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

The Coste of Doing eBIS-ness?

The Cubs announced today that they will be placing catcher Geovany Soto on the 15-day DL with an oblique strain. Soto suffered the injury taking batting practice before Wednesday's game at Wrigley Field.

It appears that Soto's injury is worse than orginally thought, and he could be out until some time in August. And with the way oblique strains can affect a hitter, he might not be back even then.

I can't say this for sure, but I think it's fairly likely that the Cubs put in a waiver claim on C-1B-3B Chris Coste, who was placed on waivers by the Phillies on Wednesday. Jim Hendry must have been almost downright giddy when he saw Coste's name come through eBIS (MLB's in-house computer system) on the daily waiver list the very same day Soto went down with an injury, not because he was happy to lose Soto, but because he could have done a lot worse than acquire a Chris Coste for $20,000 (and no players!). That must be why the Cubs were waiting to place Soto on the DL. They expected (hoped) to acquire Coste Friday afternoon when the 47-hour waiver period expired, and they were just waiting for the announcement from the MLB office. Then they could add Coste to the roster tomorrow, and DL Soto retro to Wednesday. 

Unfortunately for the Cubs, Coste was also claimed by the Houston Astros, and because the Astros had a worse record (by 1/2 game) than the Cubs going into today's action, they win the waiver claim. 

Coste would have probably fit the bill perfectly for the Cubs. A short-term solution, true, but also a veteran right-handed hitting National League catcher with a decent bat and the versatility to play 1B and 3B who could share the load with Koyie Hill until Soto was ready to return to action. But perhaps the Astros knew that, too, and put in a claim just so the Cubs couldn't get him?  Did the Astros really need a third catcher, or were they merely trying to weaken a division rival by keeping the rival from acquiring a player they really needed? If so, maybe the Cubs shouldn't have said anything about Soto's injury until Coste's waiver ride was over. I mean, this isn't the NFL. MLB clubs do not have to report injuries to the media. And there actually was a good reason not to do so this time. .   

All of which puts the Cubs back to Square One...

They can either bring up a catcher from Iowa (probably Chris Robinson), or try and make a trade for a veteran catcher, which might take a while to execute. 

There were two positions on the 2009 Cubs that quite obviously lacked depth coming out of Spring Training (third-base and catcher), and both have been exposed. 

Comments

Thanks AZ PHIL. Wasn't there also a shortage of depth at the 2nd base position with DeRosa's trade? Is Wellington Castillo an option? Or - Jake Fox?

I'm glad they missed out on Coste. Just another crappy backup catcher and if the Phils were unloading him over Bako it tells you something (either he can't catch defensively or he can't hit or both). I'd rather give a few backup games to one of the kids in the system just so they get some mlb ambience...even if it's just to watch. Of course, if we're just need some nostalgic but crappy roster filler, I believe Rob Bowen was released by Oakland this spring. --- the mlb trade rumors comments are ripe with stuff like this: Shame. Coste was a feel good story for a few years, but he really hasn't brought anything to the table this season. At least he won a ring. Funny all this "Bako is even worse" stuff. Neither of them can hit a lick, granted, but at least Bako can catch a little bit. Coste is terrible behind the plate. Thus Bako staying, Coste going. Lesser of two non-contributors. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/phils-dfa-chris-coste-astros-clai…

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Church probably will start vs. RHP for Atlanta. He has a very respectable line of .310/.360/.424 vs. RHP. Francouer was hitting .228 vs. RHP. They also have Matt Diaz who kills lefties, although he's not really a RF. Diaz is barely a LF. I can see the attraction for Atlanta with Church, at least compared to how crappy the guy he is replacing has been, but why on earth would NY or any team want Francouer? He's making $3.375 million this season (but Church isn't underpaid by any means, getting $2.8 mil himself). I guess the Mets just viewed it as a change of scenery and hope Frenchy goes back to hitting a few hr's. His .280 obp. is just horrendous. .230-.250 with 10 hr's and 65-70 rbi's this season and last is pretty awful. Then again, those numbers look like an all-star compared to Bradley. Ouch.

