Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and eight players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, four players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Richard Lovelady
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Pete Crow-Armstrong 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 8 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2
* Cody Bellinger, OF  
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 4
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P
* Jordan Wicks, P    

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs 2024 Rule 5 Draft and Minor League Free-Agent Watch List

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

4/28 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have selected the contract of LHP Richard Lovelady from AAA Iowa. 

Lovelady is out of minor league options, and he has the right elect free agency (immediately or deferred) if he outrighted back to the minors because he was outrighted previously in his career. 

Note that Lovelady had a 4th minor league option available in 2023, and although he spent less than twenty days on optional assignment in 2023 (so he did not "burn" an option year), he did accrue his 5th "full season" of active service in 2023, so the 4th minor league option that was available in 2023 is no longer available in 2024. 

Also, the Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Dan Straily to a minor league contract. 

Because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Straily cannot be outrighted to the minors without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024. (Straily is out of minor league options)
 


4/27 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have released RHP Welington Quintero. 
 


4/21 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed second-contract free-agent LHP Mitchell Tyranski (ex-LAD) to a minor league contract. 
 


4/18 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Julio Teheran to a minor league contract. 

Because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Teheran cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024.  
 


4/17 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have selected the contract of RHP Colten Brewer from AAA Iowa. 

Brewer is out of minor league options, and he has the right elect free agency (immediately or deferred) if he outrighted back to the minors because he was outrighted previously in his career. 
 


4/12 UPDATE: 

The Mets acquired catcher Joe Hudson from the Cubs (Mets assume contract, otherwise no players, cash, or other considerations were exchanged).
  


4/5 UPDATE:

The Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr and C Ali Sanchez to Minor League contracts.

Edwards had previously signed a 2024 minor league contract with the Cubs in February, but opted out and became a free-agent when he was not added to the MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) by the fourth day prior to MLB Opening Day. Because Edwards was a post-2023 MLB Article XX-B free agent, when he signed the first minor league contract prior to the start of Spring Training he had the automatic right to opt out if he was not added to the 40 by the fourth day prior to MLB Opening Day, although he could have waited and opted out on May 1st if he had not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB 60-day IL by that date, or he could have opted out on June 1st if he had not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB IL by that date.

However, because he is no longer considered a post-2023 Article XX-B free-agent, Edwards no longer has the automatic opt out rights he had under his previous minor league contract, but that would not preclude Edwards and the Cubs from agreeing to one or more contractual opt outs on dates satisfactory to both parties (TBD).

Also, because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Edwards cannot be sent to the minors without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024 (he is out of minor league options, so this only applies to him being sent outright to the minors if & when he is added to the 40).

Sanchez is (like Edwards) out of minor league options. However, Sanchez is an Article XX-D player (he has been outrighted to the minors previously in his career), so while he does not have to give his consent before he can be  sent outright to the minors if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024, he would have the right to elect free-agency if he is outrighted to the minors after being added to the 40. Also, there could be one or more contractual opt outs in Sanchez's contract (TBD).
 



4/1 UPDATE:

LHP Dalton Stambaugh has retired.
 



3/30 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have released RHP Max Bain, LHP Joel Machado, OF Cristian More, and INF Liam Spence (all four were Rule 5 Draft-eligible post-2024), and INF Juan Mora (he was eligible to be an Rule 9 minor league 6YFA post-2024).
NOTE: The Cubs released OF Ke'Shun Collier at the same time they released Bain, Machado, More, Spence, and Mora, but Collier was not yet Rule 5 Draft-eligible.
 



3/29 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent C Curt Casali to a Minor League contract.

Because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Casali cannot be outrighted to the minors (he is out of minor league options) without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024. 
 



3/28 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have selected the contract of 1B-OF Garrett Cooper from AAA Iowa.
 



3/25 UPDATE: 

C Jorge Alfaro has elected free-agency (he had a contractual opt-out).
 


3/24 UPDATE:

RHP Carl Edwards Jr and 1B Dominic Smith have elected free-agency (Edwards had an automatic Article XX-B opt-out, and D. Smith had a contractual opt-out).
 


3/21 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed second contract free-agent RHP Vince Reilly (ex-OAK) to a 2024 minor league contract. 
 



