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

2021 MLB International Signing Period

12/1 UPDATE

The Cubs have officially signed another 2021 IFA, bringing to 34 the number of IFA signed by the Cubs so far in the 2021 ISP (see full list below).

Jair Jimenez, RHP 
Age 19 
R/R, 6'1 172
MEXICO 

Like the two IFA signed by the Cubs in October and the four signed in November, Jimenez was "Signed for Future Service" (he signed a 2022 contract), so he will not count against the Cubs 70-man International Reserve List until 2022 DSL Opening Day. 

The 2021 ISP concludes at 5 PM (Eastern) on December 15th, and the 2022 ISP begins on January 15th. No IFA may be signed between 5 PM (Eastern) on December 15th through January 14, 2022


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

11/12 UPDATE

The Cubs have officially signed four more 2021 IFA, bringing to 33 the number of IFA signed so far by the Cubs in the 2021 ISP (see full list below). 

Eligio Paredes, RHP  
Age 19 
R/R, 6'1 190 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

Jensi Ramirez, RHP 
Age 17  
R/R, 5'11 170 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

Kevin Valdez, LHP 
Age 19  
R/L, 6'4 185
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  

Yafrerlyn Vasquez,  RHP 
Age 17
R/R, 6'1 190 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

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

10/4 UPDATE

The Cubs have officially signed their 28th and 29th IFA in the 2021 ISP (see full list below): 

Luis Albert Reyes, RHP 
Age 17 
R/R, 6'3 220 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

Edward Vargas, OF 
Age 17 
R/R, 6'2 165 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Both were "Signed for Future Service" (they signed 2022 contracts), so they will not count against the Cubs 70-man International Reserve List until 2022 DSL Opening Day.  

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

The Cubs have officially signed their 27th IFA in the 2021 ISP (see full list below): 

Geuri Lubo
, SS 
Age 17 
R/R, 6'2 195  
Dominican Republic  

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

5/18 UPDATE

The Cubs have officially signed four more 2021 IFA, bringing the total number of IFA signed in the 2021 IFA to 26. 

Carlos Garcia, LHP
Age 18
L/L, 6'4 190 
Cuba  
 
Raul Guzman, CF 
Age 17 
L/L, 5'11 145 
Dominican Republic 

Starlyn Pichardo, RHP 
Age 17 
R/R, 6'0 175
Dominican Republic  

Tomy Sanchez, RHP  
Age 18 
R/R, 5'8 163 
Dominican Republic

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

2/28 UPDATE


The Cubs have officially signed seven more 2021 IFA, bringing the total number of IFA signed in the 2021 ISP to 22: 

Raino Coran, OF 
Age  18 
R/R,  6'4 210 
Curacao 

Runelvis Toribio, RHP 
Age 17 
R/R, 6'1 155 
Dominican Republic

Scarlyn Lebron, RHP 
Age 21  
R/R, 6'3 178 
Dominican Republic

Alfredo Zarraga, RHP 
Age 18 
R/R, 5'11 158
Venezuela 

Cristian Rojas, RHP 
Age 18 
R/R, 6'1 153
Dominican Republic 

Luis Rafael Reyes, RHP 
Age 18 
R/R, 6'0 185
Dominican Republic 

Wilmer Bolivar, OF 
Age 17  
R/R, 6'0 167 
Colombia

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

1/16 UPDATE

The Cubs have officially signed 15 IFA: 

