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

Friday Funnies: Bears vs Eagles.

There is nothing that could possibly make me happier than the Bears defense being a Bears defense.
In a couple days... Happy Sunday, you all.

Comments

"Jim Bowden of The Athletic was told by a source that the Nationals' last offer to Bryce Harper was "much more than the $300 million being reported by the media.""

so who wants to pay over $30m a year to a guy who's looking more like a LF'r these days?  he's a great bat, but sticking $30m+ in LF (or sub-par RF play)...hmm...

hell, it's not even a given that he'd be an adequate LF'r.  it's not where he's playing in the OF that seems to be the problem.  his routes and tracking are a bit subpar.

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

for this offseason it seems the biggest cubs issue is how many "good" players can you sign for a few bucks of spare change found cleaning out maddon's party van.

i mean, they have to do something to shore up the pen, but it seems like they're in no hurry to get involved with anyone until they can find some revenue relief.  at least, it seems that's the biggest rumors involving the team...free'ing up loot to do something else.

the ricketts family has saved a lot of money now that they don't have to throw 10s of millions in anti-obama and help-us-get-political-office efforts.  let's reallocate that loot, fam.

Remember in 1992 when they signed 4 players for what they would have paid Maddux and Dawson?

Phil, when does the Instructional progam start.?I know the Cubs did away with the Fall Instrcts.

yanks snag z.britton (expected by many after a.miller signed with the cards)...the pen market gets thinner.

AZ PHIL - Can you explain how payment of contracts works? For example, if a player has a predetermined major league and minor league salary, does he only get paid equal to the major league salary divided by days he spends in the majors? Is a minor league contract with a split salary considered a non-guaranteed contract for purposes of termination pay? (Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this Q, can't post under your article for some reason)

[ ]

In reply to by jdrnym

jdmym: A player on an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) who is signed to a split contract is paid at the "major league rate" each day he spends on an MLB Active List (25-man roster) or MLB DL, and he is paid at the minor league rate each day he spends on optional assignment to the minors.

A "split contract" is not usually guaranteed, unless the player has negotiating power (like if the player is arbitration-eligible and settles with the club prior to going to a hearing, or if the player is a free-agent after maybe being non-tendered or after being outrighted to the minors and has less than five years of MLB ST so that he can be optioned to the minors without his consent) and uses that leverage to get some or all of the contract guaranteed. Otherwise, split contracts are not guaranteed, especially if it's a run-of-the mill pre-arbitration (auto-renewal) player.    

As far as an Outright Release is concerned, a player on an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) signed to a non-guaranteed contract who is released more than 15 days prior to Opening Day receives 30 days salary as termination pay (paid at the "minor league rate" if the player is signed to a "split contract"), and a player on an MLB Reserve List signed to a non-guaranteed contract who is released 15 or fewer days prior to Opening Day receives 45 days salary as termination pay (all players paid at the "Major League rate").

A player on an MLB Reserve List who is released during the MLB regular season receives 100% of his salary as termination pay (paid at the "minor league rate" for players on Optional Assignment to the minors). However, a player cannot be optioned to the minors and then released if the purpose of the Optional Assignment was to avoid having to pay termination pay at the major league rate. NOTE: A player who is optioned to the minors and then released would normally file a grievance, so a club has to be careful not to be too blatantly obvious about it.   

An unsigned player on an MLB Reserve List released during the off-season receives no termination pay.

j.jay returns to chicago...for the wsox.

he'd be a 4th OF'r for a lot of teams, but he may actually get some regular playing time with the chaotic wsox outfield situation.

schwarber 3.39m

hendricks 7.405m

montgomery 2.44m

russell 3.4m

edwards 1.5m

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

bryant 12.9m

baez 5.2m

...and appx 36.25m later the cubs are done with arbitration eligible players

...appx 15.5m more payroll burden compared to last season

russell "only" got a 200K base raise, but he's eligable for 600K more if he's on the roster 150 days.  the news of russell getting this contract is going over like a lead balloon on twitter with cubs fans.

They say Russell's contract is prorated at $2.8 MIL due to his suspension.  Now does it cost the Cubs as far as the competitive tax calculator $2.8 MIL or $3.4 MIL (Excluding bonuses)?

