Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Castro Casts Seattle Boat People Adrift

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Starlin Castro drilled a three-run double to cap a four-run 7th inning rally, as the Cubs defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-3 in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in sunny & warm Mesa, AZ, this afternoon  

box score

Randy Wells got the start for the Cubs, and worked 5.2 IP (91 pitches - 56 strikes), allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out eight. Overall he pitched very well, especially innings two and onward.

Wells did have a tough 26-pitch 1st inning, though, when the Mariners scored twice, as Wells walked Jack Wilson (after getting ahead 0-2) to lead-off the game, threw a Wild Pitch to move Wilson into scoring position, before surrendering an RBI single to Jack Cust to drive-in the first run of the game. Justin Smoak then doubled into the left-center power alley to score the slow-footed Cust from 1st base.

The Mariners scored their third run in the top of the 4th when Smoak ripped his second double of the game to lead off the inning, and, after Wells struck out Ryan Langerhans and retired Luis Rodriguez on a ground out, scored on an Adam Moore two-out line-drive RBI single to left.

Cub pitchers then threw one-hit shutout ball the rest of the way, retiring 16 of the last 19 Mariners. Sean Marshall threw an 11-pitch 1-2-3 7th with two strikeouts and a GO. John Grabow pitched one inning (18 pitches - 11 strikes), allowing a lead-off walk before retiring the next three hitters (K, L-7, and 5-3), and finally Marcos Mateo put the Mariners away with some 9th inning gas (K, K, 5-3) for the Save. Mateo has had an impressive Spring Training, meaning he will probably be sent to Iowa.

With ex-CLE LHP Aaron Laffey working on a 3-0 shutout, the Cubs scored a run in the bottom of the 4th when Aramis Ramirez bounced a lead-off double off the head of Seattle second-baseman Jack Wilson (the ex-Pirate was diving for the ball and it doinked him in the head, before bounding into foul territory behind 1B), advanced to 3rd on a GO, and then scored on an RBI GO by Carlos Pena.

Blake DeWiit celebrated making the Cubs Opening Day 25-man roster in style, absolutely crushing a solo HR off RHRP Tom Wilhelmsen with two outs in the bottom of the 5th far beyond the RF fence to get the Cubs within one run, and then the home team discharged their four-run rally in the bottom of the 7th to take the lead.  

Facing LHRP Cesar Jimenez, Tyler Colvin drew a one-out walk, and advanced to 3rd base when PH Josh Vitters (up from Minor League Camp) roped a double down the LF line. Blake DeWitt reached on an infield hit to load the bases, and then Starlin Castro slammed his bases-clearing three-run double into the left-center power alley to give the Cubs the lead. The Cubs scored another run in the inning on a Reed Johnson two-out PH RBI double.

The Cubs should have had even more runs in the 7th, but they suffered a baserunning brain fart with Castro on 2nd and Marlon Byrd on 1st, one out, and Johnson at bat, where Castro was picked off 2nd base when the two runners left early on what was apparently going to be either a double-steal attempt or a hit & run. Byrd was able to move up to 2nd base on the play and scored on the Johnson RBI double.

The defensive highlight of the game for the Cubs (and for me) was probably the final play of the game, when 3B Josh Vitters aggressively charged a slow chopper, and made a strong, accurate, off-balance throw to 1st base to nip Chris Gimenez by a half-step. This was a play Vitters probably does not make in 2010.

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Cubs Spring Training Recap

Comments

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 03:24 pm

For those who didn't see, the grounder was a chopper right down the line and Vitters came in and bare-handed it and threw across his body off-balance all in one motion. It was quite an impressive play.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 03:34 pm

It absolutely was an impressive play by Vitters. I really hope he stays healthy and has a solid season this year. He looks a lot more toned physically. He has probably naturally filled out a bit and those couple of weeks at Camp Colvin helped as well. Mateo looked like he was throwing gas today and had a couple sliders with hard downward movement. Impressive performance in the last few innings today by the Cubbies. BTW, I had never seen Rebel Ridling before, he's a pretty big dude.

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Submitted by toonsterwu on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:44 am

Of the remaining candidates battling for the final pen slots, Mateo does bring heat and a good, albeit, inconsistent, slider. I like having guys that you can call on to throw some gas, but we'll have to wait and see how things play out. Rebel - best name in baseball. The approach is alright for a big guy with a big swing, but the raw power hasn't really translated all that great in his minor league career so far. That said, our system is somewhat devoid of top power prospects, and there aren't really any guys blocking him from a prospect perspective, so he'll likely get a good shot to prove himself at Daytona this year.

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:29 am

Homer Bailey goes down to miss at least 2 starts with a sore shoulder.

