Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 3-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# 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 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 1 
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 1 
Caleb Kilian, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Baez Keeps on Rehabbin', but AZL Cubs Rally Falls Short at Fitch Park

Shane Conlon belted an RBI double and an RBI single and scored a run, and Mike Martin singled twice, reached base on an HBP, and scored two runs, helping the AZL Athletics edge the AZL Cubs 5-4 in Arizona League action Friday night at Fitch Park Field #4 in Mesa, AZ.  

Jose Paniagua lined a bases-clearing, bases-loaded three-run double into the LF corner with two outs in the top of the 9th to bring the Cubs within one run, but after Varonex Cuevas walked and Roberto Caro reached base on an infield single to load the bases, Yohan Matos struck out (swinging) on three pitches (his third punch-out of the game) to end the rally and give the A's the victory.

LHP Manny Rondon (acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Rafael Lopez earlier this month) got the start for the AZL Cubs, and was tagged for two runs in the very first inning, allowing two singles and a double to the first three men he faced. But then Rondon retired 14 of the next 15, and in fact it would have been 15 in a row except for an E-5 that got in the way. 

Javy Baez (on AAA Iowa 7-day DL - broken finger) continued his AZL rehab, hitting third in the batting order for the second night in a row, and playing 2nd base for seven innings. (He played shortstop for five innings Thursday night).

Baez went 1-3 at the plate, and handled several chances flawlesly in the field.

He reached base on an HBP (upper left shoulder) on a 3-2 pitch with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the 1st inning, grounded a single sharply past the pitcher, over second base, and into centerfield on a 3-2 pitch with a runner at 1st and two outs in the top of the 3rd, flied out to the warning track in CF on a 2-2 pitch with one out and runners at 1st & 2nd in the 5th, and popped out to the second-baseman in short RF on an 0-2 pitch with runners at 1st & 2nd and one out in the top of the 7th. Baez showed frustration on the pop out, angrily slamming his bat into the ground as he trotted toward 1st base.      

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox are the only two MLB clubs who presently have scouts following the AZL Cubs on a daily basis. The Rays and the Red Sox scouts showed up at Dylan Cease's start Thursday night and at both of Javy Baez's rehab games (Thursday night at Sloan Park and Friday night at Fitch Park), and the Rays scout (in particular) is apparently so focused on Baez that he left the park as soon as Baez left the game, both times.   

So if Baez gets moved in a deadline deal, could it be to Tampa Bay? More importantly, do the Rays have what the Cubs would probably want back in a deal right now (presumably a long-term club-controlled MLB starting pitcher)? ANSWER: They certainly do. And could Dylan Cease possibly be involved? Would Billy McKinney also be part of such a deal, if it were to go down? Time will tell.  

Here is the abridged box score from Friday night's game (Cubs players only): 

AZL CUBS LINEUP
1. P. J. Higgins, 3B: 1-5 (K, 5-3, F-9, 1B, E-4, 2 R)
2. Carlos Sepulveda, SS: 1-3 (4-3, BB, BB, 1B, K)
3a. Javy Baez, 2B: 1-3 (HBP, 1B, F-8, P-4) 
3b. Andruw Monasterio, 2B: 0-1 (L-3)
4. Michael Foster, RF: 2-4 (K, BB, F-9, 1B, 1B, R, RBI)
5a. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 2-5 (6-3, F-9, E-5, 1B, 2B, 3 RBI)
5b. Robert Garcia, PR: NO AB
6. Varonex Cuevas, DH: 0-4 (6-3, K, F-9, K, BB)
7. Roberto Caro, CF: 2-5 (3B, K, P-4, 5-3, 1B)
8. Yohan Matos, C: 0-5 (K, 5-3, F-7, K, K)
9. Donnie Cimino, LF: 1-3 (3-U, BB, L-5, 1B, R)

