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

Cubs Release Three, But Not So Fast...

The Cubs released LHRP Manny Parra, INF Munenori Kawasaki, and OF Shane Victorino today, but hope to re-sign all three players. The trio were signed to minor league contracts during the off-season and were in big league camp as NRI (Non-Roster Invitees). 

Here's why this happened today... 

If an Article XX-B MLB free-agent (like Parra, Kawasaki, and Victorino) 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.

CUBS ARTICLE XX-B MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS SPRING TRAINING 2016
: (last updated 2-26-2016)
Munenori Kawasaki, INF 
Manny Parra, LHP 
Shane Victorino, OF 

So the Cubs can avoid paying the $100K retention bonus and having to deal with an automatic 6/1 opt-out by releasng the Article XX-B player now and then re-signing him to a new minor league contract that does not include the retention bonus and/or the 6/1 opt-out. 

The Cubs did the exact same thing with LHSP Tsuyoshi Wada two years ago, releasing him before the retention bonus and opt-out kicked-in, and then re-signing him to a new pre-arranged minor league contract the very next day. 

It's a bit like when a player is non-tendered on 12/2 and then is subsequently re-signed to a minor league contract for a lot less money (as happened with TJS rehabber LHRP Jack Leathersich last December after the Cubs claimed him off waivers from the Mets) than what the club could (by rule) offer the player if he was tendered and remained on the club's MLB 40-man roster. 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

the kawasaki one seems a bit of a gamble, but at the same time his talent is redundant over the long haul with baez around...plus it seems like he's had a blast in cubs camp and might want to hang around for a chance to reconnect with the group. given how much he's played and how well he's done, he's a strong candidate for the cubs ST MVP (not that it actually means a lot, though it's something). -edit- and it seems that worked itself out already. neat.

Who had Javy for DL contest? Bruce Levine ‏@MLBBruceLevine 1m1 minute ago Cuba Javier Baez starting on DL with thumb contusion

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

The first player DL'd after the season starts--or, "in-season DL" as it reads. Credit WISCGRAD for that clarification/qualification. He anticipated this very thing. By the way, have your guesses in by Sunday at noon.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

no? no. why? because it's a 25th man. it doesn't matter that much. also, he's probably doomed once baez gets back. slot him for 400+PA and then you'll hear some complaining. even the guy(s) i'd pick over him for the long haul don't matter much because they're single-season rentals or 4th/5th OF options for an assumed ceiling anyway. they just seem to really like szcuzrurzurzcr for a bench OF callup role in the front office. they're gonna give him every chance to make that work.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

JOHN B: Clayton Richard and Trevor Cahill have minor league options left but both can decline to be optioned to the minors because they have accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time. I wrote a post here a couple of days ago explaining how Richard might agree to be optioned even though he can refuse.  

link 

Justin Grimm and Adam Warren can elect to be a free-agent if they are sent outright to the minors, but they cannot refuse an Optional Assignment until they reach five years of MLB Service Time. However, Optional Assignment Waivers must be secured before Grimm and/or Warren can be optioned, but Optional Assignment Waivers are revocable the first time they are requested in a given waiver period, so opposing clubs almost never make claims on this type of waivers (although it is possible). 

So it really wouldn't be too difficult for the Cubs to option Grimm or Warren to the minors, if they were so inclined. 

So the Cubs are going to carry 8 relievers: Who's the odd man out? - Cahill, Rondon, Richard, Warren, Grimm, Ramirez, Wood, Strop or Brooks (assuming Dallas Beeler is on DL). Also is Beeler's a 60 day or 15 and same question with Villanueva? I would assume 60 for Villanueva being as it was a broken fibula.

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

it's hard to say based on performance seeing as almost everyone's been in a race to be awful this spring, but at least their velocity/stuff is seemingly on pace for where it should be. that said, barring a trade for one of the "excess" lefties, i assume brooks would be the odd man out.

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

CUBBIES 4 EVER: The MLB 60-day DL is only used if a club's 40-man roster is fuil and a roster slot is needed for another player, but since the Cubs have one slot open on the 40 right now (after Rex Brothers was released) with no apprarent plan to add anybody new anytime soon, Villanueva and Beeler will be placed on the 15-day DL initially, although either (most likely Villanueva, since he will miss considerable time) could get transferred to the 60 at some point later on if the Cubs 40-man roster is full and another slot is needed.

But as I said, the Cubs presently have one slot open on the 40 with no obvious additional candidates to be added, and there would need to be two players added before for the Cubs would have to move a player from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL. 

the sloan park crowd is ALL about some kawasaki...chanting like crazy. hahaha...and he hits a 3-run homer. ...and he's getting a curtain call. biggest pop of the day, easy.

...another cruddy h.rondon performance. 1ip 3h 0bb 0k, 2r/er (couple sac flies) yeesh. hope he leaves this in arizona.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

it's the 16 hits in 7.2ip that's a bit more concerning, and arguably much more that it's all being spread out over most of his outings than a couple bad outings. most of his work is coming vs guys that are late game replacement players due for the minors, too. at least he's not walking guys. hopefully he'll leave it in arizona. his stuff seems to be there.

Az Phil, what do you think the Iowa Roster will end up being with Victorino, Parra and Kawasaki having re-signed?

CHILDERS: Take a look at the up-to-the-minute Spring Training Depth Chart, and it's pretty clear that Iowa is fairly loaded with players right now. The final cuts will be made on Friday or Saturday, and I would expect at least a dozen players to get released from Minor League Camp (mostly from the Iowa squad) at that time.   

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...