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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
 
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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
 




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Cubs Trade for Kevin Gregg

Submitted by Rob G. on

UPDATE: The Miami Herald says it's for 4-star prospect Jose Ceda. Shiite. Too much, way, way too much. And since Ceda was one of the possible names going to San Diego for Jake Peavy, you have to think that ship is about to sail.

Double check my work if you wish, but I believe Gregg is set to be a free agent after 2009 and is arbitration eligible for this year. He made $2.5M last year.

 

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Cubs have acquired Marlins relief pitcher Kevin Gregg. The 30-year old pitcher was the Marlins closer for the better part of two seasons racking up 61 saves and ERA's of 3.54 and 3.41 respectively. He strikes out nearly a batter per inning but walks a few too many guys for my tastes. I'm sure the first reaction will be that Kerry Wood is definitely a goner, but my guess is that it's just a possible back-up plan as Gregg could certainly slide into a set-up role. Even if Wood goes, I'd rather see Carlos Marmol in the closer role.

Of course, whenever a Cubs trade goes down, the first question is who do the Cubs get and the second question is what did they give up? Rosenthal don't have the answer on the second part yet, but I'll update as soon as someone finds out.

Tags
Cubs Roster Moves
Kerry Wood
Kevin Gregg

Comments

Submitted by dB on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:02 pm

I don't think acquiring Gregg means the end of Wood, as Hendry has stated he's still talking to Wood's agent daily, but it would just appear that this trade is currently just to replace Howry and a fallback option in case Wood doesn't resign. That said, Ceda is too much to give up when you consider what the Marlins just gave to the Nats for two more useful pieces in Willingham and Olsen. Ceda doesn't appear to be a lock prospect by any means given his control issues and lack of any pitch outside of a near 100 FB but it's still too much to give up on a setup man who will likely get a bump up to around $4 million in arbitration. It would also seem to nearly put a nail in the coffin on a Peavy trade unless he himself vetoes the deal to the Braves.

Submitted by SotoBunts on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:06 pm

If Gregg has a good year, he could be at least a Type B, if not A, after the season right? Is Ceda worth a MLB ready power arm + the potential draft picks?

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:55 pm

I think you guys are overrating Ceda a bit. There's not much chance he'd outperforrm Gregg in 2009, and in 2010, as has pointed out, there's a pretty good chance Gregg is going to turn into two top 60 draft picks. He likely represents a $4 to $6 million saving over Wood, which can be put towards the Dempster/Lowe/Peavy/Sabathia/Bradley/Ibanez fund. He's a guy who's shown the ability to close games in the 9th- and that right there is worth at least $4 million in the FA market (see Borowski or T. Jones for reference).

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 11:13 am

you just don't find too many guys that can top 95 mph consistently and I believe Ceda can. I don't feel like looking for the article, but Baseball America had something on it last year about all the pitchers with a fastball clocked over 95 over the last 5 or so years in the minors. It's pretty much a who's who of good pitchers.

a lot has to do with that I don't think Gregg is all that great. Way too many walks, pitcher-friendly environment, etc, etc...

guess he throws a splitter that he gets away from a lot, maybe he'll get back to it.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 11:47 am

Did Andy Sisco hit 95+ consistently? I honestly don't remember. He was suppose to have a good curve I know. He obviously is loaded with talent or the Royals and WSox wouldn't have wanted him.

Sisco's problem is he's an ass who doesn't care about playing baseball. Never really got in shape and got in some serious shit in the minors with the Cubs...in-fighting, etc.

Getting Gregg makes complete sense for the Cubs, I just don't like giving up Ceda for it. It being the Marlins though, we can get him back in 3 yrs when he gets expensive for the player or players we drafted with the picks for Wood or Gregg. 

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 11:49 pm

not sure where Sisco is now, I think he had TJ surgery, but if he can top 95, he'll get about 10 more chances in the majors if he wants them.

Bobby Jenks comes to mind. It only took one team for him to turnaround but the Angels were done with his antics as well. Actually probably the reason the Wsox went after Sisco.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 11:29 pm

So, giving up a guy who might be good but probably won't for a known quantity is a good thing.

The Red Sox and Larry Anderson disagree...

there's numerous times where giving up a prospect has proved stupid, this may very well be one of them. Or it may not.

Look, the trade makes sense for the Cubs and Ceda may flame out, so may Gregg to be honest. His ERA and walk rates don't particularly impress me, not for pitching in Florida and the NL East.

