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

Cubs News Round-Up: Maddux Hired, McGwire Admits 'Roid Use, Sky is Blue

The Cubs aren't doing much but a couple of nifty P.R. moves before the Cubs convention. The first is a rumor that if Cooperstown puts Andre Dawson in as a Cub, the Cubs will likely retire his number 8.

Dawson has been promised by the Cubs to have his No. 8 uniform number retired if he goes into the Hall of Fame as a Cub, a source close to Dawson said on Sunday.

The articles do say that if he goes in as an Expo, they still might do it, but it appears if it's as a Cub, it's a certainty. And this is where I unpopularly wonder out loud why they're going to retire Dawson's number in either case? I say he should be lining up behind Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace and even Rick Sutcliffe before getting his number retired, as all are far more identifiable with the Cubs than Dawson in my not-so-humble opinion (and no Sutcliffe should not get his number retired). And if Dawson is the Cub standard for getting a number retired, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez might as well send out their  "set-the-date" cards for their eventual ceremonies.

*historical footnote at end of the post

- The Cubs have hired Greg Maddux as a special assistant to Jim Hendry, Bruce Levine spells out his role with the club.

Maddux's duties will include helping with instruction for both major-leaguers and minor-leaguers during spring training, as well as scouting duties throughout the season.


According to a source with knowledge of the signing, Maddux will be at the beck and call of Hendry during the season to evaluate minor-league affiliates and give thegeneral manger input when trades or free-agent signings are being considered.

Always good to have Maddux associated with the Cubs in some manner...time to start the Sandberg (manager)/Maddux(pitching coach) for 2011 campaign!!!

- Mark McGwire sent out a press statement today admitting to his steroid use over a 10-year period.

"I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989/1990 offseason and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again," McGwire said in his statement. "I used them on occasion throughout the '90s, including during the 1998 season."

Now if Sosa would just get it out of the way so we can move on to his number retiring ceremony.

- In spring training news, Crane Kenney is in Arizona today and the state is working on passing some funding referendums if a deal is struck.

- Condolences to Angel Guzman and his family...Guzman's brother was shot yesterday in Venezuela and passed away.

* It came to my attention that the NL didn't start wearing numbers until 1932, which would exclude most of the Cubs in the Hall of Fame from having a number retired except for Gabby Hartnett. So if the Cubs policy is indeed only players elected to the Hall of Fame that go in as Cub (and Ron Santo), then I'll pull back the reins on my rant. Of course, I think he should go in as an Expo myself, but if it as a Cub and that is their unstated policy, then might as well be consistent.

Tags

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

HOF is a component, but I think the fan love/appreciation is just as important. That's why Santo got it despite the HOF, why Maddux got it years before he's even eligible, and why Jenkins was made to wait and was really only incidental to Maddux. Fans loved Dawson way out of proportion to his performance in Chicago (though the performance wasn't bad).

[ ]

In reply to by vorare

..but I think the fan love/appreciation is just as important.
so you're telling me Ryan Theriot and Mark DeRosa ceremonies are forthcoming...kill me now.

Right on RobG. This nonsense -if true - that the Cubs will retire No 8 Andrew Dawson's jersey if he goes in the HOF as a Cub sounds eerily similar as to the "horse trading" that Tampa Bay and Florida teams attempted to do when they signed guys like Wade Boggs and Dawson and the commissioner had to step in. If the Cubs franchise is actually suggesting that they will retire his number only if he goes in as a Cub that is classless but then again anything that involves Crane Kenney doesn't really surprise me. I am happy that Andrew Dawson was selected to the HOF, he deserved it, and whether he goes in as a Cub or as an Expo is irrelevant. Perfectly fine to go in as a Montreal Expo.

Love Maddux getting hired by Cubs and fully support Rob's nomoination of him for pitching coach! I agree with Rob and Noce - I don't understand Dawson getting his number retired by the Cubs. I too am happy that Dawson got elected to the Hall. And, it is always nice to have someone elected as a Cub, but I don't see Dawson as such a Cub that we retire his number.

