Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2006 Rule 5 Draft Preview

UPDATED 12-6-06 The 2006 Rule 5 Draft meeting will be held tomorrow, and (as per usual) it will be the last order of business at the Winter Meetings. Any player on a minor league roster who signed his first contract prior to the 2002 Rule 5 Draft (for players who were 18 or younger on June 5th prior to signing their first contract) or prior to the 2003 Rule 5 Draft (for players who were 19 or older on June 5th prior to signing their first contract) is eligible for selection. The price to select a player off a AAA roster (the so-called "Major League Phase") is $50,000, off a AA roster it's $12,000 (the "AAA Phase"), and off a Class "A" roster, $4,000 (the "AA Phase"). Clubs can only make as many selections in the Major League Phase of the draft as they have spots open on their 40-man roster prior to the draft. (At present, only 20 of the 30 MLB clubs have spots available on their 40-man rosters; the CUBS, ATL, CHW, KC, LAA, LAD, PIT, STL, SEA, and TB are the clubs that don't, so they will not be able to make any selections in the "Major League Phase" of the Rule 5 Draft, although they will be allowed to select players in the AAA and AA phases). A player who is selected off a AAA roster must be kept on the drafting club's 25-man roster for the entire following MLB season. However, if a player spends more than 90 days on the drafting club's DL during the season after selection, the drafting club must keep the player on its 25-man regular season active roster for 60 days at the start of the following season, too. After the player has spent the required time on the drafting club's 25-man regular season active roster, the player can be optioned to the minor leagues by the drafting club in as many subsequent seasons as the player has options left. (For instance, Andy Sisco, who was selected by the Kansas City Royals from the Cubs in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft and who was subsequently kept on the Royals 25-man roster for the entire 2005 season, was optioned to AAA by the Royals for 12 days last season, and can be optioned to the minors again in 2007, 2008, and 2009 if KC feels Sisco needs more time down on the farm). If a drafting club wishes to send a player selected in the Rule 5 Draft to the minors prior to completion of the required time on the 25-man roster, the club must place the player on Outright Waivers (which are irrevocable), and any of the other MLB clubs can claim the player for the $20,000 waivers price. That club would then assume the Rule 5 requirements for that player. If the player is not claimed off Outright Waivers, then the drafting club must offer the player back to the player's original club. If the original club takes the player back, the drafting club gets half of the Rule 5 Draft price back ($25,000), and the player can be placed on the original club's 40-man roster or he can be sent outright to the minor leagues (club option). However, if the player has been outrighted previously in his career, he has the option to be a free-agent immediately, or he can defer the decision until after the season. If the player's original club declines to take the player back, the drafting club must keep the player, and the club can either release him or send him outright to the minors (and again, if the player has been outrighted previously in his career, he has the option to be a free-agent rather than accept the outright assignment. For players selected off a AA roster or off a Class "A" roster, all sales are final. The player can be assigned anywhere in the drafting club's organization, and does not have to be offered back to the player's original team. These players become just another player in the drafting team's organization. 48 Cubs minor leaguers will be eligible for selection in this year's Rule 5 Draft. Originally there were more than 60 Cubs minor leaguers eligible, but a recent change in MLB Rule 5 reduced the number of players who will be eligible for selection. (Prior to the change, players on minor league rosters who signed their first contract when they were 18 or younger were eligible for selection at the Rule 5 Draft meeting following their fourth season in the minors, and players who signed their first contract when they were 19 or older were eligible for selection at the Rule 5 Draft meeting following their third season in the minors). Here are the 48 Cubs minor leaguers who will be eligible for selection in this year's Rule 5 Draft: NOTE: All players are on AAA Iowa roster (eligible for Major League Phase - $50,000 price) EXCEPT -- ** denotes player is on Class AA roster (eligible for AAA Phase of draft -$12,000 price) * denotes player is on Class "A" roster (eligible for selection in AA Phase - $4,000 price) CUBS MINOR LEAGUERS ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION IN 2006 RULE 5 DRAFT - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY Jason Anderson, RHP Thomas Atlee, RHP Federico Baez, RHP Oscar Bernard, RHP ** Ryan Bicondoa, RHP ** Nate Bland, LHP Chadd Blasko, RHP Bobby Brownlie, RHP Edward Campusano, LHP * Jose Caridad, RHP Gary Cates, Jr, IF-OF Robinson Chirinos, 2B Jorge Cortes, OF ** Matt Craig, 1B-3B Mike Fontenot, 2B Jake Fox, C ** Alfredo Francisco, RHP ** Alberto Garcia, 1B-OF ** Luke Hagerty, LHP Koyie Hill, C Micah Hoffpauir, 1B Lincoln Holdzkom, RHP ** Jesse Hoorelbeke, 1B Ben Howard, RHP ** Geoff Jones, LHP ** Richard Lewis, 2B ** Albenis