Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2015 Cubs Minor League Spring Training Rosters (UPDATED 3/27)

2015 CUBS MINOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING ROSTERS (last updated 3-28-2015):

NOTEROSTERS AT MINOR LEAGUE CAMP ARE FLUID. Minor League players are often initially assigned to a squad one or even two levels above where they will ultimately be assigned once the regular season starts. Minor League Camp roster assignments are based on several factors, including the player's position as it relates to the specific needs of the organization, and the player's age, amount of professional experience, and previous season's performance (including any time spent at a post-season Instructional League). As players are sent to Minor League Camp from the Major League squad during the course of Spring Training, there are corresponding roster moves made at Minor League Camp as players are either moved down a level or released. Occasionally a player or a pitcher will be moved up a level during the course of Minor League Camp, but such an occurrence is rare. 

Rosters for the four "full season" teams (Iowa, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, and South Bend) must be cut-down to 25 by Minor League Opening Day (Thursday April 9th). There is no roster limit for the Extended Spring Ttraning squad. 

* bats or throws left
# bats both


CUBS MLB NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI):
 5

PITCHERS:  1 
* Phil Coke

CATCHERS
: 1     
Taylor Teagarden

INFIELDERS
: 3
Kris Bryant
# Jonathan Herrera 
Addison Russell

OUTFIELDERS
: 0


IOWA: 38+2

AAA

PITCHERS: 21+1
* Jeffry Antigua
Daniel Bard
Frank Batista 
Corey Black 
* Francisley Bueno 
Anthony Carter
* Hunter Cervenka 
Blake Cooper
Jorge DeLeon
C. J. Edwards
Gonzalez Germen
Pierce Johnson 
* Eric Jokisch
Barret Loux  
Trey McNutt (INACTIVE - 2014 shoulder surgery)
Yoanner Negrin
* Joe Ortiz 
Blake Parker  
Carlos Pimentel
Armando Rivero 
Donn Roach 
Tony Zych

CATCHERS: 4    
Willson Contreras
Taylor Davis (also has been playing 1B)
* Rafael Lopez
* Kyle Schwarber

INFIELDERS: 7+1
Stephen Bruno
Ryan Dent
Jonathon Mota
Elliot Soto
Chris Valaika
Christian Villanueva
* Dan Vogelbach
* Logan Watkins (INACTIVE - torn achilles tendon)

OUTFIELDERS: 6
John Andreoli
* Mike Baxter  
* Adron Chambers
Anthony Giansanti
Jae-Hoon Ha
* Rubi Silva


TENNESSEE: 30

AA

PITCHERS: 16
Justin Amlung
Matt Brazis
Zach Cates
* Gerardo Concepcion 
Fernando Cruz
P. J. Francescon 
Michael Jensen
* Austin Kirk
Felix Pena 
Steve Perakslis
Starling Peralta 
Ivan Pineyro 
Austin Reed (LIMITED ACTIVITY - 2014 TJS)
Jose Rosario
Andres Santiago
* Rob Zastryzny 

CATCHERS: 3
Cael Brockmeyer (also has been playing 1B)
Ben Carhart (also has been playing 3B)
# Victor Caratini

INFIELDERS: 6
# Jeimer Candelario
* Wes Darvill
Dustin Geiger
* Danny Lockhart
Carlos Penalver
Tim Saunders (LIMITED ACTIVITY - injured running bases earlier this week)

OUTFIELDERS: 5
Albert Almora
* Pin-Chieh Chen 
* Jake Hannemann
* Billy McKinney 
* Bijan Rademacher 


MYRTLE BEACH: 32+2

Hi-A 

PITCHERS: 18+1 
Paul Blackburn 
Francisco Carrillo
Josh Conway 
* Michael Heesch 
Lars Huijer (INACTIVE - current status unknown)
* Tyler Ihrig
Brad Markey
Jonathan Martinez
Juan Carlos Paniagua
James Pugliese 
Jasvir Rakkar
Tayler Scott 
Tyler Skulina
Jake Stinnett
Daury Torrez
Jen-Ho Tseng
Duane Underwood
Michael Wagner
Ben Wells 

CATCHERS: 3+1
Gioskar Amaya (ex-INF) 
* Jordan Hankins (ex-3B)
* Justin Marra (also has been playing 1B)
Will Remillard (INACTIVE - back?)  