3/1 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent 1B-OF Garrett Cooper to a 2024 minor league contract. 

Cooper was a post-2023 MLB Article XX-B free agent. If an Article XX-B MLB free-agent signs a minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, and then is not selected to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or MLB 60-day Injured List by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 4th day prior to MLB Opening Day, the player can unilaterally opt-out of the minor league contract immediately, or on May 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB 60-day IL by that date, or on June 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB IL by that date.
NOTE: The $100,000 retention bonus paid to an Article XX-B free-agent signed to a minor league contract who is not released or added to an MLB Active List or MLB 60-day IL by MLB Opening Day was eliminated in 2023.

Also, because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Cooper cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024. 
 



2/27 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have acquired RHSP Matt Thompson from the Chicago White Sox for LHRP Bailey Horn. 

M. Thompson is Rule 5 Draft-eligible (for the second time) post-2024. 

If he is not added to the 40 at some point in the meantime, M. Thompson will be under club control through the 2025 season. 
 


2/23 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent 1B-OF Dominic Smith and OF David Peralta to a 2024 minor league contract. 

D. Smith has one minor league option available, but because he is an Article XIX-A player (he has accrued more than five years of MLB Service Time) he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent if he were to be added to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2024. 

Peralta was a post-2023 MLB Article XX-B free agent. If an Article XX-B MLB free-agent signs a minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, and then is not selected to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or MLB 60-day Injured List by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 4th day prior to MLB Opening Day, the player can unilaterally opt-out of the minor league contract immediately, or on May 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB 60-day IL by that date, or on June 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB IL by that date.
NOTE: The $100,000 retention bonus paid to an Article XX-B free-agent signed to a minor league contract who is not released or added to an MLB Active List or MLB 60-day IL by MLB Opening Day was eliminated in 2023.

Also, because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Peralta cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024. 
 


2/15 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have released INF-OF Ezequiel Alvarez.
 


2/6 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr to a 2024 minor league contract, and he will almost certainly receive an NRI to MLB Spring Training.

Edwards is an MLB Article XX-B free agent. If an Article XX-B MLB free-agent signs a minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, and then is not selected to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or MLB 60-day Injured List by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 4th day prior to MLB Opening Day, the player can unilaterally opt-out of the minor league contract immediately, or on May 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB 60-day IL by that date, or on June 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB IL by that date.
NOTE: The $100,000 retention bonus paid to an Article XX-B free-agent signed to a minor league contract who is not released or added to an MLB Active List or MLB 60-day IL by MLB Opening Day was eliminated in 2023.

Also, because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Edwards cannot be sent to the minors without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024 (he is out of minor league options, so this only applies to Edwards being sent outright to the minors if & when he is added to the 40). 
 


2/2 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent LHP Blake Weiman to a 2024 minor league contract. Weiman has never been on an MLB 40-man roster. 
 


1/31 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent LHP Richard Lovelady and RHP Sam McWilliams to 2024 minor league contracts. They both will presumably receive an NRI to MLB Spring Training. 

Should he be added to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2024, Lovelady is out of minor league options, and he has the right to elect free-agency (immediately or deferred) if he is outrighted back to the minors (he has been outrighted previously in his career). Note that Lovelady had a fourth minor league option available for use in 2023 because he had accrued only four full seasons through the 2022 season, and he was in fact optioned to the minors in 2023, but he spent less than twenty days on optional assignment so the option was not spent. HOWEVER, he did accrue his fifth full season in 2024, and so the the fourth minor league option that was available in 2023 is not available in 2024. 

McWilliams has minor league options available, but he has the right to elect free-agency (immediately or deferred) if he is outrighted back to the minors after being added to the 40 (he has been outrighted previously in his career). 
 



1/19 UPDATE: 

OF-1B Nelson Maldonado (Cubs 2019 21st Round draft pick - U. of Florida) has retired. 
 


12/23 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Colten Brewer to a 2024 minor league contract. He will almost certainly receive an NRI to MLB Spring Training. 

If he is added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2024, Brewer is out of minor league options, and he has the right elect free agency (immediately or deferred) if he outrighted back to the minors. 
 