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 8:48pm.
Is Wellington Castillo an option?

Or - Jake Fox?

================================

E-MAN: Long-term, Welington Castillo is the Cubs best catching prospect. Prior to this sesaon, his bat was ahead of his defense, but he has really turned his defense around this season, gunning down potential base-stealers and handling a young and inexperienced Tennessee Smokies pitching staff, unfortunately apparently at the expense of his hitting. But if he can put both his offense and defense together, he will play in the big leagues because he is the most talented of the young Cubs catchers. It's just that he isn't anywhere near ready for the big leagues now, nor will he probably be ready for MLB at the start of the 2010 season, either. Best case is that he has a good 2010 Spring Training, opens the eyes of the Cubs manager and coaches, goes to Iowa, and puts together a solid season behind the plate AND at bat in AAA.

As for Jake Fox, his problems as a catcher are bsically two areas. One, he lacks any semblance of receiving skills, and two, he has a scatter-gun arm. Also, his poor defensive play behind the plate seemed to affect his hitting, such that once he was moved to 1B, he developed into the dangerous hitter you see now. That said, Fox actually enjoys catching, and fancies himself a catcher. He just isn't any good at it.

Soto on the DL? That sucks, but not like he was contributing anything anyways, so no huge loss. Not sure how this season can get much worse. Who would have thunk that this team would be in 5th place and under .500 on July 11? Team just has too many holes and also the players they do have are underperforming. It will be interesting to see when fans start really turning on Lou. Oh yeah, sorry for posting when the team lost. If I waited until they won again, it might be awhile. GO Cubs!

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

and then Lou did his Gene Lamont impression and fell asleep. --- I hate Heilman. Ol' Miracle Whipboy. ...but I loved your description of Lou, who's managing of a one run deficit in a 4-3 game was horrible. The only logical scenerio to explain Lou's non-action is that he was sending a message to Hendry to show him how badly he's screwed up this teams roster. After the typical Heilman start with a single and a walk (and Pujols coming up), it was time to go to the bullpen. Instead he sends Rothschild out for a visit after Mayoboy walks Pujols and the bags loaded. OK, so walking Pujols isn't a bad strategy but I'm not thinking it was intentional until the 4th ball. LR must of given excellent advice to Miracle Whipboy, as Ludwig rocketed a single to Soriano (that was the play where Pujols was safe at 3rd as ARam had trouble handling Soriano's throw and Ludwig took 2nd on the play) Heilman always starts out with a single and a walk. POS. On a calmer note, Jeff Stevens had a nice 1-2-3 introduction to the majors.

With the Cubs apparently swinging & missing on the Chris Coste waiver claim, I suspect Hendry will next go after Kelly Shoppach (CLE) via trade.

I suspect Hendry will next go after Kelly Shoppach (CLE) via trade. --- Here's a Cleveland Plain-Dealer blurb on Shoppach: Kelly Shoppach may be another player who's being shopped. He'll make at least $3 million next year, expensive for a catcher who entered Friday's game hitting .199. If the Indians keep Victor Martinez, they could use Wyatt Toregas, playing well at Class AAA Columbus, as a more cost-efficient backup. http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/07/c... --- Shoppach .194/.323/.374/.697 Hank Blanco .218/.301/.373/.674 Coste .245/.342/.382/.724 Bako .200/.273/.250/.523 KHill .240/.337/.360/.578 Hendry has really developed a brown thumb. At $3M, Shopach is Hank White redux. Even Hank became a cheaper option this year. They were overpaying for Blanco even though he was a decent backup but it could be logic-ed out because Soto as a rookie could have been a bust. Nobody is saying much about Henry Blanco's absence this year and I'm OK with Koyie Hill as the backup catcher. Being stuck with two no-hit backup catchers makes no sense to me, certainly when one has a big price tag. Ah for the days of a Rob Bowen, Koyie Hill tandem. Oops, sorry that sucked too but at least the rest of the team could hit. Then Hendry reached out and got Jason Kendall when he had Soto having his monster year at Iowa right under his nose. Never could understand that. For the nameless players whose stats I listed above, I'd much prefer Chris Robinson get a look see to help out Koyie Hill. Hell, we've used most of the Iowa roster so far this year and for the most part the youngsters have been decent (Fuld, Fox, Wells, ABlanco, Hart, Scales, Stevens, Ascanio). Compare them to the crap Hendry loaded the roster with veteran wise in the offseason (Miles, Gathright, Freel, Baker and Heilman). Robinson at least will be on the PCL all-star team with his Iowa line at .317/.322/.429/.752, just teach him to take a walk every now and then.