Cristian Hernandez, SS
Age 17 
R/R, 6'2 175
Dominican Republic   

Moises Ballesteros, C
Age 17 
L/R, 5'10 195 
Venezuela 

Gabriel Agrazal, RHP
Age 17 
R/R, 6'1 185 
Panama 

Ronny Corniell, RHP 
Age 20 
R/R, 6'1 170 
Dominican Republic 

Kenneddy Delgado, RHP 
Age 17
R/R, 6'0 170 
Venezuela 

Daniel Ferreira, OF 
Age 17 
R/R, 5'10 170 
Dominican Republic

Oferman Hernandez, OF 
Age 17 
L/R, 6'0 160 
Dominican Republic  

Zhiorman Imbriano, LHP 
Age 17 
L/L, 6'0 180  
Venezuela 

Adrian Martinez, RHP 
Age 18 
R/R, 6'2 190 
Dominican Republic 

Fredy Montenegro, C 
Age 17 
R/R, 5'10 160
Venezuela 

David Olivo, RHP 
Age 18 
R/R, 6'0 170 
Dominican Republic

Welington Quintero, RHP 
Age 20 
R/R, 6'0 185 
Dominican Republic

Pedro Ramirez, SS 
Age 16 
B/R, 5'9 165 
Venezuela 

Carlos Ramos, C 
Age 17 
R/R, 5'10 170 
Venezuela 

Joel Sierra, RHP 
Age 19 
R/R, 6'1 190 
Dominican Republic

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

INTERNATIONAL FREE-AGENTS SIGNED BY CUBS IN 2021 INTERNATIONAL SIGNING PERIOD

Last updated 12-1-2021 

34 players signed 

* bats or throws left 
# bats both

NOTE: Age listed is the player's age when he signed 

PITCHERS: (22)
Gabriel Agrazal (age 17) - PANAMA - 6'1 185 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021
Ronny Corniell (age 20) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'1 170 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021  
Kenneddy Delgado (age 17) - VENEZUELA - 6'0 170 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
* Carlos Garcia (age 18) - CUBA - 6'4 190 - SIGNED MAY 2021
* Zhiorman Imbriano (age 17) - VENEZUELA - 6'0 180 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Jair Jimenez (age 19) - MEXICO - 6'1 172 - SIGNED NOVEMBER 2021 
Scarlyn Lebron (age 21) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'3 178 - SIGNED FEBRUARY 2021 
Adrian Martinez (age 18) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'2 190 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
David Olivo (age 18) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6;0 170 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Eligio Paredes (age 19) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'1 190 - SIGNED NOVEMBER 2021 
Starlyn Pichardo (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'0 175 - SIGNED MAY 2021 
Welington Quintero (age 20) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'0 185 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Jensi Ramirez (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 5'11 170 - SIGNED NOVEMBER 2021
Luis Albert Reyes (age 17) -- DOMINICAN REPUNLIC - 6'3 220 - SIGNED OCTOBER 2021   
Luis Rafael Reyes (age 18) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'0 185 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021
Cristian Rojas (age 18) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'1 153 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Tomy Sanchez (age 18) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 5'8 163 - SIGNED MAY 2021 
Joel Sierra (age 19) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'1 190 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Runelvis Toribio (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'1 155 - SIGNED FEBRUARY 2021 
* Kevin Valdez (age 19) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'4 185 - SIGNED NOVEMBER 2021 
Vafrerlyn Vasquez (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'1 190 - SIGNED NOVEMBER 2021
Alfredo Zarraga (age 18) - VENEZUELA - 5'11 158 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 

CATCHERS: (3)
* Moises Ballesteros (age 17) - VENEZUELA - 5'10 195 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Fredy Montenegro (age 17) - VENEZUELA - 5'10 160 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Carlos Ramos (age 17) - VENEZUELA - 5'10 170 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 

INFIELDERS: (3)
Cristian Hernandez (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'2 175 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Geuri Lubo (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'2 175 - SIGNED JUNE 2021 
# Pedro Ramirez (age 16) - VENEZUELA - 5'9 165 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 

OUTFIELDERS: (6)
Wilmer Bolivar (age 17) - COLOMBIA - 6'0 167 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Raino Coran (age 18) - CURACAO - 6'4 210 - SIGNED FEBRUARY 2021 
Daniel Ferreira (age  17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 5'10 170 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
* Raul Guzman (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 5'11 145 - SIGNED MAY 2021 
* Oferman Hernandez (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'0 160 - SIGNED JANUARY 2021 
Edward Vargas (age 17) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 6'2 175 - SIGNED OCTOBER 2021

