Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Projected Post-2019 MLB "Super Two" Players

An unsigned player under club control who has accrued at least three but less than six years of MLB Service Time is automatically eligible for salary arbitration.

Also, any unsigned player with at least two years but less than three years of MLB Service Time who accrued at least 86 days of MLB Service Time during the previous season can qualify for salary arbitration as a so-called "Super Two" if the player is among the top 22% in MLB Service Time of players in that group (rounded to the nearest whole number). And if  two or more players are tied with the same MLB Service Time just above the "Super Two" threshold, all of the players with that accrued MLB ST would get "Super Two" status even if that means the number of players with "Super Two" status exceeds 22%.   
Because it is based on a percentage, the "Super Two" threshold fluctuates from year-to-year (it was two years plus 134 days or 2+134 MLB ST post-2018, 2+123 post-2017, 2+131 post-2016, 2+130 post-2015, 2+133 post-2014, 2+122 post-2013, 2+140 post-2012, 2+145 post-2011, 2+122 in 2010, and 2+139 in 2009), but the threshold has generally gone down whenever a new CBA is signed, because the percentage of players who automatically qualify for "Super Two" status has increased with each new CBA.

Besides gaining the right to request salary arbitration and have that right four times instead of just three times, being a "Super Two" player also means the player can elect free-agency if outrighted even though he has not yet accrued three years of MLB Service Time and even if he has not been outrighted previously in his career (however, unlike a player who has accrued at least three years of MLB Service Time and/or has been outrighted previously in his career and who therefore has the option to elect free-agency immediately or else defer the choice until after the conclusion of the MLB regular season, a "Super Two ' player who has not been outrighted previously in his career must make his choice immediately upon being outrighted). 

At present there are 136 players on MLB rosters who are projected to fit the criteria of a player who has accrued at least two years but less than three years of MLB Service Time with at least 86 days of MLB Service Time accrued in the 2019. So that means that 22% of the 136 (29.92 rounded to the nearest whole number, which is 30) will have "Super Two" status post-2019. However, sometimes a player petitions (successfully) to have his listed MLB Service Time adjusted (like due to an injury that occurred before the player was optioned to the minors, or because a player was optioned prior to game time or after the start of a game, both of which would impact the player's service time and thus could impact the number of players who are in the macro group and how many of the players in the group acquire "Super Two" status).

Here is the list of MLB players who are presently projected to be eligible for salary arbitration as a "Super Two" post-2019. This list is preliminary because the MLB regular season is still in progress, but since players are essentially no longer being optioned to the minors (a player cannot be optioned to the minors once a minor league club's season has concluded), the list should be fairly accurate. NOTE: Per the 2016-21 CBA, an MLB regular season ("championship season") must be at least 182 days but no more than 187 days in length, but 172 days constitutes a "full" MLB regular season when calculating MLB Service Time, and so a player cannot get credit for more than 172 days of MLB Service Time in any one season.


POST-2019 MLB SUPER TWO ARBITRATION ELIGIBLE
Andrew Knapp, C (PHI): 2+171 (see NOTE-1 below)
Wandy Peralta, LHP (SF): 2+167
Jesse Biddle, LHP (TEX): 2+166
Hunter Renfroe, OF (SD): 2+165
David Hale, RHP (NYY): 2+163
David Dahl, OF (COL): 2+162
Brent Suter, LHP (MIL): 2+161
Cody Bellinger, OF-1B (LAD): 2+160
Tyler Glasnow, RHP (TB): 2+158
Jordan Montgomery, LHP (NYY): 2+153
Tyler Austin, 1B (MIL): 2+150  
Keynan Middleton, RHP (LAA): 2+150
Jharel Cotton, RHP (OAK): 2+149
Kyle Freeland, LHP (COL): 2+143
J. T. Riddle, INF (MIA): 2+141
Noe Ramirez, RHP (LAA): 2+139
Kyle Ryan, LHP (CUBS): 2+139
Johan Camargo, INF (ATL): 2++137
Chris Martin, RHP (ATL): 2+133
Daniel Robertson, INF (TB): 2+133
Luis Cessa, RHP (NYY): 2+131
Dinelson Lamet, RHP (SD): 2+130
Paul DeJong, INF (STL): 2+127
Gio Urshela, INF (NYY): 2+127
Derek Law, RHP (TOR): 2+126  
JaCoby Jones, OF (DET): 2+125
A. J. Cole, RHP (CLE): 2+124  
Jonathan Holder, RHP (NYY): 2+124
Julio Urias, RHP (LAD): 2+123
Josh Hader, LHP (MIL): 2+115
++++++++++++++++++++++
PROJECTED SUPER TWO CUT-OFF - 2+115
++++++++++++++++++++++
Sean Newcomb, LHP (ATL): 2+114 (see NOTE-2 below)
Tyler Olson, LHP (CLE): 2+114
Jake Barrett, RHP (NYY): 2+113
Luke Weaver, RHP (AZ): 2+112
Matt Chapman, 3B (OAK): 2+109

If it remains unchanged, 2+115 MLB Service Time would be the lowest "Super Two" threshold ever. 

Cody Bellinger, David Dahl, Johan Camargo, Paul DeJong, and Josh Hader won't have to worry, but for a number of the other players on the above list, "Super Two" ain't so super. In many cases, clubs will likely either release or non-tender the player rather than risk going to arbitration with them. 

There also is the matter of MLB Service Time reported for each player and how any change in MLB ST could ultimately affect the list. 

NOTE-1: Phillies back-up catcher Andrew Knapp is listed at most sites as having accrured 1+171 MLB ST (one day short of two full seasons) coming into the 2019 season, but Baseball Reference lists Knapp's post-2018 MLB ST as 2+000 (exactly two years), meaning if BR is correct Knapp will have accrued 3+000 MLB ST by the close of the 2019 MLB regular season and thus would be eligible for salary arbitration in the conventional way and so he would not be a "Super Two" player post-2019.

NOTE-2: Braves LHP Sean Newcomb was optioned to the minors on April 14th and then was recalled on May 4th, for what appeared to be either 19 or 20 days (depending whether Newcomb was optioned before or after the Braves game vs NYM on 4/14). If it was 19 days he gets credit for a "full season" and will have 2+114 MLB Service Time at the close of the MLB regular season, but if it was 20 days he will not get credit a for a "full season" and will end up with 2+108 MLB Service Time (well  below the "Super Two" threshold should it change a bit prior to the conclusion of the season). Were the Braves that prescient back in April-May to keep Newcomb in the minors just one more day (for at least twenty days) to reduce his MLB Service Time by a few days and reduce their post-2019 "Super Two" liability with respect to Newcomb? TBD (or then again, maybe not...).  

So both Sean Newcomb and Tyler Olson (both at 2+114 MLB ST) could become "Super Two" eligible if one of the 30 players presently on the list is removed, and it's also possible that Josh Hader could go under the threshold and not be "Super Two" eligible if the number of players who qualify as a "Super Two" is reduced from 30 to 29 because several players in the original group of 135 are dropped (which would affect the number of "Super Two" players).

Comments

One 2 women umps in MiLB worked the SB series. Pal of our son’s from LL days was SB clubhouse mgr. this year. He spoke highly of Emma’s work but said visiting teams often did not. Also spoke highly of B-Zo on his brief rehab stay when he bought the team McD’s, a la Prez Dollar Menu. So, 2 Cub branches made playoffs so far. Can the big Cubs make it 3?

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).