Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* 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: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Jackson Sets Pace Among Cubs 2009 Draft Picks

Submitted by Arizona Phil on
The Deadline for signing players selected in this past June's Rule 4 Draft ("1st-Year Player Draft") has passed, and the Cubs ended up signing 31 of their 50 picks (including their top 12 picks, and 14 of their top 15), although two of the players they signed (17th round pick RHP B. J. Dail and 23rd round pick OF Jeffrey Pruitt) had their contracts voided last month and are now free-agents.

The Cubs also signed two Non-Drafted Free-Agents (NDFA), but one (LHP Daley Cox) has already been released.

There is no deadline for signing college seniors who have exhausted their eligibilty, but the Cubs signed all of the college seniors they drafted this year.

Of the 29 '09 draftees (plus one NDFA) signed by the Cubs who are still in the organization, 1st round pick CF Brett Jackson (Cal) has had the most-impressive pro debut, hitting 328/427/480 with 6 HR & 34 RBI and 13 SB (2 CS) in 50 games at three stops (AZL Cubs, Boise, and Peoria). 2nd round pick INF D. J. LeMahieu (LSU) has also performed very well, hitting 322/370/391 (combined) at AZL Cubs and Peoria (although where he will ultimately end up defensively is yet TBD), and 4th round pick LHP Chris Rusin (Kentucky) has had a nice debut (2.67 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP with a 8/24 BB/K in 27 IP combined at AZL Cubs and Boise).

A couple of JC guys are flying under the radar and could be steals. 32nd round pick RHP Trey McNutt (Shelton State CC) has an array of quality stuff and looks like he could start or relieve, and 38th round pick Bobby Wagner (a Canadian kid who played JC ball at Panola, TX) is a power-hitting lefty-swinger with a definite HR stroke who was drafted as a 3B, but was moved to LF at Fitch Park.   

Jackson, LeMahieu, and Rusin appear to be the most advanced of the 2009 draft picks, and I would think that (barring injury) all three will likely open the 2010 season at Daytona.

2009 RULE 4 DRAFT

SIGNED:

NOTE: click on player's name for current minor league stats

1. Brett Jackson, OF (Cal) - at PEORIA
2. D. J. LeMahieu, INF (LSU) - at PEORIA
3. Austin Kirk, LHP (Owasso HS - Owasso, OK) - at AZL Cubs
4. Chris Rusin, LHP (Kentucky) - at BOISE
5. Wes Darvill, SS (Langley, BC) - at AZL Cubs
6. Brooks Raley, LHP (Texas A&M) - at AZL Cubs
7. Blair Springfield, IF-OF (MacArthur HS – Decatur, IL) - at AZL Cubs
8. Robert Whitenack, RHP (SUNY – Old Westbury) - at BOISE
9. Richard Jones, C (The Citadel) - at BOISE
10. Charles Thomas, 3B-1B (Edward Waters College) - at AZL Cubs
11. John Mincone, LHP (Suffolk CC – West) - AZL Cubs 60-day DL
12. Runey Davis, OF (Howard JC) - at BOISE
14. Danny Keefe, RHP (U. of Tampa) - at BOISE
15. Cody Shields, OF (Auburn U. – Montgomery) - AZL Cubs 60-day DL (TJS)
18. Matt Williams, C (Duke) - at BOISE
19. Sergio Burruel, C-1B (Trevor Browne HS - Phoenix, AZ) - at AZL Cubs
21. Greg Rohan, 1B-3B (Kent State) - at BOISE
22. D. J. Fitzgerald, INF (Dyersburg State CC) - at BOISE
25. Justin Bour, 1B (George Mason) - at BOISE
26. Steve Grife, RHP (Mercyhurst College) - at AZL Cubs
27. Corey Martin, RHP (Western Carolina) - at BOISE
28. Jordan Petraitis, 3B (Miami U. of Ohio) - at AZL Cubs
29. Tim Clubb, RHP (Missouri State) - at AZL Cubs
32. Trey McNutt, RHP (Shelton State CC) - at BOISE
36. Brandon May, IF-OF (Alabama) - at AZL Cubs
38. Bobby Wagner, OF (Panola JC) - at BOISE
39. Nick Struck, RHP (Mt. Hood JC) - NOT ASSIGNED YET
41. Jake Schmidt, RHP (Concordia U. – St. Paul) - at AZL Cubs
46. Glenn Cook, OF (U. of Miami) - at AZL Cubs