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:04 am

John DeWan's stat of the week lists possible 2011 breakout players based on spring training stat of hitting .200 over career slugging percentages and using Jose Bautista of TOR as last years example.
In the study, about two-thirds of hitters who had spring slugging percentages at least 200 points higher than their career total went on to best their career average that season.
http://www.actasports.com/statoftheweek/ only Cub is Starlin Castro (but ex-Cub Jake Fox heads the list)

Submitted by The E-Man on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:38 am

ROB G: Just wanted to offer my deep appreciation to you for keeping this going and allowing us all to vent, discuss, argue, agree, disagree, opine, and read the Headline Master and Cubs Guru, AZ PHIL. I know this takes up a lot of your time, so just wanted to acknowledge you for all of your efforts as we look forward to this season of "Project .500" - or .465. Thanks once again. May your fingers stay limber and speedy.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:54 pm

well that was a randomly nice thing to say, think that breaks like 5 Internet commandments. Thanks to Christian for starting it...I just try to keep it operational between the awesomeness that Phil, Dr. Hecht, Mike and Tim post. Sadly as my company grows and my kids, I just don't have the time I once did, but I'll keep it going as long as possible or try to find someone worthy if I can't. Believe the 10-year anniversary is sometime this year, I have to check the date (sometime in May or July).

Submitted by QuietMan on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:32 am

If the Cubs release Carlos Silva, they are on the hook for his 2011 salary less MLB minimum if he signs elsewhere. But there's a $12 million mutual option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout in Silva's contract. If the Cubs release Silva and he signs elsewhere this year, can the team who signs him have him for MLB minimum for 2012 with the Cubs on the hook for the rest of that $12 million? So lets say he's released now and signs with the Padres (for example). The Padres would owe him the $414 K (or whatever) MLB minimum for 2011 and the Cubs pay the rest of his $11.5 million for 2011 (less any $$ coming from Seattle). What happens for 2012 - can the Padres have him for MLB minimum while making the Cubs pay the bulk of the 2012 option? Or who would be responsible for the $2 million buyout for 2012 if he's not wanted back?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:04 am

Submitted by QuietMan on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 9:32am. If the Cubs release Carlos Silva, they are on the hook for his 2011 salary less MLB minimum if he signs elsewhere. But there's a $12 million mutual option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout in Silva's contract. If the Cubs release Silva and he signs elsewhere this year, can the team who signs him have him for MLB minimum for 2012 with the Cubs on the hook for the rest of that $12 million? So lets say he's released now and signs with the Padres (for example). The Padres would owe him the $414 K (or whatever) MLB minimum for 2011 and the Cubs pay the rest of his $11.5 million for 2011 (less any $$ coming from Seattle). What happens for 2012 - can the Padres have him for MLB minimum while making the Cubs pay the bulk of the 2012 option? Or who would be responsible for the $2 million buyout for 2012 if he's not wanted back? =========================================== QUIET MAN: If the Cubs release Silva, they must pay him the balance of his 2011 salary ($11.5M) within 30 days and the $2M 2012 buy-out (in a lump sum) after the conclusion of the season. The 2012 club option is no longer an option once he is released. By releasing Silva, the Cubs are automatically declining their 2012 $12M club option to bring him back and are agreeing in advance to pay him the 2012 buy-out. The Mariners don't actually pay Silva anything, they just send $5.5M to the Cubs to cover that part of Silva's 2011 salary, but the Cubs cut the $11.5M in payroll checks (paid twice a month beginning with the start of the regular season). But once he is released, the entire 2011 salary must be paid in a lump sum within 30 days. If another club signs Silva after he is released and he is placed on that club's 40-man roster, the pro-rated 2011 MLB minimum salary that club owes Silva is actually sent to the Cubs twice a month, and that offsets (to a very small extent) what the Cubs had to pay Silva to go away. As far as next season is concerned, Silva would be a totally free-agent, and having paid Silva his 2012 $2M buy-out post-2011, the Cubs would owe him nothing, but they also would not receive any money from whichever club might sign Silva for 2012.

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:39 pm

THIS JUST... IN:CASHNER AND MATEO...SILVA OUT. (per a Muskat tweet) #Cubs tell Carlos Silva they'll try to trade him, but if not, would like him to consider Minor Leagues so he can be insurance for team #Cubs name Andrew Cashner 5th starter, Marcos Mateo to bullpen. http://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/ probably means Casey Coleman is out too but I'm not sure about it.

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Submitted by George Altman on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:42 pm

Who cares about Silva, seriously? From what I've heard, he's a dick in the clubhouse and in one season you never know (like his friend Z) which Carlos is going to show up on his day to start. Is Cashner a better answer as 5th starter? Who f'n knows. If everyone who follows this team (including Hendry) is honest with themselves, then they should know that: 1. This team is not likely to be playing for the World Championship this October (with or without Silva). 2. The future success of this team doesn't center around Silva, Samardzija, Hill, DeWitt or Fukudome. So Hendry can keep them on the roster or get rid of them now, by the trade deadline, or after the season. Having them on the roster NOW should say there is no prospect ready NOW to take their place. 3. I'm all for Cashner, Carpenter, Castillo, B. Jackson, and Vitters being on the 25-man if there's no more for them to learn at Iowa/Tennessee or being with the Cubs will enhance their contributions in 2012 and beyond. If Hendry or whoever really had/has a plan, then this would be part of their thought process: Decide who are the core of this team and build around them with prospects and trades, and the OCCASIONAL free agent.

