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

Coco Crisp Soon To Be a Cub?

One of our readers, chifan, says he heard on the radio that the Cubs and Red Sox are close to a deal that would send Sam Fuld and Jason Marquis to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp. I've also seen the same radio rumor mentioned on a few other message boards as well, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Crisp is signed through 2009 with a 2010 team option that, if bought out, would mean he's owed $11 MM over that time. Marquis is owed $16.25 MM through 2009, so the money is probably close enough for two of the leagues richest teams.It would be a shame to lose Fuld, but it seemed like he was losing out to Felix Pie for the center field job.

Crisp stopped hitting the second he put on a Red Sox uniform, but can "go get 'em" in the outfield, turning in a particularly masterful season last year with the glove, even if the arm is sub-par. He has expressed his desire to start (as most ballplayers do), so if this deal goes through, we'll see how Lou manages his playing time versus the youngster Pie.

 

Comments

I haven't followed real close, but weren't there some clubhouse-type concerns about Crisp? That said, he's a heckuva vet to fill that 4th OF slot. Naysayers will say we've already got a younger, cheaper defensive stud in CF who can't hit.....

Both Crisp and Marquis have told their ballclubs that if they won't be starters then they would rather be sent somewhere else that they can start. If this trade is real, then Marquis would probably have a better chance of doing so than Crisp. That is unless Pie totally falters in CF...

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/833297,CST-SPT-cubnt09.art… After getting two hits in his first game back from the cracked bone in his right middle finger, Soriano declared the finger ''perfect'' but said he still has a mental block over pushing his legs at top force seven months after tearing his quadriceps while running the bases in a game against the Mets. ...''I'm still a little scared because today's only my second game,'' said Soriano, who estimated he ran at only 85 percent effort Saturday, even on what looked like a hard sprint on an infield single in the fourth. ''I think after I start playing every day, I'll feel more comfortable and can run 100 percent.'' ...And although he has done enough rehab work and therapy since then to be cleared for full torque, he said, ''I have it in my head like I did last year. It's because of my mind, not my leg.''

I don't know. I'm not coo-coo for coco puffs either. The Cubs bolstered with Kosuke. I'd like to see Lou stick with Pie in center. I think there are enough bats in the lineup to let Pie establish himself as an offensive tool. His defense and speed can contribute immediately. I know there are still Korey-memory shivers out there. I do feel that the lead-off spot is still a mystery if Soriano is to be moved out of that. I like that we have problems figuring out what our starting 5 will be. Remember two years ago what a mess that rotation was? I like what's shaping up. I am a bit concerned now that we would lose more in talent than we would gain in trades now. Think about how strong our position will be in July for trades to tweak things for a stretch run. Yes, we should contend in our division. We would have to fall flatter than last season's start to fall out of the division race this year. OK I'll stop with my blah blah blah. I'm getting excited for the start of the season:)

I realize the Reds would be unlikely to trade within the division but apparently Ryan Freel is available. http://www.journal-news.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2008/03/… Marquis for Freel seems to be a match based on both clubs needs...just got to deal with the salary issues. Of course Chone Figgins (switch hitter plays everywhere DeRosa plays plus CF) would be an even better alternative, even over Roberts who IMHO is way too expensive from what is being asked (at least per the Baltimore Sun reports) If they do go for Crisp, it doesn't help the lack of lefty's in the lineup...it's only to help the lefty-righty platoon in CF and of course Crisp isn't going to be happy with a platoon.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

If Figgins could play a decent SS I'd be making a full-court press on this guy. Much as I like Theriot, that's our biggest weak spot (by far). Unfortunately, Chone's only played 27 games there in his career, and all of 2 in 2007. Anybody see him play there?

Did anyone catch Lou's comments during the in-game interview on TV? It sounded like he's leaning Wood to close games out. Coco Crisp would be solid. He'd immediately become our best option in CF.

Wait.....we don't think that Pie could hit .268/.330/.382? For a much lower salary? Wow....I mean, I'd like him as the 4th OF...but blocking Pie with that? When in the bloody blue hell does the kid get a chance to get 450-600 AB's, and play CF for a full season?

