player is released more than 15 days prior to MLB Opening Day--as happened with Rex Brothers--or 45 days pay if the player is released within 15 days of MLB Opening Day). 

If a player signed to a non-guaranteed contract is released prior to the start of the MLB regular season, the player receives termination pay (either 30 days or 45 days pay, depending on when he is released), but the termination pay paid by the player's former club is not offset by whatever the player might get from another club. So rather than sign for the MLB minimum salary with the Cubs responsible for the balance of what the player is owed (as is/was the case with Edwin Jackson until Jackson's four year deal expires after the 2016 season), the Cubs would pay Richard $500K, and nothing Richard gets later from another club changes or offsets Richard's termination pay from the Cubs.  

This happened a couple of years ago when the Royals signed IF-OF Emilio Bonifacio to a non-guaranted $3.5M contract to avoid a non-tender but also to avoid salary arbitration, but then released him more than 15 days prior to MLB Opening Day (KC needed his 40-man roster slot), thus owing him 30 days pay (about $575K). The Cubs then signed Bonifacio for $2.5M plus another $425K in incentives (so Bonifacio essentially got the same money he would have gotten if he hadn't been released by KC), but the $575K in termination pay paid by the Royals was not affected or offset in any way by what the Cubs gave Bonifacio. 

Clayton Richard has three minor league options left (he's never been optioned to the minors for more than 19 days in any season in his career), but because he is an Article XIX-A player (he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), he cannot be optioned or outrighted to the minor without his permission. This is different than the rights of an Article XX-D player (any player who has accrued at least three years of MLB Service Time and/or who has been outrighted to the minors previously in his career), who has the right to elect free-agency with no termination pay if sent outright to the minors or else accept the Outright Assignment and defer free-agency until after the conclusion of the MLB regular season. In addition to having the right to either accept the minor league assignment and postpone free-agency until after the conclusion of the MLB regular season or elect elect free-agency immediately but with no termination pay, Richard (as an Article XIX-A player) has the additional right to refuse any minor league assignment (optional or outright) and force the Cubs to either keep him on the 25-man roster, trade him, or release him.  

So normally the Cubs would be unable to option Richard to the minors (because Richard would just decline), but in this particular case, because the Cubs can release him prior to MLB Opening Day and only owe him $500K in termination pay, the Cubs actually have the leverage it would take to get Richard to accept an optional assignment to AAA Iowa AS LONG AS it happens prior to MLB Opening Day. 

But once the MLB regular season starts, Richard has the leverage, because if he is released after the start of the MLB regular season, the Cubs would owe him the entire $2M (offset by whatever he subsequently gets from another club up to the MLB minimum salary, presuming he signs a major league contract with another club after getting released). 

So don't be surprised if the Cubs either release Clayton Richard prior to MLB Opening Day (saving $1.5M in payroll), or convince him to accept an Optional Assignment to AAA Iowa (thus guaranteeing Richard his entire $2M in salary) where he can be stretched-out as a starter and be available to be recalled if anything happens to Arrieta, Lester, Lackey, Hammel, or Hendricks.

A couple of caveats: 

1. An Article XIX-A player who agrees to waive his right to refuse an Optional or Outright assignnment to the minors must sign a 45-day waiver, which allows the player to designate to which minor league club he will be assigned (almost always it's the club's AAA affiliate) and allows the club to option the player back-and-forth to the minors for up to 45 days without having to get the player to agree each time. After the 45 days expire, the Article XIX-A player does not have to be recalled if he is in the minors, but if he is recalled he cannot be optioned back to the minors unless he signs another 45 day waiver, but by that time Richard's contract will be fully-guaranteed, so he would no longer have any reason to accept an assignment to the minor leagues. 

2. Optional Asignment Waivers must be secured before Richard could be optioned to the minors, but because Optional Assignment Waivers are revocable the first time they are requested on a player in a given waiver period, they are mostly a formality (just like Trade Assignment Waivers in August). However, a rival club could put in a claim on Richard to keep the Cubs from sending him to the minors and forcing the Cubs to decide whether to keep him on the 25-man roster, trade him, or release him.  

 

Comments

Thanks AZ Phil. Since Richard gave up the 5 spot to the Brewers on Friday (when he came into the game with a 4-0 lead in the 9th), I was thinking his spot on the opening day roster might be in jeopardy. Having him come right back yesterday after Lackey (and allowing to score the two inherited runners) seemed like Joe Maddon was challenging CR to see if he would make the cut. I realize veteran's (especially lefty vets) get a lot of spring training slack. Would they chance having only Travis Wood out of the bullpen as a lefty? Is there something that Richard isn't doing this spring that might be blamed on injury? mechanics? or dry climate? He started last year not making the Pirates but pitched well enough in Indianapolis to get picked up by the Cubs as an emergency starter, so I would think he will be useful (to some club) if stretched out in the minors to start the year. He had an "upward mobility" clause in his contract with the Pirates, so they had to either offer him to other clubs that would put him on their roster in a 3 day window last July. I wonder if such a clause is still in his current contract or would get negotiated in if he accepts a minor league assignment. If Richard isn't on the 25 man to start the season, could you rank your predictions as to who replaces him (pitcher or fielder). Thanx. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/cubs-acquire-clayton-richard-from…

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I saw both those performances. His offerings were way too hittable. I don't think it was just the desert flattening out his breaks, though that's always the risk in Arizona. Phil will have his own insight, but I would point that a) Beeler, Brooks, Patton, and Ramirez are the guys still vying for spots who aren't considered locks to get one, and b) due to the makeup of this team, the replacement could very well be a position player. There's not a lefty on that list, though.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I have always thought his delivery must be extremely easy for hitters to pick up. He's kind of wide open when he delivers the ball. But, he does seem to get a lot of ground balls, and it sounds like the 5-spot should have only been 3 -- poor execution, plus a blown call, on the potential game-ending DP.

per CSN/Patrick Mooney...
Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio calls Jake Arrieta's blister a "complete nonissue" after Sunday's side session.
per Roto...
Jake Arrieta (blister) threw a 46-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. It went well, and afterward Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio referred to the blister on Arrieta's right thumb as a "complete non-issue." He'll face the Angels on Opening Day.
Ah, gotta love the 16yr aged pickle brine. Slowly exhales, *checks pulse*, I'm OK.

AZ Phil wrote in a previous thread's comment about not needing a 5th starter until the home opener. Now that we know Arrieta is starting Opening Night (in Anaheim), do you think there's any chance Hendricks is optioned for AAA for a minor-league start, then recalled for Opening Night (in Chicago)? We know he has options and that the Cubs don't need him in the first week, even though they may prefer to run their rotation 1-5 to start building normalcy. It's a tough call, but it gives them an extra week to figure out what's going on with Ramirez, Szczur, etc.

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat #Cubs rotation is set. Arrieta, Lester, Lacky, Hammel, Hendricks. Maddon says he's talked to the other Ps. Cahill is backup

not a good hammel day...really good cano day. 50 pitches and 7r/er through 2ip.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Cubs and M's now sharing the same bullpen. The Cubs bullpen is under bee quarantine! Hayward seemed to be the most bothered. Seems like he swallowed a bug. Feed him more, 2 run HR after the bee episode. Fowler out after 2nd, Len/JD said his side tightened up. Hopefully that is just early pre-emptive move.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

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

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

  • crunch (view)

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

  • crunch (view)

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

  • videographer (view)

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