How about we save the number retirements for the guys who finally accomplish what Banks, Sandberg, Santo, etc., couldn't. And no, Ronnie, it doesn't count if you're the WGN color guy. Dawson? Please no. Jenkins/Maddux was bad enough.* This isn't the Yankees. * Maybe you can finish earning it as pitching coach.

there's a lot of maddux "pitching coach" comments being thrown around. granted, i dunno what the guy has been up to for many years, but he was known for being a guy who had good info...but he was generally only able to deliver the info in one way. he used to be known for being easily frustrated when trying to explain things to people and prone to just walking away. that said...ask me 10 years ago if sandberg would manage anything i would have laughed at you because leaders actually need a spine to go with their self-motivated work ethic.

Looking at the timing of this news conference, it is extremely coincidental. Allow me. Cardinals hire McGwire as the hitting coach back in October. Cardinals re-sign Matt Holliday just last week. The HOF votes are casted with McGwire receiving less than 25% of the votes. Then Tony LaRussa lightens the mode with his comments about bringing McGwire in for a pinch hit situated if they were in a playoff game. Just as no one really ever questioned whether or not McGwire was on stariods, no one ever really thought that this "premeditated confession" was not going to happen. Well, I am not here to talk about the past either, but one has to seriously question the integrity of an organization that has no problems hiring a guy as a hitting instructor, then waits nearly 3 months to "admit" his wrong doings while dumping some bullshit about wishing he had never played during the stariod era. I do not seeing him rushing to give back the dollars he earned while disgracing the game that has given so much to so many. Just as he used for personal gain, he is admitting for personal gain. My two cents.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

I have to admit that I don't fully understand the sentiment that says that steroid users disgraced the game. I was indignant when I thought Barry Bonds had taken steroids. Then it started to come out that others had too. When it was a handful of players, I remained angry, but not as much as I was when Bonds seemed to be the only (or one of the very few) culprit. Fast forward to now. We know that a lot of players were taking PEDs. And it wasn't just hitters, pitchers were in on the act too. Ken Caminiti said he thought about 50% of players were juicing. Jose Canseco said closer to 80%. Whatever the number, it was a lot. Now, I don't feel a need to finger point. In was an era when PEDs were widely used. Maybe I've mellowed in my old age or maybe I've just come to the realization that a lot of players were taking substances they shouldn't have taken, but which were not against the rules of baseball (although some were illegal). It was an unfortunate time, but I don't think it disgraced the game any more than excluding players of color, or players like Paul Molitor or Tim Raines taking drugs, or any number of other regrettable instances throughout the history of the sport.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

I don't think "disgraced" is the right word, but they definitely gnawed at the integrity of the game. What's 103 of 750? It's not 80% or 50%. Some players probably had the brains to you know, stop taking steriods when they did the tests, but it probably wasn't 250 of them, so there's no real evidence to substantiate Jose's or Ken's numbers. Of course users are going to exagerate how widespread it is, because that's part of the rationale they have built up in their heads to use. Baseball has always been a game about numbers and records. When people cheat to break records that are 30 or 40 years old, fans aren't going to be happy. I'd say 80% of the outrage is at some level based on that.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Neal hits the point. Well said. The foundation of the game was built around common people playing for enjoyment and many still had a job in the offseason. I understand that times are different and the game has evolved and gotten better because of it, but it is what also caused a baseball game to be unaffordable for the same type of individual who helped create our national past time.

...time to start the Sandberg (manager)/Maddux(pitching coach) for 2011 campaign!!!
That would be interesting. The two aren't on the friendliest of terms, no? Wasn't Maddux one of those involved with Cindy?

In light of the McGwire mea culpa (sort of) I thought it might be interesting and entertaining to see what was happening over at Viva El Birdos. Well, at least it was entertaining. While "He never lied" was repeated in its many forms perhaps the greatest and weepiest post was this one: Yikes. A man who martyred himself for baseball. This guy shouldn't be an outcast, there should be temples built in his honor. You would think the greatest fans in baseball would have already gotten going on this.

Sorry, forgot the post. "i think he single handedly saved baseball and i will also be thankful for him for that. like others he is the reason i became a big cards fan. i will continue to think of him as a classic greek tragedy. He was the hero that baseball needed and his sacrifice was doing what was needed."

