Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

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

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Sign Four Free-Agent Pitchers to Minor League Contracts

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

12/14 UPDATE: Baseball America reports that the Cubs have re-signed three of the four players who were non-tendered on 12/2 to 2017 minor league contracts: LHP Gerardo Concepcion, RHP Conor Mullee (claimed off waivers from NYY last month), and LHP Zac Rosscup.

All three will presumably receive an NRI to Spring Training. 

The fourth non-tendered player (3B Christian Villanueva) did not re-sign with the Cubs, so he will probably try his luck with a new organization (could be seeking a major league deal). Villanueva would be blocked by both Kris Bryant and Jeimer Candelario if he were to remain with the Cubs. 

Concepcion was non-tendered so that the Cubs would not have to pay him a $600,000 minor league "split salary" in 2017, Mullee missed the last half of the 2016 season with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (may have undergone surgery), and Rosscup underwent shoulder surgery last March. 

By non-tendering Concepcion, Mullee, and Rosscup and then re-signing them to minor league contracts, the Cubs were able to remove the trio from the MLB 40-man roster without exposing the players to waivers, and by waiting a week to re-sign them, the Cubs did not risk losing them in the Rule 5 Draft. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ORIGINAL POST (12/13) - Baseball America is reporting that the Cubs have signed four free-agent pitchers to 2017 minor league contracts.

All four will likely receive an NRI to Spring Training with the big club.

Three of the names are probably somewhat familiar, as two of them have pitched in the big leagues with other MLB organizations, and a third was in the Cubs minor league system last season. 

As a practical matter the four were officially signed after the Rule 5 Draft so that they would not be eligible for selection, but the contracts were likely negotiated sometime earlier in the off-season.   

1. Maikel Cleto, RHP (ex-ATL)
2. Daniel Corcino, RHP (ex-LAD)
3. Jhondaniel Medina, RHP (ex-PIT)
4. Miguel Mejia, RHP (ex-CUBS)

Owner of a 97-98 MPH fastball, the 27-year old Cleto was signed by the Seatttle Mariners out of the Dominican Republic in 2009 and was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for SS Brendan Ryan 2010... he was rated by Baseball America as having the best fastball,in the SAL in 2008 (he was hitting 99 on the gun back then) and was a BA organizational Top 20 prospect three times (#16 post-2008 for SEA and #16 post-2010 and #14 post-2012 with STL)... he was a starting pitcher through the 2011 season, but then was moved to the bullpen... he was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals in 2013 and then was claimed off waivers by the White Sox in 2014, and he got most of his big league work with the Sox (28 games in 2014)... he pitched in 41 MLB games combined between the Cardinals and the White Sox (working to a combined 6.60 ERA and 1.76 WHIP but with 58 K in just 45 IP) in 2011-14 (he had some crazy K/9 numbers in the minors, too) but was outrighted to AAA by the Sox in 2015... he split the 2016 season between Laguna (Mexican League) and AAA Gwinnett (ATL)... he is presently working out of the bullpen for Licey in Liga de Beisbol Dominicano... he is out of minor league options (0+169 MLB Service Time) should he be called up to Chicago and added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2017, and since he has been outrighted previously in his career, he would be able to elect to be a free-agent if he is outrighted again... 

Corcino is 26 and was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a 16-year old out of the Dominican Republic in 2006... he was ranked by Baseball America as one of the Reds Top 15 prospects four years in a row (as high as #6 after the 2011 season and #4 after 2012), drawing comps (at the time) to Johnny Cueto... back when he was a stud prospect with the Reds, BA reported that he was presenting a 91-94 MPH fastball with movement, a plus-slider, and a promising change-up... he was on the MLB 40-man roster of the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers (he was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers in 2015) for three seasons and he had a "cup of coffee" with the Reds in late 2014 but was back in the minors in 2015-16... he is currently working out of the bullpen for Escogido in Liga de Beisbol Dominicano... like Cleto, Corcino is out of minor league options (0+034 MLB Service Time) should he be called up to Chicago and added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2017, and since he has been outrighted previously in his career, he would be able to elect to be a free-agent if he is outrighted again...   

At 23, Medina is the youngest of the foursome... he was signed as a 16-year old by the Baltimore Orioles out of Venezuela in 2009 and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012... after seven seasons in the minors, he finally reached AAA in 2016... Kiley McDaniel at Fangraphs reported in April 2016 that the 5'11 Medina was featuring a 92-94 MPH fastball that touched 96, an above-average splitter, and a decent curve, but he also continues to have command issues (207 BB in 393 IP in 198 career minor league games)... he was declared a first-time minor league 6YFA after the conclusion of the World Series... 

The 28-year old Mejia was born in Brooklyn but grew up in Puerto Rico... he was signed as a NDFA by the Detroit Tigers out of Florida International University in 2009 and spent three seasons in the Tigers system... he then pitched for the Saitamo Seibu Lions in Japan (NPB) during the summer and for Caguas (Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente) in winter ball 2011-16... he left Japan and signed a minor league contract with the Cubs last off-season and he split the 2016 season between AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa... he has been pitching out of the bullpen for Caguas again this off-season, and he could be a reliever for Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC... 

