Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-23-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 9 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 





Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Carrying the Pink Backback

There is a new rookie in the TCR bullpen and as a result, I've picked up my Dora the Explorer backpack and have assumed the position. Hmmm, perhaps that didn't come out right. All kidding aside, I wanted to take a minute to mention just a few things I do and do not bring to the table.

I bring.....

  • A strong distaste for Derrek Lee and maintain that he is the most overrated first baseman in all of baseball.
  • A love of the farm system, though not nearly as much as the farm crazy AZ Phil has. He's my idol. I hope to one day be able to be half the man he is.
  • A heavy heart over the loss of my favorite Cub, Kerry Wood. I can still remember the day I skipped work for no other reason than to watch him pitch in his rookie year. What game was it? None other than the 20 K game. From that point on I was in love.
  • A hatred of Bleed Cubbie Blue and all the smug attitude emitted Al. Long ago I was told not to mention this, but what the heck? True story, Al was not their first choice: I was. I turned it down.
  • A strange list of favorite Cubs over the years that includes Rey Sanchez, Frank Castillo, Steve Trachsel and Joe Girardi. For some reason I never liked the good players.

I don't bring....

  • The ability to kiss Jim Hendry's butt when he makes a poor decision. He's been given the resources and it's time to get it done.
  • The patience to wait till I'm 80 for a championship.
  • The language in my posts that caused TCR to move from MVN, but I can still be ok, right?
  • A love to go to Wrigley Field. Call me crazy, but it's gotten frustrating to spend $100 and be surrounded by way too many drunks. If the stadium was filled with sane people throughout, I could rationalize it. It's TV all the way for me, though watching a drunk in any other circumstance for free is a fun assignment.
Hopefully that will give you an idea of who I am. I'll do my best to be active in the comments, so feel free to fire off questions. I'll submit to the grill. Roast away.

 

Comments

Wow, those are some harsh words towards D. Lee. Would you have such distaste for him if he wasn't hitting third? You can't think he overrated in the field?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Big free agent signing of 91. Him Taco Bell and Danny Jackson I believe. He sucked but sorry to hear he died.

A love to go to Wrigley Field. Call me crazy, but it's gotten frustrating to spend $100 and be surrounded by way too many drunks. If the stadium was filled with sane people throughout, I could rationalize it. It's TV all the way for me, though watching a drunk in any other circumstance for free is a fun assignment. Die

But where are you on Milton Bradely vs. Bobby Abreu for RF? Or how 'bout signing Gathright and getting rid of Pie? Or whether or not Hendry eats too many donuts?

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

i still can't believe people go crazy over the baking-powder-filled and waaaaaaay over-sugared Krispie Kreame donuts. maybe it's because I "grew up" with them, but give me something with way less sugar.

[ ]

In reply to by garsky

Dinkel's Bakery on Lincoln Avenue between Racine and School -- great, great donuts, sweet rolls, longjohns, etc..

[ ]

In reply to by Timmer

Did I miss the memo? Have people moved on from cupcakes?

A strong distaste for Derrek Lee and maintain that he is the most overrated first baseman in all of baseball. You are wrong. But you already know that. :)

He's an above average player, but not a superstar. I can agree with this statement, but this statement comes across a bit different than what is implied in the statement that he is: The most overrated first baseman in all of baseball.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

OK, how about Ryan Howard? The dude's a perennial MVP candidate for the last three years and one-time winner. He's also a very limited player beyond his ability to hit HRs in a hitter's park. Terrible defense, tons of strikeouts, inflated RBI totals because of who hits in front of him, low batting average and about as mobile as an airport hanger. Edit: To be fair, I just checked, and his home and road HR totals are pretty even for the last three years, though his avg is about 20 points lower on the road.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I think it has to be Howard or Texiera by a mile over D-lee. Baseball people know D-lee is what he is he is a nice player. However, people like Theo Epstein are throwing out 8 year/160 M deals for a guy like Texiera who is only a couple of notches ahead of Dlee on my totem pole of 1b. Howard is just an Adam Dunn clone while Howard is considered a top 10 player by most accounts, while Dunn is likely to stay on the FA scrapheep until after Obama takes office.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

After Pujols, Berkman, Teixeira, and Youkilis, who is a qualitatively better first-baseman than Lee? Then again, maybe that's the point: the fifth best first-baseman in baseball doesn't really belong in a group with the first four, and Derrek Lee is about on par with any candidate you would put up for that spot.