Machado, INF Casey McGehee, 3B Adalberto Mendez, RHP ** Isaac Pavlik, LHP * Leonel Perez, RHP Billy Petrick, RHP Carmen Pignatiello, LHP * Robert Ransom, RHP ** Tony Richie, C Alan Rick, C Carlos Rojas, SS Issmael Salas, INF Joel Santo, RHP ** Andy Shipman, RHP Jason Smith, INF Jemel Spearman, INF Jesus Valdez, OF Chris Walker, OF Les Walrond, LHP John Webb, RHP Randy Wells, RHP ** Jesus Yepez, LHP Because of the changes in MLB Rule 5, almost all of the players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this year were eligible last year, but weren't chosen. So don't expect to see a Roberto Clemente, George Bell, or Johan Santana get selected this time around. Some of the players who are eligible could have been claimed off waivers at some point along the way, while others were signed as minor league free-agents and were available to any MLB organization who might have been interested. And then there are the poor souls with cloudy futures who are rehabbing from elbow or shoulder injuries at Fitch Park. However, it's still possible that the Cubs might lose a player or two. CUBS TOP 10 BEST BETS TO ATTRACT ATTENTION AT THE RULE 5 DRAFT MEETING (MAJOR LEAGUE-PHASE) - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY: RHP Federico Baez: A rubber-armed converted third-baseman (ex-Orioles) who can start or relieve, Baez pitched for Team Puerto Rico in last Spring's World Baseball Classic, and then split the 2006 season between AA and AAA. Now 25, Baez could be the type of healthy and mature arm a small-market team in search of a cheap middle-relief option might consider. LHP Edward Campusano: Until he suffered a mid-season elbow injury, the 24-year old Campusano was on the same track as Clay Rapada (who along with RHP Rocky Cherry, was added to the Cubs 40-man roster last month). An All-Star at Peoria and the top closer in the MWL before getting a June double-jump promotion to AA, Campusano (if healthy) could be very attractive as an MLB LOOGY. But the Cubs have done a good job of not releasing any information about Campusano's physical condition, so maybe they have done that to dissuade clubs from selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft. Or maybe they just don't know what's going on. 2B Mike Fontenot: A former #1 draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles out of LSU (he was Ryan Theriot's DP partner on the Tigers 2000 CWS champion team), Fontenot was one of three players acquired from the Orioles for Sammy Sosa a couple of years ago. Fontenot was on the Cubs 40-man roster in 2005, but was outrighted to AAA after the season after nobody claimed him off waivers. So if no MLB club thought enough of him to claim him off waivers for $20,000 in November 2005, why would any of those same clubs spend $50,000 and endure Rule 5 restrictions for a year to acquire him now? Good question. Fontenot's main problem is that while he is a good hitter and shows good patience at the plate, he has just average speed, is stiff at second-base, and probably should be playing LF (like Frank Catalonotto). But Fontenot, who is now 26, does not have the speed or power to play a corner OF slot. He also doesn't have the athleticism or versatilty to be a utility player. So if anybody takes a shot at Fontenot, it probably would have to be with the idea of giving him a chance to be an everyday MLB second-baseman. What MLB club that would be, I don't know. But maybe there is one, somewhere. C Jake Fox: Rich Hill's battery-mate at the University of Michigan and probably the best "prospect" among the 50 Cubs players exposed in the draft, Fox is a true "project." He has plus-power at the plate, but he also is a first-ball fastball hitter who strikes out way too much. He has a decent arm behind the plate, but has poor receiving skills and catching mechanics. If he improves his receiving, and becomes more selective as a hitter, he could possibly be an MLB #1 catcher. Or at least maybe a platoon-catcher. Eventually. But that could be two, three, maybe even four years from now. And at 24, he's not getting any younger. A more-likely projection for Fox is that he will develop into a back-up C-1B-3B-LF-RF-RHPH who can provide some "pop" off the bench. 1B Micah Hoffpauir: After a disappointing 2005 season at AAA where he got a mid-season demotion to AA, Hoffpauir did the exact opposite this past season, starting the year at AA, and then hitting (bashing) his way back up to AAA. Once at Iowa, Micah claimed the starting 1B job from Brandon Sing, but had his season cut-short by a strained oblique in August, probably costing him a chance to get a look in Chicago in September. Even though he missed a month at the end of the season, Hoffpauir still tied Scott Moore for the HR lead (with 22) among all Cubs minor leaguers in 2006 (and Hoffpauir did it in 15 fewer games than Moore), and so the strapping 24-year old lad from Lamar University could be attractive as a back-up or (even) platoon 1B and LHPH for an MLB club looking for cheap bench help. RHP Lincoln Holdzkom: One of two pitchers acquired from Florida at the end of Spring Training for Todd Wellemeyer, the 24-year old Holdzkom was once a promising relief prospect and was even added to the Marlins 40-man roster at one point (2003), before tearing an elbow ligament in 2004 that required Tommy John surgery. Still trying to find his way back, Linc throws hard cider (mid-90's heater and biting slider), and when he's "on," he can be unhittable... and when he's "off"... he