On the other hand, the Cubs scouting department is usually pretty good, so we'll see. I just don't like wasting anything useful for a middle reliever. 

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 11:04 pm

But the expectation is that is going to be a middling closer or middle reliever. I do agree that it's a bad trade if you don't make Gregg the closer, though. $4.5 million or whatever is FA price for competent setup men. It's only his 'proven' closer abiity that makes him valuable. Trading for a 'closer' and pitching him in the 7th, doesn't make much sense. He sure had a bad home/road split last year when it comes to control 20 BB/ 19 K's on the road. That came out of the blue, it never happened before.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 11:48 pm

I can't think of an example where a traded a minor league closer and got burned on it. Kazmir is the most recent example of a rent-a-pitcher deal gone bad that I can think of, but I think the Mets got a year and a half of Zambrano, or traded for him with the intent of signing him. It's pretty rare that a high upside pitcher is moved to a closer's role at such a young age. If memory serves, according to AZ Phil, when we got Ceda he was a one-pitch pitcher, so maybe the Cubs thought having him add two pitches wasn't really reasonable.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:10 pm

Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why? Can anyone predict what JH will say at the Press Conference? I will start: "Anytime you can get one of the game's premier relievers, you HAVE to do it..."

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:11 pm

fwiw, Gregg had knee issues at the end of the season and surgery this offseason. Says he'll be ready by spring training. He also blew 9 saves last year.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:16 pm

Honestly, as Bruce Levine said a couple weeks ago, "Hendry hung on the the wrong lefty (Cotts)" And, we still do not have a lockdown LH reliever, correct?

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:23 pm

Confirm by WSCR after Hendry press conference. Wood wants 3 year deal, Hendry said Cubs could not do it.

Submitted by MikeC on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:41 pm

Well that sucks, because now our bullpen just got a little bit weaker. Kevin Gregg is ok, but that is about it, and he doesn't have an electric arm. I put him more in Dempster territory as a reliever/closer. He is going to frustrate the shit out of fans by walking the tight rope in games. Hoffman is gone in SD, bring him in. I would rather have him than Gregg. Does this mean Marmol is our closer now? The 7th and 8th innings are going to be rough without him. I really put Marmol as our team MVP for coming in games like that and shutting the door on teams. The Wood-Marmol connection was a main reason we won so many games.

Submitted by Tito on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:44 pm

Funny, what I really hope is that Wood doesn't go somewhere and eventually hurt himself as a starter. I'll be rooting for him.

Submitted by MikeC on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:47 pm

I would not shed a tear if Dempster doesn't come back. Your going to give that many years and that many $$$'s when he has never proven he can do anything good in back to back years? Let his ass walk and let his new team wonder how he went from a 2.96 ERA one year to a 4.50 one the next. All the while paying a cool 15 or so million a year for that. Mmmm yeah pass.

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:49 pm

So if Cubs rotation next year is- Z Lilly Harden\Marshall Smardzja Marquis I'm guessing the money not spent on Wood and Dempster equals one great bat or two good bats?

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Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:01 pm

If no Dempster, no Wood, and no Peavy, I'd expect the Cubs to sign Lowe (I'd much rather have him than Burnett or Sheets), Samardzija to be used as a starter (either in the majors or in AAA to get ready for the majors) and for the Cubs to get a lefty bat to play RF either via free agency or trade. I'm disappointed by this trade, though. Gregg is good not great. You really send off one of your better trade pieces in order to get a good not great reliever? It's not like we have lots of high-upside pitching prospects.

Submitted by Tito on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:50 pm

If Dempster doesn't come back and there's no Peavy, the rotation: Zambrano Lilly Harden Marquis Marshall/Guzman/Samardzija/Hart/Hill? I'd feel better with Demp back, myself.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:53 pm

No way you can give "DL Woody" three years as a closer. I understand. I will miss him as well. HE collected many, many paychecks while not coming close to the pitching mound. It is sad for everyone. But last year was a nice way to finish his career with the Cubs - if it is.

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:55 pm

I put on the other post- Hendry- "Kerry understood that our priority right now is to shore up the rotation."

Submitted by Transmission on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:03 pm

Will refrain from judging until I see how the rest of the moves work out. But initial reaction is "no good shall come of this."

Submitted by Pat Kane on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:59 pm

You guys must be crazy. Gregg is a proven MLB reliever, Ceda is not, and may never be. We need the team to be as strong as it can be for this coming season. Ceda for Gregg is an upgrade in that regard. If you could make a similar upgrade 30 times all over the roster, you do it.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:01 pm

my thought isn't that Gregg is a closer... Marmol should be fun in the 9th, but this sure should be an upgrade over Howry.