[ ]

In reply to by AshBat

Adrian Gonzalez and Morneau are easily better and younger....

all 1b to finish ahead of Lee in WARP-1 last year...

Pujols, Berkman, Teixeira, Youklis, Gonzalez, Morneau, Pena,  Delgado...

Votto wasn't far behind and I'd definitely take him over Lee going forward, as I would with Fielder. I'm not sure if I'd take Pena over Lee, but Pena's definitely not overrated, if anything, underrated. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

If you look at there career stats they are: Dlee .282 .367 .497 Tex .290 .378 .541 Tex also has an edge because he is younger and a switch hitter but I do not think Tex is a top-tier guy at 1b. Personally I'd rather have Pujols, Gonzalez, Morneau, Cabrera and Berkman before Texiera and would rather have Howard, Fielder, Loney and Connor Jackson before Dlee for the next 2 years if I was starting a MLB team from scratch. So Texira would a "B" level guy for me and Dlee a "C" level. However, as you said in your previous post rating players is pretty subjective.

Oral evaluation? Evaluate his performance using other senses, your tastes will change. D. Lee's contributions add up, have the good taste to at least support your whim with some data. I have to ask, which Cub tastes good, but has poor performance indicators?

the best part of Frank Castillo pitching was when Harry would ask for Arne Harris to keep showing hat shots of his wife

Welcome, Joe. Looking forward to your contributions. VFTB was the first Cubs blog I discovered (this was just a couple of years ago). The links to other Cubs blogs led me to TCR--thanks!

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/12/a…

Minnesota hasn’t lost its appetite for Mark DeRosa but the Cubs would only consider moving him if they got a package of solid prospects, like outfielder Ben Rivere and pitchers Jose Mijares, Jeff Manship and Andy Swarzak. Even then, it’s hard to picture Jim Hendry pulling the trigger

and

The Cubs are rumored to have an interest in Fu-Te Ni, a left-handed pitcher who became a free agent when his Taiwan team, the Chinabank Whales, disbanded. Seattle, Minnesota, Detroit and Atlanta are listed as other possible suitors for Ni, who would have to prove himself in the minor leagues.

some B.S. about Gathright being a "skilled baserunner" as well...which is funny shit. Stealing 75% with "80" grade speed is not skilled, it's quite unskilled actually.

You guys aren't asking the right questions to welcome Joe to TCR. 1) Who's the biggest douche on TCR? (hint: rhymes with "rad") 2) How do you take your witchcraft, gay or straight? 3) BEES??! 4) What's your biggest 3/44 moment? 5) Are you still or have you ever been a member of the Johann's mom club? 6) Is Sarah Palin's retarded baby verboten as a punchline? 7) Foucault or Chomsky? 8) Will you be joining us for Parachat during games? That will be all. Your answers determine how long you'll be made to stand in the broom closet with Chad. Woo!! 10 minutes in PARADISE!!

Wasn't that the knock on Pie...fast but can't steal at a respectable (75 or over) percentage? One option no one is considering is that it could be possible that Fukudome starts out the year in the minors. He still has several option years left, being a rookie last year. If he comes out in spring training and looks as lost as he did last year, NO WAY he should make the team to start the year. If he does, it is only due to his money.