can't hit the side of a barn. On the mound, he sort of resembles ex-Piniella "Nasty Boy" Rob Dibble. If Holdzkom can get his mechanics straightened-out and then replicate it, and find a consistent release point, he could be another Bobby Jenks. If he can't, he could be out of baseball this time next year. 3B-1B-C Casey McGehee: After spending all of 2006 at AAA Iowa as the I-Cubs everyday third-baseman, the 24-year old McGehee is having an outstanding go of it right now in the Mexican Pacific League. He could be a back-up 3B-1B-C-RHPH option for a small market team in '07. He has a nice line-drive stroke, he is a patient hitter, he's versatile in the field, and fundamentally sound in all areas. LHP Carmen Pignatiello: Split 2006 between AA and AAA, and then pitched in the Arizona Fall League. Once just a journeyman starting pitcher, then a fairly useful "swingman," and now a full-time reliever, the 24-year old Pignatiello was eligible to be a Six-Year Minor League Free-Agent after this past season, but opted to re-sign with the Cubs for 2007, probably after the Cubs guaranteed him a slot in the AFL and an NRI to Spring Training (as happened with Brandon Sing a year ago). Piggy looked just great in the AFL, and guys who do well there usually are the first to get attention in that year's Rule 5 Draft (see Dan Uggla last year). CF Chris Walker: His game is speed, and he is a good base-stealer. And he is a better hitter than Dwaine Bacon. In fact, he has improved a lot as a hitter, and he can bunt, too. But he is also 26 years old and has yet to reach AAA, although he has been making steady progress through the Cubs system. Some MLB club desperate for a lead-off hitter who can play CF (Florida or Colorado, maybe?) might pay 50K to take a look at Walker in Spring Training, but he would certainly be a long-shot to make it long-term in the big leagues. RHP Randy Wells: Like Carlos Marmol, the 24-year old Wells is a converted catcher who is still learning how to pitch. After starting the year in the rotation at AA West Tenn and pitching "lights out," Wells got promoted to Iowa and struggled. He probably projects as an MLB middle-reliever (although he could be one of those Joe Mays-types who can slot #5 in a rotation), and he probably needs another year of AAA experience, but that might not stop the Colorado Rockies or Washington Nationals of the world from investing $50,000 to take a look at Wells in Spring Training. CUBS TOP FIVE BEST BETS TO ATTRACT ATTENTION AT THE RULE 5 DRAFT MEETING (AAA & AA PHASES) Of the 17 players eligible in the AAA or AA (minor league) portion of the draft (where if they get selected, they don't come back), the most-likely candidates for selection are (listed alphabetically): RHP Ryan Bicondoa: Signed by the Cubs this past Summer, the now 27-year old Bicondoa spent three seasons (2004-06) pitching for North Shore in the independent Can-Am League. He had previously pitched in the NYY and NYM organizations (2002-03), during which time he was one of three pitchers traded to the Mets by the Yankees for Armando Benitez, before being released by the Mets at the end of Spring Training 2004. He was used as a starter/reliever "swingman" at Daytona in '06 after the Cubs signed him. 3B-1B Matt Craig: A switch-hitting corner infielder with power, Craig was a 3rd round draft pick out of the University of Richmond (where he was a teammate of Nic Jackson) in 2002 and had a couple of good years at AA in 2004-05 before getting caught in a "numbers game" and getting demoted to Daytona this past season. Now 25, Craig is easily the best of the Cubs in the AAA/AA draft group and is practically a lock to get selected. LHP Isaac Pavlik: Spent the 2005-06 seasons pitching for New Jersey in the independent Can-Am league (where he was one of the best pitchers in th league), before signing a minor league contract with the Cubs this past Summer. Prior to his stint in Indy ball, Pavlik had been a 10th round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies (2002) out of Seton Hall, and spent three seasons in the COL organization before getting released in 2004. The 26-year old Pavlik worked mostly as a rotation starter at Hi-A Daytona and then AA West Tenn after signing with the Cubs. He is only 5'8, but he was a lefty closer with a high-velocity fastball in his college days at the Hall. C Tony Richie: A promising 4th round draft pick out of Florida State in 2003 (the same year the Cubs selected another catcher--Jake Fox--in the 3rd round), the now 24-year old Richie has not developed as hoped and has apparently settled into life as a AA back-up catcher. RHP Andy Shipman: Signed by the Red Sox as a NDFA out of the University of Missouri in 2003, Shipman, who will turn 25 next week, was acquired by the Cubs from Boston for LHP Jimmy Anderson in 2004 and was the closer at AA West Tenn in 2005. He got promoted to AAA Iowa in 2006, where he was mainly used in middle relief. ======================================== MLB TOP TEN BEST RULE 5 CLAIMS SINCE WWII: 1. RF Roberto Clemente (by PIT from BRK - 1954) 2. LHP Johan Santana (by FLA from HOU, then immediately traded to MIN - 1999) 3. LF George Bell (by TOR from PHI - 1980) 4. 3B Darrell Evans (by ATL from OAK - 1968) 5. 2B Tony Taylor (by CUBS from SF - 1957) 6. 2B Manny Trillo (by OAK from PHI - 1969) 7. C Jody Davis (by CUBS from STL - 1980) 8. RHP Elroy Face (by PIT from BRK - 1952) 9. 2B Bobby Knoop (by LAA from MIL - 1963) 10. 2B Dan Uggla (by FLA from AZ - 2005)

