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

Cubs @ Nationals: Mourning Thread (Games 105-107)

This series begins after the trade deadline and will be a contest between one dismantled roster and one absurdly dismantled roster. Might this end up one of the least-watched series of 2021? See below for some sorrowful notes on players who have departed for more competitive climes and a lot of TBD in the daily matchups.


Game 105, Friday, July 30, 6:05 pm central

Neither the Cubs nor the Nationals have named a starter for this one. Instead of the matchups, let's note some players who will definitely not appear in this one. The Cubs will be without Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel, Trevor Williams, and Jake Marisnick. That's assuming more trades don't come to light in the aftermath of the bigger deals.

The Nationals are down Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Yan Gomes, Daniel Hudson, Josh Harrison, Jon Lester, and Kyle Schwarber. Starlin Castro has also been suspended 30 games under the MLB Domestic Violence Policy and was subsequently served his release from the Nats.


Game 106, Saturday, July 31, 6:05 pm central

Kyle Hendricks will start for the Cubs, and somebody will have to pitch first for the Nationals. It's easy to imagine Hendricks feeling kind of lonely, with basically just Contreras and Heyward left with him as holdovers from the 2016 champion roster--assuming you don't count Ross, of course.


Game 107, Sunday, August 1, 12:05 pm central

Adbert Alzolay gets a start for the Cubs, now looking absolutely in the right place as an inexperienced MLB player trying to find his footing and consistency. He can look forward to being reinforced next year by fellow members of a Cubs' youth movement, Nick Madrigal and probably the newly acquired OF Greg Deichmann, along with the returning Nico Hoerner.

Comments

Lots of transactions:

Arrieta activated, starting tonight

Recent waiver claims Schwindel and Fargas called up along with Manny Rodriguez (MLB debut upcoming!)

Andrew Romine and Michael Rucker selected from Iowa. Romine will disappear from 40 man over winter, Rucker added to the list of guys getting a shot and seeing if they stick on 40 over winter

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

this is mild as hell...extra mild.

2 months of this, eh?  alright, let's do it.

WAS is in a blackout zone for me and i usually stream a "liberated" feed, but i think i'll sit this series out...not out of protest or anything...javy going was the only surprise to me (and i'm glad contreras is still here), but it would help if these moves shuffled in a new crew of players waiting to get their shot.  no one moved opens up oportunities for a hot youngster to prove himself...not at the plate, not on the mound...

3 hours after the trade deadline...

the #1 trending topic on twitter (united states) is "Baez"...#2 is "Cubs"...#13 is "Ricketts" (and it's not outrage about Pete doing something stupid)...

there's also a great graphic going around of wrigley field being turned into a "Spirit Halloween" store...which is some A+ humor.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

The Cubs now have the 11th worst record in MLB, and although it will be difficult to "catch" AZ, BAL, PIT, and TEX, the Cubs still have a legit shot at getting to maybe the 5th worst record. Losing to the Nationals this weekend and to the Rockies next week would really help the Cubs get down and dirty with the other suckers.
   
Having the 5th overall pick in next year's draft would be a nice get, as long as the Cubs are tanking anyway. Having the 5th overall pick would also allow the Cubs to spend more $$$ in the draft because they will get a larger bonus pool. And then if the Cubs can continue to suck and be really bad for the entire season in 2022 and 2023, they could possibly get even a higher draft slot (maybe even #1?) in the 2023 and 2024 drafts. Maybe there will be another Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber in there somewhere. 

Back in 2015 I really thought this would never happen again with a Ricketts-owned Cubs team, but I guess it's deja vu all over again for Cub fans.

A "Oh No! We Suck Again!" t-shirt could become a big seller in Wrigleyville. 

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

i like boog.  i love his research and love of the game.

i wish he could roll with the humor of others a bit easier than he does.  he seems a bit defensive when he doesn't fully understand where the humor is going rather than rolling with it.  it's a bit awkward.

he seems to do a lot better with just sutcliffe than just jd or jd + sutcliffe.  that makes sense since boog/sutcliffe have years of history doing games.  jd isn't the problem in this relationship as far as what i'm hearing on-air as a fan, though.

your new 2021 chicago cubs...day 1

ortega / contreras / happ / wisdom / bote / heyward / duffy / alcantara / arrieta

phew.

dbacks see the cubs making a serious tanking move and they have 5 players go on the COVID list.

hell of a counter-play dbacks...good job.