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

ORIGINAL POST 1/15 

INTERNATIONAL SIGNING PERIOD 


The 2021 MLB "International Signing Period" (ISP) commences today (January 15th) and will extend until 5 PM (Eastern) on December 15th. No international player can be signed during the period of time beginning at 5 PM (Eastern) on December 15, 2021 through January 14, 2022.   
NOTE: Prior to 2020, the "International Signing Period" extended from July 2nd through June 15th of the following year. No international player could be signed during the period of time extending from June 16th through July 1st. The 2019-20 ISP was extended until 5 PM (Eastern) on October 15th, with the start of the 2021 ISP commencing on January 15, 2021, and extending through December 15th, and the 2022 ISP will commence on January 15, 2022, and extend through December 15th.     

Any individual who is age 16 or older, has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, resides outside the U. S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and has not been enrolled in a high school or college in the U. S., Canada, or Puerto Rico within the previous year, can be signed during the ISP. Also, any individual age 15 who turns 16 during the ISP is eligible to sign beginning on the date he turns 16 up through August 31st or by the last day of the regular season of the minor league club to which he is first assigned (whichever comes last).  

INTERNATIONAL SIGNING BONUS POOL 

There is a maximum limit on the aggregate amount of money each MLB club can pay as signing bonuses to international first-year players.

1. Each MLB club is assigned an "International Signing Bonus Pool" (ISBP) prior to the start of the International Signing Period (ISP). In both the 2021 and 2022 ISP, a club's assigned ISBP will be a "hard cap." (ISBP space cannot be traded in the 2021 and 2022 ISPs). 

The Cubs 2021 ISBP is $5,348,100.  

2021 ISP
$6,431,000 for an MLB club that has a selection in Competitive Balance Round "B" (between the 2nd & 3rd rounds) of the MLB Rule 4 Draft;
$5,899,600 for an MLB club that has a selection in Competitive Balance Round "A" (between the 1st & 2nd rounds) of the MLB Rule 4 Draft; 
$5,348,100 for an MLB club that does not receive Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) revenue sharing (this group includes the Cubs). 
$4,732,700 for an MLB club that does not receive CBT revenue sharing that signed a post-2019 Article XX-B Qualified Player to a 2020 MLB contract 
$4,232,700 for an MLB club that is a CBT payor that signed a post-2019 Article XX-B Qualified Player to a 2020 MLB contract 
NOTE: The Atlanta Braves 2021 ISBP is $1,572,000 as the result of penalties received from a previous season rules violation 

2. Any signing bonus of $10,000 or less does not count toward a club's ISBP limit. 

3. An MLB club (excluding clubs that receive CBT revenue sharing and MLB Rule 4 Competitive Balance draft picks) that signs an Article XX-B Qualified Player (not including its own Qualified Players) will have $500,000 subtracted from its assigned International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) in the next full International Signing Period (ISP) for each Qualified Player signed, and an MLB club that is a Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the CBT threshold) would have $1,000,000 subtracted from its ISBP in the next ISP for each Qualified Player signed. (The Competitive Balance Tax threshold was $195M in 2017, $197M in 2018, $206M in 2019, and $208M in 2020, and will be $210M in 2021).
NOTE: The Los Angeles Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies had their 2021 ISBP reduced by $500K and the New York Yankees had their 2021 ISBP reduced by $1M as the result of signing post-2019 MLB Article XX-B Qualified Players.  

4. A club can carry-over up to $400K in ISBP space from one ISP to the next ISP if a contract or contracts signed by a player or players is/are voided after the conclusion of the ISP during which the contract or contracts was/were signed. The amount of ISBP space carried-over from the previous ISP must match the amount of ISBP space that was deducted from the club's ISBP after the player or players signed their contracts. If the amount of ISBP space deducted exceeded $400K, the amount of ISBP space in excess of $400K that is carried-over to the next ISP will be divided up into 29 equal amounts and added to the ISBP of the other 29 MLB clubs. 
NOTE: A club's right to carry-over ISBP space from one ISP to the next ISP only applies to contracts that are voided as the result of the player failing his physical or being unable to obtain a visa to the U. S. or if an investigation by the MLB Commissioner determines the player falsified his age and/or identity prior to signing the contract. It does not apply to contracts voided by the MLB Commissioner as a result of a rules violation by the club.