Sam Fuld was taken out in the fourth inning last night. My guess he is the one coming up today. Jake Fox, dont forget to bring your catchers mitt to the park today.

I would think Clevenger is more likely to hit, based on his minor league numbers. Interestingly, they both have reverse batting splits in Iowa this year. Clevenger the lefty hitter's OPS is .258 higher against lefties, and Robinson is hitting .048 better against righties.

I like to do this comparision from time to time. The player we should have signed versus the player we should have never signed. Bobby Abreu currently has a line of: .306 BA, .406 OBP, 6 HR, 54 RBI, 46 runs, 19 SB's. Bradley: .236 BA, .365 OBP, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 27 runs, 0 SB's. Awww but Abreu was old boring Mr. Reliable, we had to go with the Ferrari that is always broken.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Abreu was never in the picture. But LOU wanted IBANEZ. Hendry vetoed that and signed Bradley instead. The relationship between Piniella and Hendry hasn't been the same since. Frankly, when you go down the list of players Lou wanted and didn't get right away because Hendry didn't like them (Jake Fox is an example) it becomes clear that Hendry is what's wrong with the Cubs.

Incidentally, Coste also becomes the Cub's second-best hitter. *sigh* Hey, by the way, very cool link, jacos. That could really take baseball stats and analysis to the next level.

Gordon Eades of Yahoo sports has a blurb on the Cubs possibly being in on Pirate 2B Freddy Sanchez: Pirates and trade winds: Freddy Sanchez(notes) was in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup Friday night, putting to rest any thought that the second baseman would be traded in the next 24 hours. The Giants remain the team showing the most interest, according to one source with direct knowledge of the negotiations, while the Twins appear to be more of a long shot. There’s a third team involved from the National League Central, the source said (the Cubs?), although Sanchez’s contract, which calls for his $8 million option in 2010 to kick in automatically if he reaches 635 plate appearances this season, is giving pause to his suitors. http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ge-fullcount071009&prov=yhoo&t…

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

This is weird and hugely anecdotal, but here goes. During the last series with the Pirates, I was listening to the games on the radio because my cable was out. During the third game, I noticed that all three announcers -- Hughes, Santo, and Sirott -- all took time out to praise Sanchez, and all of them called him "Freddy." "Freddy said he's just trying to make up for not driving in runners the other night," "Freddy's the kind of ballplayer who gives you his all every day," etc. Sirott said he based his comments on a chat he had with Sanchez before the game. I don't mean to make too much of it, but it just sounded odd, and it made me wonder if the Cubs had a Sanchez trade in the works. I guess we'll see, although I agree he seems pricey.

the game was over before Heilman even got the ball. --- I completely disagree with the above. Heilman turned a one run game into a blowout. It was a 4-3 game in the 5th after the Pujols solo HR. The Cubs had runners in scoring position in the 5th, 8th and 9th. Even though we all know the offense still sucks goose eggs but it wasn't game over if Miracle Whipboy doesn't blow his cookies over the mound.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Bah, I'm not trying to stoke up an argument, but this lineup is shit. You have Soriano and Milton Bradley combining for $23 million dollars this year and hitting like little girls and Soriano trotting around in the outfield like he doesn't want to fucking be there. His ass would be on the bench if it were up to me, and he'd be there until I saw some fire. These two guys are fucking ridiculous. Maybe they're pressing, maybe they aren't... who knows, and to be honest, it's not our place to figure it out. They're being paid millions of dollars to figure the shit out on their own. I'm so god damned tired of the attitude. You have thousands and thousands of fans show up, every day, rain or fucking sunshine and pay good god damn money to watch these guys play baseball, but instead they play vagina ball and complain about the god damned media or umpires. Try swinging the bat like you got a pair, or are your titties in the way? Shut the fuck up Soriano. Shut the fuck up Bradley. Put your head down and do your god damned job. If you can't take the pressure fucking quit and mow lawns.

