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

Trade Deadline Rumor Roundup

TRADE RUMOR UPDATE (4:23 PM CST): Jayson Stark reports that the Mariners are asking a steep price for Ibanez:

The Cubs, meanwhile, are resisting attempts by Seattle to get Felix Pie and a second prospect for Ibanez. The Cubs almost certainly would be willing to offer a couple of prospects in the Sam Fuld stratum. But teams that have spoken with the Cubs say they've shown little sense of urgency to overpay to add a final piece or two of late. 

A few notes about the Cubs/Brewers series first...

- So the Cubs win the battle of the aces last night, with Carlos Zambrano putting together the type of heroic effort that should be remembered for years. 118 laser precision-like pitches over eight innings with nine strikeouts and only five hits and the Cubs are guaranteed to be still in first place after the series ends. They're also set-up nicely for a series win or dare I say series sweep with Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden going the next two games. (Doing my best Mel Allen) How about that?

- The "struggling" Cubs offense has pounded out 26 hits over the last two games. Apparently you can just turn it on when it's needed most. 

- Entering the series, Jason Kendall had morphed himself into a late-90's Ivan Rodriguez, throwing out 27 of 57 baserunners for a league-leading .474 caught stealing percentage. Lou and the Cubs baserunners didn't seem impressed. They're now a perfect five for five in the first two games. Kendall needs to take another dip into whatever fountain of youth he found.

Some trade rumors after the jump...

- Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are showing interest in Raul Ibanez or any left-handed hitting outfielder. Jim Edmonds knee must be worse than they originally thought and it never hurts to have some insurance. It seems the Cubs are perfectly willing to move Kosuke Fukudome to center field on a full-time basis and find someone to play right field. Reader "Chifan" put together a list of some outfielders that might be available:

AL West
Milton Bradley

AL Central:
David DeJesus
Mark Teahan

AL East:
Luke Scott
Brad Wilkerson

NL West:
Randy Winn
Dave Roberts
Jody Gerut
Brian Giles

NL Central:
Ken Griffey Jr.

NL East:
Mark Kotsay 

I would probably add Coco Crisp to that list as well, although I'm not sure how Chifan neglected one name though, the player sure to lead us to the promised land ....Adam Dunn!!!!!!!!!!  Hey, the Cubs will need a DH for the games in the AL Park in the World Series.

All kidding aside, I'd go after David DeJesus out of that group, followed by Luke Scott and nobody else. And there haven't been a whole lot of Dejesus or Scott rumors out there, so I don't expect much. Apparently Bruce Levine is reporting that Texas and San Francisco have called Hendry about deals. I'd stay far away from Milton Bradley though. Sure, he can hit and play pretty good defense, but kind of like a hot girl who happens to be crazy...the juice ain't worth the squeeze. 

- The Star Tribune out of Minnesota reports:

La Velle and I have spoken to different Dodgers people who say they have no interest in Adam Everett. At least not in a trade. Team had a meeting this month to discuss shortstop options, and listed Cristian Guzman (before he signed his latest deal), Jack Wilson and Ronny Cedeno. Everett’s name didn’t come up. 
 

May I suggest a Ronny Cedeno for Andre Ethier swap? 

- Scott Eyre is still very much on the block as well, although I wouldn't be surprised if he's a post-July 31st trade that has to go through waivers.

 

 

Comments

I think it's hard telling what Texas is going to do with anybody. Bradley is the bat I would want (320/444/592) out of that group, even with the baggage. Even 282/409/443 away from the Bandbox at Arlington. Sure, they aren't catching the Angels in the West, but they're 4th in the WC at 5.5 back. It's closer than they usually are at this time, so would they make a run at it with what they've got and let Bradley get signed away?

Bring on Kotsay (has he been hurt?) he hits lefties almost as well as he hits righties. only a slight dip in obs of .027. And I don't know what his contract status is like but he could be a good stop gap while we wait for Felix.

http://cubs.scout.com/2/773722.html “I had tried to start a small leg kick and it felt good (but) I just couldn’t get the timing of it down in games,” explained Burke. “So really the only thing that changed was getting rid of the leg kick and going back to my normal load. That’s helped my timing out and I’m starting to (square up on) some balls, and good things are happening.” As evidence, Burke has raised his average from a mere .148 to .238 in the past week. His only hitch in that span was a 0-for-6 performance against Everett on June 24. Burke came back the next night with two hits to start a five-game hitting streak. 15 for his last 30 with 12 RBI's over 10 games...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

These players are getting (unsolicited)batting mechanics advice from coaches all the time.I don't know if this was the case here but.....if it ain't broke,don't try to fix it.Burke & Rundle should've hit their way out of Boise by now.Jericho Jones has led the AZL in hitting the entire month of July and he is stuck in Mesa because of the logjam in Boise.Hopefully Burke will continue to hit his way out of that long slump and move on up.I wish him well.