12/14 UPDATE:

The Cubs have signed free-agent LHP Thomas Pannone and catchers Jorge Alfaro and Joe Hudson to 2024 minor league contracts. All three will almost certainly get an NRI to MLB Spring Training. 

Pannone (who was selected by the Cubs in the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of HS but did not sign) is out of minor league options and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is outrighted, in the event that he is added to the MLB 40-man roster at the some point in 2024.  

Not only is Alfaro out of minor league options, he is also an Article XIX-A player (he has accrued more than five years of MLB Service Time) so he cannot be outrighted to the minors without his consent if he were to be added to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2024. 

Hudson has accrued 0+131 MLB Service Time over the course of three separate "cups of coffee" in The Show (Angels in 2018, Cardinals in 2019, and the Mariners in 2020), as well as spending multiple minor league seasons in AAA with the Reds, Pirates, Rays, and Braves. Unlike Alfaro, Hudson has minor league options available, but he has been outrighted previously in his career so he has the right to elect free-agency if he were to be added to the 40 at some point in 2024 and then outrighted back to the minors.  
  



As things stand right now (4/28)...

Depending on whether or not Manuel Espinoza can be a minor league 6YFA post-2024 (TBD), 50 or 51 Cubs minor leaguers are eligible for selection in the December 2024 MLB Rule 5 Draft, and 37 or 38 Cubs minor leaguers (29 or 30 post-2024 6YFA and eight 2024 second-contract players) are eligible to be declared MLB Rule 9 minor league free-agents at 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the final game of the 2024 World Series (or at 5 PM Eastern on October 15th if the World Series is cancelled).

In addition, OF David Peralta was a post-2023 MLB Article XX-B free agents who signed a 2024 minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, so if he is not selected to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or MLB 60-day Injured List by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 4th day prior to MLB Opening Day, he can unilaterally opt-out of the minor league contract immediately, or on May 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB 60-day IL by that date, or on June 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (26-man roster) or MLB IL by that date. Also, because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning the player has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Peralta cannot be sent to the minors without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024. 

Among the notable Cubs first-time Rule 5 Draft eligibles post-2024 are OFs Owen Caissie and Christian Franklin, 3B B. J. Murray, and LHRP Riley Martin.

Some of the noteworthy Cubs minor leaguers who were eligible for selection in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft and who will be eligible again in 2024 include RHRP Hunter Bigge, INF Chase Strumpf, and OF Yohendick Pinango.

The most noteworthy Cubs minor leaguers who will be eligible to be an MLB Rule 9 minor league free-agent for the first time post-2024 (if the player is not added to the 40 or signs a 2024 minor league successor contract prior to being declared a 6YFA at 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series) are RHSPs Kohl Franklin, Riley Thompson, and Luis Devers, RHRPs Ethan Roberts (second-contract player) and Cam Sanders, C Pablo Aliendo, INF Jake Slaughter, and OFs Cole Roederer and Ezequiel Pagan.

The most noteworthy Cubs minor leaguer who will be eligible to be a Rule 9 minor league free-agent once again post-2024 (if he is not added to the 40 or signs a 2025 minor league successor contract prior to being declared a 6YFA at 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series) is RHRP Eduarniel Nunez.

There are almost always one or two unexpected pop-up break-out guys every season, so a lot is still TBD.

NOTE: If not added to the MLB 40-man roster, the players underlined and in bold below will likely be placed on the 38-man AAA Iowa reserve list on 11/15 so that they will be eligible for selection only in the Major League Phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. 

