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

White Sox @ Cubs: Ranaudo vs Hammel (Game 100)

Bah.CHW (50-50): RHP Anthony Ranaudo (1-0, 17.18)
CHC (59-40): RHP Jason Hammel (9-5, 3.35)
First pitch: 7:05pmCST

Hammel and his potato chips won in Milwaukee on Friday (5 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB). The White Sox are 23-77 (.299) against him. Cabrera is 5-16 with 2 HR.

Jacob Turner, who evidently pitched for the Cubs for a half season when nobody was watching, was scheduled to start for the Sox but has been moved to the bullpen.

Instead, we get Ranaudo, who’s been called up from AAA. Acquired from the Rangers in May, the 26y/o New Jersey native is 5-4 with a 6.33 ERA in 9 starts and 13 career appearances with Texas and also Boston over the last couple of years. Zobrist, the only Cub to have faced him, is 1-7.

Edward Scissorhands (14-3, 3.18) versus Lackey (7-7, 3.79) at 7:05pmCST to end the “Classic.”

Go Cubs!

Comments

Apparently the Yankees had the choice of either Gleyber Torres or Eloy Jimenez in the Chapman deal, and they chose Torres. 

link 

Some perspective (mostly for my own benefit): Dan Straily beat MadBum 2-1 today as the Reds took 2 of 3 in SF. Giants are 2-9 since the break and their lead over LA is down to 2.5 games. So, yeah...baseball. It'll drive ya nuts.

Here are the ERAs for the last five starting pitchers: 3.40 3.64 4.28 4.68 9.45 At what point does the manager note it's not the "other pitcher"? And why does he start Montero in the middle of a downturn?

bryant's back! no-doubt HR towering to CF...tie game.

Familia blows his first save of the season -- gives up 2 in 9th to the Cards. Not much going our way these days.

baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaez! cubs take a 2 run lead in the 7th. sweet.

Javy! Javy! Javy! How sweet was that - Cranked it! 393 happy feet

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

You don't think he's improved? He looks completely different out there than he did when he first came up. The last I checked his K rate was in the low 20% range - 22-23 or so. When he came up it was 40%+. To me, what is scary about him if I'm the other guy is that he IS learning the strike zone. This guy could easily be the MVP someday.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

He certainly looks better, no doubt, and is a different player than what we saw when he first came up. Full credit to him for changing his approach and saving his career. But he has zero walks in 35AB since the break, and 10 in 251 AB all year. He does seem to be able to hit some pitches out of the zone, but, a guy with his pop should be drawing more walks. However, it's easy to forget he is still only 23, and probably trying to make an impact to prove he should be an everyday player.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I think Javy is learning--but he's learning to make contact, not learning to lay off pitches out of the zone. A quick glance at his plate discipline numbers on Fangraphs shows that his contact rate is up, especially his contact rate out of the zone, but his swing rate is up too, especially his swing rate out of the zone. My impression is that his somewhat cut down swing makes him more able to make contact, but it hasn't yet allowed him to lay off of bad pitches. If he could just get his walk rate up to say 6% (for comp, Aramis Ramirez walked at a 7% rate for his career, Soriano was at 5.9%), he could be a pretty valuable #5-6 hitter. And if sometime he hit 35-40 homeruns, yeah, he might be in MVP conversations.

11 hits off Wainwright tonight. Everything going right for the Cards right now. Motherfucking motherfuckers.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

The usual suspects, Molina and Wong. Gyorko drew a walk with two outs, none on. I recall us (particularly Szczur and Bryant) swinging at everything Familia threw. I think the Cards' secret--although it's not exactly a secret--is that they play microscopically. From the start of the game, they argue every ball-and-strike call they don't like. They hire managers with the harshest glare--or is it "glower"?--in the business, like Matheny and LaRussa. Molina will embark soon on an illustrious career as a manager, hopefully in the AL. He sets up outside, frames the ball perfectly, and the ump is not supposed to notice that the catcher asked for a pitch several inches outside. By the end of the game, if you're the opposing pitcher, you better throw it "fat," or they won't swing, and you won't get the call. Fat pitches lead to "clutch" hits.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

...and Familia with back-to-back blown saves. Blows a one-run lead vs. Rockies today, gets his 2nd consecutive loss. I am OK with the Mets missing the playoffs and suffering crushing losses at home --- just want them to beat St. Louis. He played with fire twice agains the Cubs -- unfortunately, the Cubs couldn't stop swinging.

Got to admit it - it was comforting seeing Rondon come out for the eighth after just taking a two run lead ... And put the hammer down with a 7 pitch inning. Good stuff

Sure is fun to watch them score finally. To think they were no-hit until the 7th...

If Jason Hammel doesn't get a potato chip sponsorship deal, somebody messed up. Attaboy, Jason!

So, playing .500 for the rest of the year puts them at 91 wins. You would think there is enough talent to do a little better than that, right?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Amazing how much lower the production gets when Bryant runs into a mini-cold streak. He doesn't stay cold for long. If just one of Zobrist or, gulp, Heyward, gets hot, they oughta have one more really nice winning streak in them. Having a closer that you have absolute confidence in can't hurt. Did anyone notice all the guys, especially Arrieta, standing on the dugout steps studying every pitch Chapman threw? In an 8-1 game. Of course, part of it was that they were still jacked from the late HRs. I never really paid a lot of attention to his delivery, but man, that's a work of art, how his entire body stretches from end of the mound to the other seamlessly as he is firing that thing. Every pitch I was thinking to myself, "I really hope he's not an asshole. I really hope he's not an asshole."

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I have basically written off Heyward for this year -- if you are working on major swing changes in late July, you are going to struggle. Hopefully, he can be more productive at the plate next year. It will be interesting to see what they do with him if the Cardinals keep winning and close the gap. Heyward is dead last in the NL in slugging and in the bottom 5 in OPS -- yet still has a positive WAR. Hunh. They certainly have the talent to play over .500 for the next 62 games, but, in a "through the looking glass" scenario -- my biggest concern is their top 3 starters. Hendricks and Hammel seem to be in good shape and able to give a competitive start on a regular basis. Hopefully, the extended bullpen can make Lackey a 6-inning pitcher -- his ERA just keeps going up. With fewer pitches per start, he should be able to pitch like a decent #3. But, a team needs an ace or two to carry it through the rough times -- Jake and Lester seem like big question marks right now. No doubt they can be good -- but can they win 2-1 games against other top pitchers?

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Regarding Heyward-- He'll play regardless of what he does, just like Soriano played for seven years before they finally ditched him. What can they do? All I can think of is they can keep hiring and firing hitting coaches until they find one who can get him to stop hitting balls with the handle of the bat. (All those broken bats added to his paycheck is just a bit much.)

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Lester has given up one run or fewer in 11 starts this year. So I'd answer yes. Three of his last four starts were duds, yes. Not worried about him at all. Arrieta is concerning, to be sure. I look it at as, what he was doing was historic, so the regression was bound to happen. He showed in his start against the Mets that he's still capable, and I'd bet on him regaining his form.

AZ PHIL- You have kept a close watch of the Rule 5 Draft eligible Cubs and who you think'll make the cut, one guy I think gets overlooked is John Andreoli. You could say he is a relative clone to Matt Szczur, but he has more power (11 HR) and speed (30sb), a year younger, and would now have 3 options vs Szczur 0. Opinions?

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).