Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Aramis Contract Details

From a Baseball Prospectus article talking about the Cubs and Tribco's imminent sale.
...because Ramirezís contract is back-loaded. The contract starts at $8 million with a $5 million signing bonus for next season; from there, the numbers jump, to $14 million in 2007, $15.65 million in 2009, $15.75 million in 2010, a $14.6 million player option in 2011, followed by a $2 million buyout clause of a mutual option for 2012.

Comments

A lot of tidbits from the Soriano story entitled "I love Chicago" just put up on Chicagosports.com: "I think the money isn't that important to me. I'm not looking for the money. I'm looking to be happy, and I think this is a good place for me to play and be happy." "They originally spoke of Soriano as a centerfielder to replace Juan Pierre, but sources said they may move him to right field to take advantage of his strong arm." "Right-fielder Jacques Jones could move to center if the Cubs don't feel Felix Pie is ready to be called up from Triple-A Iowa, or to left to platoon with Matt Murton." "The Cubs are also in heated talks with New York Mets free-agent Cliff Floyd, a longtime Hendry favorite who could also platoon with Murton in left." http://preview.tinyurl.com/y2wsub

From the same article, he also reportedly passed the physical, so the deal is done.

Nothing against Soriano or anything, he seems like a great guy, but I always laugh when I hear these guys saying that the money is not very important. This after they have agreed to a deal that will bring them about $17 million per year. And this after Soriano's agent presumably made it clear to teams that the money is important enough to his guy that his guy will not sign for anything less than X, whatever that figure is.

I wonder if they b ackloaded aram contract to offset rusch contract expiring next year...???

Yeah, the only way he could legitimately say money isn't important would be to pull an Andre Dawson and give the GM a blank amount to fill out. As if that would happen. /salaam to the Hawk

One aspect of the Soraino signing that I think has been overlooked is that it takes pressure off of Aramis, and it seems Aram does better when everyone is not relying on him to be the leader.

Hendry is on XM..I'll provide a recap.

I don't think the impact on ARAM of the Soriano deal has been overlooked. It has been said so many times around here that ARAM does not want to be the leader that I think everyone has just factored it in already or assumed it.

Hendry on Soriano--"he's got a great body.." (I'm not kidding) Lou took the trip with Hendry to talk to Soriano last week. He'll hit #1, but they will finishing putting the ball club together before figuring out which position for Soriano. Soriano said he wants to stay in the outfield, and will play whereever, so long it sticks--he doesn't want to move around the field. As we already knew--Wood is out of the 'pen. He only mentioned Prior, Zambrano, Hill. He stuck Marshall and Miller's name as afterthoughts, but he said they are still looking to add. Asked specifically about Zito and Schmidt. He dodged the question--said he will talk to McD tomorrow about who is on his list. They still want to add 4 or 5 more players total. "Izturis is our guy (at SS)." Bill Ripken gushing about Hendry's excitement about next year....

I have just come back from a business trip to see we have inked Soriano. Overpaid, but still an excellent signing. The true litmus test of worth will be how he plays in the postseason (if we get there). I didn't hear any Mets fans complaining about Beltran's money this postseason. I honestly think we are two pitchers away from a seriously competitive team. As I see it, we have been linked with: Free Agents: -Meche -Schmidt -Lilly -Marquis -Padilla Trade: -Jennings -Westbrook Would love to know your opinions on which two of the above is most likely?

As we already knew--Wood is out of the 'pen. I am assuming you mean out of the rotation?

"Bill Ripken gushing' "F@ckface" Billy Ripken?

Oh and also, I wonder why we aren't talking to Randy Wolf. In the recent past, we have taken chances on recovering pitchers (with mixed results) - see Dempster and Miller.

Yes; Wood will come out of the bullpen--and yes, it is the same Billy Ripken. He was filling in for Dibbs... I think Meche and Marquis are most likely. I'd rather have Schmidt and Lilly though--although Westbrook intrigues me.

out of the rumored 5 (Padilla, Meche, Lilly, Westbrook, Batista) , I'd take Padilla and Westbrook myself. (assuming Schmidt and Zito aren't in the picture).

Definitely agree on Schmidt. But I think Lilly may get lit up at Wrigley. Might be better to have someone induces ground balls - maybe Jennings?