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 8:44am.
Here's a Cleveland Plain-Dealer blurb on Shoppach:

Kelly Shoppach may be another player who's being shopped. He'll make at least $3 million next year, expensive for a catcher who entered Friday's game hitting .199. If the Indians keep Victor Martinez, they could use Wyatt Toregas, playing well at Class AAA Columbus, as a more cost-efficient backup.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/07/c...

==========================================

CUBSTER: Kelly Shoppach isn't owed $3M next year. He is eligible for arbitration, though, but I doubt that he would get $3M. He got a $1.9M+ deal for 2009 (his first year of arbitration) only because he was coming off a 2008 campaign where he hit 261/348/517 with 21 HR, but he's having a terrible year in '09 (of course so was Soto until about a month ago), so he will be lucky to get even $2M next year, presuming he is even tendered on 12/12.

If the Cubs were to acquire Shoppach (and I do suspect that he will be Hendry's primary target over the next few days), it would probably cost them somebody like Jose Ascanio, who will be out of minor league options next season.

Also, Shoppach has one minor league option left, so if Soto comes back before September 1st, the Cubs could option Shoppach to Iowa until the rosters expand on 9/1. Then Shoppach could be recalled and be the Cubs 3rd catcher at that time.

With a little less than a half-season remaining in the 2009 season, Shoppach is still owed about $950K, so it wouldn't bust the Cubs payroll to acquire him at this time.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Ascanio seems a bit on the low side for Shoppach. I'm not the biggest fan of his, but Kelly calls a good game and has some ridiculously bad luck this year. A lot of people seem quite high on him. He's got enough bat to be a decent starter, and with several teams that could look for a catching upgrade/complement, I'd be surprised if that's all it took to land Kelly. If it's Ascanio, I think I'd do it, because I think Kelly could be summarily flipped for something perhaps more useful if we wanted, or some higher upside kids lower in the minors. I like Ascanio a lot, and had hopes he could help settle the pen this year, but we have a lot, a lot of pen righty types in the minors, and if that's all it took, I think I would take the plunge. I'd prefer Kelly to Koyie as our backup, but we want a lefty. Maybe Jose becomes a dominant late inning arm, but I'd take the gamble if that was the cost.

going to the game today and I like to check the inside the park web came that used to be on true look to time my entrance. Seems they took it down. Does anyone have a link to a web cam showing the bleachers?

Yeah, Ryno! Say it again! Sometimes I feel like I'm rooting for something that doesn't exist any longer. Don't you just wish they all hustled like you did in Little League?

So,How has LOU been managing the lineup the first half? Short answer: At first blush, it looks like he's loaded what hitting he's got into the #4 #5 and #6 slots and left a black hole at #3 --but Derrek Lee is the culprit, having gone .194 .250 .378 .628 there this season. Lou moved him to #4 and he's responded with a line of .329 .415 .595 1.010 . Bradley has been better, .299 .378 .414 .792 hitting third. Fukudome is .259 .413 .384 .797 there. Cubs OPS and NL rank by batting order position #1 .718 9th (mostly Soriano of course) #2 .766 8th #3 .718 15th (absolute disaster) #4 .914 2nd (surprised?!) #5 .805 6th #6 .787 5th #7 .649 13th (big drop off here from last year's .885 1st) #8 .651 12th (.781 2nd last year) #9 .449 12th (.584 3rd last year)

So once again FOX has planned my day. I was debating between home repairs and the Cubs game. Yankees-Angels on TV, Cubs blacked out...guess I'm repainting the cabinets. Fuck you FOX. I'm not watching your sponsors.