6. The MLB Commissioner can order a club to forfeit up to 50% of its assigned ISBP from one or more ISP and/or one or more player contract(s) can be voided if it is determined that a club and/or a player or players attempted to circumvent the international signing bonus rules.

ISBP RESTRICTIONS/EXCEPTIONS

1. A international first-year player subject to ISBP restrictions cannot be signed to a Major League contract.

2. A player age 25 or older who has spent all or part of at least six seasons playing in an MLB-recognized foreign professional or "major" league is considered to be a "Foreign Professional" player. A "Foreign Professional" is not subject to ISBP international first-year player restrictions and can sign a Major League or minor league contract with any MLB organization without restriction. A signing bonus paid to a "Foreign Professional" does - NOT - count against the club’s ISBP.
NOTE: Beginning with the 2018-19 ISP, any "Foreign Professional" player under contract to a Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (Mexican League) club can sign a Major League or minor league contract with any MLB organization after the conclusion of the LMB season (including post-season), or (with consent of the player's LMB club) during the LMB season. If an MLB club signs an LMB player with "Foreign Professional" player status, the MLB club must pay the LMB club a one-time release fee equal to 15% of the total value of the contract if the player signs a Major League contract or 35% of the total value of the contract if the player signs a minor league contract. No release fee would be paid by the MLB club if the player's contract has expired or if the contract had been terminated by the LMB club prior to the MLB club offering a contract to the player.     

3. A player under contract to a Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (Mexican League) club who has not yet reached "Foreign Professional" player status may sign a minor league contract with an MLB organization - IF - the LMB club agrees to release the player so that he can sign with the MLB club. The Mexican League club would receive a one-time release fee equal to 35% of the total value of the contract (by rule an international player who is not yet a "Foreign Professional" cannot sign a Major League contract). The release fee paid by an MLB club to an LMB club does - NOT - count against the MLB club's ISBP.    
NOTE: Prior to the 2018-19 ISP, up to 75% of a signing bonus paid to a Mexican League player (or a player under contractual control of an LMB club) who had not yet reached "Foreign Professional" player status did not count against the MLB club's ISBP if the signing bonus was paid to the Mexican League club and not directly to the player and the player received no more than 25% of the signing bonus from the Mexican League club. 

4. Trading ISBP space is prohibited in both the 2021 and 2022 ISP. 

Comments

bryant 9.5m, contreras 6.65m, baez 11.65m, z.davies 8.63m

looks like happ is going to arbitration.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Reclamation projects with minimal risk are good in general, but having this guy be currently projected for a rotation spot is laughable.

I would have much preferred to see them sign Foltynewicz in this capacity. Folty was bad last year and the year before but at least its only been two years since he was successful, and he has two years of team control remaining. Miller last put together a good season in 2015.

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

These guys are a year apart in age and Miller's easily had the stronger career to date. While I'm not big on Miller, much prefer his more standard injury (TJ) than whatever it is that sapped Foltynewicz's velocity. Folty without velocity just isn't interesting and is likely a much bigger injury risk

Monday Tribune: Conservative Joe Ricketts to launch Omaha-based "unbiased" online news service (called Straight Arrow news). 

Yeah, right. Making son Pete look like a liberal. 

Laura when hearing the name hysterically laughed out loud.

Sinclair media investing?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

pete ricketts (the governor of Nebraska ricketts) is a key part of an anti-gambling Nebraska group called "Gambling With The Good Life" that actively lobbied their open legislature...including a speech by pete...to keep gambling illegal in Nebraska.

he last spoke for the group to the state government in-session 3 months ago.