2009 Non-Drafted Free-Agents (NDFA) SIGNED:

Daley Cox, LHP (Santa Fe CC) - HAS BEEN RELEASED
Jesse Ginley, RHP (St. Petersburg CC) - at AZL Cubs

 

SIGNED - CONTRACT SUBSEQUENTLY VOIDED:

17. B. J. Dail, RHP (Mt. Olive College)
23. Jeffrey Pruitt, OF (Cal State – Northridge)

 

THE 19 WHO GOT AWAY (deadline was August 17th):

13. Chad Taylor, SS-RHP (Jefferson HS – Tampa, FL) - signed NLI with U. of South Florida
16. Keenyn Walker, OF (Judge Memorial Catholic HS – Salt Lake City) - signed NLI with Central Arizona JC
20. Eric Erickson, LHP (U. of Miami) - JR (rehabbing from TJS)
24. Gerardo Esquivel, RHP (De La Salle Institute – Chicago, IL) - signed NLI with Kansas State
30. Daniel Sheppard, C (Downers Grove North HS – Downers Grove, IL) - signed NLI with U. of Iowa
31. Andrew Clark, 1B (U. of Louisville) - JR
33. John Lambert, LHP (NC State) - JR
34. Rett Varner, RHP-OF (UT – Arlington) - JR
35. Kevin David, C (Oklahoma State) - draft eligible SOPH
37. Peter Mooney, SS (Palm Beach CC) - JC FRESH
40. Eric Whaley, RHP (Cardinal Gibbons HS – Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - signed NLI with LSU
42. Trey Ford, SS (Chaparral HS – Scottsdale, AZ) - signed NLI with Chandler-Gilbert CC
43. Colin Kaepernick, RHP (U. of Nevada) - JR
44. Frank DeJiulio, RHP (Daytona State CC) - JC FRESH
45. Addison Dunn, RHP (Warren Area HS – Warren, PA) – signed NLI with Kent State
47. Joey Jocketty, 3B (Ladue Horton Watkins HS – St. Louis, MO) - will attend Mami U. of Ohio
48. John Nasshan, RHP (Niles West HS – Skokie, IL) - signed NLI with Bradley U.
49. Christian Segar, OF (McQuaid Jesuit HS – Brighton, NY) - signed NLI with Bradley U.
50. Zach Cleveland, RHP (Central Arizona JC) - JC SOPH (will transfer to U. of New Mexico)

Tags
Rule 4 Draft

Comments

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:59 pm

We should have spent an extra $10 million an signed all those players. I mentioned before I am really happy about getting Raley. Obviously he's a real coup for the scouting department since almost everyone figured he'd be asking for crazy money go forgo his last two years after tailing off at the end of the season. Have you gotten to see him yet, AZ Phil? Any talk of him doing things other than being a starting pitcher? What about Glen Cook, hitting some BP bombs and looking foolish against real pitching? Also, any idea how if the Cubs signed the number of guys they wanted to sign? How does a team figure out the number of players they want to bring in, or do they just bring in the guys they think have a chance and let things sort themselves out?

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Submitted by JoePepitone on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:28 am

"Can the Cubs use bankruptcy court to shed Soriano's contract?" It might be theoretically possible but there are numerous practical reasons why it would not even be attempted. Consider first that the run through bankruptcy court has been characterized as a device to expedite the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family. If the Cubs were to try get the bankruptcy court to shed their obligations on players’ contracts, the entire process would get bogged down in very messy litigation with the players' union over the entire matter and we wouldn’t see the sale get completed any time in the foreseeable future. I’d gladly wager in advance that such a maneuver would never even be attempted.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:54 am

I would imagine that the players union might agree to this if it were an all-or nothing scenario. Make all the Cubs players FA's by voiding all thier contracts. The Soriano, Bradley and Zambrano would get screwed but guys like Theriot, Marmol, and Soto would be quite happy.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:17 pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 1:59pm.

I mentioned before I am really happy about getting Raley. Obviously he's a real coup for the scouting department since almost everyone figured he'd be asking for crazy money go forgo his last two years after tailing off at the end of the season. Have you gotten to see him yet, AZ Phil? Any talk of him doing things other than being a starting pitcher?

What about Glen Cook, hitting some BP bombs and looking foolish against real pitching?

Also, any idea how if the Cubs signed the number of guys they wanted to sign? How does a team figure out the number of players they want to bring in, or do they just bring in the guys they think have a chance and let things sort themselves out?

