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

Player Posting - NPB & KBO

NIPPON PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL (JAPAN):

There are two Japanese "major" leagues, the Pacific League and the Central League, with each league consisting of six teams. Together the two leagues are known as "Nippon Professional Baseball" (or "NPB").

Unless the player is released or signed by an MLB club after being posted, all NPB players remain under club control (the player is "reserved") for nine seasons. After the 9th season, the player becomes an unrestricted free-agent.

1. An NPB player who is not under the control of an NPB club can sign with any MLB club.

2. With consent of the player's NPB club, an NPB player who is under club control can be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a 35-day period extending from November 1st through December 5th.
NOTE: Prior to the post-2018 off-season, an NPB player who was under club control could be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a three-month period extending from November 1st to February 1st.

3. All MLB clubs are simultaneously notified by the MLB Commissioner when an NPB player is posted. 

4. A posted player who is at least 25 years old and has played all or parts of at least six seasons in the NPB (or a combined six seasons playing in the NPB plus one or more other MLB-recognized foreign professional or "major" league or leagues) is considered to be a "Foreign Professional" player. A "Foreign Professional" is not subject to ISBP international first-year player restrictions. A signing bonus paid to a "Foreign Professional" does - NOT - count against the club’s ISBP.

5. The release fee for NPB posted players is:
MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: If the guaranteed value of the contract is $25M or less the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract, if the guaranteed value of the contract is $50M or less but more than $25M the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract up through the first $25M and 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for any amount above $25M, and if the guaranteed value of the contract is more than $50M the release fee will be 20% of the of the guaranteed value of the contract for the first $25M, 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for the second $25M, and 15% of the guaranteed value of the contract above $50M. In addition, the MLB club must pay 15% of the value of any bonus earned, salary escalator, and/or option exercised over the length of the contract. 
MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: The release fee is 25% of the signing bonus, and the MLB club must pay a supplemental fee if the player is subsequently added to the club's MLB reserve list (40-man roster) and is tendered a Major League contract (see "MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT" above).
NOTE: Prior to the post-2018 off-season, the NPB club could decide on the amount of the release fee (it could be any amount up to $20M). 

6\. Any MLB club willing to pay the release fee can negotiate with the NPB player during a 45-day period starting on the day after the player is posted.
NOTE: Prior to the post-2022 off-season, the negotiation period was 30 days. 

7. If an MLB club signs a posted NPB player, the NPB club receives the designated release fee from that MLB club. 
NOTE: The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll AAV).

8. The release fee can be paid in installments over an 18-month period, with the MLB club required to pay 50% of the release fee within 14 days of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within six months of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within 12 months of the submission of the posted player's contract, and 16% of the release fee within 18 months of the submission of the posted player's contract. (The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll).

9. If a posted NPB player does not sign with an MLB club within 45 days after being posted, the NPB club does not receive a release fee, and the player cannot be posted again until the next November 1st (unless he becomes an unrestricted free-agent in the meantime).


KOREA BASEBALL ORGANIZATION (SOUTH KOREA):

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is the South Korean "major" league. With a new club beginning play in 2015, there are now ten teams in the KBO.

Unless the player is released or signed by an MLB club after being posted, all KBO players remain under club control (the player is "reserved") until the player's contract has expired.

1. A KBO player who is not under the control of a KBO club can sign with any MLB club.

2. With the consent of the player's KBO club, a KBO player who is under club control can be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a 35-day period extending from November 1st through December 5th. 
NOTE: Prior to the post-2018 off-season, a KBO player who was under club control could be "posted" (made available to be signed by an MLB club) anytime during a three-month period extending from November 1st to February 1st.

3. If a KBO club decides to post a player, the KBO club advises the MLB Commissioner of the posting, and then the MLB Commissioner simultaneously notifies all MLB clubs. 

4. A posted player who is at least 25 years old and has played all or parts of at least six seasons in the KBO (or a combined six seasons playing in the KBO plus one or more other MLB-recognized foreign professional or "major" league or leagues) is considered to be a "Foreign Professional" player. A "Foreign Professional" is not subject to ISBP international first-year player restrictions. A signing bonus paid to a "Foreign Professional" does - NOT - count against the club’s ISBP.

5. The release fee for KBO posted players is:
MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: If the guaranteed value of the contract is $25M or less the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract, if the guaranteed value of the contract is $50M or less but more than $25M the release fee will be 20% of the guaranteed value of the contract up through the first $25M and 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for any amount above $25M, and if the guaranteed value of the contract is more than $50M the release fee will be 20% of the of the guaranteed value of the contract for the first $25M, 17.5% of the guaranteed value of the contract for the second $25M, and 15% of the guaranteed value of the contract above $50M. In addition, the MLB club must pay 15% of the value of any bonus earned, salary escalator, and/or option exercised over the length of the contract. 
MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT: The release fee is 25% of the signing bonus, and the MLB club must pay a supplemental fee if the player is subsequently added to the club's MLB reserve list (40-man roster) and is tendered a Major League contract (see "MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT" above).

6. Any MLB club willing to pay the release fee can negotiate with the KBO player during a 30-day period starting on the day after the player is posted.

7. If an MLB club signs a posted KBO player, the KBO club receives the designated release fee from that MLB club. 
NOTE: The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll AAV).

8. The release fee can be paid in installments over an 18-month period, with the MLB club required to pay 50% of the release fee within 14 days of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within six months of the submission of the posted player's contract, 17% of the release fee within 12 months of the submission of the posted player's contract, and 16% of the release fee within 18 months of the submission of the posted player's contract. (The release fee is not considered when calculating the MLB club's payroll).

9. If a posted KBO player does not sign with an MLB club within 30 days after being posted, the NPB club does not receive a release fee, and the player cannot be posted again until the next November 1st (unless he becomes an unrestricted free-agent in the meantime).

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).