Hi, guys!

It sure has been awhile. I was really happy to see crunch still posting here, and that this site even still exists. It has been far too long since I had even thought about this site. I spologize for that. Today's trauma brought a lot of things back. I am very sad to see all of these great players go, but I am of the opinion that this past offseason made this happen. The front office did everything they could to make sure that this happened this year. For that, I am not sure I can forgive this ownership. There are plentty of other reasons. They can clearly afford to continually reinvent this roster without having to tear it down. They are choosing not to. For that, I say "EAT ME!" I have so many new priorities these days that demand my attention and energy. I don't think that this ownership group deserves my energy, Anyway, I just wanted to say hi to everyone that I know from here, and that I hope everyone is well. I am! Cheers to all!

mlb.com has already updated their "top 30" team prospect rankings post-trade deadline.  https://www.mlb.com/prospects/cubs/

pete crow-armstrong #6 (mets)

alexander canario #7 (giants)

alexander vizcaino #8 (yanks)

kevin alcantara #11 (yanks)

caleb kilian #16 (giants)

greg deichmann #20 (A's)

i like caleb kilian more than the mlb.com ranking of #16.  if he manages to finish the season strong he should have no problem working his way into the top-10.

it's kinda "alright, then...whatever" that the 2 biggest pieces the cubs gained from all of this (nick madrigal + pete crow-armstrong) are both out with season ending surgery.  nick's got blown out right hamstring and pete's got a torn labrum.  it's not a careless risk gambling on these guy's recovery, but we won't get to see the main return on the team teardown in any capacity until 2022.

also...please extend contreras because hell yeah contreras.

Hey all, just checking in to say that yesterday was a really sad but appreciative day in my household.  It is still completely mystifying that the Cubs couldn't find a way to extend Rizzo and Javy especially, and there's still some hope here that one or both guys can come back next year along with a Contreras extension.  While they were here, Rizzo, Javy and KB especially gave us so much as players and made the last half decade really special for Cubs fans.  Thanks guys.

(Also, please let some of these prospects become the next Hendricks or Arrieta and not the next Mike Olt.)

Phil.

 

On what days of the calendar do players get to decide if they're going to opt out of their contracts?

 

Australian football games are being played before empty stadiums. I doubt that's a conducive environment to opting out.

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

TIM: If you mean a minor leaguer like Tony Cingrani, it would depend on his contract. 

In the case of Cingrani, he probably has an opt-out sometime in August that will allow him to opt-out of his minor league contract with the Cubs on or before a certain date and then perhaps sign with a contender, even if it's just another minor league contract. As long as he signs prior to midnight on August 31st Cingrani would be eligible to play in the post-season, although of course he would have to replace an injured player and get added to the new club's 40-man roster before he could actually play in a post-season game.  

Or if he doesn't have an opt-out, the Cubs could trade Cingrani to a contender prior to the 8/31 post-season roster eligibilty deadline. 

Remember, only players on an MLB 40-man roster (or MLB 60-day IL) and players who were outrighted to the minors from the MLB 40-man roster cannot be traded after the trade deadline, but all other minor league players  - CAN - be traded up until seven days prior to the pre-scheduled last day of the MLB regular season. 

So (for example), Joe Biagini, Tony Cingrani, Ryan Meisinger, and Michael Hermosillo can still be traded, but Tony Wolters,Taylor Gushue, and Mick Martini cannot (because Gushue, Wolters, and Martini were outrighted to the minors off the 40).      

Also, players on an MLB 40-man roster can still be claimed off waivers all the way to the end of the season (and beyond), and released players can be eligible for the post-season as long as the player is released in August and signs with a new club prior to midnight on 8/31 (and I wouldn't be too surprised to see this happen with Arrieta, Davies, Winkler, Duffy, and Chirinos).  

Willson Contreras and Kyle Hendricks will likely get traded during the off-season, and I would expect Ian Happ, Rex Brothers, Kyle Ryan, and Adam Morgan to get non-tendered, unless the Cubs can make a trade prior to 12/2 (the contract tender date). 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I had thought part of why Hendricks and Contreras weren't traded was because they don't want a long rebuild? And wanted to at least give next year a similar half-assed effort as this year.

Its certainly possible of course. Just heard somewhere that was the thinking. But then when you look at the potential roster next year, a full tear down and multi-year rebuild doesn't look at all out of the realm of possibilities 

Extremely not fun fact: if they did that, the final player left from the title team would be Heyward. Ultimate Cub experience, that would be.