Comments

I continue to be disappointed that Piggy wasn't protected, I think he gets picked. The others, no real risk, with the possible exceptions of Campusano and Holdzkom. Relievers are the easiest guys to hide on a roster (Exhibit A, Andy Sisco), but also the easiest guys to replace. I'll be upset for about ten minutes if any of these players are selected, but I'll get over it. Didja see that Renyel Pinto is getting interest at the winter meetings as a potential lefty reliever from several ballclubs? Naw, that trade wasn't bad Jim Hendry. You got a one-year rental of baseball's biggest out machine in exchange for Nolasco and Pinto, brilliant!

Great post as always Are the qualifications of the minor league portion the same, and who are some of the key players who can be taken in the minor league phases? I remember Andy Santana was selected last year by San Diego, do you know what ever happened to him? Thanks a lot

I had to find out that Padilla signed with the Rangers from MLB.com! The humanity. TCR, let's never fight again.

Steve Phillips just on ESPN said there's RUMORS of a 3-way deal between Cubs, Pirates and Rockies. Hawpe to Pirates Jacque, Marmol, Maholm to Rockies Jennings to Cubs speaking of Jones http://preview.tinyurl.com/ylj5es Rogers throws it out there that Cubs may be looking to deal him because of his riff with the fans last year more than anything. Also Ryne Sandberg will probably manage Peoria next year.

i just caught the end of steve phillips on ESPN, he mentioned a trade involving maholm, jennings and "chicago", which i assume would be the cubs since the sox aren't looking for pitching....anyone hear the first part of his sentence? stupid shower i took was 10 seconds too long...

there it is, that's pretty much what i figured it would be. jennings, another walk monster.....although he only gave up 17 dongs at coors....although maybe that's the humidor talking.