I'd be perfectly happy w/ a starting rotation of Z Schmidty Westbrook Hill Prior/Miller/Marshall And all this talk of Alf batting lead-off...who cares - it's not like he's leading off every inning!

"I think the money isn't that important to me. I'm not looking for the money. I'm looking to be happy, and I think this is a good place for me to play and be happy." Then how about giving us about $100 million back. Just kidding Fonzie, I'm learning to love ya already.

Ernie: Definitely agree on Schmidt. But I think Lilly may get lit up at Wrigley. Might be better to have someone induces ground balls - maybe Jennings? and westbrook, obviously. and westbrook, obviously. and westbrook, obviously. Yes, obviously. Is my Pie-for-Aaron Cook still an uncool suggestion? I happen to like sinkerballers at Wrigley. see u at the river: And all this talk of Alf batting lead-off...who cares - it's not like he's leading off every inning! No, but sometimes I think these guys pick the fastest starting player on the field, and that person is automatically your leadoff guy. I think that's the wrong way to think about it.

NWI Times: "The Cubs can now focus in on fixing a broken starting rotation, such as possibly crafting a package of players for Cleveland right-hander Jake Westbrook or signing more free agents." "Westbrook's better than a middle-level guy," the first scout said. "He'd be a great fit for Wrigley Field with his sinker."

Is Westbrook worth Murton? I just checked out Westbrook's stats and nothing wows me. Other than he throws 200+ innings (a rare feat for a Cub player) he era is usually above league average and he doesn't strike out a lot of guys. Thoughts?

btw Soriano finsihed 6th in the voting, got one 3rd place vote and various votes from 4th to 10th. Aramis got an 8th and 9th place vote.

Sorry about the multiple posts there guys. Damned computer! Did I say westbrook, obviously?

I think the Indians are looking for relief pitchers. Westbrook might be worth a package out of our brimming 'pen (and hopefully Rusch). I'd like to keep Murton - he could develop into an amazing player.

Meche is probably the most likely of the bunch because of the Piniella connection from Seattle. Marquis is probably #2 because the Cubs worked him out and Rothschild endorsed him. Westbrook is #3 because the Indians are probably a better trade match for the Cubs than the Rockies. Padilla is #4 because Kinzer represents him, and Kinzer and Hendry had extensive discussions about Padilla during the ARam negotiations. I think Lilly is more remote simply because his wife is a vet student in California, and the family pressure for him to be on the West Coast will be strong.

Marquis seemed to be only a 3rd option from what they made it sound like as in they're going to sign 2 pitchers ahead of him on the depth chart.

Marquis seemed to be only a 3rd option from what they made it sound like as in they're going to sign 2 pitchers ahead of him on the depth chart. --- Good news to me...

has anyone heard anything about cubs/floyd? just wondering...

talk on the Northside Baseball Forum is that Levine said Hendry is going after Schmidt but in the 3 yr range.... I'm just passing it along...

From Rotoworld: "ESPN.com is reporting that the Dodgers and outfielder Juan Pierre have agreed to a five-year, $45 million contract."

ESPN is reporting that Pierre to the Dodgers at 5/$45 is done...pending physical of course. The Soriano deal looks a little better to me now and probably will even moreso when Carlos Lee gets $14-15m per.

Levine was just on ESPN1000..in addition to passing on the Pierre info he also noted that Hendry is eyeing Schmidt but doesn't look for it to get done if he's only going to offer 3 years. Also said he doesn't look for Hendry to try to rehabilitate Mulder...tongue in cheek...and Hendry still looking at Meche.

Only Rapada and Cherry were added to the 40 man? Who was dropped?

"ESPN.com is reporting that the Dodgers and outfielder Juan Pierre have agreed to a five-year, $45 million contract." Glad we didn't pay that. Any GM who looks at his stats will call this a good move. He put up very good numbers but us Cubs fans saw him turn it on late when it didn't matter.

Cubs.com shows 41, but maybe Rusch doesn't count or Soriano isn't technically on yet. I dunno. We went through this last year with some moves and it all worked out.

The Soriano deal looks a little better to me now and probably will even moreso when Carlos Lee gets $14-15m per. Not sure that you can make this argument. The Soriano deal set the market for other "similar" (meaning same positions, skills, or lineup place, such as leadoff) players (as did the DeRosa deal). Pierre and Lee may not have been given (or will receive) as big of deals if not for Soriano's deal.