[ ]

In reply to by carlosrubi

والسبب أنا هنا ، قالوا لي ، هو أن لعبت المباراة بطريقة معينة ، أن لعبت اللعبة الطريقة التي كان يفترض ان يلعبها. لا أعرف عن ذلك ، ولكنى أعرف أن هذا : كان لي الكثير من الاحترام لأنها لعبة بأي طريقة أخرى ، وإذا كان هناك كان هناك سبب واحد وأنا هنا اليوم ، فذلك لأن كلمة واحدة ، احترام. احب ان العب البيسبول. أنا لاعب بيسبول. لقد كانت دائما لاعب البيسبول. ما زلت لاعب بيسبول. هذا الذي أنا.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

My inept translator says: "The reason I here, said for me, he that game of the match in designating method, that game the very playful method which was assumes to plays her. Does not introduce about that, and hit introduces that raved: Was for me a lot of the respect for that she last game in any method, and if was there was there reason one and I here today, so that for that word one, respect. Liked that plays [aalbysbwl]. I is player [bysbwl]. To already was always player [aalbysbwl]. What player ended [bysbwl]. Raved who I." 'so that for that word one, respect', indeed.

Joe -- Your stuff over at VFTB was on my regular rotation. I'm glad to see you'll be posting here now. Slowly but surely, TCR is becoming the great Cubs blog aggregator.

[ ]

In reply to by Mister Whipple

░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░ ░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░ ░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░▐▌░ ░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒▒▒░░░▐▌░ ░░░░▒▒▒██▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒░░████ ░░░░▒██▒▒▒████▒▒▒████▒▒▒██▒░░░██░ ░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░██░ ░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒████░ ░██▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█████████▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░ ██░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░ ██░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░ ██░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░ ██░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░██░░░██░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░██████░░░██████░░░░░░░░░░

Agreed about Wrigley - have lived less than a mile away for over 15 years, and went from partial season tickets to a few games a year at this point. Too many arseholes and touristas who have no idea that they're actually there to watch a game being played - and this is in the upper grandstands, even (pardon my Snagglepuss).

Joe and all - here's a question assuming they do, which i damn well hope, when will the move for the LH bat take place

[ ]

In reply to by Seamhead

That's a great example of everything I like about Abreu as a potential Cub, other than his possible aversion to brick and ivy. The plate discipline and pitches per AB, especially, are things this team is sorely lacking. I agree that 3/48 would be too much at this point in his career, but at 2/26 or 3/33, he'd be an outstanding addition.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

The plate discipline and pitches per AB, especially, are things this team is sorely lacking. Maybe you missed last season... I mean... they were only first in the NL (and second in MLB) in OBP, and third (and fifth in MLB) in the NL in P/AB. But yea... I guess the Cubs were sorely lacking in that area.

Jon Leicester head to Japan. The Orix Buffaloes said they've picked up Jon Leicester from the Orioles.

i am surprised we have not heard any griffey for right field rumors lou likes players he has managed before gaudan and gathright and he obviously coached griffey for a few years a one year deal with incentives (games played).

Has anyone heard anything new on Bradley yet? Right after the meetings it seemed he was down to us or the Rays. I would have figured he would have made a choice by now if is only 2 teams.

[ ]

In reply to by Chifan

I have read that the Tex "deal or no deal" w/the Angels as the main suitor, will culminate in setting the market of sorts, for folks such as Bradley. Also, should Tex turn down the Halos, it would be anticipated that his agents would then attempt to negotiate a deal with them. Which means that barring a trade, the RF/LH bat might not get done after all is said and done.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

HJE (HireJimEssian) causes more out-loud laughter from me than any other single Cubs website. The first website I visit when I get on my computer (9 out of 10 times) is The Cub Reporter. My next stop is usually HireJimEssian.com. It's consistently funny and well worth the trip. Some time after that, I get around to checking my e-mail. Oh, and I can't recall the last time I visited the BCB website. I found it just too... vanilla. (And I LIKE vanilla!)