...it's also worth mentioning all of this is separate from the Draft Kings/Wrigley Field deal that flew under the radar toward the end of the season that will put a sportsbook directly in wrigley field, itself.

i have 0 interest in hearing about why the cubs need to "save" 30-40m in payroll by directly cutting funding from the product that props up everything they wish to monitize.

SD picks up joe musgrove from PIT...

they have Snell/Darvish/Musgrove/Lamet and a nice race for the 5th slot.  wow.

jared porter...damn dude...mets gm, ex cubs director of scouting...

"The exchange "started casually," per Passan and Kimes, before Porter started complimenting the female reporter's appearance and invited her to meet him in various cities. In total, there were 62 unanswered texts -- including seven photos -- sent from Porter to the woman. One of them was an image of an erect, naked penis. Reached by ESPN on Monday, Porter stated, "The more explicit ones are not of me. Those are like, kinda like joke-stock images." He asked whether ESPN was planning to run a story about it, then requested more time before eventually declining further comment."

DUDE.  wtf...

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I thought the Cubs had lost a rising star in Porter, seems the just got lucky with him leaving the organization. 

Mets owner Steve Cohen announced on Twitter this morning that the organization has terminated general manager Jared Porter following last night’s revelation that he had harassed  a female reporter via a string of 60-plus unreturned text messages, which included unsolicited, explicit images.

“In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it,” writes Cohen. “There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.”

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

The Jared Porter story gets worse and does involve the Cubs...

"The Jared Porter situation is equally a Cubs and a Mets problem. The Mets need a new GM. The Cubs need to reevaluate themselves as an organization.

The Mets fired Porter via a Steve Cohen tweet on Tuesday morning after an ESPN story by Jeff Passan and Mina Kimes revealed that Porter sent a harassing string of text messages and a picture of his penis to a female reporter in 2016, when he worked for the Cubs and the Cubs won a World Series.

The unnamed Cubs employee in the story was an international scout no longer with the organization, according to a source. In the ESPN story, he was quoted as saying he was listening to both sides and trying to mend the situation, which is absolutely not his job. He did not report it to the organization, according to the Cubs statement and a source, though that doesn’t mean other people didn’t know. Passan and Kimes reported that several people were aware of these texts. Did those people work for the team? The Cubs have to find out."

Also remember the Cubs had to deal with Addison Russell's mess in that same time frame. Yeech.

https://theathletic.com/2332457/2021/01/19/chicago-cubs-jared-porter-ml…

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

not sure, but i think it's around 130-135m right now even with bryant/baez/contreras still on board...including the 3m to set darvish free and other random $$ expenses on the roster.

tack on another 3-4m for happ when that gets settled....plus other odds/ends that have a chance to make the roster (s.miller, a.morgan, j.holder, etc) and other pre-arbitration guys...

cubs still need someone to back up contreras (if he sticks around, which i wouldn't be surprised to see him stick around)...not sure if taylor gushue is gonna be that guy and m.amaya is too young.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

It all depends what you count as "payroll." If you include the $11M in Lester and Descalso's buyouts plus the $3M sent in the Darvish trade you get to somewhere like $145M. If you include the $15M in estimated share of player benefits, you get to $160M. I think that last year, including player benefits, they were slated to be up around $205M for MLB payroll before the pandemic. 

[ ]

In reply to by springs

given what little we're supposed to expect out of this offseason that would have been a nice gamble.

at this point i wonder if they're going to snag someone to put in between the 2 current staff aces that throw 88mph on a good day, or if they're just gonna toss one of the kids in there to break up the slow-tossers.

i mean, there's gotta be something more than hendricks/davies/mills/alzolay/???...i hope.

bjays gave chatwood 3m.

do they not have scouts...or televisions you can watch games where he pitches?

hank aaron has died.  passed away in his sleep.

we've lost a lot of HOF'rs and other notables in the past many months.

from an mlb.com article by Jordan Bastian...excerpt on Cubs free agent starting pitching options:

"Still, the Cubs need some more experienced Major League innings.