[ ]

In reply to by tbone

Sophocles: WHAT THE -- aw, that does it. *storms out of room*

[ ]

In reply to by tbone

Isn't it more like a greek comedy? Say, "Lysistrata?" Except they use bats instead of a phallus.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I just got a press release from Esmark. Live video of meeting tomorrow where details of Naples, Fla. bid for Cubs spring training will be available online.
Esmark Inc. and Fifth Avenue Advisors to Present Economic, Tourism and Amateur Sports Benefits Plan to Naples Daily News Editorial Board --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Esmark Inc.: Who: Executives of Esmark Inc. and Fifth Avenue Advisors, the investor group leading the “Project Home Run” effort to bring the Chicago Cubs’ spring training complex to Collier County. The executives participating in the Editorial Board meeting include: -- Craig T. Bouchard, Co-founder Vice Chairman of Chicago-based Esmark Inc.; -- Gary B. Price II, Managing Partner and Principal of Naples-based Fifth Avenue Advisors; and -- Craig W. Lyon, Managing Partner and Principal of Naples-based Fifth Avenue Advisors. What: Will meet with representatives of the Naples Daily News Editorial Board to review its proposal to bring the Chicago Cubs spring training complex to Collier County and present a detailed overview of the many local and state benefits its plan would offer to Collier County and the State of Florida. The investor group will discuss the background of their private/public proposal to the Chicago Cubs ownership, which includes development and construction of a 15,000-seat “Southern Edition” of Wrigley Field; a Class A Chicago Cubs minor league team; practice facilities; player development headquarters; fitness facilities, a “WrigleyVillage” Commercial District and support for local youth and amateur sports. When: Wednesday, January 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time Where: The Editorial offices of the Naples Daily News in Naples, Florida, by invitation. Timing: The Cubs are expected to select either the Naples, Florida area or Mesa, Arizona for the award of exclusive negotiating rights by early next week. NOTE: The Naples Daily News will broadcast the Editorial Board meeting live on its web site at www.naplesnews.com/livevideo/sports. The broadcast will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For further information on the effort to bring the Cubs to Florida, visit www.floridacubs.com. Contacts Media Contact: Esmark Inc. Bill Keegan, Director of Communications 312.927.8424 or [email protected]

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Maddux apparently has no interest in being a pitching coach, front office or manager rumors of wanting to move Guzman for a set-up man or OF bench bat... Levine says 10% chance to land Sheets, $1M plus incentives is about all the Cubs have to spend
This year because of money constraints, he's going to have be a bottom feeder. Realistically, since Oct., the only real additions have been signing Grabow as a free agent and Marlon Byrd. That's not very Hendry like, but nonetheless, the reality of the situation is a new owner has come in and has basically frozen payroll.
cute, as if Hendry didn't create the payroll freeze with the contracts he doled out...

"i wish it never came into my life" - mark mcg 1995 Oakland Athletics $6,925,000 1996 Oakland Athletics $7,050,000 1997 Oakland Athletics $7,150,000 1998 St. Louis Cardinals $8,928,354 1999 St. Louis Cardinals $9,358,667 2000 St. Louis Cardinals $9,333,333 2001 St. Louis Cardinals $11,000,000 screw you.

You really think the Cubs should retire Sosa's number? A guy who everyone knows was a roid monkey! I understand nothing has came out to prove Sosa did roids but come on! This guy is as fake as Pamela Anderson's boobs!!! As a fan of baseball and of the Cubs, it will be a sad day to honor someone who has been a fraud through the best part of his career. Mark Grace was a really good player but not a Hall of Fame player, no way should his jersey be retired. If the Cubs retire every good player's number, pretty soon we will have players on the team with triple digit numbers and it will take away from honoring the players who truly deserve it.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Cap Anson was probably the best 1st baseman in Cubs history, especially when compared to his contemporaries. His act of establishing the color line in baseball was also one of the most despicable acts in baseball history. I realize one has to go back to 1876-1897 to come up with all of this. And I wasn't trying to be picky -- just the history major coming out in me. I also realize Rob was talking about retiring numbers and Anson has none to retire...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I agree, I regard retiring a number and the Hall of Fame as something extremely special and shouldn't be watered down, even thought the Hawk was my favorite and still alltime favorite Cub he should be honored some kind of way at wrigley. Yeah the Cubs were brutal to watch in the 90's it still doesn't take away the fact that he is a fruad. I just wish MLB or whom ever has the failed drug tests would just release it and get this over with!

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • 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.