Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus six players are on the 60-DAY IL

Last updated 10-2-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 22
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Brad Boxberger
Ben Brown
Jose Cuas
Tyler Duffey 
Jeremiah Estrada
Shane Greene
Kyle Hendricks
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Daniel Palencia
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 8
# Jeimer Candelario
Nico Hoerner
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom
* Jared Young

OUTFIELDERS: 8
Kevin Alcantara
* Cody Bellinger
Alexander Canario
* Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennen Davis
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

60-DAY IL: 6
Nick Burdi, P
Michael Fulmer, P 
Codi Heuer, P
* Brandon Hughes, P
Nick Madrigal, INF
Ethan Roberts, P
 


 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: Series Thread (Games 37-40)

The Cubs took two of three from the Pirates to start their homestand. Next, they'll host the D-Backs for four as the season nears the end if it's first quarter. See below for daily matchups.


Game 37, Thursday, May 19, 6:40 pm central

CHC: RHP Marcus Stroman (1-3, 5.13 ERA)

ARZ: RHP Zac Gallen (2-0, 1.05 ERA)


Game 38, Friday, May 20, 1:20 pm central

CHC: RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-3, 4.03 ERA)

ARZ: RHP Humberto Castellanos (2-1, 4.15 ERA)


Game 39, Saturday, May 21, 1:20 pm central

CHC: LHP Justin Steele (1-4, 4.50 ERA)

ARZ: LHP Madison Bumgarner (2-2, 2.29 ERA)


Game 40, Sunday, May 22, 1:20 pm central

CHC: LHP Wade Miley (1-0, 2.70 ERA)

ARZ: RHP Merrill Kelly (3-2, 3.27 ERA)

Comments

Saw CK throw today for 3rd time. He's consistently very good but not dominant. They let him throw 80 pitches today, his most yet, but he couldn't finish the 6th after getting the first 2 hitters. 2 unearned runs thx to an error by Robel Garcia who's en fuego at the plate to the tune of 8 homers in last 9 games. Leads league in OPS and, ironically, wears #7 which is the number on the Brennen Davis jersey shirts they handed out last weekend while BD is back in AZ rehabbing his bad back. Anyway, CK does look pretty polished and IS impressive. I guess his consistency is most impressive to me but they seem to be handling him w/ extreme care. Call up after Hendricks dealt @ deadline?

morel playing 2nd thursday night...should be interesting.  he's only played there 13 times in the minors, but he did play there this off-season in winter league.

Pretty amazing to see the Cubs farm system with a .617 winning percentage. With few exceptions, the hitters are hitting and several pitchers appear to be taking big steps forward. There's improvement at every level. Very exciting. Have to think that changes in player development department are certainly paying off.

These stretches of unwatchable Cubs baseball are tough on me (us). I went last night. The ballpark is still beautiful with green ivy, the weather was beautiful too but the offense was not watchable unless you like scoring opportunities that leave all their runners stranded. 

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

happ, contreras, and suzuki are the only steady guys and were pretty much the only guys expected to be steady.

the rest of the team is contact hitting feast/famine and other team's AAA/bench guys the cubs are giving 400-600 PA.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

GEORGE A: Because he is already on the 40 I would expect Nelson Velazquez to be recalled to replace Ian Happ after he is traded, and because they are Rule 5 Draft-eligible post-2022, I would expect Nelson Maldonado (replacing Frank Schwindel as the primary DH) and Darius Hill (replacing Rafael Ortega as the 4th OF) to be selected to the 40 after the trade deadline.

Jared Young and Bryce Ball are also Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2022 and could get called up as well, but they only allow multiple designated hitters in a lineup in Extended Spring Training games. 

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

GEORGE: Any post-2021 Article XX-B MLB FA who signed a 2022 MLB contract with the Cubs (Simmons, Norris, Smyly, Gomes, Villar, Robertson, Stroman, and Givens) has an automatic full "no trade" right through June 15th, so a Memorial Day sale might be just a bit premature.

However, I do agree that the Cubs will make a concerted effort to trade most if not all of them (plus Contreras, Hendricks, Miley, Happ, Gsellman, and Martin) by the 8/2 Trade Deadline, since post-trade deadline waiver trades are no longer permitted. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

i've already made peace with contreras being traded, but wow...who else loves the game this much?  who else loves the game this much that's been under Cubs club control?  

this guy is a leader and a cheerleader.  he loves it when he does good and he's equally happy when others do well.  him leaving isn't something I'm happy with. 