INFIELDERS: 5  
David Bote
* Jacob Rogers 
Gleyber Torres
* Jason Vosler
Chesny Young 

OUTFIELDERS: 6
Jeffrey Baez
Yasiel Balaguert 
* Shawon Dunston Jr
* Kevin Encarnacion (unable to switch-hit because of post-2013 right shoulder injury)
Trey Martin 
Mark Zagunis (ex-C)


SOUTH BEND
: 31

Lo-A

PITCHERS:
 17
Trevor Clifton 
James Farris 
Scott Frazier 
David Garner
Trevor Graham  
Tanner Griggs
Zach Hedges  
Corbin Hoffner
Erick Leal 
Dillon Maples
Ryan McNeil
* Jordan Minch 
James Norwood
Jeremy Null
* Tommy Thorpe 
Ryan Williams 
* Sam Wilson 

CATCHERS:
 4
Tyler Alamo (also has been playing 1B)
# Erick Castillo
* Alberto Mineo (also has beeen playing 1B)
Tyler Pearson

INFIELDERS
: 5
* Danny Canela (LIMITED ACTIVITY - ???) 
* Andrew Ely 
Jesse Hodges
Ho-Young Son
Tanner Witt

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Kevin Brown 
Charcer Burks
* Rashad Crawford 
Eloy Jimenez
Kevonte Mitchell

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FIELD STAFF
PITCHING FIELD COORDINATOR & CATCHING COORDINATOR: Tom Cossins 
PITCHING COORDINATOR: Derek Jihnson 
ASSISTANT PIICHING COORDINATOR: Mike Mason 
HITTING COORDINATOR: Anthony Iapoce 
ASSISTANT HITTING COORDINATOR: Tom Beyers 
INFIELD COORDINATOR: Jose Flores 
OUTFIELD & BASERUNNING COORDINATOR: Doug Dascenzo 
LATIN AMERICAN FIELD COORDINATORDave Keller 
MENTAL SKILLS PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Josh Lifrak 
MENTAL SKILLS COORDINATOR: Darnell McDonald 
LATIN AMERICAN MENTAL SKILLS COORDINATOR: Raymond Fuentes 
IOWA: Marty Pevey (Manager) , Mike Cather (Pitching Coach), Brian Harper (Hitting Coach), and Leo Perez (Assistant Coach)
TENNESSEE: Buddy Bailey (Manager), Storm Davis (Pitching Coach), Desi Wilson (Hitting Coach), and Guillermo Martinez (Assistant Coach)
MYRTLE BEACH:  Mark Johnson (Manager), David Rosario (Pitching Coach), Mariano Duncan (Hitting Coach), and Chris Gutierrez (Assistant Coach) 
SOUTH BEND: Jimmy Gonzalez (Manager), Brian Lawrence (Pitching Coach), Jesus Feliciano (Hitting Coach), and Osmin Melendez (Assistant Coach) 
EUGENE: Gary Van Tol (Manager), Anderson Tavares (Pitching Coach), Ricardo Medina (Hitting Coach), and Terrmel Sledge (Assistant Coach)
AZL CUBS: Carmelo Martinez (Manager), Ron Villone (Pitching Coach), Oscar Bernard (Hitting Coach), and Ty Wright (Assistant Coach)
MESA REHAB: Rick Tronerud (Pitching Coach) and Nate Maldonado (Assistant Coach)
DSL CUBS: Juan Cabreja (Manager), Armando Gabino (Pitching Coach), Claudio Almonte (Hitting Coach), and Carlos Ramirez (Assistant Coach)
VSL CUBS: Pedro Gonzalez (Manager), Eduardo Villacis (Pitching Coach), Franklin Blanco (Hitting Coach), and Antonio Valerio (Assistant Coach) 
MINOR LEAGUE TRAINING COORDINATOR: Nick Frangella 
ASSISTANT MINOR LEAGUE TRAINING COORDINATOR: Chuck Baughman
ATHLETIC TRAINERS: Scott Barringer (Iowa), Shane Nelson (Tennessee), Peter Fagan (Myrtle Beach), Jonathan Fierro (South Bend), Mike McNulty (Eugene), Toby Williams (AZL Cubs), Jose Alvarez (DSL Cubs), and Arnoldo Goite (VSL Cubs)
MINOR LEAGUE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COORDINATOR: Doug Jarrow 
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHES: Ryan Clausen (Iowa), Mike Megrew (Tennessee), Jason Moriss (Myrtle Beach), Ed Kohl (South Bend), Ryan Nordtvedt (Eugene), Sean Folan (AZL Cubs), Tomas Sanchez (DSL Cubs), and Manny Estrada (VSL Cubs) 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING: 38+1

NOTE: The Extended Spring Training (EXST) group (AKA "Eugene/Mesa") is formed during Minor League Camp. This group consists of players who are the replacement cadre for the full season affiliates, players deemed not ready for full-season leagues, and players rehabbing from injuries.

