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

The Trade Winds Blow

Undoubtedbly the Cubs wil be selling as the July trade deadline approaches with Matt Garza, Scott Feldman, Kevin Gregg & Nate Schierholtz being the most likely chips on the table. There certainly may be others, but those players make the most sense. Let's take a look at some potential trade partners:


When it comes to starting pitching, a contender is one injury away from being in the market, so I'm sure the list will expand, but here are the most obvious candidates (NH stands for not happening):

1. Baltimore (Starters' ERA: 4.88)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects To Target: Kevin Gausman or Dylan Bundy

More Likely to Get: Jake Arrieta, Mike Wright or Brandon Kline

2. San Francisco Giants (Starters' ERA: 4.50)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Kyle Crick, Chris Stratton or Clayton Blackburn

More Likely to Get: Martin Agosta or Mike Kickham

3. Colorado Rockies (Starters' ERA: 4.41)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Nolan Arenado (NH) or David Dahl

More Likely to Get: Eddie Butler, Tyler Matzek or Tyler Anderson

4. Arizona Diamdonbacks (Starters' ERA: 4.13)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Tyler Skaggs(NH) or Archie Bradley (NH)

More Likely to Get: Adam Eaton, Matt Davidson or Andrew Chafin

5. Oakland Athletics (Starter's ERA 4.11)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Addison Russell or Michael Choice

More Likely to Get: Sonny Gray, Dan Straily or Nolan Sanburn

6. Texas Rangers (Starters' ERA 3.98)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Mike Olt

More Likely to Get: Mike Olt, Cody Buckel, Martin Perez

7. San Diego Padres (Starters' ERA: 4.56)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Jedd Gyorko(NH) or Rymer Liriano

More Likely to Get: Casey Kelly or Robbie Erlin

8. Anaheim Angels (Starters' ERA: 4.49)

Pre-Season Top 20 Prospect List

Prospects to Target: Kaleb Cowart

More Likely to Get: Nick Maronde or R.J. Alvarez

The Angels might seem like an odd choice on this list, but they didn't spend all that money to pack it in.  That being said, they'll need a bit of a run heading into the deadline before they start being buyers. The Orioles seem to make the most sense on the list and could easily slot Garza and Feldman in their rotation, Gregg in their bullpen and maybe, just maybe that would be enough to land one of Gausman or Bundy and 3-4 other B/C prospects. Feldman makes a ton of sense for the Rockies if they go shopping (sinkerballers and all in Coors), but who knows how willing they are to move prospects and of what quality. The A's have always been willing to make deals when they feel they're in it, hence their inclusion. I know Adam Eaton might seem like an odd inclusion from the Diamondbacks, but with the emergence of Parra and with Pollock around and Eaton's  injuries, they can probably spare a young outfielder.

Relievers/Closers

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Boston Red Sox

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

4. St. Louis Cardinals

5. Cincinnati Reds

6. Baltimore Orioles

7. Anaheim Angels

The Cards, Reds, Angels and Orioles could have a use for Gregg as a set-up man and I'm sure many other teams could emerge in that role. The other 3 could probably use Gregg as a closer, but how much any team is going to give up in a deal for a guy picked off waivers is beyond my prediction capabilities.

Outfielders

1. Kansas City Royals (OPS by RF'ers: .707)

2. Pittsburgh Pirates (OPS by RF'ers: .664)

3. Oakland A's (OPS by RF'ers: .663)

4. New York Yankees (OPS by RF'ers: .679/ LF: .624)

5. Cincinnati Reds (OPS by LF'ers: .669)

I imagine Dejesus might be shopped around as well once he comes back, but Schierholtz seems to be the best best. Royals are in desparate need of power and a Francouer/Schierholtz platoon would be lethal, but who knows if that's on their radar. The Reds are expecting Ludwick back at LF at some point and seem to be doing well enough without him, so I don't expect a move, but I imagine it's a possibility. The A's were without Reddick that got them to that number and while he's struggled since returning, I'm not sure if they're looking for a minor upgrade on offense, especially considering Reddick's far superior defense.

Comments

The Rangers should be very interested in an OF. Their LF production has been horrible. Nelson Cruz could be looking at a PED suspension. And DH Fatso Berkman has been a major disappointment for the past month and a half. I don't think they'd be in on Soriano. But they should be very interested in Schierholtz. And moderately interested in DeJesus or even Sweeney.

Gammons rumoring a Garza to Padres deal involving Reymond Fuentes and 2 others.

https://twitter.com/pgammo/status/349272908448800770

Also Nolasco to Giants.

Fuentes was part of the Gonzalez deal (along with Rizzo and C. Kelly). 22 years old in AA, putting up .891 OPS this year (.705 for his career though)...1st round (28th overall) in 2009.