That deal makes little to no sense for either the Rockies or the Pirates. It sounds like a Jim Hendry deal, but Steve Phillips is virtually never right on these kinds of things.

I think the deal it's a fair deal for everyone to be honest. I wish the Cubs could get in on Hawpe and kick the Pirates to the curb on this deal. Pirates get a realatively young, middle of the order type hitter with emerging power and great plate discpline (and I believe very good defensively). Rockies score 2 pitchers and their CF (assuming that's where Jones plays) Cubs get one of the pitchers they want.

It doesn't need to make sense. Shuffle the players and hopefully every team ends up happier than they were before the swap. Maybe it's a truly random shuffle and Hawpe will land in Chicago. Larry "ZZZZZ" Rothschild will take right care of Jennings' BB's problem.

I think if we get Jennings and Lilly our rotation is as solid as any in the NL and that doesn't include anything we get from Prior. If for some reason Prior is at good again it puts Jennings and Lilly at 3/4 which is a luxury. Zambrano Jennings Lilly Hill Miller/Prior

speaking of Rule 5 draft.. http://cubs.scout.com/2/597356.html Wilken says Fontenot would probably be the most coverted Cub. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/262950.html BA speculates Ed Campusano, Fontenot and McGehee will draw interest. They also have a premium article which I'm sure dives into it even more. Also in that article, looks like Cubs will get the 3rd and 31st picks in next year's draft. If I read it correctly, there's no way they can drop any further in the supplemental round.

Some smarter team will take Fontenot and his ability to get on base and put him to use. The Cubs are busy paying millions per year for multiple, lesser 2B-man each year.

that previous article also talks about the Giants being interested in Jones and Eric Patterson is starting to take outfield practice for a possible move to CF.

Phil will have an involuntary bowel release when he sees that. Very good, forward-thinking idea. Wonder where they heard it.

the article seems to say that he could be blocked by Derosa the next 3 years and they just wanted to give him an opportunity to win a job somewhere else if that ends up being the case. I'm not sure it's a flat out disapproval of his 2b defense....at least not yet. Trib/Hendry said something about Lugo leaning towards the Rsox to play SS.

by the way, is it even necessary to call it a 3-team trade? It's really 2 separate deals... Maholm for Hawpe (Pirates/Rockies) Jones, Marmol for Jennings. (Cubs/Rockies) I guess 3-team deal sounds cooler on ESPN. as mentioned, since Steve Phillips reported it, we know it's not going to happen.

I like the deal because it moves Jacque for a pitcher and puts us in the market for a CFer. But I guess that means Kenny Lofton right? *shudder* But wait.....it clears up room for Crawford! Yeah, I am going to carry that faint glimmer of hope until it is snuffed out completely.

heard Phil Rogers on a replay of Chicago Tribune Live and he pretty much reiterated what he said in the article about Jacque getting moved. In a rare moment of agreement, I found myself nodding when he said that he found it weird the Cubs were looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder while shopping one at the same time. He suggested the notion the problems with the fans last year and also floated the notion that Jacque may have privately asked for a trade, which honestly makes the most sense to me. Cause I see no point whatsoever of going from Jacque to Floyd or Lofton without some non-baseball influences driving it.

Jennings stinks. I would rather have Meche. Unless the Cubs are trading for a humidor as well and the wet balls are only used while the Cubs are on the field. Why move Patterson to Center? He is going to be blocked by Pie. If you're blocked by someone, who would you rather it be, Pie or DeRosa? I am thinking keep him at 2nd, and when he comes up move DeRosa into the 'super utility' role. His salary is a sunk cost at this point, anyway. If his defense can't handle MLB, then let him learn CF in Triple A after Pie is up. Learning a new position your rookie year in the majors isn't really a good idea.

Rob G.: Lilly rumors abound and it seems like an offer has been made in the 4/40 range. 4/40 for Lilly. Amazing. Even the rumors are overpriced this year.

Rob G.: Steve Phillips just on ESPN said there's RUMORS of a 3-way deal between Cubs, Pirates and Rockies. Great. Hendry's seat at the winter meetings was moved to the kiddie table. Next thing you know he'll be cutting a deal with the Royals for Duckworth. *sigh*

I remember Phil had speculated on Patterson moving to Center, so I found this section of Sullivan's article pretty interesting: "With a potentially loaded lineup, the Cubs also could roll the dice and let Felix Pie or second baseman Eric Patterson vie for the center-field job. Both are left-handed hitters with speed, which is what manager Lou Piniella craves." The article does mention that the public rationale to moving him is not his defense at second base but rather DeRosa's contract. Whether that is the real rationale is hard to tell though.