PITCHERS: 25
Adbert Alzolay
Pedro Araujo
Jordan Brink
Jesus Camargo
Marcelo Carreno (LIMITED ACTIVITY - post-2013 shoulder surgery)
Jesus Castillo
Dylan Cease
Oscar de la Cruz
* Andin Diaz
Greyfer Eregua
Luis Hernandez
John Michael Knighton 
Daniel Lewis 
Mark Malave (ex-C)
Trey Masek (LIMITED ACTIVITY - 2014 shoulder surgery)
Yomar Morel
Erling Moreno (LIMITED ACTIVITY - 2014 TJS)
* Ariel Ovando (ex-OF)
* Jose Paulino
Hector Perez
* Carson Sands 
Alex Santana
* Justin Steele 
Austyn Willis
Jose Zapata

CATCHERS: 4
Eric Gonzalez
Jhonny Pereda
Miguel Rico (ex-3B)
Roberto Vahlis

INFIELDERS: 7+1
# Roney Alcala
# Varonex Cuevas
# Frandy de la Rosa
* Bryant Flete 
Carlos Jimenez
Joey Martarano (INACTIVE - attending college)
Adonis Paula 
* Carlos Sepulveda

OUTFIELDERS: 2:
Calvin Graves
* Ricardo Marcano

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


CUBS LATIN AMERICAN AFFILIATES

NOTE: 
Latin American Cubs minor leaguers who do not attend Minor League Camp in Arizona have their Spring Training at the Cubs Dominican Academy beginning in March. Players who have Spring Training at the Dominican Academy are eventually assigned to either the Cubs Extended Spring Training squad in Mesa in April and/or to one of the two Cubs Foreign-Rookie affiliates (DSL Cubs or VSL Cubs) when they commence league play in May.

Players listed as SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE do not count against the affiliate's 35-man Reserve List until Opening Day for that league. 

DSL CUBS: 34

SS-FR

PITCHERS:
 15
Assael Aquino
* Wander Cabrera (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Luis Escanio
Junior Marte
Jose Morel
* Pablo Ochoa (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
* Chris Pieters 
Eury Ramos (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Santiago Rodriguez 
Andri Rondon
Aneuris Rosario
Pedro Silverio
Jesus Tejada (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Deibi Torres
Dilson Vasquez

CATCHERS: 3
Johan Matos 
Richard Nunez 
Raymond Pena (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)

INFIELDERS: 
9
Jenner Emeterio
# Humberto Garcia 
# Fidel Mejia (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Rafael Mejia (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Jose Paniagua
# Yeiler Peguero (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Tony Rijo (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
# Miguel Ruiz 
Franklin Tineo 

OUTFIELDERS:
 7
# Roberto Caro 
Yovanny Cuevas (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Wander Felix (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SRRVICE)
# Robert Garcia
Jose Jules (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SRRVICE)
Samir Lara (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Luis Ubiera


VSL CUBS: 
37

SS-FR

PITCHERS: 
23
Jesus Arias 
Andres Arteaga (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Harrinson Bermudez
* Andres Bonalde (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Alejandro Colorado
Enrique de los Rios
* Riger Fernandez (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Emilio Ferrebus (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Hector Garcia (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
* Yapson Gomez 
Jose Leidenz
Gabriel Lima
Ivan Medina
* Angel Mejias
Bryan Molina (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
* Alex Pacheco 
* Eugenio Palma
Moises Ramirez
Juan Rengifo 
* Carlos Rodriguez 
Julio Sanchez
Freddy Tineo (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Mauro Vides

CATCHERS: 
1
Gustavo Polanco (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)

INFIELDERS: 8
Jhonny Bethencourt (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Wladimir Galindo 
Francisco Garay (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Danny Gutierrez
Fidel Matos
# Andruw Monasterio 
Rafael Narea (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)
Henry Pedra

OUTFIELDERS: 
5
* Luis Ayala 
Moises Colasante
Jose Gonzalez
Luis Hidalgo
Jose Rojas (SIGNED FOR FUTURE SERVICE)

Comments

Seven players were released from MINOR LEAGUE CAMP and five other roster moves were made over the past couple of days as the result of the Cubs sending 12 players down to MINOR LEAGUE CAMP:  

RELEASED: 
INF Shane Kennedy (2014 NDFA - Clemson) 
RHP Matt Loosen (2010 23rd round draft pick - U. of Jacksonville)
LHP Jeff Lorick (acquired from ATL in Derrek Lee trade 8/2010)
RHP Brad Renner (2013 28th round draft pick - FSC Jacksonville)
INF Alex Tomasovich (2014 20th round draft pick - Charleston Southern)
OF Shamil Ubiera (2012 International FA - Dominican Republic)
OF Charlie White (2014 21st round draft pick - U. of Maryland)

MOVED DOWN:
OF Jeffrey Baez - from TENNESSEE to MYRTLE BEACH
OF Kevin Brown - from IOWA to SOUTH BEND 
OF Rashad Crawford - from MYRTLE BEACH to SOUTH BEND
LHP Austin Kirk - from IOWA to TENNESSEE
RHP Daniel Lewis - from SOUTH BEND to EUGENE/MESA (EXST)