AZL CUBS PITCHERS
1. Manny Rondon: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 58 pitches (42 strikes) 
2. Matt Brazis: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 7 pitches (6 strikes) 
3. Trey McNutt: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 3/3 GO/FO, 35 pitches (21 strikes) 
4. Carlos Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/1 GO/FO, 10 pitches (5 strikes) 

AZL CUBS ERRORS: NONE 
 
AZL CUBS BASERUNNING MISADVENTURES
Michael Foster was thrown out 9-2-4-6 after he attempted to take 2nd base on a throw to the plate on a two-out RBI single to RF, but (for some unknown reason) Carlos Sepulveda failed to advance to 3rd base on the hit and was standing on 2nd base when Foster arrived, so Foster attempted to return to 1st base, was caught in a rundown, and was tagged out.  

NOTE TO CUBS: Think about maybe hiring a full-time dedicated baserunning coach for Extended Spring Training and AZL Cubs, whose sole job would be to teach proper baserunning fundamentals, technique, theory, tactics, strategy, and best practices on a daily basis. Every day. Using both baserunning drills & classroom training. The Cubs are hands-down THE worst baserunning team down here, and it didn't just start with AZL play, either. 

Comments

The problem with trading Baez as part of a mid-season trade is that I'm not sure the Cubs are a deep playoff team yet. And Baez may still be the best of the bunch in terms of potential of all their infielders*, and I say that in spite of his clownish at bats last year. If they're gonna do it, the cost controlled pitcher is the key, and it needs to be a good one. Pertinent to billybucks' Kris Bryant rant in the previous thread, here are Bryant's RISP numbers this year: By Situation AB AVG OBP SLG OPS Runners On 142 .303 .417 .549 .966 Scoring Position 75 .333 .459 .600 1.059 Bases Loaded 5 .600 .714 1.800 2.514 Scoring Posn, 2 out 28 .429 .579 .714 1.293 He's not a lead off man: Lead Off Inning 62 .177 .261 .355 .616 Those RISP numbers are not shabby for anyone, much less a rookie. In fact, I would be surprised if they aren't the best on the team - I didn't look. Bryant is struggling a bit right now but he'll be ok. He's going to be fearsome once he gets past this slider thing. *Bryant excepted, so middle infielders.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I totally agree regarding Baez. As we are seeing all young guys need to adjust once pitchers adjust (except Trout apparently - but even he came up and went down before going nuts) Plus Maddon really was complimentary of his approach as an all around baseball player. I think he's a fan. Plus Baez really went through a lot in the last twelve months especially with his sister's death. I would like to see him get a chance to adjust.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

He's got such good instincts in the field. Trading him is dangerous. I'd want to see something awfully substantial in return. There are other prospects to trade. Wilson Contreras is probably not going anywhere soon because he's a catcher, but he's been on fire all year. I know nothing about his receiving skills. Baez is also too much of an unknown commodity to get the kind of value a top prospect would normally get. He looked very bad at the plate last year, and teams noticed. Pitchers seemed to openly salivate when he came to the plate. If I was a GM, I wouldn't give up much right now for him. But if he makes adjustments, he could be off the charts good. I'm glad I don't have to make these decisions.

I believe Theo/Jed view Castro not Baez as the middle infield piece to trade. But right now neither has great trade value. I believe that they would move either right now for Hamels especially if the other pieces were no prospect higher than Gleyber Torres & Duane Underwood. I don't think any of them get moved for a rental.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

I would think Baez has more value due to his potential upside -- Castro has been just awful this year -- his .272 OBP is one of the worst in the league, he has the 2nd-most errors of any SS, and his mental lapses have made him a national punchline. It's a shame -- if he were hitting anything at all like last year, the Cubs would be in good shape and the learning curve of the rookies wouldn't be as impactful. I can't believe Theo sees Castro as his SS on a championship-caliber team. The problem is they will probably have to dump him a la Welly.