A couple tid-bits from an article in the Sun-Times...... I wasn't aware that Jones had asked to be dealt: "Jones has indicated a desire to be dealt since Dusty Baker was let go as manager at the end of the season, and the Cubs appear willing to accommodate him if the right deal can be struck." The article also includes a quote from Hendry building up Theriot's value and versatility. Apparently, the plan is to use Theriot in the Outfield also. It sounds to me like they look at him as being our Ryan Freel (can play anywhere, pinch run, pinch hit, hustles his ass off, etc.)

I'm fine with trading Marmol and Jones for Jennings, but if we do that, then we need to either trade for a guy like Westbrook, or man up and sign Schmidt instead of Lilly. Z Jennings Lilly Hill Miller ain't gonna cut it. Read the blurb about Wilken, and maybe he can turn this farm around again. Although hopefully we can get some position players to pan out instead of just pitchers. 3rd and 31st picks in a loaded draft next year shouldn't hurt matters, either.

Even more interesting is that Oneiri Fleita has confirmed that the Cubs have asked Patterson to move into the outfield, because Mark DeRosa has the 4 hole locked up: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-061204c… Here's the quote from Fleita: "'Eric is starting to get on a path of doing things he needs to do,' said Oneiri Fleita, the Cubs director of player development. 'He has learned how to bunt, he's running a lot more. He's a very good base-runner. And we've asked him to explore the opportunity to go take balls off the bat so it isn't foreign to him if he's asked to go out and play center field. "'Right now he's a second baseman, but he's a left-handed hitter who can do a lot of little things. We're going to try to make sure that if he's ready, if there is a spot that's maybe blocking him, he can go play another spot.'" Looks like Fleita and AZ Phil are thinking along the same line. Soriano has said that he wants to be put into one position and left there. I'm not sure that right is the best position for him, because the Wrigley right field is so tough to play. My guess is that they'll put Soriano in left, someone - maybe Patterson - in center, and leave Jones in right. But that's just my guess. It bothers me that two of most promising young players, Theriot and Murton, are going to rot on the bench. But that's how it appears to be working out.

What might the Pirates give up? GM Dave Littlefield has stated in no uncertain terms they do not wish to part with any of their four young starters -- Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny -- but that could be mere gamesmanship to heighten their perceived value. In reality, to land their type of hitter, they will be enormously hard-pressed to find a suitor willing to take a reliever or two or three. And the only hitting the Pirates appear willing to give is that of second baseman Jose Castillo, whose value is at a low ebb. Click here for full story. Since the Cub's apparently need to move Jones, and the Bucs need a LH bat, how about this trade: Jones for Snell & Capps. Then, once they have Capps in the locker room, they can beat his silly ass for taking so long in between pitches. Then option him to A-Peoria never to be heard from again. I really hate that guy. Either Duke or Snell would be nice, though.

A Patterson in the outfield? Didn't we already try this...?? AZ PHIL, can he do it? Jennings pitches innings and has youth on his side. He gave up 17 HR in over 200 innings last year which is what Rusch gives up in a couple games. But in looking at his stats on Baseball Reference, walks & WP abound. What a shitty pitchers FA market. Bleh! Welcome back TCR server. I was lost until I found you.

From the last thread: So Padilla's off the board and Maddux is about to join him. Both ESPN and Fox Sports are reporting that Maddux is about to sign a contract with San Diego. According to Ken Rosenthal, the contract is either a one or two year contract, or is a one year contract with a team option for the second year. He didn't indicate the value of the contract, although reports yesterday said that the Dodgers were hoping to sign Maddux for $10.5 million per year, but that Maddux wanted more.

STL extended Carpenter http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2686240 So, with Oswalt and Carpenter setting the market for top-tier non FA contract extensions, the Z extension should be pretty cut and dry. Oswalt got 5/73 and Carpenter got 5/65. Z should fall somewhere in between, so hopefully it doesn't drag on too long.

