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

Quade Manager, Sandberg Bench Coach

Will Carroll tweets that Mike Quade will get the manager job for 2011 with Ryne Sandberg being promoted to bench coach.

In related news, I've registered firequade.com.

In future news, calls for Mike Quade to be fired will start around game 5 of next season.

UPDATE: If it wasn't obvious enough from "Will Carroll tweets", this was the beginning stages of a rumor. One in which Carroll then backed off when a guy "who's very WIRED into the Cubs" told him he was wrong, "especially on the timing" (the original tweet said it could be announced as soon as next week). Wittenmyer tweets, "don't believe every tweet you read".

I could not begin to tell you with any type of certainty who is right or wrong or what will happen, but I would say an examination of recent history would lead to the conclusion that Mike Quade is Hendry's choice. If that means anything in the end, I guess we'll find out. Hendry could have very easily gave Sandberg (or Trammell) the interim job after Piniella quit, but chose Quade. Then Quade went and done good, got the backing of the players, all of which most likely justified Hendry's decision in his mind. Whether the Ricketts pull rank on Hendry and insist on Sandberg to create some buzz and sell ticket plans, remains to be seen.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 10/14/2010 - 3:31pm. Bobby Scales, Blake Parker outrighted to Triple A btw ============================================ ROB G: Because he has been outrighted previously in his career, Bobby Scales can opt for free-agency immediately as an Article XX-B minor league FA (Mike Parisi is the other one). He doesn't have to wait until after the World Series like players eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league FA (6YFA) do. Blake Parker is not eligible to be an Article XX-B minor league FA or Rule 55 minor league FA, so he will be remaining with in the Cubs organization next season (and he might even get an NRI to ST), unless he gets selected in the December 2010 Rule 5 Draft (which won't happen because if any club was interested enough in him to select him in the Rule 5 Draft, they would have just claimed him off waivers). Parker is not eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league FA until after the 2012 season, unless he gets added back to an MLB 40-man roster in the meantime.

Hasn't Sandberg said on multiple occassions that he didnt want to be a bench, hitting or 3rd base coach for a MLB team and that being a AAA manager was better for preparing to be a big league skipper than a MLB assistant?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Quade is only 2 years older (53 v. 51) than Sandberg, so if Hendry made that sort of promise to Sandberg isn't Hendry assuming that Quade is going to be a failure? Because old age isnt going to be a reason for Quade wanting to leave the job in the next five or so years. Given the talent Sandberg might have at Iowa next year, if no one is really looking at him this year for a managing gig this year isnt Manager of the 2011 PCL champs better on a resume than "Bench Coach for the 3rd, 4th, or 5th place Chicago Cubs".

I might believe this if WC said quade had an ACL reconstruction or sandberg had treatment for a concussion On second thought, I'd probably question the accuracy there too. Nobody is gonna scoop Levine, Sully, Muskie or GW on this one.

I noticed on Rotowire that their blurb on the Carroll-Wittenmeyer rumor-nonrumor, mentioned that Will Carroll is "formerly" of Baseball Prospectus. Anyone know the story there? Is WC finally going to medical school? did he sign on as a medical transcriptionist for Dr Andrews? ...also saw that today is the 7th anniversary of the Bartman game. Ouch.

Pretty sure, by definition, all but one of those will have to get scooped. --- My thinking is that we will have to check the seconds column on their twitter timestamp to see who will be the winner on this one

If I'm Quade, having Sandberg there is too much pressure. Ryno has campaigned too actively and publicly for the manager's job. I can't imagine that Hendry would want to give Quade the job on that basis.

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/4758
Hendry was ready to give Soriano six years, but his bosses, feeling generous, added two years on to the deal.
and
In the fall of 2000, MacPhail offered pitcher Mike Hampton more than $100 million to sign with the Cubs (Hampton chose the Rockies and the Denver school system).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Is there a bigger Hendry apologist on the planet than Dunce Miles? All this guy has done since the beginning of the Ricketts era is try to acquit Hendry of all the bad decisions he made, or signed off on, during the Wrigley/Zell era. Hendry was given a significantly escalating payroll and told to win. He used that incredible financial flexibility to sign a long string of overvalued, back-loaded contracts to players with significant deficiencies in the elements of their skills. Now Miles would have us believe that all of these decisions were being made from on high, against the will of the general manager, who apparently kept his mouth shut and cashed his million-dollar paychecks without actually doing his job. Except, of course, when a deal worked out, like Ted Lilly, who Hendry bravely signed with one hand on his Blackberry and other beating death away. I used to respect Miles the most of the Big Four beat reporters, but his recent behavior in respect to acquitting Hendry has been downright shameful.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

It is easy to kick this horse. Let me put on my steel-toed boots to help. HOWEVER: My jaw dropped in disbelief when the Cubs signed the #1 FA that year. Coveted. Incredible previous year. And, JD Drew was the next in line for an offer. That was about it at this level. So, I for one was absolutely ecstatic that my team FINALLY spent the "big dough" under the team president's leadership. Hendry built the team that could "win it all". And, in 2008, the team had its zenith with 97 wins and was set up to at the very least, make it to the NLCS. None of us predicted that Dempster would walk 18 guys and give up a Loney Grand Slam to start the pile of shit that we all watched afterwards in games 2 and 3. I admit to being blind to the long-term consequences after coming up empty here. They are severe. The team's window got slammed down, and "that is that". But, I can't fault Hendry for at least trying. I did wish, however, I had someone else spending the money that I respect more. I mean, in a fantasy world - what would Jocketty, Schuerholdz, et. al. have done with $140MM? So now that this formula has failed, the team will try the other route of emphasis on farm and a few FA's. But still will not have an "Ace" on the staff of the caliber we are watching in the Final Four currently.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Wilken drafted one of those aces, arguably the best one. Halladay was 18 when he was drafted, Trey McNutt was 19 (out of a CC). Their first full seasons in the minors were comparable: Halladay was 15-7 at high A, McNutt 10-1 at three levels including AA. McNutt started two pressure playoff games for Tennessee, and had this line: 11 innings, 9 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 4 walks, 12 strikeouts. Nice job by a 20-year-old who started the season in Peoria. Then there's Archer, Carpenter, Cashner, etc. Relax, E-Man, all we have to worry about is getting rid of Soriano. I think ultimately the Cubs will have to give away a couple of very good prospects just to get someone to pay something for Soriano, so the Cubs can save money and Hendry can save face. That's the sort of thing I worry about.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

E-Man, great stuff. I unequivocally agree about Soriano; that signing was a statement (whether it turned out to be misguided or not). As for an ace, I regularly bash Zambrano, here and elsewhere, but it is very hard to argue with his post-meltdown starts. Not saying it erases anything, not saying it'll continue (in Chicago or elsewhere, if that were to happen), but the man pitched like an ace the last month or however long.

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?