It's hard to picture exactly how the Cubs and Rays would line up. They have a couple interesting pitchers whose salaries are starting to go up, but I'd have to think they won't trade Archer unless they perceive his value to be at its peak because his contract is so damn team-friendly. Jake McGee seems obvious, but I hope the Cubs aren't planning to trade Baez for a relief pitcher in his arbitration years. Matt Moore is another one whose salary is going up, but he's just back from injury and doesn't look like he's ready to help a playoff team yet. Maybe the plan would be to put Moore in the bullpen for the rest of the season and then stretch him out again in the spring. I would love it if the Cubs got Kevin Kiermaier, but I doubt the Rays are trading him unless they're ready to go full rebuild. There's definitely a Red Sox I though Theo Co. would be interested in - Alejandro de Aza, who fits this team very nicely as a bench left-handed outfielder to spell Fowler if he can't get his shit together against RHP. The acquisition cost would be very low there - I presume the Sox are not watching Baez but someone else who would be a low-cost lottery ticket. Ditto Craig Breslow on the decent fit and low acquisition cost.

with lester + arrieta not wanting to throw to the current best hitter on the team, things are a bit back-to-back disappointing. lester can't (won't) check runners and arrieta is slow as hell to the plate. sigh.

I have never seen any report that Lester and Arrieta do not want to throw to Schwarber. As far as I know, that decision is strictly Maddon's, probably with the advice of Hoyer.

At the park now. Jake has nothing today. It is hot on the field fwiw. Hammels is dealing so far. In my opinion, this team is just not ready to challenge for much and are near the bottom of baseball in hitting. Theo knows this and hopefully will be prudent and not acquire a rental player period. Unless they can move Castro.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

speaking of...aaron nola is going tomorrow for the phillies. i was rooting for the cubs to pick him over schwarb (or anyone aside from the "big 3" that went 1-3 last year in the draft). now we're gonna see nola and the guy the cubs picked rather than him (and others in the rumor mill) a bit more than a year out from the draft. neat.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Coming out of the break, I thought the Cubs would go at least 6-4, possibly 7-3. Seeing 3 with the Phillies at home with Lester, Jake and Hammel looked like an easy 2/3 and a very possible 3/3. And Cole Hamels had been awful his last 2 starts. Sigh. Rough weekend for Cub pitchers who had been on a roll -- Motte and Jake. Can't be perfect every time, but, with the offense in its current state, they need to be.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I think if you had ranked players by how much the team could ill afford to have them miss significant time, Steele would be right at the top of the list.

  • crunch (view)

    steele MRI on friday.  counsell expects an IL stint.

    no current plans for his rotation replacement.

  • hellfrozeover (view)

    I would say also in the bright side column is Busch looked pretty good overall at the plate. Alzolay…man, that hurts but most of the time he’s not giving up a homer to that guy. To me the worst was almonte hanging that pitch to Garcia. He hung another one to the next hitter too and got away with it on an 0-1. 

  • crunch (view)

    amaya blocked like 6-8 of smyly's pitches in the dirt very cleanly...not even an exaggeration, smyly threw a ton of pitches bouncing in tonight.

    neris looking like his old self was a relief (no pun), too.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    In looking for bright spots the defense was outstanding tonight. The “stars” are going to need to shine quite a bit brighter than they did tonight offensively though for this to be a successful season.

  • Eric S (view)

    Good baseball game. Hopefully Steele is pitching again in April (but I’m not counting on it). 

  • crunch (view)

    boo.

  • crunch (view)

    smyly to face the 2/3/4 hitters with a man on 2nd in extras.

    this doesn't seem like a 8 million dollar managerial decision.

  • crunch (view)

    i 100% agree with you, but i dunno how jed wants to run things.  the default is delay.  i would choose brown.

    like hellfrozeover says, could be smyly since he's technically fresh and stretched.

    anyway, on a pure talent basis....brown is the best option.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Use pitchers when you believe they're good. Don't plan their clock.

    I'm sorry. I'm simply anti-clock/contract management. Play guys when they show real MLB potential talent.

    If Brown hadn't been hurt with the Lat Strain he would've gotten the call, and not Wick.

    Give him a chance. 

    But Wesneski probably gets it