CUBS MINOR LEAGUERS ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION IN 2024 RULE 5 DRAFT (last updated 4-28-2024):
Bradlee Beesley, OF 
Hunter Bigge, RHP
Yovanny Cabrera, RHP 
Owen Caissie, OF 
Hayden Cantrelle, INF 
Burl Carraway, LHP
Parker Chavers, OF
Chris Clarke, RHP (Article XX-D player) 
Manuel Espinoza, RHP (see NOTE) 
Christian Franklin, OF 
Richard Gallardo, RHP
Angel Gonzalez, RHP 
Dilan Granadillo, C 
Ethan Hearn, C   
Angel Hernandez, LHP 
Frank Hernandez, 1B-C 
Darius Hill, OF 
Ed Howard, INF
Chris Kachmar, RHP 
Ben Leeper, RHP
Zac Leigh, RHP 
Riley Martin, LHP 
Luis Maza, INF 
Scott McKeon, INF 
Ismael Mena, OF  
Koen Moreno, RHP 
Rafael Morel, INF-OF
B. J. Murray,  3B-1B 
Joe Nahas, RHP     
Jordan Nwogu, OF 
Casey Opitz, C 
Johzan Oquendo, RHP 
Yohendrick Pinango, OF
Walker Powell, RHP 
Reggie Preciado, INF
Erian Rodriguez, RHP 
Jose Romero, RHP 
Albaro Santana, RHP (on Restricted List)
Tyler Santana, RHP 
Frankie Scalzo Jr, RHP 
Tyler Schlaffer, RHP  
Wally Soto, C-1B 
Felix Stevens, 1B-OF
Chase Strumpf, INF
Anderson Suriel, OF-1B  
Matt Thompson, RHP 
Sam Thoresen, RHP
Cayne Ueckert, RHP  
Chase Watkins, LHP 
Jacob Wetzel, OF 
Bryce Windham, C-INF
NOTE: Manuel Espinoza was signed as an IFA out of Mexico in July 2017, but approval of his contract was held up by MLB while the circumstances of his signing was investigated. He made his pro debut after the contract was approved during Spring Training 2019. Therefore, he can be a MLB Rule 9 minor league 6YFA post-2024 - IF - he was retroactively awarded minor league service time credit for the 2018 season (TBD). 

Additionally, a free-agent who signs a 2025 minor league contract prior to the 2024 Rule 5 Draft will be eligible for selection if the player was 18 or younger on the June 5th immediately prior to signing his first contract and it is at least the 5th Rule 5 Draft following his first qualified season, and a minor league player who was 19 years or older on the June 5th immediately prior to signing his first contract becomes eligible for selection starting with the 4th Rule 5 Draft following his first qualified season.

SIX-YEAR MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENTS POST-2024:
Pablo Aliendo, C 
David Bote, INF (Article XX-D player - club option for 2025)
Curt Casali, C (Article XIX-A player - out of minor league options if added to the 40)
Luis Devers, RHP
Carl Edwards Jr, RHP (Article XIX-A player - out of minor league options if added to the 40) 
Jefferson Encarnacion, OF 
Edwin Escobar, LHP (out of minor league options if added to the 40)
Manuel Espinoza, RHP (see NOTE) 
Kohl Franklin, RHP
Reivaj Garcia, INF 
Saul Gonzalez, RHP 
Caleb Knight, C
Sam McWilliams, RHP (Article XX-D player)
Eduarniel Nunez, RHP     
Miguel Pabon, INF-C
Ezequiel Pagan, OF
Thomas Pannone, LHP (Article XX-D player - out of minor league options if added to the 40)
Jack Patterson, LHP
Fabian Pertuz, INF 
Jake Reindl, RHP  
Cole Roederer, OF
Ali Sanchez, C (Article XX-D player - out of minor league options if added to the 40)
Cam Sanders, RHP
Jake Slaughter, INF 
Dan Straily, RHP (Article XIX-A player - out of minor league options if added to the 40)
Riley Thompson, RHP
Luis Verdugo, INF  
Blake Weiman, LHP
Blake Whitney, RHP    
Brad Wieck, LHP (Article XX-D player - out of minor league options if added to the 40) 
NOTE: Manuel Espinoza was signed as an IFA out of Mexico in July 2017, but approval of his contract was held up by MLB while the circumstances of his signing was investigated. He made his pro debut after the contract was approved during Spring Training 2019. Therefore, he can be a MLB Rule 9 minor league 6YFA post-2024 only if he was retroactively awarded minor league service time credit for the 2018 season (TBD). 