Given the way the offseason has played out for the North Siders, free-agent possibilities could include Chris Archer. Archer missed all of 2020 due to thoracic outlet syndrome, but he hopes to be ready to go by Spring Training. Free agents Mike Foltynewicz, Carlos Rodón, Rick Porcello and Trevor Williams are coming off forgettable '20 seasons but might benefit from the Cubs' analytics team.

Or, hey, if the Cubs want to stick with "veteran left-hander with leadership qualities" in the wake of Lester's departure, 40-year-old Rich Hill is on the open market, too. Hill, who made his big league debut with the Cubs back in 2005, is coming off a one-year, $3 million (before prorated) pact with the Twins."

Trevor Williams had a really nice 2018. I'm not sure why he failed after that but he will be 29 in 2021 and might be worth a flyer.

still a bit shocked how many people are upset lester left for WAS.

what part of the last 2 seasons has made anyone want another?  he struck out a lot of guys in between the hit parade and homers while trying hard to hit 90mph with his fastball...meh...

personally, i wouldn't be happy to still have him around.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Have to say I agree... I think that some of the reactons is wrapped up with frustration over finances moreso than JL's actual performance.  There are legit elements to that frustration, but nothing is worse than having JL be booed for the better part of a season b/c he is out of gas.  Much rather part with sweet memories & good feelings.

[ ]

In reply to by First.Pitch.120

dude had 3 good/great seasons out of 6...3 of 4 clustered together...though he didn't put in 200+ innings in past his first 2 years he was mostly healthy and ready to go for the entire contract.

not a bad run for a long-term pitching contract...  i'm willing to let him go prove things elsewhere rather than putting a possible further strain on his cubs/fans relationship.

cubs sign RH starter/reliever kohl stewart to a MLB contract, 700K...former MIN prospect (1st round, 4th pick, 2013).

he opted out of 2020 (diabetes).

he pitched poorly in 2019.

the 2021 roster is being used to audition risky kids with upside for future club control.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Kohl Stewart has two minor league options left so he can ride the Des Moines - Chicago Shuttle without restriction, although he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted because he has been outrighted previously in his career (not once, but twice). 

So he is essentially the 40-man roster replacement for Colin Rea.  

Arizona Phil, some folks (mostly me!) were wondering if you had any thoughts/info on Luis Devers, who seems to be having a nice ACL season despite being a bit old for the level. Got touched for a HR last night but hadn't given up multiple runs in a start before then and has struck out a healthy number of batters while limiting walks. Many thanks in advance!

Anything to be noted about Temblador, Venezuela's Pedro Ramirez, who is shredding as the pipelines youngest player?

AZ PHIL - are any of these INTFA, other than the obvious Christian Hernandez, show an immeadiate signs of being a good prospect?  Given a lot of these are really raw young kids.  You saw the talent in Eloy, Torres, Amaya, Soler, Alzolay, Marquez, etc, but there have also been the can't miss busts, Eddy Julio Martinez, Ademan, Tseng, Moreno, Sierra, etc or are a lot of these just a lot of bodies who are wild cards?

Interesting that you have Geuri Lubo as an RHP, but he's playing SS for the DSL Red squad today.

Sneak peak into the International Free Agent Signings that officially start tomorrow (Saturday):

Chicago Cubs ($5,179,700 total bonus pool) - 5 Signings (so far):

  • Adan Sanchez, C/3B, Panama ($1,500,000 bonus)
  • Alexis Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic ($1,300,000 bonus)
  • Jefferson Rojas, SS, Dominican Republic ($1,000,000 bonus)
  • Josefrailyn Alcantata, OF, Dominican Republic
  • Carlos Altuve, C, Venezuela

 

[ ]

In reply to by Wrigley Rat

The Cubs added four more International Free Agents so far today:

  • Josias Ramirez, OF, Dominican Republic
  • Moises Febrillet, SS, Dominican Republic
  • Albertina Belliard, OF, Dominican Republic
  • Yidel Diaz, C, Dominican Republic