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:50 pm

Amazing. All this hypocritical stuff about "we want the best roster possible and money doesn't come into play". Then they should have released Shark. They can also find a backup catcher who can catch and hit better than Koyie Hill for .30 on the dollar (since Castillo apparently needs more time to improve his defense).

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Submitted by WISCGRAD on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:51 pm

Hendry: "We felt at this time it was better served for Casey Coleman to continue being a starter -- not that he couldn't be a 'pen guy to help down the road, if he needed to. We felt that [it] was best for his development, and for the Cubs, [for him] to keep developing as a starting pitcher."

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Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:57 pm

Rotation: Dempster, Z, Garza, Wells, Cashner Bullpen: Marmol, Wood, Marshall, Grabow, Samardzija, Mateo, Russell Starters: Soto, Pena, Baker or Barney, Castro, Ramirez, Soriano, Byrd, Fukudome or Colvin Bench: Colvin or Fukudome, Hill, DeWitt, Baker or Barney, Johnson

Submitted by The E-Man on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:49 pm

Hmmm. I am happy to let one of the young pitchers a chance to pitch in the Bigs. AND, I just didn't think Hendry would have the balls to do this. Levine called this today on his show. Statistically, one would have to think that there is no way in hell Silva would have replicated his performance from first-half of last year. It was an aberration. But, I suppose they could have stashed Cash in the minors and then cut Silva when he couldn't pitch anymore.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:17 pm

Who's Jeeovanni Sato, and what was Quade doing wandering around on the field in the middle of the inning? It's taken a bit of a while, but it looks like Quade has figured out who our best offensive player is, at least.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:03 pm

Imagine if Josh Hamilton had got it together with the Rays...

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:23 pm

Which one of these seems like it doesn't belong with the others: Albert Pujols Ryan Braun Joey Votto Marlin Fucking Bryd "Sure, I cannot hit for the power or get on base like Soto can, but Quade says I get to hit third!"

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:38 pm

I always thought ARam made more sense as a number 3 hitter over DLee the last few years. He makes more contact than DLee did. As for this year? We're screwed. ARam probably should hit 3rd, but Soto would also be a good choice. Byrd should probably hit 2nd or 7th in most NL lineups. On our team it wouldn't be a horrible thing to have him lead off if they're so intent on Castro hitting 2nd. Something like Byrd/Castro/ARam/Soto/Colvin/Sori/CPena/Baker Flip flop Sori and Pena at will, they both make too little contact to be in the 4th spot. 5th is the highest either should hit.

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Submitted by Ryno on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:59 pm

No. Byrd is your average B-player. The fact that he looks so good on the Cubs says more about the Cubs than it does Marlon Byrd. And the Cubs farm system is bullshit, so don't expect to get this kind of talent in-house. And most teams aren't interested in trading this kind of talent or letting it go to free agency... meh. The really crappy part of all this was that Soriano was supposed to be that player with all the pizazz. He's, obviously, turned out to be a $8 million/per player with a $18 million/per contract.

Submitted by The Joe on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 03:37 pm

'Everyone' was pissed that Silva was certain to make it as the 5th starter, because Hendry didn't have the balls to put in someone better. Now that he's been replaced, people are pissed for the opposite reason. Silva has proven himself to be a behavioral problem with his on-field pre-fucking-season blowup and with his recent statements. I'm glad the Cubs (including last year with Z) have decided they're no longer putting up with this shit. He also showed up out of shape (knowing he was competing for a spot) and sucked in ST. Of all the things Silva could have done to make the team, he's done none of them. The Cubs aren't going anywhere this year, so I'm glad some young guys get the experience as they are the future, while Silva is not. I'm sure someone will take him, but he's not helping our trade chances with his behavior.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 03:14 am

It's just the Hendry MO of not knowing how to build value and not really understanding how to construct a roster again and again. By saying "Carlos Silva is going to be in the pen", he gives the Cubs a long man, and he creates the impression that the Cubs still think he can be of value. By doing his "burn notice", he just fucks himself. The bullpen has no long man, there's plenty of guys who pitched shitty in ST on the team, and now he can't even get a team to pay $1 million of a guy's salary who was pretty solid last year. It's just like he says "How can I fuck this up the worst possible way? OK, let's do that." Unfortunately, it won't be until Casey Coleman makes his 12th start this year for the Cubs, while a motivated Silva is going Bob Tewksbury on us somewhere when Hendry will realize "Oh, I am a dumb fuck, I could have had that guy."

Recent comments

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • 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).

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