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

cubbies.4ever: A club's luxury tax liability is calculated - AFTER - the conclusion of the MLB regular season, and any performance bonus earned by a player is included in the AAV. So Addison Russell's 2019 contract AAV cannot be determined (for sure) until after the conclusion of the 2019 MLB regular season, but it will include whatever salary he is actually paid (salary forfeited while suspended does not count toward the AAV) plus any performance bonus (roster bonus) he might earn. 

"Nolan Arenado requested $30 million and was offered $24 million by the Rockies when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday."

wow.  either way that's an arbitration record.  crazy.

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

HAGSAG: Addison Russell can work-out with the team but he cannot play in MLB Cactus League Spring Training games. He can, however, play in a Cactus League "B" game on a backfield, minor league Spring Training games, and Extended Spring Training games, prior to beginning his official 12-day minor league conditioning assignment (probably at AAA Iowa on 4/20).

Whatever he does prior to being reinstated will be without pay (salary), but he will receive MLB meal money and accomodations when on the road during his official minor league conditioning assignment.

He actually isn't required to do anything prior to being reinstated, although if he declines to participate in backfield activities during Spring Training, Extended Spring Training in April, and the 12-game minor league conditioning assignment, the Cubs could delay Russell's return to their MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) for up to 30 days beyond the end of his suspension, and then fhey could just option him to the minors for an indefinite period of time after adding him back to the 40.

So it's - VERY - likely that Russell will do everything he can to get back on the Cubs MLB Reserve List at the earliest possible date (which is 5/2, barring rain-outs during the first 35 days of the MLB regular season that are not made-up prior to 5/2) so that he can begin to earn his roster bonus. I suspect that's part of the reason the Cubs offered a roster bonus as part of his contract, to help motivate Russell to participate fully even though he is not being paid during the suspension. 

"Cubs signed C Francisco Arcia to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training."

his skills include having a pulse, legs that work, and an ability to open and close doors.

his pitching skills fall well behind other HOF-calibre pitching catchers like david ross.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Over the past month the Cubs have signed 12 free-agents to 2019 minor league contracts: OF-!B Jim Adduci, C Francisco Arcia, OF Jose Cardona, INF Ryan Court, INF Phillip Evans, OF Evan Marzilli, RHRP Carlos Ramirez, RHRP Allen Webster, and LHRP Mike Zagurski were signed about 3-1/2 weeks ago (after the Rule 5 Draft), RHRP Matt Carasiti was signed about ten days ago, and OF Zach Borenstein and RHSP Colin Rea signed last week. Presumably most (if not all) of them got an NRI to Spring Training.  

yanks give dj lemahieu 2/24m

he's supposed to play all over the place until/unless tulo shows himself to be ineffective while g.torres plays 2nd until he's ready to slide over to SS.

"ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the Yankees have a three-year, $27 million agreement in place with free agent reliever Adam Ottavino."

the yanks have solidified one hell of a pen this offseason.

the cubs...umm...well, kyle ryan, i guess.

there's still some "names" out there, but it's getting thinner.

Jordan Bastian‏ @MLBastian

Yu Darvish is set to begin long toss in a couple days and is about a week out from his first planned bullpen session of the spring. Says Opening Day is a realistic goal for him based on his progress.

...neat

"Kris Bryant said his shoulder is now perfectly healthy and he has been taking batting practice at full strength since December 1st."

neat.

"Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said shortstop Addison Russell will get a "conditional second chance" to remain with the organization.

The Cubs consulted with Russell's ex-wife (the victim of the abuse), and Epstein said "She felt like this was Addison's best chance to get his life in order.""

*crickets*

sonny gray being sent to the reds...

cubs are expected to respond by signing a random 27 year old to a minor league contract any time now.

"Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic writes that the Cubs have "bandied about the idea of trading Ben Zobrist this offseason."

...the team has evidently considered trading him for bullpen help and payroll space. However, it does not appear at this point that any deal involving Zobrist is close."

No to a Zo trade. I can never forget that seventh game double in the WS. He is untouchable to me.

Recent comments

  • 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...

  • 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.