I can't imagine Luke Scott or DeJesus being available, as they are under club control at least through next year (I think). More realistic targets would be cheap FA's like a Gerut or Giles, guys that would be almost free. Raul Ibanez would probably cost us real players. Felix Pie is batting .378 in July at Iowa. I'm just saying......

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

bonds knees, age, and most importantly HUGE baggage goes against him...along with the "hasnt faced live batting in a year" thing. he was already pretty awful in LF and walks dont do a ton of good if you need a pinch runner sub. or a really solid hit to simply move you. this isnt even a b.molina thing where someone's slow...bonds has been pretty crippled for a couple years give or take a good week or two. hell, he's not even held a public workout yet. if he really wanted to push the issue he would work the media and drag them out to a complex to watch him smash crap over the wall and shag flies in the OF. the negative baggage and media circus that would follow anyone signing him is a hell of a package to begin with before even considering his skills.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Have to agree with crunch here. Take out the IBB's and throw in the rust and the hit we would take in left or right field defensively and Bonds just isn't that good a player. And have to disagree that Bonds would be the 2nd best offensive upgrade. Last I checked, Bradley, not Ramirez was the best hitter in the AL. EQA Bradley .339 Ramirez .307 2007 Bonds .345 Would doubt that Bradley would be available for anything short of Dempster, though. And he's a crazy racist. All three of those guys have some serious mental issues (and I should know).

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

How bout the multiple counts of perjury and obstructing justice hanging over his head? Might he be a bit distracted? Plus, do you really want Bonds in LF and Soriano in RF? Sure, you get power, but that defense is scary. Also, would Barry Bonds completely negate all the positive press surrounding the Cubs lately, or would playing for the Cubs automatically make Bonds loveable?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsba01.shtml 276/480/565 for an OPS for 1035 Who cares about any of that other crap if he brings you a title. Barry Bonds could wake up tomorrow morning. Roll out of bed, cruise on down to Milwaukee. And still be the best hitter in the Cubs lineup. If creaky knees and spotty LF defense is enough to offset a 1035 OPS. Then I don't know what to think?

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

i dont know why people assume bonds can just "do this". this is a guy who hasnt had a public workout. there's a laundry list of people who have done similar to get back in baseball. mr. sosa pops to mind for a guy in a similar, yet uniquely different, situation. we're talking about a semi-crippled 43 year old who hasnt seen live pitching in a year AND has no real inclination to prove he can do things.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'm pretty sure possibly the greatest hitter who ever played the game and is less than a year removed from sporting a +1.000 OPS is capable of returning to form after a couple weeks. The man obviously wants to play since his agent already said he'd be willing to sign for the minimum. What's the risk here? Sign him to a minimum contract a la Jim Edmonds and find out if he can still mash. If he can, problem solved. If not, cut ties and hope for the best with what we got (which is already pretty damn good). --edit-- Also, if he's willing to sign for the minimum, I'm guessing his attitude won't be a problem. He's been humbled by teams' lack of interest and if he wants to stay on the roster he can't be a distraction. I guess I'm willing to sell part of my soul for a World Series. 100 years (well, 27 for me) will do that to you.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

Why doesn't Bonds pull a Jay Gibbons and offer to donate his entire salary to charity? I'll be honest, though, I don't want Bonds on the team at all, regardless of whether he can still hit. I spent a long time not liking the guy and it will be very hard for me to turn that around. I still don't feel so great about Edmonds.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Thanks. I honestly just wondered why he wouldn't do that, and I somehow missed when he said he would. Still don't want him, but primarily for non-baseball reasons. And because an outfield of Bonds, Fukudome/Johnson, Soriano scares me on defense.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Why would it be so bad? It's not like he's still juicing (or at least it's unlikely). Sports are filled with bad guys. Murderers: - Rae Carruth - Ray Lewis (probably) Rapists: - Jerramy Stevens (99% sure) - probably countless others Racists, tax evaders, general assholes. The list goes on and on and on. So Bonds isn't the first guy you'd invite over for Christmas dinner. Do you know for a fact that he's a worse guy than Reed Johnson? None of us know these guys personally, so let's not act like Bonds is the second coming of Hitler. Fuck, if he goes to jail it's because he took some illegal drugs (who hasn't smoked pot?) and lied on his taxes. Big effing deal. It's not admirable, but he didn't beat up an old lady. If he adds a 10% chance that we win the World Series, I welcome him with open arms.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

Yeah, I really want to live in a society where people aren't held responsible for anything, where the word 'integrity' is considered as real and relevant as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, where a tax evading, lecherous cheater is held up as a paragon of virtue because he's a little better at cheating than some other players. Yep, bring him on. What was I thinking?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