Tags
Cubs Minor Leagues
Cubs Spring Training Roster Moves
Maikel Cleto
Daniel Corcino
Jhondaniel Medina
Miguel Mejia

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 12:34 pm

The Cubs have not yet released thrir NRI list for 2017 Spring Training, but here is an early preliminary projected list (obviously subject to change):

* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS:
Andury Acevedo
Dallas Beeler
Corey Black
Maikel Cleto
Trevor Clifton
Daniel Corcino
Seth Frankoff
Jhondaniel Medina
Miguel Mejia
Jordan Pries
Nick Sarianides
Ryan Williams

CATCHERS:
Cael Brockmeyer 
Taylor Davis
P. J. Higgins

INFIELDERS:
# Ian Happ  

OUTFIELDERS:
John Andreoli
Eloy Jimenez 
* Bijan Rademacher 
Mark Zagunis

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 12:41 pm

Expect the Cubs to sign at least one veteran defense-first catcher they can stash at Iowa (as they did with Tim Federowicz in 2016 and with Taylor Teagarden in 2015).

One possible candidate is Ryan Hanigan, who played for Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay in 2014.

Hanigan also could conceivably serve as Jon Lester's personal catcher if things don't mesh between Lester and Willson Contreras and/or if Maddon wants to go with three catchers on the 25-man roster and Kyle Schwarber isn't able to be the #3. 

The Cubs also will likely look to sign at least one infielder with MLB experience who can play SS and who they can keep at Iowa. Munenori Kawasaki would be a good possibility if he wants to come back, but it's hard to sell a AAA gig (even as an everyday player) to a veteran.  

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 12:35 pm

HAGSAG: Good catch. I probably should have put him on the list. 

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 12:19 pm

The Cubs ever actually sign Uehara? Lots of buzz about it, but I never saw it confirmed.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 12:26 pm

BILLYBUCKS: The Uehara signing has not been officially reported yet.

There is often a delay between when a signing is reported in the media and when the club announces the signing and files the contract with MLB (especially for a player signed during the off-season).

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 12/14/2016 - 12:38 am

The MLBPA Executive Board has ratified the 2016-21 CBA, so it is official. (MLB owners ratified the agreement earlier this week).

The CBA will expire on December 1, 2021. 

link 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 12/14/2016 - 12:43 pm

Just as a reminder, clubs now have only seven days to trade, outright, or release a player who has been Designated for Assignment (used to be ten days).  

With three slots open on the 40-man roster, I would expect the Cubs to claim David Rollins and most any other warm body who gets placed on waivers after being Designated for Assignment, like maybe Red Sox 2011 2nd round draft pick LHP (ex-OF) Williams Jerez (who was drafted by the Red Sox when Theo was there) and one-time Nationals Top 10 prospect LHP Matt Purke (a true "LOOGY" who is death on LH hitters), and then if and when any of the three slots are needed, the players claimed off waivers (if there are any) will be the first to go. 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 12/16/2016 - 12:41 pm

ROB G: NBA "minor leaguers" are more-comparable to players on an MLB 40-man roster who have a minor league "split salary" if they are optioned to the minors. (The NBA "D"-league is like AAA in baseball). The 2017 MLB minimum minor league "split salary" is $86,500, so that's comparable to the salaries of NBA D-league players.

And minor league 6YFA (the ones who get an NRI to Spring Training, like the guys the Cubs signed this week)  usually get around $50,000 (or even upwards of $100,000+ if the player has MLB experience), because they have some leverage as free-agents.  

Minor league baseball players who are not on MLB 40-man rosters and are not yet eligible to be free-agents (like John Andreoli, Taylor Davis, Jordan Pries, and most-all of the amateur players drafted and/or signed by the Cubs over the past six or seven years) are the ones making $10K-$15K per year, but there is no real comp to that in pro basketball. Maybe that would be more like college basketball? 

BTW. that's why minor league players really need to save their signing bonus, because they might not ever see money like that again, or at least not anytime soon. Unfortunately, some of them blow through their bonus in a matter of months, and I've known a number of minor league players over the years (even a few high draft picks) who were flat-broke and had to rely on their parents, wife, or girlfriend to support them.

[ ]

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 12/16/2016 - 12:30 pm

ESPN's 30-for-30 "Broke" should be mandatory viewing for all professional athletes. Hey, you're 20, you're talented, never had to work for a thing in your life, everybody always telling you how great you are, and suddenly you get a bunch of money -- why not assume the good times will continue to roll? The percentage of pro athletes who are bankrupt 5 years after retirement is staggering.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 12/16/2016 - 12:53 pm

...and on the flipside we have matt harrington, who managed to parlay his top-ranked talent into working at costco. he turned down a couple 1-4 million dollar contracts and another one for a few hundred thousand over a number of years. he cut out the middle man and went straight for isle 3.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

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