Bradley or Abreu. Easy Abreu always. Is D Leed overrated? Yes. We all fell in love with his super year. It will never happen again. He is on his way down. Slowly, but on his way down. We are stuck with his large contract. Which we can not move because of the NT clause. Favorite Cubs - Bill Buckner and Larry Bittner

[ ]

In reply to by Jose

Welcome, Joe! Look forward to your articles. Put me down on the Abreu column as well. If the ESPN article is accurate, then 2/28 or 3/33 might be where Abreu ends up. If Hendry can move Marquis's salary (or at least most of it), then I would pay up to 3/36 for Abreu. Then package the usual suspects and prospects for a leadoff hitter and Peavy.

Three years from now Abreu will not be with the Cubs. He has about three good years left in his body. I can live with 2/28, with an option for the third year. See how easy this GM stuff is.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Pie and Hill are out of options and of no value to the cubs. Colvin sucks. Adkins can be replaced by a lesser prospect (even though he is probably Mark Holliman 2.0) Hermida would be moving to a MUCH friendlier home ballpark. Ceda is a power arm. Bottom line is that payroll is obviously an issue. Left-handedness is a big Lou issue that I happen to finally be comming around on. Getting a guy like Hermida,Willingham or Eithier will make adding a guy like Peavy or Roberts or Sherrill more of a possiblility. Plus you can go year to year with one of the Hermida/Willingham/Eithier guys.

wow, I'm not sure how you guys do that, but that's pretty cool. And while I'm at it, I'd try and get Dunn cheap to play shitty D in RF and hit about 100 homers at Wrigley with 50 BB and about 200 Ks. We've got a lot of really good players on this team, but nobody exactly strikes fear in the heart of the opposing pitchers, ya know?

The Rockies are debating whether to sign free-agent right-hander Tim Redding or trade for Cubs righty Jason Marquis. Redding, 30, tied for the team lead with 182 innings last season, though he posted a 4.95 ERA. The Nationals non-tendered him because they did not want to pay him $3 million to $3.5 million in arbitration. Marquis, also 30, is owed $9.875 million next season, but the Cubs are willing to assume a significant portion of his salary ... http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8963778/Teixeira-will-get-his-payday…

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Is the point of this just to move Marshall into the rotation? No doubt he can handle it but I'm not sure he's noticeably better than Marquis, especially if we're eating half or more of Marquis' salary. If on the other hand it's to free up a spot to acquire a 5th starter, like Johnson or Peavy (one can hope), then I'm for it. Otherwise, I don't think it's worth it. It's worth $4 or 5 million to have six capable starters on the roster.

[ ]

In reply to by Andrew

No, I think the point is that Marshall is just as good as Marquis and makes the ML minimum. So by moving Marquis, you can put whatever salary the Cubs move on to another team (say $5MM) towards your new RF. An important consideration if we are to believe the budget numbers that Hendry is apparently working with. I do agree that the problem with Marquis is that he is overpaid for what he offers, it's not that he sucks per se. At $5MM/year, Jason Marquis is a perfectly acceptable #5 starter on pretty much any team in baseball. I think Hendry will be able to trade him before spring training w/o too much difficulty.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Every time I hear about Johnson his salary demands go up $1 million. At this point, replacing Marquis with Johnson sounds like it's going to cost around $12 million. Although we may sign a Lieber or Miller we shouldn't expect him to do anything, just like they didn't and we shouldn't make the mistake that they'll be as good as Marquis, or even Marshall.

Recent comments

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I’ll spare the details which I’ve stated before but, in short, the Cardinals have lost their sight of their successful identity and strategy over last several dominant decades. From the beginning of the season I saw the Cardinals being in last place or near it again this year, and my prediction is that Mozeliak will be gone after the end of the season.

