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

Snakes Ambush Cubs at Ramada Field

Sergio Alcantara belted a two-run triple, Daniel Palka ripped an RBI triple, and Jose Munoz laced an RBI double to highlight a five-run 8th, Chuck Taylor doubled, singled twice, stole a base, and scored three runs, and Brad Keller and four relievers combined to throw a three-hit shutout, as the Diamondbacks blanked the Cubs 7-0 in Arizona Instructional League action this morning at Ramada Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale.  

After Keller threw three scoreless innings (allowing two doubles and three walks with three strikeouts), RHP Joe Martinez (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K), LHP (ex-OF) Wagner Mateo, RHP Thomas Brendel, and RHP Jimmie Sherfy (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) totally stifled the Cubs hitters, collectively retiring 17 of the last 18 men they faced, with seven strikeouts.

Here is the abridged box score from today's gamer (Cubs players only):

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, CF: 1-4 (4-3, 2B, K, L-6)
2. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 1-4 (2B, K, K, E-6, SB)
3. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-4 (3-1, 4-3, K, K)
4. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 0-4 (6-3, K, F-8, K)
5. Ben Carhart, 1B: 0-3 (BB, P-4, 4-3, 6-3, CS)
6a. Gleyber Torres, SS: 0-3 (K, 6-3, F-9)
6b. Carlos Penalver, SS: NO AB
7. Jose Dore, LF-DH: 0-2 (BB, K, F-7)
8a. Cael Brockmeyer, C: 0-1 (BB, K)
8b. Mark Malave, C: 0-1 (F-7)
9. Charcer Burks, DH-LF: 1-3 (F-9, 1B, F-9, PO) 

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Daury Torrez: 3,0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 6/3 GO/FO, 32 pitches (26 strikes)
2. Jose Rosario: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 4/2 GO/FO, 42 pitches (27 strikes)
3. Trevor Graham: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 31 pitches (17 strikes)   
4. Zack Godley: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/FO, 20 pitches (13 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
3B Jeimer Candelario - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Cael Brockmeyer: 0-1 CS

ATTENDANCE: 33 

WEATHER: Sunny, cloudless, and breezy, with temperatures in the 80's 

 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

even though it'd be nice to see him do well out of the gate, he does still have the handicap of being 16 (17 in December). he's playing against a lot of guys 2-6+ years older than him. it's hard enough to gauge players before they're out of A-ball...it's almost impossible with a guy this young aside from his raw tools, which you can learn a lot more about from watching him do drills than in-game stuff when your competition is so skewed in experience and age. i can't imagine he's seen much quality breaking stuff in his short life. it's kinda weird to have a semi-high-profile signing like this and knowing it'll probably be 6-8 years before we have a handle on if he'll be a MLB impact player...and whether that will be as a starter or bench player.

AZ Phil: What does Wes Darvill eventually project to in your opinion. Why do you think they put him on the AFL roster (what are THEY looking for wrt him).

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

CUBSTER: The Cubs drafted Wes Darvill as a 17-year old off the Canadian Junior National Team in the 5th round of the 2009 draft. The pick was considered a bit of a reach at the time, and Darvill struggled (especially as a hitter) his first four seasons in the organization. But he finally began to show some improvement as a hitter in 2013. 

I think Darvill got the AFL gig (which is a spot on the Mesa Solar Sox "Taxi Squad," meaning he can play in games only on Wednesdays and Saturdays) mainly to prepare him for AA in 2014. I would think right now he probably projects as the Tennessee Smokies Opening Day 2B in 2014, although once Steve Bruno is ready to go (he had TJS this past summer and might have to begin 2014 at Extended Spring Training) Darvill will probably slide over to SS or even more-likely move around the IF and the OF to help him develop as a LH-hitting "super-sub."

Darvill is a very good defensive middle-infielder. He has decent range and enough arm to play SS, although he is better at 2B. He has slightly above average speed and is a good base-runner, but he isn't quite as fast as he was a couple of years ago after bulking up at Camp Colvin last off-season. He is a patient hitter and has developed has some power to go along with his added weight & muscle, although he struggles to hit LHP.  

I once thought Darvill's ceiling was a LH-hitting version of Nate Samson, but now I think he might have a chance to make it to MLB as an IF-OF super-sub. He probably epitomizes the "Cubs Way," in that he is VERY coachable, he rarely make mental mistakes, he participates annually in the voluntary off-season strength & conditioning program, he has re-worked his approach at the plate (he used to be an extremely passive hitter and pitchers could knock the bat out of his hands, but now he has more of a "selectively aggressive" mentality and he can actually drive the ball). and his defense just keeps getting better. 

I would compare Darvill somewhat to Ryan Flaherty, because both project as LH-hitting multi-positional guys who struggle to hit LHP. However, Flaherty was already 21 when the Cubs drafted him (Darvill just turned 21), and Flaherty has a LOT more HR power and was a better hitter in the minor leagues, while Darvill is better defensively (although Darvill could still develop HR power).  

Liriano - Was there any discussion last off-season or rumor that the Cubs were going to make a play on Francisco Liriano? He certainly is a bargain for the Pirates. And fucking good. Seems like not only did he fit TheoCorp's budget parameters, but could have been a nice upgrade to Scott Baker (well, I could have been an upgrade to Scott Baker) or some of the non-existing starting AAA pitchers.

WSCR Bernsein tweeting Girardi "saying family considerations will out weigh money" If his wife is like any other she won't let him leave that much money on the table that Cubs are offering over the Yanks.

Jose Ceda released by the Marlins today. You may recall the Cubs sent him to FLA for Kevin Gregg in Nov 2008. ...and got him for Todd Walker from Padres in July 2006. He was a power arm back in the day. He turns 27 in January.

"Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports that that Yankees are "prepared to give Joe Girardi as much time as he needs" to make a decision about their contract offer. Girardi's contract officially runs out at the end of the month, and Marchand says the club is willing to wait that long. The Yankees have reportedly offered the skipper a three-year deal in the $12-15 million range, but they could get into a bidding war with the Cubs, who have set their sights on Girardi." cubs get into a bidding war...for someone who isn't going to swing a bat or throw a ball. wtf... hopefully there's more rumor than truth to all this girardi stuff. sure, he's good, but if it comes at the expense of a top relief arm or the difference between an anibal sanchez and an edwin jackson type contract for playing talent...well, wtf? i saw a lot of things wrong with the 2012 + 2013 cubs and the "fix list" didn't start with the guy in the dugout.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

i think it's an absolutely brilliant use of money. the team would have to spend 3x as much on an actual player to get the amount of fan-love return on it. he's shown that if you give him $1,600,000,000 worth of team to manage, he'll get 1 WS out of it...so the cubs should sign him to a 16 year deal. that's simple swordmetrics (Some Wacky Obtuse Random Determination). besides, if they don't sign him a cubs player might yell at a reporter or smash a boom box or something. though, i'm sure joel sherman won't mind.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

It strikes me that players are overpaid relative to managers, probably because players have agents and a union. The Yankees have been paying Girardi Theriot money. Managers work for GMs, who also don't have agents and a union. In theory, a manager should not make more than the GM (let alone the president of baseball operations). It's interesting that Girardi will be pushing up against what Cashman and Epstein make.

bit.ly/1cnkiLP I'm dubious the Cubs will trade for Price - two years of work building up the farm system would be practically undone overnight for one high-paid player with two years of club control? Even if the endgame is to give Price a nine-figure extension - Seems unlikely.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Trade Samardzija for prospects, use those prospects and a few current ones not named Soler, Almora, Baez, or Bryant to get Price would probably be the play.

 

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • 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.