Phillips repeated the same Jones/Marmol-Jennings rumor today on Mike and Mike. He also said the Cubs could have a deal done with Lilly by the end of the day. Joy of Joys.

file this under, it's not over till it's over... Blue Jays want to keep Lilly, make late-night offer (by Scott Miller/CBS Sportsline. http://tinyurl.com/yyn37l when Lilly goes for the BJ's (damn, that's fun to write), does it mean full court press for Jason Schmidt? Hopefully. can we say Lilly wowed by...40 million bjays?

Hendry tells the Tribune this morning that The Riot is very valuable and may see time in the outfield this season. Says he can play all three outfield spots. As I thought, it sounds like he's going to get some ABs this season. As for a rotation with Z, Lilly and Jennings... I think they'd just shut the free swinging Cubs down. A lot of other teams are going to be taking a lot of pitches. If you like your starters hitting the 100 pitch mark in the fifth and sixth, you'll love this team.

When you consider the majority of our starters were out by the 4th or 5th, its still an improvement.

mannytrillo: Oswalt got 5/73 and Carpenter got 5/65. Z should fall somewhere in between Z is a real real good pitcher with a huge upside and age on his side, but let's get one thing straight: Z is no Oswalt or Carpenter. I'd trade Z for either one of those two straight up. The sad thing is all the guy has to do is throw more strikes and he could be right up there with them. I'd be generous, though, give him 4/45. That put him at (I think) 29 when he signs his next contract and will be deserving of huge money by that time. cubster: file this under, it's not over till it's over... Blue Jays want to keep Lilly, make late-night offer (by Scott Miller/CBS Sportsline. Wow, a big frenzy over who gets Lilly? Strange. It reminds me of that time that everyone was like... "Oooh, whose going to get Fredi Gonzalez for manager?"

#2 of 38: By BT (December 4, 2006 11:19 PM) Are the qualifications of the minor league portion the same, and who are some of the key players who can be taken in the minor league phases? I remember Andy Santana was selected last year by San Diego, do you know what ever happened to him? Thanks a lot ================================== BT: Andy Sanchez was released by the Padres in June. He never made it out of Extended Spring Training. As for the Rule 5 question, I have gone back into the article (see above) and have indicated which players are eligible in which phase of the draft. Also, three players I had originally listed as eligible--RHPs Cristian Gonzalez and Jose Pina and LHP Fabian Jimenez-Angulo--have apparently recently been released, and one Minor League FA--OF Jorge Cortes (ex-HOU)--has been added to the Iowa roster in the last few days and is eligible for selection. 31 of the 48 Cubs players who are now eligible for selection in Thursday's draft are on the Iowa roster and will be eligible for selection in the Major League Phase for $50,000 (where the drafting team must keep the player on their 25-man regular season roster for the entire 2007 season). 14 of the remaining 17 Cubs players are on the AA Tennessee roster (and these players are eligible for selection in the AAA Phase of the draft at a cost of $12,000 per player, with no 2007 roster restriction), and the other three players are on a roster of one of the Cubs Class "A" affiliates (and these players are eligible for selection in the AA Phase of the draft at a cost of $4,000 per player, with no 2007 roster restriction).

Ryno: "Z is no Oswalt or Carpenter." I agree over the past 3 years they both have been better than Z, but Z is the youngest of the 3 and much younger than Carpenter (26 vs. 32). He shouldn't get their money becuase he isn't as good yet, but with his age, I think he deserves roughly what Carpenter got.