One difference between Tony and Lou: Bottom of the 4th Cubs have Bradley and Baker on 1st and 2nd. No outs. Hill up. Tony: Sac bunt movimg runners to 2nd and third with pitcher coming up and only one out. Meaning top of the ordee gets a chance for a knock. Lou: Hill swings away ellicitimg a sharply hit made to order 3-4-3 DP. Puttimg Lilly in a spot where he as to drive in a run.

here's a stat for you...Cards at 48-41 Cardinals in April 17-7 Since then they are 3 games under .500, 31-34 Some crappy division.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

It is very weird that there is such a big game differential between the teams. And being only 1 back in the loss column does give us Cubs fans hope, but then when you actually watch this team that hope flies out the window. Tough to think this team will play good enough to outperform the other 4 teams ahead of them in the division the rest of the way. But at least this years Cubs June Swoon hasn't put a nail in the coffin, there is still a chance. Oh sorry, the Cubs won today and I have posted twice. How did that happen...:) Go Cubs!

fwiw... jockety (reds gm) is on the broadcast doing a spot with the CIN announcers...they were "1 of 3" in the final derosa hunt and CLE was pretty much solely looking young pitching.

You don't get a brown thumb unless a lot of plants die under your watch i.e. I've got such a brown thumb i could kill a silk flower or... The 2008-9 offseason turned what was a very green thumb brown

Apologies to the parachaters for my abrupt disappearance. It wasn't a one run or an eight run win, but I think Andy and I will take it.

Good move by Lou to go get Marmol today -- blowing a 4-run lead would probbaly have been fatal. Marmol and Soriano are emblematic of Hendry's Cubs -- loads of talent, but no mental discipline, and neither has a clue about the stike zone.

Good move by Lou to go get Marmol today -- blowing a 4-run lead would probbaly have been fatal. Marmol and Soriano are emblematic of Hendry's Cubs -- loads of talent, but no mental discipline, and neither has a clue about the stike zone.

i would think that koyie hill pretty much does double duty sunday which is okay,but what sucks is that pretty much takes fox out of any chance to play in either game.

not the most attractive item in the world, but for a "cheap" backup eric munson is lingering in OAK's AAA...still...that's m.barrett-ish quality D. he doesn't seem like the type who would mind riding pine, though, and landon powell can barely find ABs while eatting up their 25th roster spot trying to find an occasional pinch hit.

perhaps mlb.com is jazzed up; the upper right hand box here shows 7:05 ct start time. as though there were no noon game today. going into this series, looking at the pitching matchups, i fully expected the first 2 games to be split. today's action will be determined by which zambrano shows up, and whether wells can out-wainwright wainwright. i'm guessing another split is in store, and actually have more faith in wells than in zambrano. maybe hoff gets one start at 1b and fox the other? and here's hoping fuld gets one start in lf.

Reds of Jay Bruce out with a broken wrist (link includes video of injury) --- Bruce was attempting a sliding catch of David Wright's fly ball to short right field when his gloved right hand jammed hard into the grass and bent fully backwards. Although he nearly made the catch, the ball dropped and Wright had a single. Immediately, Bruce grabbed his wrist in obvious pain. "It hurt pretty bad," said Bruce after the game, his right arm in a wrap. "I was in some pretty bad pain. http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090711&content_id…

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-12-cubs-bits-chi… backups for the backup catcher?: "Actually, our third catcher is [pitcher Randy] Wells," Piniella said. "Naw, we wouldn't do that." The other possibility is reliever Carlos Marmol, a converted catcher. "No chance," Marmol said. "The last time I caught was '02, I think." No way." --- DLee update: "I'm good, I'll be in the lineup [Sunday]," Lee insisted after the 5-2 victory over the Cardinals. "It was just a tweak ... not even close to last time. "That's why I came out, just to keep it from getting bad." Lee's latest run-in with the problem came when he slid awkwardly into second base with a fifth-inning double.

I noticed Blake Parker got his 10th save at Iowa yesterday. Looks like he walks too many but has 28K's in 23 IP. Az Phil (and others who's seen him), what's your take on BP as a prospect?

