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

Redemption

Carlos Zambrano got the opportunity to redeem his baseball soul thanks to the grace of Touchdown Jesus and the Cubs bullpen works this time in a 4-3 win at Cincinnati.

The Good: Z pitches quite well going 7 innings and giving up 3 runs and a home run against 9 K's, including striking out the side in his last inning. The Cubs offense doesn't strand a runner. After Ryan Theriot breaks up the perfect game to lead off the 4th, he takes second on a wild pitch that bounced in front of catcher Ryan Hanigan. Hanigan throws it away and it bounces into center field and Theriot was going to try third base (and it looked like he would have probably been nailed to me), but ran into shortstop Orlando Cabrera. No interference obstruction was called though despite the protests of Lou and Theriot. That made the count 2-0 on Fukudome and he showed bunt on the next pitch but took it for a strike. Not sure if he was just trying to dupe Harang or was seriously considering a bunt, but he then takes the ensuing curveball deep to right for the first 2 Cubs runs. He almost hit a second one out in his next at-bat. Soriano hit a hanging slider out for run number 3 and Jeff Baker with the clutch pinch-hit home run off Arthur Rhodes. Marmol's slider was biting and the Reds were flailing away for the save.

The Bad: The Cubs didn't leave anyone on-base cause they just managed one walk and 5 hits, 3 of them home runs and Lee got picked off first base. If they did plus/minus ratings like in hockey, Soriano was probably a 0, because the first run by the Reds was thanks to a linedrive with 2 out that Soriano turned the wrong way and then lept and missed by an inch that should have ended the inning. #8 hitter Ryan Hanigan then singled him home despite first base being open and Harang on-deck. Grabow did get through the 8th, but gave up a single to lefty Joey Votto and a rocket to lefty Jay Bruce that Lee made an outstanding leaping stab to rob a hit. A bit worrisome we have another Mike Remliger situation brewing.

Next Up: Tom Gorzelanny makes his 2010 debut against 2009 draftee Mike Leake making his major league debut.

Comments

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In reply to by Ryno

And I think Mr. Whipple's parachat comment deserves repeating:
Did you hear the good news? Jesus has risen! Well, half way...
Hope I got that right.

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In reply to by Ryno

That is correct. I love that image. It's the funniest thing in ages. Well done, sir.

Theriot should indeed have been given 3rd base, but not for interference. When a fielder gets in the way of a baserunner, that's obstruction. Interference is when a runner gets in the way of a fielder. Being a youth baseball commissioner means you learn nitpicky details like this.

Glad to see Dr. Zekyll came back instead of the Opening Day Mr. Zyde. Go Cubs!

It could be a worse bullpen. We don't have George Sherrill.

T. Diamond with the start at Iowa, 5 IP, 5 K, 1 ER, 1 BB J. Gray 2 scoreless innings J. Stevens faced 3 batters, gave up 2 BB's and a hit Schlitter with 2 scoreless innings as well Offensive explosion in AA with Castro going 3/5, Bibens-Dirx strikes out 6 in 5 innings giving up 2 ER. Daytona bats wake up a bit in a 7-4 win although B. Jackson is still hitless. Vitter 1/6, LeMaheiu 1/6, Burke 2/6, M. Brenly with a 3-run HR. Peoria: H. Lee 1/4 with an RBI, Watkins 1/5, pitching gets roughed up in a 6-2 loss.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

BRING UP THEM...DEMOTE EVERYONE ELSE...START COLVIN THE REST OF THE WAY OUT...DFA EVERYONE WHO DOESN'T WANT TO GO DOWN...MORE DEFENSIVE PRACTICE DRILLS FOR ALL OUTFIELDERS (AT LEAST 1 MORE HOUR PER DAY)...FIRE LARRY...FIRE RUDY...FIRE LOU...BRING UP SANDBERG...PROMOTE MADDUX...LET'S WIN 100 THE REST OF THE WAY OUT. YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

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In reply to by Rob G.

I keep forgetting we have Thomas Diamond. Would the Cubs consider him for the bullpen if he continues to show some control at AAA, or are they looking at him exclusively as back end/rotation insurance?

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In reply to by Cubster

That'll only work if boozed up bleacher bums can remain reverently silent and Thomas Diamond can somehow throw his warmup pitches in extreme slow motion. Under those conditions, it will be the most affecting theme music of all time. Maybe after a loss the Cubs can play Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings over the stadium sound system, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jFbNEcJp1s

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Wow, a YouTube standoff. Cubster is the Cub Reporter king of video/photo references but Charlie has just thrown down a challenge! This is excitement! Personally, after this latest Cubs performance, I'm hoping to become Comfortably Numb. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRuIqN-CZpY&feature=related By the way, Charlie, thanks for the Adagio for Strings link. Heartbreakingly beautiful music. Perfect for Cubs fans (sigh).

I notice Samardjza is well rested. Thank you Lou

Theriot, Fuku, Lee, Ramirez, Byrd, Soriano, Font, Soto, Gorz vs. Stubbs, Cabrera, Votto, Phillips, Rolen, Hernandez, Gomes, Dickerson, Leake

leadoff bb, double, pitch around Lee what are the odds of scoring with the bases loaded and 0 out? 0% if you're the Cubs. Ramirez goes out of the zone and pops it up, Byrd misses 2 fastballs and fouls them off and K's on a sinker, Soriano is Soriano.

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In reply to by Rob G.