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

He should be our Yadier (overrated though he is). Willson's the heart of the team. And the stupid, stupid Cubs are going to trade him away for teenagers.

Perhaps we should also think about trading Kilian. Big trade value right now, 6 years of control, on the wrong side of 20. Think of all the teenagers we could get for him! Keep an eye on the 2028 Cubs

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I hope they extend Contreras, and perhaps Happ.  If not, I certainly hope they trade any of those mentioned above that will become free agents at the end of this season, if they can get anything worthwhile for any of them.  Letting anyone of value, is not be extended, become a free agent is foolish.  Especially the pitchers.  This administration has shown an knack for getting worthwhile pitchers, both starters and relievers, off the scrap heap.

Next year's rotation should have a good start with Stroman, Steele, Thompson and Kilian.  I personally would keep Hendricks if he is signed for another year, but if not, they should be able to bring in someone of equal value this off season.

mark grace (in a suit, ha) doing the post-game show from the Marquee studio.

i wonder if anyone else out there is actively working for 2 teams.  he also does ARZ pre-game/post-game work this season (and last season).

Agreed.

mark grace returns to the marquee booth for a visit...first time since the "dingbat incident"

w.contreras out of the game with a leg injury...didn't look terrible, hopefully he's ready to go tomorrow.

"right hamstring tightness"

i am well over d.ross removing pitchers so f'n early.  it seems to apply to everyone he manages.

steele goes 5ip 1h 2bb 9k, 0r/er with 89 pitches and he's done.

he's been throwing 70-90 pitches all year in his starts.  it's late may and this is his 8th start.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

P. J. Higgins is very likely to remain on the 40 going forward (2022+). He has three minor league option years available, and not only can he catch, he can also play 1B-2B-3B. In addition, he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted (he has been outrighted previously in his career), and the Cubs probably won't want to expose him to waivers because he very likely would get claimed. 

Catcher Miguel Amaya is on the 40 but he is rehabbing from 2021 TJS, and even once he has returned to catching (he is only taking BP so far at EXST) he hasn't played above AA. BTW, Amaya will get a 4th minor league option year in 2023, so he won't be out of minor league options until Spring Training 2024. So the key thing with Amaya is that he has to master AAA by the end of the 2023 season. 

Moises Ballesteros is the Cubs #1 catching prospect right now, but he will be playing in the ACL (rookie ball) in 2022 and that is a long ways away from MLB. So if the Cubs trade Willson Contreras by the 8/2 trade deadline, I suspect the Cubs will want to get a AA or AAA level legit MLB catching prospect back in the deal. The Astros have two good catching prospects, in case (as expected) Houston is where Contreras ends up. Korey Lee is almost certainly an untouchable because he will be the Astros catcher in 2023+, but Yainer Diaz is at AA and so he could be a fit in a Contreras trade.   

Speaking of the Astros as a potential Cubs 2022 trade partner, one thing the Cubs did when they rebuilt the last time (2012-14) is they traded for Jake Arrieta when the Orioles gave up waiting for him to develop into an ace (which of course he did with the Cubs). Forrest Whitley fits that profile with the Astros, so maybe Contreras (plus cash), a veteran bullpen piece (Astros choice), and a second tier prospect for Whitley / Y. Diaz might work?  

nice to see vargas go.

someone take him from the cubs before he gets more chances to see ABs.  he's been around 3 seasons now and i think i've had enough.

he's filled his role, emergency middle IF, etc...but yeah...seen enough.

thompson back to the pen...cuz we don't want to accidently win games by trying to win games.

there's stiff competition from powerhouse losers like CIN and the cubs need to keep their eye on the prize...making fans suffer through 162 games of pure shit so they can have a top-5 draft pick.

Draft Kings presents: Disappointment (tm)

all that aside, i know they need to limit his innings and etc...but yeah...tell us you're trying to punt this season without actually admitting you're punting this season cubs front office...

Keegan Thompson, the Cubs piggyback ace goes to 4-0. Ken Holtzman, National Guard reservist, takes notice.

Recent comments

  • Childersb3 10/03/2023 - 10:46 pm (view)

    I understand this is a cost saving and control idea. But I wouldn't be happy giving up ONKC or Alcantara for Hayes and/or Bednar.