Hey look BJS, the best out-producer in baseball just got a 5 year deal. Maybe you just seem something that no one in baseball can see.

He put up very good numbers but us Cubs fans saw him turn it on late when it didn't matter. And you don't think GM's also know this?

Hey look BJS, the best out-producer in baseball just got a 5 year deal. There was never any doubt that Pierre would receive a nice deal. But he still creates a LOT of outs in relation to other players, especially at that price. Don't get me wrong...I like Pierre, and think that he has abilities that help a team. But I am not convinced that he brings 9 million dollars a year of abilities to the table, especially when you look at how he hurts a team (i.e. his outs). I do think he will be a good fit in Dodger Stadium - his defense will shine (at least his range) and his slap hitting should be able to find holes in that cavernous outfield.

Obviously Ned Coletti didn't know this. But for a team as desperate as the Dodgers this signing at least calms their fans down for not signing Soriano.

Why are baseball post season awards given out so friggin late? I've never understood that. Why not announce them during the playoffs like virtually all other professional sports...people are already moving on to next season already.

What gets me is what we had to give up for Pierre just to have him for one, meaningless season and then he leaves. Could be Hendry's worst trade he has made, but he has made up for it with Hee Sop for Lee, Bobby Hill for A-Ram/Lofton and most recently the Soriano signing.

"Is Westbrook worth Murton?" ---- No. I don't even think a delusional Indians fan would say he is. Westbrook's a league average innings eater. He'd be very useful as your #3-#4 guy, but he's not worth a cheap, talented player like Murton under any circumstances, especially considering he's a FA after 2007. I don't know where all of this fear of Murton getting traded is coming from. Not including you here, Chad. Hendry's not a real efficient general manager, but with all of the salary that's been committed to veteran players, I'm pretty sure he understands the necessity and value of a cheap productive player like Murton.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yd7stq I found this over at Northside Baseball Lounge and it's from Bruce Miles: CuseCubFan69 wrote: Any updates on what is going on with Drew? Not happening with the Cubs. He's played for three big-league managers and none of the three has been fond of him. His most recent manager was in the Cubs system as a coach. I'm sure they still talk. So no, he's not coming here.

#46 of 53: By dave (November 20, 2006 07:06 PM) The Soriano deal set the market for other "similar" (meaning same positions, skills, or lineup place, such as leadoff) players (as did the DeRosa deal). -- Reports of Jose Valentin's signing broke the day before the DeRosa deal, so if you are going to make this argument, Hendry was simply following the market set by Valentin. Teflon Minaya !!!

also from Bruce Miles over there.. Rob wrote: I am very interested to get Bruce's take on this. They like Floyd, but they aren't in "heated talks." If they do sign him, it won't be right away. There is concern about the injury history. that Rob isn't me, I don't even have a log-in over there....

so if you are going to make this argument, Hendry was simply following the market set by Valentin. Thats fair...though my argument with Soriano still stands. I am not saying that I dislike either of the deals. I see the DeRosa deal as unnecessary, but it is not terrible. And I think Hendry overpaid for Soriano (in both money and years), but there were many teams interested and that was what it required. I am not criticizing the deals as much as saying that we cannot look at Pierre's deal and Lee's (when he gets one) and say that it makes Soriano look better.

"Not happening with the Cubs. He's played for three big-league managers and none of the three has been fond of him. His most recent manager was in the Cubs system as a coach. I'm sure they still talk. So no, he's not coming here." That's a pretty poor reasoning by Miles.

"Marquis seemed to be only a 3rd option from what they made it sound like as in they're going to sign 2 pitchers ahead of him on the depth chart." FACE IT GENTS: None of us KNOWS WHAT the F Hendry is going to do - if the Soriano signing is any indication! Keep those Speculations comin'! Go TCR!!!!!!! The team is making a concerted effort to hopefully leave us all Holiday "gifts" if the team gets sold (or if not, as well). I am happy!

That's a pretty poor reasoning by Miles. Yea...that is pathetic, actually. In other words, he is saying that he has no idea, but one coach in the Cubs system may not like him.

I'm sure the West is happy to hear about Pierre. They'll probably all be glad to chip in and pay the Dodgers a million or so of his salary each year if they promise to give him 700 plate appearances.