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

I could see the Cubs signing a free agent 1B or Ss, an ok starting pitcher, and doing a half-competitive (i.e. finish in third place) phase while waiting for some of these prospects to arrive. Wouldn't be shocked if they get Rizzo back. It will take more than one season to build a real pitching staff, but I think ownership won't be willing to fully tank in the meantime.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

First of all, I cannot see Ricketts ever allowing another Heyward-type free-agent contract (multi-years for mega-bucks), even if it's Mike Trout. So Kris Bryant and Javier Baez are not coming back. 

Instead, I suspect what will happen post-2021 is kind of what happened this past off-season when Darvish and Caratini were traded even though both were under club control through 2023 and at the Trade Deadline when Kimbrel was traded even though he was under control through 2022. Because obviously it is - NOT - about just trading players on expiring contracts for whatever you can get. It is about maximizing the prospect return by trading quality veteran players with multiple years of club control left (like Contreras and Hendricks).   

So I fully expect Contreras and Hendricks will be shopped and probably traded for prospects.

Then the Cubs will wait until late in the off-season (or maybe even after the start of Spring Training) and sign a few free-agents to a one-year or - MAYBE - a two year contract who didn't get what they thought they would get in the marketplace and are now willing to settle for less, such as someone coming back from an injury (like Jake Arrieta was post-2020), or someone coming off a bad year (like Trevor Williams was post-2020), or someone wanting a chance to prove they can play every day (like Joc Pederson was post-2020 ), or just anybody who was left standing after the other free-agents have signed (as happened with Ryan Tepera during Spring Training this past March).

Maybe it will be a SS like Brandon Crawford. Or an OF like Adam Duvall. Or a 1B like Brandon Belt. Could even be Anthony Rizzo or Chafin or Tepera, if they don't get what they thought they were going to get after becoming free-agents. Just a few guys with MLB experience who are disappointed, but willing to sign a one-year contract (or maybe two years, tops), because they finally figure out that's all they can get and Wrigley Field is a nice place to play.

And then if they do not believe they are in contention at the 2022 Trade Deadline, the Cubs will shop these free-agents they signed and get whatever they can get for them, just like they did last week. And they will continue to do this every year going forward.   

Meawhile, the Cubs will bide their time and talk about how they are re "retooling" and not "rebuilding" and how they still think they can contend, all the while waiting for their homegrown impact prospects to arrive in Chicago. And once that happens (probably starting with Brennon Davis in 2022 or more-likely 2023), they will offer attractive (but reasonable) "market value" contract extensions to the ones who establish themselves as part of the core, buying out arbitration years and one or two or even three years of free-agency.

But doing it this way, I wouldn't expect the Cubs to become actual perennial contenders again until maybe 2025, because it will take that long for the entire prospect group to arrive and solidify as a core foundation that can stay together for a number of years. They could "accidentally" run into a contending situation in 2022, 2023, or 2024, or the homegrown core group could arrive earlier than expected, but it won't be an annual thing until the homegrown core has established itself (again, probably not until 2025).    

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Phil,

I don't disagree with Crunch that this sucks. Frankly, I've expected exactly what you predict since Darvish was traded. 

My question or point is the Cubs got to this point by being below average in Player Development and Scouting their own players accurately. 

How much confidence should Cubs fans have that has improved? From Davis, Wicks, Crow-Armstrong, etc., this staff will develop them to their best skills? Then, that Hoyer will have the $$$ authority to offer contracts that lock them up like the White Sox paid Roberts, Jimenez, etc.?

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

the cubs had years of 1st round picks gained by tanking do well and they got very lucky with the arrietta/strop trade.  strop is especially underappreciated in that trade.  theo obviously wanted rizzo badly, and made the right call there.  hendricks was a complex back/forth trade because of player injuries, but at the end of the day the cubs wanted hendricks and they made the right call there, too.

aside from that, it looks a lot like it's been for decades.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

To be fair they also did a good job bringing in talent to the system that they were able to use to make trades. And a few solid signings such as Lester and Zobrist.