Soriano leaps for a ball in foul territory...about 3 feet from the wall and misses it. Gorz still K's Votto though.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I know it's only one inning, but the offense failing to cash in even one run in a situation like that--there is no more ideal situation than bases loaded, no outs, middle of the lineup due up--frustrates me even more than bullpen meltdowns. They'll have to win and score more than 3 or 4 runs today for me to forget that.

I am of the opinion that A-Ram is hurt. The guy does not look right yet, and did not have much of a spring. We will see, and it is early, but this guy is not the same at the plate.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

He's overswinging right now (I think) and he's missing some pitches he shouldn't miss because of that. That doesn't necessarily mean he's not hurt too, of course.

things we've learned early...defense and bullpen might not be overrated. sigh...

deserving to lose a game...

Where are we at on the Soriano departure countdown?

I am floored with the terrific beginning of the starting pitching. The scenario of bullpen blows happened last year when the starters were doing well too. And, they were BETTER! This year, so far with MAgic Rudy, and a reliever that has two losses in four appearances, it is going to be a long year. I can see why many picked the Reds 2nd. The wnidow can be closed soon unless changes are made.

I'm starting a new stat called UZR/5. Soriano is currently -66. Now I remember why I couldn't wait for baseball to end last year.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Where's big lowitski to tell us Soriano is, in fact, a good outfielder?

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

remarkably, he still has good defensive numbers over a 3-yr span from all the guys he threw out the first 2 years...actually it's heavily swayed by his first year with being just above average in 2008

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

well sure they do, but it's a 3-yr average. Using UZR/150, he's 22.4/5.2/-15.9 and Plus/Minues he's 16/5/-4. That puts him 12th over 3 year in UZR/150 for all outfielders (and 3rd for LF'ers behind Crawford and Holliday). 15th in +/- for all OF'ers and still 3rd for LF'ers behind the same two. I'm not citing them as perfection, but guys can have career years defensively like they do offensively. It's not measuring talent as much as what happened and Soriano did eliminate a lot of runners with his arm and made less errors and not as many screw-ups those first 2 years.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I think what's most alarming is that the more he plays LF, the worse he seems to get at it. I know he's had leg problems and all that, but it really seems like he has a serious mental block about catching fly balls, and the more he drops the more it affects him.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

If there are runners on first and second and outfielder drops fly ball and throws to third for force out, is that considered an assist?

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

yes, could be an error and an assist depending on the nature of the drop. you get credit for basehits that should sometimes be errors or bloops that someone should have been caught, not sure why folks get up in arms over anomalies in defensive stats. and I'm not saying that UZR or +/- are perfect or anything, but if you use 3-yr averages (which is about 1-yr worth of hitting sample size), you start to get a decent picture with them. In Soriano's case you can clearly see the decline that matches what's happening on the field.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

not that I know of... he still got the out though, so not sure if there's any difference other than aesthetically. I'm guessing he gets some extra credit for an outfield assist over just making the play, but I don't know the mathematics behind it. fwiw, +/- is now on Fangraphs pages.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

I never said that. I said that his first year as a Cub the defensive metrics showed him to be a good left fielder. I also said, very clearly, that he had gotten worse. But I notice that you conveniently left that out.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

You said one more than one occasion, usually after someone complained about his defense, that stats showed he was a good OF. I haven't followed whether you said he has gotten worse. It was an error of omission, not comission. And it was meant in jest anyway.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Tito, I remember specific conversations, with you, about this. I said very clearly that the stats showed that he was a good lf (not OF - two different things) in his first year. And that is still true. And it is true that I have said he has gotten worse.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Be honest, Big. I've been reading your comments for a long time, and you don't say things like, "the defensive metrics showed him to be a good left fielder," for the simple reason that when you have metrics to back you up, you state the thing as a fact. How could the metrics be wrong? "He was a good fielder in '07"--that's more your style, isn't it?

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I state the fact, and then say why, showing the facts. But whatever. The stats showed Soriano to be one of the better LFers in the league for his first year as a Cub. And I still agree with the stats. He was decent, if not good, that first year. He struggled at some things, but he overall he was a decent/good LFer that first year. And Soriano has looked really, really awful since then, and the defensive metrics (last I looked) appear to be reflecting that over the last year or so.

Soriano needs transplant surgery...both legs and a new glove hand

In searching for a replay of Soriano's error today (I did not watch the game), I Googled "Soriano's Error". I received 2,890,000 results. Try it!

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

he jogged to the ball, not like he was camped under it, but he had plenty of time to get himself in position to catch it glove-arm-out on the jog...it popped into his mitt and bounced out of the webbing. he was expecting something a bit more routine judging by how he approached it. no hop, btw. =p

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Thanks. WOW - Brennaman really drives home the pathetic point even more... So, did anyone pick Gomes would outhit Byrd?

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In reply to by Rob G.

In the strange but true category: Moving Soriano to second makes the Cubs a better defensive team. Plus it gives a lineup slot to Rollin' Colvin.

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In reply to by Rob G.

No, I assume he'd be as bad as always, but that still saves us runs over what he's doing in left. I think he needs a sports psychologist.

I didn't see a lot of spring training, so I didn't notice this until today. But when I saw Tracy up to bat today I had to do a double take because I thought it was Aaron Miles. Yuck.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Miles always caused a case of blinding rage for me. Just the fact that he was allowed to play major league baseball annoyed me.

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • 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.