On the list of morally reprehensible crimes, evading your taxes is WAY down the list. Right above speeding and jaywalking. We wouldn't even have a country if our forefathers didn't evade some taxes of their own. As for cheating on his wife, now you're really reaching. Show me a professional sports team, and I can pretty much guarantee at least half those guys have cheated on their wives. And if the issue is cheating in baseball, how come no one else has been held to such a high standard? Maybe if he grew a mustache like Giambi, people would love him? You can have your moral high ground. As for me, I'll take a World Series.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

No. I think the Cubs have a good chance now, and pitching will determine it more than one more hitter will, in reality. I'm assuming this hypothetical doesn't involve a qualification that not signing Bonds results in a 0% chance of a Pennant or World Series Title. I can't pretend that my dislike of Bonds isn't something unrelated to how he plays baseball. I've hated hearing about him in the media all the time, I don't like how he handles the media, and the guy just grates on me. I wouldn't be able to enjoy the big hits he would get. For me as a fan, it's not just about the Cubs winning. I like to think I'm rooting for something other than a uniform and a name (though I'm not sure I can make a rational argument for it), and rooting for Bonds might shatter that illusion.

Bonds also hasn't put up less than a 1000 OPS in a season since 1991. I have a feeling he would figure it out fairly quickly.

And no, I'm not interested in him because it means moving Soriano to RF and now is not the time to be learning a new position.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Just to put it into perspective. Bonds' 2007 season. His OPS was higher than any Cub since DLee's Magical 05 season. And only by a .035 margin. Baggage or not, the guy can REALLY hit. Consider our DH problem solved come WS time.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

in that case, Cubs can wait until August 31st to sign him (or possibly even later) and just use him sparingly until the World Series. :)

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I know a hitter that is better than Bonds, the last time he played he had an OPS of 1.096 (with only 7 IBB's, compared to Bonds's 43 last year), and he's not under contract with anyone. Someone get Ted Williams on the phone. You people understand that as you get older you get worse at baseball? When you have no cartilage in one of your knees, playing the outfield and running the bases can be a bit difficult. If you put him in a real lineup, where's he's not going to get all the respect walks and IBB's, in a league where the word is going to go out to call his strike zone according to the rules, you're going to have someone who resembles Adam Dunn, without the athleticism, but with 50 times the headaches.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'l take it. but i was looking for the Major League reference: "Then cross him off the LIST!"

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Unless it's High Fidelity, So, I Married an Axe Murderer or Miller's Crossing, I'm unlikely to be able to quote from it. You should learn some Rookie of the Year quotes... there must have been some good ones in there.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Damn you. Now I'm going to spend the rest of the night thinking "Heed! Pants! Now!"

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

When you factor in that they were neither going to Re-sign or offer arbitration to Pudge. At least Farnsy can audition for the Closer spot. At the very least, now Detroit will get a comp pick when Farnsworth leaves after the season.

Sorry to go off topic, but the Kendall CS % point raises a question: If a team tries a double steal, and the catcher throws out the lead runner, does the catcher get hit with a SB against his stats for the trailing runner? Doesn't really seem fair, if that's the case.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

So who's going to catch for Detroit now? Ivan Rodriguez was the only catcher listed on their active roster. AND This could be the most ill-timed, most out of touch article about a baseball team since Phil Rogers' last one.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Lynn Henning Tigers a smart bet to be quiet at deadline A gut feeling throughout July's shopping bazaar known as the non-waiver trade deadline is that the Tigers' deals would be summed up accordingly: Nothing. This was more or less confirmed Tuesday when Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager, was asked if he anticipated Detroit dealing for short-term, or long-haul, help ahead of Thursday's deadline.
complete article here http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/OPINION03/807300…

For all those who think Bonds can still play, please see one of his childhood idols: Willie Mays They guy didn't have a season with an OPS+ of under 100 until he posted and 81 in his last year. OBP for his last 3 years: .425 .400 .303 It goes real quick. And by no means would he be the best player on the Cubs. His stats look better because he missed 30 games. Therefore, sat in games where injury may have hurt his numbers. Things real players can't afford.

My wife's family went to the game, and had a good time. It was the Peoria Chiefs vs. the Kane County Cougars, and they had over 30,000 fans in attendance. Even though severe thunderstorms came in during the 8th inning, they still waited around in the hopes of being able to run the bases (cool!). But the game was close to being called, so they left soon after.

Seattle is starting to act like the Orioles when it comes to dealing their players - ask for the moon, and hope that someone's desperate enough to wildly overpay.

The Dodgers have passed on Adam Everett, but are talking with the Cubs about a deal for Ronny Cedeno and Scott Eyre. My source qualified it as a "passing discussion," but there's enough fit on both sides to see where this could happen. One interesting thing that a FOT told me is that some of the Dodgers discussions appear to pre-suppose that they'll bring back Rafael Furcal.

I didnt include Dunn because I cant see Jimbo getting a guy who cant play CF or RF. BTW, Levine is saying he is hearing Luke Scott rumors during his spot with MJH today at 5:50. Their "Postgame" show is on and they might replay it.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.