For those of you wondering which pitchers are stretched-out as starters at MINOR LEAGUE CAMP (so far): 

IOWA: 3 
Corey Black
Pierce Johnson 
Carlos Pimentel

TENNESSEE: 3 
Felix Pena 
Ivan Pineyro 
Rob Zastryzny  

MYRTLE BEACH: 7
Paul Blackburn 
Josh Conway 
Jonathan Martinez 
Tyler Skulina 
Jake Stinnett 
Daury Torrez 
Jen-Ho Tseng 

SOUTH BEND: 6
Trevor Clifton 
Erick Leal 
Zach Hedges 
James Norwood
Jeremy Null 
Ryan Williams 

Eric Jokisch will likely be optioned to Iowa soon and that will make four I-Cubs starters. C. J. Edwards is not stretched-out yet and has been working out of the I-Cubs bullpen. 

Duane Underwood is not stretched out with Myrtle Beach. I've only seen him throw one inning at a time going back to "live" BP. 

Three of the NRI guys who were assigned to the IOWA squad at MINOR LEAGUE CAMP on Wednesday have not shown up on the field, so it's possible they are pondering retirement or have requested a release:

RHP Anthony Carter
RHP Jorge DeLeon
OF Adron Chambers 

Sometimes a player sent to the minors needs a day or two to figure out his future plans. 

Today (nine days prior to MLB Opening Day) is the first day that a player on an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) can be placed on the 15-day DL, and today is the furthest back a 15-day DL assignment can be backdated if the player is placed on the DL sometime prior to MLB Opening Day. So a player who is placed on the 15-day DL during Spring Traning must spend at least the first six days of the MLB regular on the 15-day DL before the player can be reinstated (that's if the 15-day DL assignment was initiated today or backdated to today's date).  

Also, only the nine days immediately prior to MLB Opening Day count toward a 60-day DL assignment, so a player who is placed on the 60-day DL anytime during Spring Training must spend at least the first 51 days of the MLB regular season on the 60-day DL, even if the player was placed on the 60-day DL at the start of Spring Traning in mid-February.  

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I guess they'll wait on Denorfia to see how the overall roster shapes up? The Cubs infield roster is going to be awfully interesting over the next year or so. An obvious statement, but Castro sort of looks poised for a breakout year - and we don't really know what that looks like. Russell, to me, is ready now. Another good reason to just let Baez play second to start the year - he isn't going to learn anything mashing AAA pitchers, a point I've heard others make so it's not at all an original thought. The rest of the lineup is good enough, once Bryant is in it, to be able to sustain a light hitting fielder for awhile. Soler needs to stay healthy - that guy is the best hitter I've seen in a Cubs uniform since I don't even know when. Also, was it my imagination or did Baez go with the pitch some on one of his singles the other day? Maybe I'm getting cataracts.

It's only March, but Joe Maddon is already in mid-season form on writing odd lineup cards.

[ ]

In reply to by Jackstraw

I'm not a believer in protection but as I stated Alcantara and Baez can essentially be swapped at will without a long-term effect on run-scoring. They project for practically the same wOBA, with Alcantara getting the edge in OBP and Baez in SLG.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I personally wouldn't want Castro batting 3rd (unless he's super hot or has a big breakout this year), but otherwise I'm pretty happy with that. Bump Castro to #5, slide Bryant and Soler up and you're good to go. We may even see that lineup once in a while, though I'd expect to see Coghlan batting 2nd sometimes if he can maintain a high enough average to keep his OBP above .340.

Gordon Wittenmyer @GDubCub Cubs release Doubront by deadline to owe just 45 days of $1.925m salary (roughly $473k). --- Marco Hernandez is still no longer in the system.

The 5th starter/long man issue starting to work itself out naturally. Doubront is gone and Muscat indicates Wada, Beeper, and Turner to start on DL.

another plus for pitcher batting 8th. Arrieta 3 run HR. 7-0 Cubs still in the first vs Jon Gray who didn't make it through the inning.

the other Split Squad game isn't as much fun but Baez has a single batting in the 9 spot. Soler the other single. 4-0 Reds.

Muskat's blog: http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2015/03/29/sorting-out-the-cubs-bullpen/ With Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks set, and Edwin Jackson and Travis Wood battling for the fifth spot, here’s who’s left for the bullpen. Last season, the Cubs carried 13 pitchers, but most likely will go with 12 this year: Britton Coke Grimm Motte Ramirez Rondon Rosscup Schlitter Strop Assuming the loser of Jackson/Wood (Jackson) is in the mix for the bullpen, that's 10 guys for 7 spots.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).