  • Bill (view)

    I would have kept Cooper rather than Wisdom, but at least I can understand why they did it.  In a team that lacks dominant power hitters, Wisdom can be a dominant power hitter, at least in streaks.  I suppose that there is always the possibility that the streaks longer in both duration and frequency.  I will be content if they essentially make a 100 % DH commitment to Mervis against righties and Wisdom against lefties.  When a regular needs rest, give them total rest, rather than a DH rest.  Do this for at least 2 months, and then re-evaluate at that point.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    This is Cubs adjacent but…


    Jordan Walker just was optioned by the deadbirds. For all the talk of the Cardinals development machine, they’ve really missed on a lot of can’t miss superstars lately. Walker has struggled. Gorman has been okay. They’re already trying to push Carlson out the door. Their pitching system has been so bad they had to go out and sign basically a full rotation over the last two offseasons.

    They’ve still developed a few of those pesky solid players, like Donovan, Edman, and Nootbaar. Their two best prospect to MLB players have been Adolis and Arozarena, neither of which is a cardinal.

    I hope they never figure it out again. Cardinal failure brings me such joy.
     

  • Raisin101 (view)

    Thank you so much! I really appreciate not only all your posts but how eager you are to respond to our questions.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Is it just me or does it seem that official scorers are becoming less likely to call a misplay an error? 

     

    Guess I've hit my cranky old-man phase in life.  "I remember back in the day when an error was an error.  Official scorers have gone soft.  Now where did I put my readers?!!??"

     

    Sidenote, maybe Bellinger should be a little more careful against the Astros.  That was the series last year that a play at wall put him on the IL.   

  • crunch (view)

    i hated the almonte pickup, but he's 9-10 out of 12 for good outings, following a great spring.  hope he can keep it up.

    i already miss cooper, but yeah...the thin OF roster backup the team seems to want to carry probably got wisdom preference over cooper.  i could live without seeing wisdom at 3rd unless it's a blowout, though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Things I've been wrong about:

    -Tauchman is fine as a 4th OF. I knew that. I just want a better LH DH option and he was really the DH for us until Seiya got hurt. I'm glad Mervis is getting a chance at it. Caissie is coming for that job for sure. But Tauchman continues to be highly useful as a 4th OF with Seiya being hurt

    -I wanted Yency to go to get guys at Iowa a chance. Guys like Palencia and Sanders or RileyT. Maybe even Hodge! But Yency has been better the last two plus weeks. He did hit 96 the other day. He was 93 in Texas to open the season.

    -Leiter has his split working enough. It just needs to stay there

    -I was surprised Jed picked Wisdom over Cooper. I wonder if this happens if Seiya wasn't hurt. Wisdom has more power. Cooper is the better hitter. Jed picked Wisdom and Wisdom had an option left as well.

    -Palencia just doesn't miss enough bats. Similar to ManRod, just two yrs younger. ManRod is killing AAA for TB right now!

    Things I got right so far:

    -Hendricks. Sorry Kyle. You got paid though!

    Jed, you missed there.

    -Smyly. If Jed could've traded him before or during ST, then he should have and saved some cash.

    -Mastro.  Not a LH DH. Pinch runner. Defensive utility. Maybe he's better than Madrigal but didn't get a legit chance to prove it.

    -Luke Little is good. He's had one bad outing. That's it. Needs to get better entering with guys on base. But he needs to stay in MLB.

    -Oh yeah....Morel is doing fine at 3B! He'll get better as well!!

  • crunch (view)

    bellinger "right rib contusion"

  • Childersb3 (view)

    South Bend just lost the lead in the bottom of the 9th on the weirdest scenario, ever.

    It's absolutely pouring rain....men on 1st and 2nd, 1out....JPatterson asks for a new ball, but no time out was called....he throws the old ball toward the dugout (not sure if it rolled out of play).....the ump declares the runners get two bases each so one run scores. Then a single up the middle ties the game.

    The rain was coming down in buckets at this point.

    Just weird

  • crunch (view)

    ...and bellinger is gone in the 7th because of that 2nd blown chance and the wall he bounced off of...

    hopefully his rib cage/shoulder feels better tomorrow, we just got happ back.