SECOND CONTRACT MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS (see NOTE-1 below)
Brayan Diaz, RHP (previously released by SEA) 
Fraiman Marte, RHP (previously released by STL) 
Vince Reilly, RHP (previously released by OAK - see NOTE-2 below)) 
Francis Reynoso, RHP (ex-1B - previously released by STL) 
Ethan Roberts, RHP (previously non-tendered by CUBS) 
Julio Teheran, RHP (Article XIX-A player - previously released by SD)
Mitchell Tyranski, RHP (previously released by LAD)
Jeral Vizcaino, RHP (previously released by MIL - see NOTE-2 below)  
NOTE-1: With mutual consent (player & club), a second-contract minor league player who has accrued fewer than seven minor league seasons can be signed to a multi-year minor league contract with club control extending up through the player's seventh minor league season. So it is possible that one or more of the Cubs minor league second contract players are signed beyond the 2023 season (TBD).  
NOTE-2: If signed beyond the 2024 season, Vince Reilly and Jeral Vizcaino are - NOT - eligible for selection in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. 

Tags
Cubs Minor League free-agents
Rule 5 draft

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 12/06/2023 - 12:30 pm

While OF Owen Caissie and 3B B. J. Murray are the Big Two Cubs Rule 5 Draft-eligibles post-2024 and (as things stand right now) are virtual locks to get added to the 40 post-2024 (if not earlier), and while it is very possible that post-2024 first-time Rule 5 Draft eligibles like LHRP Riley Martin and/or RHSP Walker Powell could emerge in 2024 as MLB contributors, there are going to be many more than the normal number of Cubs high-value actual prospects eligible to be minor league 6YFA post-2024 that the Cubs will have to watch closely, including C Pablo Aliendo, RHSP Kohl Franklin, OF Ezequiel Pagan, RHRP Eduarniel Nunez, RHSP Riley Thompson, INF Jake Slaughter, RHSP Luis Devers, OF Cole Roederer, and RHRP Cam Sanders. I can't remember the Cubs ever having a more noteworthy group of minor leaguers eligible to be minor league 6YFA free agents in the same season before. 

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 12:01 am

FINWE N: If you go by what Counsell did with the Brewers, he is much more likely to go with younger players than Ross was. I think part of it was that Ross was a "veteran players manager," meaning he was well liked and respected by veteran players because he was inclined to play them over younger unproven guys. 

And that actually might have been OK if the Cubs had been "sellers"at the trade deadline (as they clearly had planned to be before suddenly deciding to go fr it), because Ross would have played the veterans a lot the first four months of the season (which would have maximized their trade value), and then Ross would have had no choice but to play the younger guys the last two months after the veterans were traded. 

But of course it didn't work out that way. 

One thing about Craig Counsell that might have attracted Hoyer to him is that Counsel is very "collaborative" as a manager and welcomes and even demands lots of input from the analytics department. In fact I have heard tell that Counsell knows at least as much as the geeks know and that he routinely goes to them for information rather than waiting for it to be offered. So think of Ross as a Chevy pick-up truck, while Counsell is a Tesla. 

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Submitted by crunch on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 12:13 am

it is taking more than a minute for me to get used to craig counsell being the cubs manager.

he's going to take the field on opening day at wrigley and get massively cheered.

that is weird.  that's a thing that's happening, though.

history aside, while i am horrified at the amount of money they're paying him, i welcome his style of management over what d.ross has given the team.  love d.ross and how chill + ready to deliver he kept the team, but he had a serious pitching short-hook problem that exhausted the pen and some very questionable bench/pinch-hitting use.

[ ]

Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 12:56 am

Arizona P:

Totally agree. I was really wanting the Cubs to be sellers, and while hindsight is 20/20, that looks as though it may have been the best option; although, part of the reason they decided not to be sellers may have been what some of the returns we're going to be, so my thoughts are merely speculation based on lack of insight into the specifics of conversations leading up to the deadline. I find myself wanting us to allow the prospects to develop and play meaningful roles on the big league team, as I feel that we have quite a few that will become good if not prayerfully great players, but if we trade them away or sign players to fill their positions in a desperate attempt to contend now, I'm left wondering if approaching this year as a transition year, while giving some prospects time in the minors and then bringing them up to see what we have in them, and maybe looking at next year (2025) as more of a contention point may be the way to go, and may even be a catalyst in the long-term development of the consistency in contending that the franchise needs and letting things happen organically, rather than pressing or trying to control things and making a flurry of moves?