Like I asked before John, what do you know that GMs don't? Cause they don't agree with you on Juan Pierre.

I'm just posting the info, I would find it difficult to say Miles has "no idea", he's usually on the ball with these things. He could just be passing along what he heard and worded it poorly.

Well Giants were ready to give Pierre 3/30, so I don't think the West is that unhappy. Problem is this doesn't make the Dodgers any better after losing Drew. Pierre is a lateral move to Lofton (even a downgrade) and they're going to need some bats unless Laroche and Loney turn into the real things immediately.

now that Rocky Cherry and Clay Rapada are on the 40 man roster... Az Phil must be plenty happy about the Rapada move. What about Lincoln Holdzkom? anyone else that Phil thinks shoulda been added but wasn't? Seeing Rapada on the 40 man just reinforces Ohman getting tacked onto a trade (my guess is to Cleveland with Ronnie Cedeno when we get Westbrook).

I would find it difficult to say Miles has "no idea", he's usually on the ball with these things. Yea...I agree, but this line of thinking seems really off. Maybe is was just poor wording, but he is a writer. He should know better if that is the case.

Of course Pierre got paid. He had 50 SB and 200 hits. GM's don't care (and likely don't know) that Pierre will lead their team in outs. They'll still give him the most AB's of anyone on the team even if he has a .330 OBP and makes an out 70% of the time. He's a good guy and a hard worker with "intangibles" who makes good "clubhouse chemistry". I like Juan. I don't like him playing for the Cubs. If he had a .380 career OBP, an 85% success rate on SB and a stronger arm in CF, I'd like him to be a Cub.

"GM's don't care (and likely don't know) that Pierre will lead their team in outs." And neither should you! That's my point!!!!!!!!! Baseball is not about making outs. Its about what you do between making outs. Last time I checked, 'outs made' is not a stat that is recognized by MLB.

"what do you know that GMs don't?" --- One more time: they obviously don't know that he'll make an out 70% of the time or they wouldn't give him more plate appearances than anyone on the team. Even if someone tried to explain that to them, most of them would act like you. Like they don't get it or don't care. Bu, bu, but.... he gets 200 hits! He steals all those bases! He's a career .300 hitter!

I liked Pierre when he was in Colorado and with Florida. I thought he was one of the league's best centerfielders. Unfortunatly for me I was reading his stats and they are impressive. But when you see him play everyday, you start to realize that he is just an average player. I wish Juan well in LA but I can already hear the Dodger faithful going sour on him now.

Baseball is not about making outs. Its about what you do between making outs. Chad...just curious. You have two baseball players, both have a total of 100 plate appearances. One player makes an out in 70 of those appearances, one player makes an out in 65 appearances. Who would you rather have?

Baseball is not about making outs. No shit, it's about NOT making outs. That's the idea. The less outs you make, the better player you are. And neither should you! That's my point!!!!!!!!! Why do you care if someone wants to learn more about a player's actual offensive contribution? Do you want everyone to be like you? Do you feel threatened by someone pointing out a stat that you don't understand? Does the idea of learning make you angry? Do you start grunting and waving your caveman club when you hear about new technology in the news?

I read Miles comment on Drew as: "The guy is an asshole. Hendry doesn't like asshole players. He ain't coming here."

BJS, puhleeeze. Give the whole caveman reference a rest. You know not every thing new is better. You know disco once ruled the airwaves and devotees declared that disco would never die. The CB radio was the hottest selling items at Radio Shack. So don't be surprised if, a couple of years, I laugh at your bedazzled jacket that proclaims that you are Disco Stu.

more bruce miles fun from NSBB: Maybe people misinterpreted so I'll try to make it more clear: J.D. Drew is not playing for the Cubs in the near future. Period. You don't need stats. You don't need to know who likes or doesn't like him. The Cubs are not interested in signing him. They'll use the bulk of their remaining money on pitchers. someone asked him about CF.. Right now, they'll consider Jones, but I believe they'll try to trade him. If they can do that, they'll look for somebody who will command a lot less money than Drew. If Pie has a great spring or gets off to a hot start at Iowa, he could get called up. Of course the Cubs won't totally rule Soriano out of center field, but they'd prefer him in right.

btw according to the ESPN article on it, Giants offered Piere somewhere between 4/32-34 ish and Dodger deal is somewhere around 5/44-45ish anyone have any idea what the Giants plans are this off-season? No 2b, no 3b, no 1b, down 2 OF'ers, no #1 pitcher, and probably no C at the moment and a crud farm system. I still think Bonds will resign and maybe they'll land C. Lee and/or Roberts, but they need help and lots of it.

