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, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* 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
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Espinoza Sharp at Sloan

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

After hurling three perfect innings in his previous start, Manuel Espinoza fired three innings of one-hit shutout ball (and threw 75% strikes), and Pablo Aliendo singled twice and drove-in a run and Cam Balego tripled and scored, in Cubs AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Wednesday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.   

The Giants at Cubs AZIL game was canceled, so the Cubs played an intrasquad game instead.   

The five pitchers who were scheduled to pitch in the AZIL game threw in the intrasquad game, and the game was called after 3-1/2 innings of play after all of the pitchers got their scheduled work. 

It wasn't possible to field two full teams because only the players who were set to play in the AZIL game played in the intrasquad game (the other position players retired to the clubhouse after early BP), so there was no DH used in the game and Alfonso Rivas (who is already an accomplished hitter and really doesn't need any more game ABs) played LF for both squads and did not take an AB (he stood out in LF for the entire game -- that's 90 minutes straight defense in 90-degree heat without a break, folks).  

Also, Ethan Hearn played 1B and Yonathan Perlaza (ex-infielder now playing outfield) temporarily moved back to the infield and played 2B. 

Fireballin' RHP Danis Correa labored through one inning of work while throwing almost all secondary stuff (only a couple of high velo FB) after throwing almost all FB in his previous outing, while RHRP Eduarniel Nunez threw almost 100% FB (only two off-speed pitches) and was sitting 95-96 (T-97). Both Corraa and E. Nunez are 21-year old Dominican power bullpen arms who could advance quickly if they can improve their secondaries and FB command (easier said than done, obviously).    

Here is the box score from the game: 
CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Nelson Velazquez, RF: 0-3 (P-6, F-8, K)
2. Bryce Windham, C: 1-2 (4-3, 1B)
3. Ethan Hearn, 1B: 0-2 (K, 1-3)
4. Andy Weber, SS: 0-2 (K, L-8)
5. Chase Strumpf, 2B: 0-2 (6-3, K) 
6. Rafael Morel, 3B: 0-1 (P-3, HBP)
7. Jacob Wetzel, CF: 0-2 (E-4, 4-6 FC, SB) 
8. Alfonso Rivas, LF: PLAYED DEFENSE ONLY - NO AB

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Cam Balego, 3B: 1-3 (K, 3B, P-4, R)
2. Pablo Aliendo, C: 2-2 (1B, 1B, RBI)
3. Felix Stevens, RF: 0-0 (BB, HBP)
4. Matt Mervis, 1B: 0-1 (HBP, L-7)
5. Cole Roederer, CF: 0-2 (5-3 DP, 4-1)
6. Luis Vazquez, SS: 0-2 (K, 6-3)
7. Yonathan Perlaza, 2B: 0-1 (K, BB) 
8. Alfonso Rivas, LF: PLAYED DEFENSE ONLY - NO AB 

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS: 
1. Danis Correa: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/AO, 21 pitches (10 strikes)
2. Chris Clarke: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 19 pitches (10 strikes)
3. Brad Deppermann: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 2/2 GO/AO, 17 pitches (7 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS: 
1. Manuel Espinoza: 3.0 IP, 1 H, ,0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/4 GO/AO, 40 pitches (30 strikes) 
2. Eduarniel Nunez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1/0 GO/AO, 18 pitches (9 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 1 
2B Yonathan Perlaza: E-4 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Pablo Aliendo: 0-1 CS 

ATTENDANCE: N/A 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen" 

Tags
Cubs AZ Instructional League game report
Manuel Espinoza
Pablo Aliendo
Cam Balego
Alfonso Rivas

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 11/04/2020 - 11:00 pm

oscar de la cruz signs a minor league deal with the mets (with spring training invite)...dunno if his starting days will get a chance to continue with the mets, but i wouldn't be shocked to see him working effectively out of the pen.  i was hoping the cubs would retain him.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 11/04/2020 - 11:02 pm

"Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that players want to keep the universal designated hitter for 2021, but owners want them to agree to keep the expanded playoffs for the 2021 season in exchange."

uggg...no thanks expanded playoffs.  dunno how the players feel about it or if they care...or if they consider it plus because of a bigger chance to get a share of that TV loot on their playoff cut.  it all just seems so watered down...

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 11/08/2020 - 11:38 am

BRADSBEARD: Alfonso Rivas got a lot of reps in LF at Instructs, but his best position is 1B.

It's sort of like when Rafael Palmeiro first came up with the Cubs and he played LF because Mark Grace had to play 1B, but as soon as Palmeiro was traded to Texas the Rangers immediatelty moved him to 1B and left him there. 

I think the best comp for Rivas is probably Victor Caratini, if you forget about Caratini as a catcher and think of him  strictly as a first-baseman (or as a DH).  

Disregarding the obvious differences (Caratini is a switch-hitting catcher who can also play 1B while Rivas is a LH hitting & throwing 1B who can also play LF), both Caratini and Rivas are patient hitters who take walks but also strike out because they are willing to go deep into the count and hit with two strikes, and they both have a smooth LH line-drive stroke and make hard contact with high exit-velo when they do make contact. 

Rivas (in particular) sprays line drives from foul line to foul line, although he doesn't have an elevated launch angle so he doesn't hit many HR (even in BP). But if he played every day Rivas could probably hit 30 or 40 doubles and take maybe 80 or 90 walks over the course of a 162-game season. 

Rivas is a legit prospect. Not Top 10 because he is a bat-first 1B-LF-DH who doesn't hit many HR, but because of his ability to hit doubles and take walks he should be at least in the Top 25.

Rivas will be Rule 5 Draft-eligible for the first time after next season (post-2021), and as things stand right now I would say he is a very good candidate to get added to the 40 this time next year (ESPECIALLY if the Cubs don't sign Rizzo to a contract extension, but still likely to be added even if they do).  

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 11/05/2020 - 11:48 pm

"According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the "belief is" the Red Sox are deciding between Alex Cora and Sam Fuld for their managerial opening."

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 11/08/2020 - 11:19 am

Ronny Simon was one of the first five IFA signed by the Cubs in the 2018-19 ISP. 

RHP Richard Gallardo, LHP Joel Machado, and OF Yohendrick Pinango were the hot shot 16-year olds who received substantial bonuses when they were "Signed for Future Service" on the first day of the ISP (7/2), but two older IFA (19-year old RHP Gabriel Jaramillo and 18-year old INF Ronny Simon) were signed a few days later and were placed on DSL active rosters that season.     

And while Gallardo, Machado, Pinango, and Jaramillo were invited to AZ Instructs post-2020, Simon was not (possibly because the Cubs already knew Simon was going to be sent to LAD in November).  

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 11/06/2020 - 11:03 am

If Sam Fuld gets the BoSox job, Ron Santo will be ordering Seattle Sutton, Acapulco Taco Pies for EVERYONE!

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 11/06/2020 - 11:22 pm

i'm actually surprised he's not going the GM route.

when the cubs signed him out of the draft he was rehabbing injury so he got a internship at STATS INC doing video tracking to kill time.  i think his degree is in statistics, too.

he's most likely a guy who's name we'll hear for decades even if he's never more than a regular baseball lifer.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 11/08/2020 - 11:20 pm

corey black seems have had a nice twitter meltdown over the election.  he's deleted some stuff after the fact, but he's on the "stolen election" bandwagon.

he's also declaring people moving from Cali to AZ need to stop because AZ people don't want them.  c.black is from san diego and not long ago moved to AZ...but well, you know...he's special.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

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