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

He's only 23, his best years are AT LEAST 3-4 years down the road, IMO. You can't really compare numbers to a legit big leaguer like Crisp. Maybe I'd feel different if Pie had a good swing, but it's attrocious. It is a big sweeping golf-style swing. That's where he gets his power, but also why he gets tripped up on big-league sliders. I really think he should trade that power for a shorter, compact swing and use his speed. If he stays in shape the power will come eventually.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Much as I hate to be agreeing with Dusty: amen, brother. Tho when I first heard this rumor I immediately figured it was mainly about getting rid of Marquis, but couldn't we pick up something we actually NEED? Having a veteran 4th OF is always a good thing, but not when he's agitating for a starting role. Go get Rajai Davis and Figgins.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

i agree with Dusty here. I think Pie can be a Curtis Granderson type player if we'd give him a whole season to get comfortable and just play without the pressure of a "Just in case" lurking over his shoulder or a platoon job. He's crushed in the Minors. Let him play. Coco is no upgrade over Pie in CF. Plus, Pie is 23 compared to Crisp at 29. Most players reach their peak or at least establishment by 27. Crisp is past that and the Red Sox realize it, Pie is ahead of schedule if you ask me despite the pressure we've put on him. We may have well signed a guy like Shannon Stewart if we want a guy like Crisp. Granted i'd love to see Marquis outta here, but not at the cost of blocking Pie.

He'd be a good 4th outfielder, and a ph option when he doesn't play. I can't stand Marquis, and would be very happy to see him gone. Fuld? like his scrappiness, but he will never amount to much of a major leaguer, so I am for the deal, providing he is a BENCH option. Pie has nothing left to prove in AAA, and has to be given 500+ AB's to develop in the show.

I would think Crisp would be a 4th OF type, getting most of his starts versus lefties or a spot start here or there to spell the corners. But if he gets hot and Pie doesn't, well yeah, you know what happens.

I believe I've read here that Coco Puff's numbers against LH pitchng are significantly better than Pie's. There is the pitching depth now to make the team better by adding Crisp. We will all be bitching about Jason Marquis in a couple of months, imo.

Hells yeah, I'd take Coco Pebbles for Marquis and Fuld: A) Fuld doesn't start over Pie, this is good. I'd much rather the competition be Pie and Coco than Pie and Fuld. B)There's a bit of upside to Coco if he can regain his ability to hit - change of scenery and all that. C)If he doesn't start, he's one hell of a 4th OF'er. Especially considering the likelihood of an injury somewhere out there. It is the Cubs. D) Marquis' absence means a spot for Marshall who I'd much prefer. E) Fuld's 'value' is probably as high as it every will be in his entire life. Trade him for the 4th OF'er they've been looking for and lose Marquis' ass in the process. Good for me.

Sean Marshall and his wife were selected as one of Arizona's finest couples (by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). Also of note is the lovely couple, Dave Dodge and Patrick Greenwood. Must be old, but I thought it was neat, or funny, or something. http://www.cffaz.com/couples.html

The more I think about it, the more I think this is a great trade for the Cubs. We lose Jason Marquis. Ok he wasn't the worst pitcher in the world (as some people seem to think), but he's inconsistent and he's certainly not a whole lot better than Dempster or Lieber. He's not gonna be in the bullpen and he certainly isn't going back to the minors, so he really has no place on the team and his loss isn't a big loss to the team. If anything, it's a gain because we get rid of his huge salary. Then there's Sam Fuld. I like Sam and I think he's worked really hard to be a solid minor leaguer, but let's be honest, that's all he's gonna be. He's fast, he's a good defender, but his bat's not good enough. There's no question he's behind Pie on the depth chart, so his loss isn't a big deal either. I agree with Joe, his value now is the highest it will ever be, so trade him now. And we get Coco Crisp. I'm not saying this kid's great, but besides having a sweet name, he does have spectacular defense and could hit near the top of the order. True, he didn't hit that well last year. But he did hit very well in 04/05 and if there's any chance of him returning to that form, it's completely worth it to get him. Even if he doesn't return to form, he's still a great defender and an okay hitter (which is, by the way, exactly what we're looking for out of Pie). Getting Crisp would also make give Pie a much better person to compete with in center field, probably motivating him to get even better. I see Marquis and Fuld as no real losses to the team and Crisp as a gain (even if a small one) at the position that might be our weakest. So I think it's a great deal for the Cubs. Also, let's trade Gallagher, Cedeno, Veal and Ceda (yes, Ceda I think it's worth it) for Roberts (needed to get a Roberts reference in on this thread) this is an NL champion lineup: 2B Roberts RF Fukudome 1B Lee 3B Ramirez LF Soriano C Soto CF Crisp SS Theriot P Zambrano

it makes no sense for the cubs to aquire crisp given the problem crisp is complaining about wouldnt be filled by coming to the cubs...unless the cubs wanna flip pie for roberts later...which would make less sense unless the club has 15+m of payroll laying around to devote to the series of trades.

I don't think Fuld is involved in any current trade; he's playing LF for the Cubs. Not sure they would risk an injury if a trade was near or done?

I agree with you, crunch. Crisp wouldn't be happier being the #4 OF for the Cubs than he is in that role for Boston.

Is Fuld a Freel-esque player? Scrappy, makes the most of his talent but not a whole lot there? Not real familiar with him as a player.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    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...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.