Irrespective, I think Counsel was a great choice for manager, now we just need to add some charging stations at Wrigley, maybe where the garage was?

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 12/09/2023 - 12:35 pm

unless he pitches into his late-30 that is gonna sting.  a 70m DH...ow.

it's great to take care of 2 roster spots in 1 player, and i'm sure the team will cut into the pay with the amount of merch/etc he can sell just by being attached to the team....but yeah, i'm not mad the cubs didn't go that extreme.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 12/10/2023 - 12:02 am

i know it's still very early, but i'd like to go into the xmas-to-newyears part of the off-season with something more than...*checks list*...patrick wisdom avoids arbitration with a 1-year deal

also, steven brault retired and was spotted at the winter meetings with a demo reel and making contacts trying to break into broadcasting (not a joke).  unless he's more optimistic than talented (we already know he can sing) he should make it one day because he seems to be very serious about it.

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 12/11/2023 - 12:53 pm

"$68MM of Ohtani’s $70MM annual salary will be deferred, leaving him making just $2MM per year in the short term. The deferred money is to be paid out without interest from 2034 to 2043. This will reduce the CBT hit of the contract to around $46MM per year."

okay, then.  wow.  teams getting creative out here.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 12/11/2023 - 12:24 pm

If the Dodgers had signed Ohtani to a 20/$700M deal without deferrals instead of 10/$700M with most of he salary deferred, Ohtani's AAV hit would have been $35M per year 2024-33, which is $10M less than what it is going to be now. A 15/$700M deal would result in a $46.7M AAV hit (just about exactly what it will be).  

The only thing that makes a 10/$700 contract with massive deferrals different from a 15/$700M or 20/$700 contract without any deferrals is that Ohtani is willing to be paid "just" $2M per year for the next ten years (most players would not be willing to do that), and that he will be a free-agent again after the 2033 season at age 39 (which would not be the case if it was a 15 or twenty year contract instead of ten years).

BTW, a hypothetical 15 year $700M contract would expire when Ohtani is 43. To put that in some context, Carlton Fisk played 106 games at catcher with the White Sox and was on the A. L, All-Star team when he was 43,. Ichiro was playing OF for the Miami Marlins at age 43 (he retired when he was 45), Nolan Ryan was in the Rangers starting rotation when he was 46, and Jamie Moyer was in the Rockies starting rotation at age 49, so given that Ohtani is Superman, he probably can play until he is at least 50. 

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Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 12:36 pm

As most know, Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter passed away about a year ago (Oct 2022) from Cancer. So his approval of the Otani contract came from Baseball Heaven.

His Braves contract had a long deferral and at the time, the size of the contract was significant for a closer in 1984. "When the Braves signed Bruce Sutter in 1984 to a 6-year, $9.1 million deal, they agreed to deferred payments with interest following the conclusion. Sutter received $1.12 million for 30 years and will get the final payment, a principal payment of $9.1 million in 2022." (per Mike Mayer, a Mets writer). I'm old enough to remember how dominant his split-finger fastball was (hitters flailed at the pitch even when they knew it was coming). As a Cub, he often pitched the last 2-3 innings of games he closed. The role of the closer was evolving in that baseball era. Remember the "Sandberg game" was in 1984 and Sutter was the Cardinals closer. The Cubs got Leon Durham, Ken Reitz and Ty Waller from Stl in the 1980-1 offseason. 

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 12:30 am

noticing that yamamoto has met with or set to meet with pretty much everyone but the cubs...much like ohtani...

so far the cubs have been linked to a slew of possible trade targets (with nothing serious) and kicking around multiple offers to r.hoskins.  hoskins...getting real tired of these bargain bin gambles as major off-season pieces rather than supporting help.  this isn't a small market team...

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 12/13/2023 - 12:39 pm

morel hits his 3rd homer of winter.  last night he bounced a double off the wall in left.  bat speed hasn't tired yet...