#31 of 41: By The E-Man (December 5, 2006 08:59 AM) A Patterson in the outfield? Didn't we already try this...?? AZ PHIL, can he do it? Jennings pitches innings and has youth on his side. He gave up 17 HR in over 200 innings last year which is what Rusch gives up in a couple games. But in looking at his stats on Baseball Reference, walks & WP abound. What a shitty pitchers FA market. Bleh! Welcome back TCR server. I was lost until I found you. ==================================== E-MAN: Eric Patterson has excellent range and a strong arm (for a second-baseman), but he just has the heeby-jeebies at 2B. Just like Freddie Bynum. As I've said before, E-Pat playing 2B is like a "two-guard" trying to play point-guard. His ball-handling skills are poor. However, I believe he certainly has what it would take be an outfielder, defintely LF (immediately), and very possibly CF eventually (although I would have to see him operate out there). As for Jason Jennings, the guy is a freakin' horse. He has one of the best IP per GS % in MLB, he takes the ball and makes all his starts, pitches into the 7th inning (sometimes beyond), and while he does walk more than the average number of guys, his rate is almost exactly the same as Jason Schmidt's, but Jennings (also like Schmidt) gives up fewer hits than innings pitched, and (despite pitching in Coors Field) not a lot of HRs. Jennings averages about 15.5 pitches per inning (not that many for a guy who is above-average in BBs & Ks), which is about 105-110 pitches per seven innings, and he has had no problems routinely throwing 110-115 PPG (which often will take him into the 8th inning). While Lilly, Zito, and Rich Hill are extreme fly ball pitchers, and while Jake Westbrook (who I would also like to see the Cubs acquire, BTW) is an extreme ground ball pitcher, Jennings is just about right in the middle among MLB pitchers, with a slight tilt toward ground balls over fly balls, but not extreme either way. The thing about Jennings is that he actually DOES compare to Jason Schmidt, except Jennings is five years younger. Sure, Schmidt is more polished right now, but their overall numbers are very close. Also (prior to last season), Jennings had always put up solid road numbers while pitching for the Rockies, and (some of you may recall) pitched two of the best games of his career at Wrigley Field, where I believe he hit at least one (maybe two?) HR. He routinely got smoked at Coors, though. But beginning in '06--with the "treatment" given to game balls at Coors--Jennings' home/road splits finally equalized, and he put up soilid #2 starter-type numbers across the board. SUMMARY: Jason Jennings is a solid MLB #2 starter right now, with the potential to develop into a #1, he is only 28, and he'll make just $6.6M in 2006. Like Zambrano, he is a horse. He makes all his starts, and pitches deep into games. This is just type of guy the Cubs need in their starting rotation. So if Hendry has an opportunity to acquire Jennings--and without giving up Marshall and/or Pie???---JUST FREAKIN' DO IT, JIMBO!

PEOPLE!!! Read the comments before you post, it's getting a little nuts with the duplicates.

it was rather satirical, but since I hate political discussions on here, I'll honor your request.

no worries Aaron, I got the joke, but politics and race comments (even as a joke) will lead to about 100 comments of nothing to do with baseball around here.

Age is the only advantage Z has over Oswalt and Carpenter. They don't walk guys and so they go deeper into games. Z is a horse but only in the number of pitches he throws without injury. He averaged a little over 6.3 innings per start last year with a terrible K/BB ratio. Jennings is similar. Horrific K/BB ratio and BB/IP ratio. Get the bullpen warm because with these two guys and possibly Lilly, the pen will be pitching over 3 innings a game. Add possibly Prior? Yikes!

Hello... Don't mean to break into the eric patterson, jennings is better than Z discussions, but I was hoping someone might help out with some (dumb?) questions: When signing a Type A free agent, do the Cubs have to give up the #3? I know Tim Wilken is a genius, but do we really want another Jeff FootballAsmahafhi? I know Tyler Colvin had a good year, but I'd hate to see the #3 go away. I understand football and basketball draft rules, but I am confused here. Is Freddie Bynum on the 40 man? Is he going to play in Wrigley next year or only visit to sing the 7th inning stretch? and finally, in regards to what I think is a definate, the J.Schmidt signing...are the Cubs looking at this like it was Furcal (ie nutso dollars?)...or was Jschmidt deciding to stay out west? Oh...one more...are there any rumblings/guesses that the Cubs might be moving under the radar on a Jeff Suppan, Mark Mulder, and others? I'm not endorsing, just wondering. Thanks...this site takes up way too much of my work time, but your expertise is fanatastic. And most of you spell better than I do. Dante

Dante, The Cubs 1st round pick is protected from FA compensation, any team in the top half of the draft has the same protection, so if you ended up with one of the 15 worst records last year, you cannot lose your first round pick. The Cubs will lose their 2nd pick to the Nationals though for Soriano, but they did move up to the 31st pick in the draft by getting a sandwich pick for Juan Pierre. Freddie Bynum is still on the 40-man roster, yes. We'll see for how long as some moves will need to be made for anymore FA acquisitions. I don't think the Cubs have had much interest in Suppan...yet. That may change if they lose out on Lilly and/or Meche. Mulder is damaged goods at the moment and the Cubs have enough of those.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.