 

[ ]

In reply to by Wrigley Rat

In addition to those signed today, it's worth noting that seven players were signed to future-service contracts during the last international free agent signing period, and are expected to make their system-debut this coming season (most likely in the Dominican Republic). Those players are:

  • RHP - Luis Angel Reyes
  • LHP - Kevin Valdez
  • RHP - Jensi Ramirez
  • RHP - Yafrerlyn Vasquez
  • RHP - Eligio Paredes
  • RHP - Jair Jimenez
  • OF - Edward Vargas

 

List is up to 12 now

Adan Sanchez, C/3B, Panama
Alexis Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic
Jefferson Rojas, SS, Dominican Republic
Josefrailyn Alcantata, OF, Dominican Republic
Carlos Altuve, C, Venezuela
Josias Ramirez, OF, Dominican Republic
Moises Febrillet, SS, Dominican Republic
Albertina Belliard, OF, Dominican Republic
Yidel Diaz, C, Dominican Republic
Freylin Silverio, RHP, Dominican Republic
Sandy Sanchez, SS, Dominican Republic
Darlin de Leon, SS, Dominican Republic

I hope all is well with AZ Phil. Hasn't posted in a few weeks and typically would expect him to have a post up tracking IFA signings. Maybe he's waiting for something official from the Cubs (who don't seem to have announced any of the signings officially)? 

Cubs IFA Signings are heavy on SS (given SS usually can play many positions as the develop), but only 1 pitcher.  Given it's still early.  Also disappointing that their best signing is #18.  Gone are the days of Soler, Eloy, Torres, Marquez, Amaya etc.  I believe Christian Hernandez last year was highly rated though.

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In reply to by cubbies.4ever

Cubbies.4ever - I read that the Cubs strategy with international free agents has been to spend most of their bonus money on young, position players and then take chances on cheaper, older pitching prospects who have been late bloomers (taller, stronger, more command of pitches, etc.). They are also grabbing guys at the end of the international signing period and signing them to future service contracts. They have six pitchers that were signed last year to future service contracts, and only one position player. As for getting the #1 or #2 picks, it looks like if they can't get one of the "can't miss" prospects, they'd rather get three or four $1 to $1.5 million guys than take a chance on a #8-type prospect for $2-3 million. This year they spent $1.5, 1.3, 1.0 and 0.5 so far on announced bonuses. And finally, the Cubs are expected to sign the current #1 international prospect next year (if it's not replaced with an international draft) if he remains eligible. His name is Fernando Cruz (SS) and will likely cost $4-5 million (which is most of our bonus pool money). It's probably wise to go for quantity one year and quality the next, just to make sure the system continues to be supplied with new blood!

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In reply to by cubbies.4ever

The IFA market isn't exactly an equal access thing. Not only do the Cubs have a slightly smaller bonus pool than some teams, players are often linked to teams through their trainers well before they are able to sign. It's not like when these kids are 14 that the teams know for sure that they have a top of the class player on their hands two years in the future.
 

The rules have changed since the Cubs signed Soler (no bonus limits) or even since they signed Torres and Jimenez (no hard bonus limits). Back when they signed Torres and Jimenez, the rules allowed them to spend well over their bonus pool in exchange for a penalty in future years. Now teams can't go all out for talent but are limited to the hard caps. It's also worth noting Brailyn Marquez was not a top ranked IFA signing at the time. He was developed into a top prospect. 
 

All that to say, the rules and the nature of the IFA system don't really allow the Cubs to go out and get the very top IFA talent every year. But as you noted, last year Cristian Hernandez was rated 5th in the class by BA and 6th by MLB Pipeline. The Cubs are also currently linked to Fernando Cruz, who is expected to be one of the top rated players in the 2023 class (if there isn't an international draft instituted before then). So I wouldn't say the days of the Cubs landing top international talent are gone. They just tend to be somewhat irregular given the nature of things. 

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).