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

REAL NEAL: I think the Cubs probably signed everybody they really wanted to sign (at least the college & JC guys). The HS kids who didn't sign (Taylor, Walker, Esquivel, Sheppard, et al) were fall-back options is case the Cubs couldn't sign the high picks, but they all probably wanted more money than they're worth right now, and Erickson probably figured he would be better off going back to the U. and showing he's 100% and then maybe get the really big bucks as a Top 5 round pick next year.

Raley isn't really in shape yet. I want to see him throw in the AZ Instructional League when somebody like Dennis Lewallyn is around to work with him. The Cubs project Raley as a pitcher right now (probably because that's what he prefers), but he always could move to the OF if he fails on the mound. He's a legitimate "two-way" prospect (a good hitter with plus-speed and and an outstanding OF arm), so (hopefully) the Cubs will get their money's worth one way or the other.

Glenn Cook was sort of a long-shot when he signed (the Cubs based their evaluation on an old HS scouting report and a couple of pre-draft BP sessions), and I'm sorry to say he really doesn't look like he's going to cut it at the plate. And he's not that great defensively, either.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:12 pm

Z off the DL, Caridad down...I assume Gorzelanny to the pen?

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:34 pm

That would make sense, though he certainly hasn't done anything to justify losing his job, other than not making $8+ million or being a RoY candidate.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:20 pm

Wells will pass his inning total from last year during the 4th inning Thursday vs. Washington. Maybe him give 2-3 more starts after that, then shut him down. Gorz should probably get the job back by default, despite my earlier claim that Sanardzija should get an extended audition. Obviously if there's anything wrong with Z, Lilly or Dempster, you can shut them down as well. At this point, it's not only about winning next year, but also about doing it with this group of guys, Harden withstanding.

Submitted by ddp33 on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:40 pm

any thoughts on who the september call ups will be? i wonder what will happen with berg, stevens, caridad, atkins, scales, samardzija (guys who have contributed throughout the season), and if someone like chris robinson, who's had a great year, will get the nod.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:17 pm

I'm really not sure I could despise the two Aarons any more than I do now. At least we have hate to play with for the remainder of the season. Jim Hendry==FAIL. Why not turn Zambrano into an outfielder and be done with it already? God knows he sure as hell doesn't pitch like a $90 million ballplayer, maybe he can hit like one. What a joke. I wonder if the Cubs put Soriano on waivers, would anyone even bother to claim him? If they did, would they be willing to ante up even HALF the $$ on his remaining contract? Truly awful. 101 years and counting. I'm spent with this year's slugs.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:28 pm

I know nothing about this sports writer but... "but placing Carlos Marmol in the glory role was a no-brainer way back in March. Non-moves like this make me think that Lou Piniella really isn't invested anymore." http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12111833/rss he seems like kind of a bad writer especially when he says he isn't giving up on them. Very silly. Obviously he's not a stats guy and doesn't see the RISP and record against good teams. Fuck Michael Barrett. He's still killing us.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:48 am

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=316534 General manager Jim Hendry said he was not aware of the report. Kenney last year signed Hendry to a contract extension through 2012. The extension was run by each of the ownership groups that were in contention to buy the Cubs, including the Ricketts family. In other words, Hendry is likely going nowhere.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:52 am

Besides Cashner and Vitters, this year's top 2 picks are gonna be there, Strasburg and Ackley...and I'm sure others. Is there room on AZ Phil's couch for me to crash?

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Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:27 am

from the same article...

Hendry said he isn't fazed about public calls for a housecleaning (because I have a contract through 2012, thanks Crane!!!).

''I don't really think much about it, to be honest with you,'' he said. ''We've done a lot of good things the last couple years. We're having a bad year. I just try to go to work every day and do the best I can.''

 

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:59 am

Dear Mr. Ricketts- Good luck with your recent investment. You purchased a deterioratng ballpark and a team that the fan base can't stand (the players don't seem to like the fans, either), and most of the players are signed to long-term, expensive contracts. Also, all of your players seem to have had their testicles removed, and curl up into a fetal position at the first sign of pressure. Congrats!

Submitted by DavidP on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 09:10 pm

Phil - can you answer a hypothetical? Suppose Castro was put on the 40 man roster today and brought up to the ML club for the rest of this season. Next spring he does not make the big league roster and remains at Iowa for the entire 2010 season. Does either 2009 or 2010 count as one of his three option years?

Recent comments

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

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