Getting the band back together.

Jim Callis‏@jimcallisBA2h #Cubs sign 8th-rder Sam Wilson for $130k. Lamar (Colo.) CC LHP, also OF, 6-1/205, 88-91 to 93, SL has promise too. 30K under slot.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

That leaves Garner as the only top 10 pick without his bonus being reported and then whatever Bryant gets...plus whatever over $100K 12th round pick Clifton is allegedly getting.

I believe the 24th round pick, Alamo, is also receiving a decent bonus.

at the moment, BA has them at $212,400 over their slot money, but they can go up to $527,825 before they lose a draft pick, so still some wiggle room.

more on draft values

Hannemann's $1M would put him in the mid-2nd round between #55 and $56, Skulina's $800K would put him in the the competitive balance 2nd round between picks #69 and #70. The $170K that 9th round pick Burks got is mid-7th round money (between #214 and #215).

TOR's 11 game win streak ends...at the end of tonight's loss they've gone from last place to...umm...last place.

looks like the cubs might have a line on the garza + feldman replacements "Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro indicated Monday that Carlos Zambrano is unlikely to be promoted before July 1, when he can exercise the opt-out clause in his contract." /cringe /lulz possible AAA replacements include chris "89mph fastball lefty" rusin and...ummm...no one else. i'm a bit surprised they haven't moved k.hendricks up to AAA (the dude acquired from TEX as part of the dumpster trade) to challenge him more...but it's not like he doesn't belong in AA or he's mastering it. they might not want to rush his development. either way, if both go, vanillawafers will most likely move back into the rotation and when we get s.baker back in the last week of september that should help.

Congrats Hawks!! Young homegrown talent wins second cup, please rub off onto the Cubs.

From Jon Heyman: Third baseman Ian Stewart and the Cubs are on the verge of working out an arrangement for Stewart to leave the organization, people familiar with the situation said. This comes two weeks after he expressed frustration with his situation via a couple of revealing tweets. The resolution allowing him to move to another organization is expected to come within a couple of days... http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/22515877/ian-stewart-cubs-… Any bets on Hayman's source being Stewart and his agent Larry Reynolds - thinking they can just walk away and get paid.

Nice list. I won't remember any of it - but nice list anyway. Whatever prospects the Cubs acquire, I only have one suggestion once they do. Bring em up!!!

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Marmol gets paid regardless, he'll take his money and will most likely eventually sign with a team at the league minimum which will be subtracted from what the Cubs owe. I don't see why he'd entertain any ideas of pitching in Iowa...if he's willing to go to the minors, he'll find a contender.

Sounds like Stewart's taking a settlement to get his release, so probably just some of what he was still owed.

BOB: Carlos Marmol was Designated for Assignment so he hasn't been assigned yet. He actually has minor league options remaining, but because ha has accrued more than five years of MLB Service Time he would have to give his permission in advance before he could be optioned to the minors. However, because he was replaced on the 40-man roster by another player (Brian Bogusevic), the Optional Assignment option is off the table.

A player who is Designated for Assignment during Spring Training or the MLB regular season can be returned to the 40-man roster and be optioned to the minors AS LONG AS the player was not replaced on the 40-man roster by another player after being DFA'd. NOTE: A player being ootioned to the mninors after being Designated for Assignment will usually only happen if Optional Assignment Waivers are required before the player can be optioned to the minors and the player's slot on the 40 is needed for another player, because it takes two days to get a player through waivers). 

He could be outrighted to the minors, but again (because he has more than five years of MLB Service Time) he would have t9o give his permission in advance before thart can happen, and there is no reason for him to that. 

So the only two choices will be trade or release, and since the other 29 clubs know that he MUST be released if he isn't traded within ten days, there is no reason to give up a player to get him. And if he is signed after being released, the Cubs are on the hook for what remains of Marmol's 2013 salary (about $5M) minus the pro-rated MLB minimum salary (about $250K this time of year) that his new club must pay IF he signs a major league conttract.

But if Marmol endx up signing a minor lerague contract, his new club could pay him as little as $10,000 or so, with the Cubs on the hook for the balance, at least unltil Marmol is added ro an MLB 40-man roster and has to be paid at least the MLB minimum salary (with the Cubs on the hook for the balaqnce).

In the case of Ian Stewart, he still is owed about $1M  in 2013 salary, and the Cubs must pay that, unless he signs with anothger club, and then (like Marmol) the new club only has to pay him the minor league minimum (about $10,000) until he is added to an MLB 40-man roster, when the new club would have to pay Stewart the pro-rated MLB minumum salary (with the Cubs on thed hook for the balance), presuming he ever gets added tro an MLB 40-man roster prior to the conclusion of the 2013 season. 

Where is the news that Stewart was released? Don't see it anywhere?

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.