Good job, Chad. Disco and CB radio has nothing to do with learning and understanding the game of baseball. Studying statistics is an effective way to learn more about the game. It shows you things that the baseball card doesn't show you, like Pierre making outs 70% of the time... a very important peice of information. It won't go away, regardless of how much you'd like for it to. And neither should you! That's my point!!!!!!!!! The caveman references are fitting when you throw out comments like this. When you don't have a valid point to whatever you're trying to argue about, you just include some of these!!!!!! or an emphatic NO!!!!!!!!!!! Just because you don't understand stats or don't like them, doesn't mean other's shouldn't use them.

I still think Bonds will resign Really? That team looks pretty bad, and it would seem that Bonds would have little motivation to resign with such a bad club. I think he would be a perfect fit in Oakland, taking the Big Hurt's place.

Do you guys save archives of these stats arguments so you can save time by just cutting and pasting at a later date? Just wondering... and if there answer is No, you might as well start now and save yourself some time in the future.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/262766.html so I'm guessing that's the link that Shawndgolman meant and it does say the new CBA rules in terms of draft pick compensation go into effect this season. Same source, different stories, so confusing. So in theory, the Cubs will lose their 2nd and 3rd round picks, but gain a supplemental pick for losing Pierre (so far).

I understand the stats just fine. They don't mean much to baseball. That is what I'm saying. And yes disco and CB radio have everything to do with it as they were fads and they passed and are mocked. Much the way Sabrebaseball is a fad and will be mocked.

and that supplemental pick is between the 1st and 2nd rounds, so in theory the Cubs have moved up their 2nd pick, but lose their 3rd pick. Not shabby....

re: #79 of 82: By Little Nate Lewis (November 20, 2006 08:52 PM) "Do you guys save archives of these stats arguments so you can save time by just cutting and pasting at a later date?" "Just wondering... and if there answer is No, you might as well start now and save yourself some time in the future." Do you have a scroll wheel on your mouse? Just wondering...and if the answer is No, you might as well buy one. They only cost like 10 dollars and can save you some time in the future by skipping our posts.

Rob G., Yeah that's the one i meant to post originally. I had the article you had open in another window, and copy/pasted the wrong url. Confusing, isn't it? Made more so when i posted the wrong link...

Rob G., You found the link i meant to post and put it in a comment on the next thread up. Sorry for the confusion.

#83 of 83: By Chad (November 20, 2006 09:06 PM) Do you have a scroll wheel on your mouse? Just wondering...and if the answer is No, you might as well buy one. They only cost like 10 dollars and can save you some time in the future by skipping our posts. --- Yea, but it's broke. And I really don't plan on getting it fixed either. The arrogance behind your assertions is just too damn funny to pass up.... especially when Disco Balls and CB radio's become your main points of reason. Seriously, keep it up. I'm loving this stuff.