I think part of it was the hunger mostly vanished after the title and things needed to be switched up to kick people in the ass a tad. Add a level of being hamstrung by Heyward deal, no one coming up to replace the lost farm system talent or aging players, no one but Rizzo and Hendricks signing extensions, and here we are

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Winning very much to a backseat to profits. I would imagine it always kinda was that way, but it became very obvious after the title. I think when ownership saw Darvish struggle year one, that was that, no more free agent spending. And never adjusted after it became clear Darvish was back starting midway through year two.

Heuer added to roster, wearing # 12. Not sure how I feel about Schwarbers number returning to circulation already

AZ Phil - I assume you've seen at least a few of the newly acquired players in person (the two prospects from the Giants?) - do any of them stand out to you one way or another? Always appreciate your first hand observations!

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

I saw quite a bit of Alexander Canario. I was at the game last year when he made the sliding catch at Sloan Park and tore up his shoulder and had to be carted off the field. I think he had surgery after that. But Canario is (or at least was) a pretty good prospect. Hopefully he comes back 100% from the shoulder injury. 

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

CUBSTER: CF Pete Crow-Armstrong had surgery for a torn labrum in his right (non-throwing) shoulder earlier this season and he is out for the year. When I saw Canario get hurt last year at Sloan it was his non-throwing shoulder (which is the left one in his case), too. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I read that Pete C-A's injury was a bit worse than a typical torn labrum in that his injury also involved a fracture of the anterior glenoid (socket).  In some ways the fracture heals better (bone heals better than cartilage) but clinically they have similar outcomes. It's good that their throwing shoulders were not involved. In contrast, David Bote had a dislocation without fracture or labral tear. He did not get surgery, which is how most first time dislocations get treated. Bote has a higher risk of recurrent dislocation but his recovery was much quicker.  

Thought for sure Soto would go yard after Alcantera's error loaded the bases - disaster averted with Soto's first pitch ground out. 

JHey with a bouncer thru the right side gets a two out rbi - his first rbi since July 16.  Happ with another true outcome nite: 3 Ks and a walk

k.ryan coming in for the save, but j.jewell is in the pen warming up...don't think anyone is officially "closer"

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I think we're going to get very experimental over these last two months in the high leverage spots. Only caveat is they may want to see if Wick can handle the 9th once he's back.

That, I'm pretty sure Ryan would have been my last guess to close out a game. Either him or Megill.

[ ]

In reply to by Jackstraw

I meant more in the sense I don't know that I have it in me to watch a long protracted rebuild. Sorry, "re-tool." Last time, I watched religiously. I bought all the baseball America books, followed every minor league box score and major league game, etc. I've since aged and had a couple kids. If the Cubs don't actually want to win, I don't have the same energy level to devote. I might keep the MLB sub (I'm not in Chicago market), but that will mostly be devoted to scouting for my fantasy teams, and maybe checking in if the Cubs have an interesting player come up.

baez coming into the bottom 9th, down by 1, man on 1st.

standing O.  NY loves him so far.  part of the crowd is chanting "javy" and others "baez"...they'll figure it out in a few games.

The Cubs desperately need to bring back Edwin Jackson. Alzolay working on 20 losses, channeling it.

Happ flies out, Wisdom grounds out, Duffy grounds out. Welcome to the Jayson Heyward school of hitting circa August 2021.

well...

who though we'd have "the ortega game" today?  alright, then.

mets fail to sign k.rocker.

at the time it was considered a hell of a pick when he fell so far (11th pick).  he was considered a top-5 pick for most of the year, #1 for a chunk of it.  his medicals (elbow) gave the mets pause offering him slot value.  his agent, boras, says he's healthy.

he will not return to vandy and will go "pro"...he returns to the draft next year and the mets get a compensation 11th pick in round 1 next season.

Still haven't seen/heard if Cubs signed 19th rd Daniel Avitia, the last of the unsigned or declined.

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

Grand Canyon University's pitching staff got a big boost with recent Phoenix Alhambra High School ace Daniel Avitia deciding not to sign with the Chicago Cubs and, instead, honoring his letter of intent to the NCAA Division I school."

Mostly, they didn't give me the money I wanted," said Avitia, who was asking for $300,000. "The best position for me is to go to GCU and get in the top rounds (after his junior season)." Avitia said that the Cubs wouldn't go any higher than $125,000 in negotiations.

His brother, David Avitia, who finished his college career at GCU, helping the Antelopes reach their first NCAA regional, was given an undrafted free agent offer from the Cubs. But David said he has yet to sign with the Cubs.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2021/08/02/alhambra-…

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • 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?