    I'm not saying they aren't good players. They are. They've never been "tested" with playing for a good team, but that isn't their fault. They produce good results. But not Jaguar and Big Red.

    Canario won't get to play for the Cubs, just like Velazquez, so he should probably go. Same for Mervis and Vazquez. Wesneski can get better but Bednar would certainly help us.

    But not to big power hitting OFs that are 21 yrs old and younger at AA already. I'm still holding out hope for the ONKC-PCA-Jag left to right OF. I'm just not giving up on that.

    Hayes for Morel kind of stings. I'd love for Morel to get a full year at 3B. Even if he failed there miserably, I'd like to give him a shot.

    Phil always comes up with common sense angles. This trade idea fills needs for sure and fills them with cost saving effective players.

    I'm thinking Morel goes to NYM for Alonso.

    We'll see what Jed cooks up.

  • Arizona Phil 10/03/2023 - 10:18 pm (view)

    It used to be that teams did not want to trade within their own division for PR reasons, but I don't see that with Ben Cherington in Pittsburgh or with Hoyer / Hawkins in Chicago, so the Cubs might target Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes and closer David Bednar.

    Hayes is a Gold Glove defender, a decent enough hitter (105 OPS+ in 2023), and he's under control at a VERY reasonable price ($8.75M AAV) through 2029 (with a club option for 2030). 

    Bednar is first-time salary arbitration-eligible post-2023 and under control through 2026. 

    One thing about the Cubs is that they can afford to overpay (which is what they would have to do to get both Hayes and Bednar) with a package consisting of a decent young MLB position player to replace Hayes in the lineup (like Christopher Morel, who could play LF in Pittsburgh) and prospects like outfielders Alexander Canario, Owen Caissie, or Kevin Alcantara (Pirates pick one, leaving the other two for the Cubs), a power-hitting 1B-DH like Matt Mervis or Haydn McGeary (Pirates pick one, leaving the other one for the Cubs), SS Luis Vazquez (who is MLB-ready but will never play SS in Chicago), 3B B. J. Murray (who could replace Hayes at the hot corner in Pittsburgh by 2025 if not sometime in 2024, and he obviously would be blocked in Chicago if the Cubs get Hayes), and an MLB-ready SP like Hayden Wesneski. 

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:02 pm (view)

    boog and glanville calling the PHI@MIL game on ESPN2.

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:59 pm (view)

    bellinger is my #1 want, but i fear he's the #1 want of many teams and will get crazy money + years, with the years being the big sting.  they need to replace bellinger's production if they don't get him no matter what position(s) played.

  • George Altman 10/03/2023 - 10:40 pm (view)

    I hope their top priorities are Bellinger, 2 RPs better than Fulmer/Boxberger (ideally 1 LH), and a 3B (Chapman my 1st Choice). That will put them right up to $237-257M AAV limit, but I don't see a playoff berth doing anything less.

    If they really want Alonso, Morel would be a good opening piece of that offer. 

    Unfortunately, Stroman will opt in ($23.7M) and Smyly ($11.5M) will be back. Steele, Taillon, Assad, Wicks will be rotation pieces. Would love a SP2 FA but don't see how they keep an effective offense and improve their bullpen while adding that.

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:03 pm (view)

    i cannot imagine getting a legit 3rd, whether signing or via trade, isn't the highest priority for the team.  it's almost obvious they don't see morel there.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:19 pm (view)

    I’m just hoping they have an actual 3B next year so we don’t need to worry about the M boys, Bote, and P Whiffy eating all the 3B at bats next year.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:13 pm (view)

    Willson was a OF/3B when we signed him too.

    On a less successful but still got to the show note, PJ Higgins was another college IF converted to C

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:03 pm (view)

    truth...and personally, i'd give him ABs (especially at 3rd) over the 2 singles-hitting-ceiling guys that got the shot.  i'm sure he can cover the ob% and defense while surpassing the power of anything masterboney and madrigal brought to the team.

    i don't view bote as a solution at 3rd, but i find it hard to believe he couldn't outperform either of the main options they had there for a huge chunk of this season.

  • KingKongvsGodzilla 10/03/2023 - 10:47 pm (view)

    Color me impressed by this assignment for Trice right out of the draft as a convert. Seems worth following after the success of Caratini