Submitted by Andrew on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:11 pm

I understand saying farewell to Woody if he wanted 3 years and even to acquiring Gregg. Not for Ceda though. *Sigh* I think if Peavy were coming here, he would have been acquired by now. The Pads will string the Braves out for a few more days and then trade him for something like Escobar, Flowers, Boyer, and Reyes. Even if we make a run at Lowe, Burnett, or Sheets, the field of our adversaries opens up. Lowe wants to return to Boston and Burnett is known to intrigue the Yankees. This could get ugly quick and we're left with a vastly inferior rotation. If Z has a down year and/or Harden gets hurt, we could be looking at a long year. The problem with the idea about acquiring "one great bat or two good bats" is where do those bats come from? This FA market is much deeper and better in pitching than hitting, and most of the premier bats up for grabs (Tex, Furcal, etc.) are likely to go elsewhere.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:40 pm

Pat Kane-- I'm with you. There was zero chance the Cubs would have Ceda in the big league bullpen in 2009. Zero. Nil. Nada. He would have started the year in AA and if he could continue to find the strike zone (not a guarantee with big Jose), he'd be promoted to Iowa mid-season. Best case scenario he gets a cup of coffee in September and gets ready for a 2010 debut. And of course, there is the non-trivial chance that he simply flames out. Gregg replaces Howry at lower cost, Marmol replaces Wood at SIGNIFICANTLY lower cost, Shark stays for the 7th inning, and the Cubs have $6MM to $7MM/year to throw at an Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu. What's not to like? If Hendry can eat half of Marquis' money and move him, too, he's got the coin together to afford Dunn or Abreu. Cubs fans consistently overvalue our prospects. Ceda for Gregg has the potential to be a long-term loser, but it will almost surely be a short-term winner. I like it. Sorry to see Woody leave though, my brain says yes but my heart says no.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 11:45 pm

not sure how anyone can say that Ceda would have 0% chance to be in the Cubs bullpen at some point in 2009 after Marmol, Samardzija, Hart, Petrick, Gallagher, etc have all seen the majors over the last few years. Even if Ceda had started in AA, which I don't think is a give-in since he ended there last year and pitched well, that he would certainly have a shot to be in the majors in 2009.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    he's a low-level cubs star in the modern history of the cubs (c.zambrano, k.wood, r.dempster, etc), but that star has dimmed...and has been dimming since 2021.

    2024 has been ugly the whole way and we're only in mid-april.  homers aside (even though there's been 7 in 17ip) he gave up 29 hits in 20 spring innings and 31 in 17 regular season innings.

    he's pretty much only got 2 pitches at this point in his career and the mix isn't fooling anyone.  he threw a noticable amount more curves in his last start to add to the mix and it didn't help his issues.  he don't have many moves left to break out.

  • Eric S (view)

    Definitely needs a 10 day stint for the hangnail - have to nip those things in the bud or suffer the consequences (ie, more opponent home run derby, etc)

  • Eric S (view)

    Thanks for checking and yeah, that’s a double ouch

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Believe you are correct, checked and appears Cubs have a $2.51 million obligation to Barnhart this season per Cot's Contracts.  Also paying Trey Mancini $7mil this season.  Ouch.  

  • crunch (view)

    m.busch had 0hr and 2 doubles when he was last at wrigley.

    we'll probably see a few more of his jerseys in the seats when they return tomorrow.

    wonder who will go down for taillon.  hey hendricks, you got a hangnail or something?

  • Eric S (view)

    Nice work by Wesneski with some solid defense behind him and the late tack on runs were welcome. Gladly take a 5-4 West Coast swing, particularly down two key starting pitchers … Now just don’t get swept by the Marlins for Pete’s sake. 

  • crunch (view)

    dansby takes the team lead in SB today after a SB with 2 SB total.  the team has 3.  madrigal has the other one.

    cubs also have 7 triples, 7 players each.

  • crunch (view)

    sure am ready for p.wisdom and m.masterboney to swap roster spots.

  • Eric S (view)

    The fifth inning has not been kind to Wicks this season. Giving up leadoff doubles to Tucker Barnhart is also not good for business. IIRC, the Cubs are on the hook for the majority of Barnhart’s salary this season to add insult to injury (could definitely be wrong here). 

  • Cubster (view)

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