I understand the stats just fine. They don't mean much to baseball. That is what I'm saying. And yes disco and CB radio have everything to do with it as they were fads and they passed and are mocked. Much the way Sabrebaseball is a fad and will be mocked. CB Radio wasn't a fad. It was a technology that was eventually replaced when knowledge increased to the point that a better technology was created. In other words, CB Radio is sort of like looking at Batting Average, RBI's and Runs to judge how productive an offensive player is or Wins in judging how well someone pitched. Why is it some people are afraid of new things or exploring a topic like Baseball beyond the surface? Do you see teams that use statisical analysis heavily getting rid of their scouting departments? Of course not. Statistical analysis is simply another tool that's been used for years in baseball. It's not a fad that's going to disappear anymore than the internet was a fad. New stats will be developed or become popular in the mainstream and over time, they'll either prove to be useful and stick around (OBP, SLG, OPS, VORP, etc) or be replaced by something that is more effective. The particular tools that are used change over time, but the concept of analysis isn't going away. Defensive statistics are a terrific example of this. 20 years ago we had Errors and Put Outs. Helpful, but they don't paint a very clear picture. Today we have various things like Range Factor, etc that are slightly more helpful, but still flawed. The next generation of stats will be better, etc, but no one is EVER going to say "you know what, lets just go back to not having any information other than errors and put outs". Baseball has embraced "new" concepts much slower than the business world. That's mainly because it's been a closed club for so long. That's changing. Teams were owned by family's for years and the people in charge of teams were "baseball men". Now, they're owned by corporations or the uber wealthy. Those corporations or uber wealthy people didn't get to where they are by sticking to 50 year old concepts or technology. How many teams are hiring ivy league grads today compared to a decade ago? If you've got a $500 million investment, you don't run it based soley on subjective opinion of a group of people. Again, statistical analysis isn't going away. There is only 1 thing that is finite within a 9 inning baseball game and that is the number of outs a team has. OBP is measuring how good you are at NOT creating an out. Sort of important, don't you think? That being said, there are many ways to build a winning baseball team or contribute as a player. Look at the A's. The rest of baseball caught on to how important OBP is, prices of patient hitters went through the roof and the A's built around defense and pitching with lousy OBP players. The Twins and Angels have been competitive for the last 5+ years while largely not focusing on OBP. I'm not going to get into the stats behind Pierre thing. By now, we all know his strengths and weaknesses. He's a guy that traditional "baseball men" love, and a guy that those who embrace any kind of new ideas believe has limited value. Not "zero" value, but limited under certain conditions. You'll notice that the teams that pursued him are run by more traditional baseball people (the Cubs last year, Giants & Dodgers this year) and he wasn't even on the radar for teams like the A's or Red Sox. Team needs plays a role in that, but the Dodgers already had a better lead off hitter than Pierre on their roster. Anyone read Rob Neyer's argument on espn.com for Pujols as the MVP today? Whether or not you're into statistical analysis, he does an excellant job at the top of the article summarizing the differences between people that value facts over intuition.

Chad...just curious. You have two baseball players, both have a total of 100 plate appearances. One player makes an out in 70 of those appearances, one player makes an out in 65 appearances. Who would you rather have?

BB Sock: "One player makes an out in 70 of those appearances, one player makes an out in 65 appearances. Who would you rather have?" Based only on that information only (in a vacuum), one would select the player who makes an out 65 out of every 100 appearences. BUT... BUT... BUT... To make a more accurate selection, one would need to know all the other stats of the player. No baseball person would make a decision on a player based only looking at OBP.

Regarding OBP, I largely agree that it is very important. But as we seem to be getting back to basics here, the most important statistic in a baseball game is to make sure your team scores more runs than the other team. If you get on base once and score one run, while the other team gets on base 27 times and leaves the bases loaded all nine innings, you still win. That's why different approaches work--different teams score runs in different ways. But it is an immutable fact that the team with the most runs wins. Well, not entirely immutable, I guess MLB could put in a rule change saying the team scoring the fewest runs wins. But somehow I don't think that's happening. And just so we have the numbers right, Pierre's OBP was .330 last year, so he made an out 67% of the time.

But he also got thrown out trying to steal several times, which you have to take into consideration as well. I believe BJS posted it yesterday.

Players behind Pierre also hit into DP's or FC's taking him off the basepaths, which you have to take into consideration...:)

Juan Pierre is one of the most useless baseball players around, and LA will find that out shortly. It's like having another pitcher in your lineup. He's incapable of driving a runner in from second. Best-case, his inevitable ground out to second would advance the runner to third. Often, it didn't. When your entire game consists of beating out bunts and high bouncers on the infield, you aren't going to be worth much as you get older and your speed goes.

"CB Radio wasn't a fad. It was a technology that was eventually replaced when knowledge increased to the point that a better technology was created" Raven, I don't know if you are still reading this thread but the CB radio died long before car phones. So you are totally wrong.

Juan Pierre is one of the most useless baseball players around, and LA will find that out shortly. It's like having another pitcher in your lineup. Of course GMs around the league disagree with you. But then again, what do they know, they only are hired to do that job. He's incapable of driving a runner in from second. Best-case, his inevitable ground out to second would advance the runner to third. Often, it didn't. Actually he was very good at getting basehits. That can easily score run from second.

well Juan Pierre was actually quite awful with RISP last year and I think his point is that outfields play very shallow for him and he gets a lot of infield hits.

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    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...