Other Ex-Cub 1st Half Stats: Rich Hill: 7.43ERA, 3-2 1.80WHIP Jerry Hairston, .258 .310 .396 Ronny Cedeno, .152 .209 .283 Garret Olson, 4.42 ERA, 3-2, 1.19WHIP Ricky Nolasco, 5.76ERA, 6-7, 1.39WHIP Bobby Howry, 3.48ERA, 0-4, 1.226WHIP Scott Eyre is Broke, 2.40ERA, 1-1, 1.40WHIP Henry Blanco, DL Jason Kendall, .233 .323 .277 Casey McGehee, .321 .374 .537 .911

Rob G. the site's clock is fast by 5 minutes. I just said I posted at 12:03pm when it's really 11:58am. WGN here hasn't finished showing their shitty wrestling and gone to Wrigley yet.

If anyone watches on WGN TV today, notice that Keith Moreland's voice sounds very much like Tim MF'ing McCarver, except he doesn't say all the delusional crap.

Zambrano looking pretty good in first inning. Rasmus hit one really hard to the warning track, but didn't look like a terrible pitch.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to ignore anyone in parachat... my wife wanted on the computer. In other news, anyone know a good divorce lawyer?

Well half way to the maximum gain, and the Brewers are losing too. Wainright is going to be tough in the second game, but if there is one thing this team is due for is beating a good pitcher finally.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Marmol had two excellent seasons under Rothschild's tutelage. Dempster has two career years under Rothschild. Marquis lowered his ERA a point an a half under Rothschild. Kerry Wood and Dempster successfully converted to closer roles under Rotschild. Lilly went from a #3 to a #2 starter under Rotschild. Marshall made the jump from A ball to the majors under Rotschild. Guzman has become an effective major league pitcher under Rothschild. Those are just off the top of my head.

Lou is rightfully down on Fontenot lately, choosing Baker to go vs. some rhp even though his career splits vs righties aren't very good.

Keith Moreland did play by play for Brenly on Friday and today. I heard a couple innings of him he sounded good. Stick him on radio and tell Ron to stay home and relax.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

This is the story as I heard it (I AM NOT QUOTING PER BATIM FOR REAL NEAL'S BENEFIT): In ST during early in his Cub's career, they guys were playing football in a swimming pool. It was a "tackle game" whereby a player was considered "down" when they were brought under water. Larry Csonka was "The Man" as far as running backs at the time for the Dolphins and had a reputation for not being easily tackled. Moreland was equally unable to be brought down in the pool and his teammates started calling him Zonk in tribute to the Miami Dolphin's star!

Submitted by Hagsag on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 9:40am.
I wonder if Brayan Pena could be a stop gap catcher. The Royals owe us a player for Free. ==================================

HAGSAG: A PTBNL cannot be on an MLB regular season Active List (25-man roster) at any time between when a trade is announced and when the PTBNL is named. A PTBNL can be on a 40-man roster, though, as long as he is on Optional Assignment to the minors or on the 15-day or 60-day DL, but once he goes active on the 25, he can't be a PTBNL.

If you remember, the Cubs were owed a PTBNL from the Craig Monroe trade post-2007, and the player was supposed to be Rule 5 RHP Tim Lahey. Unfortunately (not that it matters now), Lahey was claimed off waivers by the Phillies at the end of Spring Training 2008, and was on the Phils' 2008 Opening Day 25-man roster roster, meaning Lahey could not be the PTBNL in the Craig Monroe trade even after Lahey was later returned to the Twins. That's why the Cubs ended up with Doug Deeds instead.

Prior to the advent of interleague play, a PTBNL could be on a regular season 25-man roster of a team in the other league, but not any more.

In the case of the Rich Hill deal, I believe the PTBNL was probably "satisfied" as part of the Joey Gathright for Ryan Freel trade, where the Orioles picked up most of Freel's salary.

Cash (usually $20,000) is sometimes accepted in lieu of a player when a PTBNL is involved, and the club can then either pocket the $20K, or else use the cash to claim a player off waivers at some later time.

Most minor league players traded for a PTBNL are really traded for "future considerations," meaning either an organizational player (roster filler) who fills a need on a minor league club, or (more likely) a nominal cash settlement. And sometimes just assuming a minor league player's contract is enough to make a deal happen, especially if it involves a player with no upside ("roster filler").

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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.