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 12/14/2023 - 12:36 am

"Major League Baseball announced the creation of “Spring Breakout,” a four-day series of exhibition games in which an organization’s top prospects will participate in Spring Training contests against the best minor league talents of other teams. Next year’s event will take place between March 14 and 17."

neat.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 12/14/2023 - 12:02 pm

yamamoto meeting with his 5th team of the off-season today.  spoiler: it's not the cubs...phillies this time.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 12/14/2023 - 12:15 pm

Jeff Passan tweets that Glasnow and Margot to Dodgers if TG signs an extension…with right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca in return going to Tampa. I wonder what Cub talent would have been equivalent.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 12/14/2023 - 12:12 pm

i dunno if the cubs have an equivalent to pepiot.  j.wicks isn't enough and j.steele is too much.

that said, i don't mind the cubs passing on glasnow.  the guy is allergic to staying healthy and while every game counts in the season, being able to actually pitch in october is also a thing.  he's got a bit of a history of being either injured or tired in october.

that said, i'm ready for the cubs to do something "big."  i wouldn't even mind a boring version of "big" like stroman coming back on a short multi-year deal.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Fri, 12/15/2023 - 12:12 am

From The Athletic:
"Teams are inquiring about Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski, a pair of righties the Cubs acquired in separate trades for relievers David Robertson and Scott Effross at the 2022 deadline. The Cubs are not necessarily inclined to move either. But like the Giants, their willingness might increase if they add a veteran starter.
The improvement of the Cubs’ farm system, ranked sixth by Baseball America at midseason, creates newfound possibilities. To upgrade its offense and/or pitching, the team might be open to parting with young pitchers besides Brown and Wesneski as well as infielder/outfielder James Triantos, the Arizona Fall League offensive player of the year. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, right-hander Cade Horton and shortstop Matt Shaw might be the only Cubs’ prospects who are untouchable."

So teams don't think Brown will ever play for the Cubs. Some teams still see Wesneski as a SP. And everyone thinks Shaw is big league can't miss hitter.
I'd still say don't trade Alcantara or ONKC unless you're getting someone under multi-yr control (now that the big Superstars are off the market).

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 12/15/2023 - 12:14 pm

There's lots of offseason left, but so far it very much feels lIke the Cubs are on the outside looking in. The lack of internal pressure to lean on the gas doesn't override for me that this division is up for grabs now. 

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 12/15/2023 - 12:48 pm

so far the strongest cubs rumor with any steam involves multiple back/forth offers for a 1st baseman who didn't even play in 2023 because of injuries.

there's always "woah, no idea" signings...and there's still parts of the market left.  the team needs a 1st baseman, probably a CF'r, and definitely a top-rotation SP...amongst other things.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 12/15/2023 - 12:56 pm

they need a 3rd-capable guy at the very least to back up morel...even if that's madrigal or masterboney.

while i think morel will also play OF and 2nd, i think we're in for morel at 3rd unless he's traded.  he's closing in on 150 innings this winter at 3rd.

for some reason baseball-reference hasn't updated his winter stats in almost a week.  i dunno where else to snag his winter stats.

it's been fun watching him play, though my spanish isn't good enough to get any benefit from the announcers.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 12/16/2023 - 12:38 pm

baseball reference caught up on the week of missing morel stats.  he made 2 errors at 3rd this week, bringing him up to 4 in 162.2 innings.  i saw one of them during a game, bobbled catch...didn't see any of the others.  he's been playing almost exclusively 3rd for weeks.

he is done with his winter program.  final stats over 25 games...

.217/.369/.422 - 4 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers (103 PA, 25k - 16bb, 3 intentional), 5sb - 1cs

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 01/05/2024 - 01:39 pm

cubs, rsox, angels, and giants are finalists for shota imanaga (LHSP, 30yo).

he's been strongly linked to a giants pursuit from the outset of his availability.

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 01/05/2024 - 01:34 pm

cubs claim brain serven (C) off waivers from the rockies.

his talents include having a pulse and breathing.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 01/06/2024 - 01:58 am

Brian Serven has two minor league options available and he cannot elect free agency if he is outrighted, so he will probably be the main #3 catcher for the Cubs in 2024. However, Serven  is a Rule 9 player so he cannot be sent outright to the minors until he signs a 2024 contract, which he might not do until he reports to Spring Training next month.  

Joe Hudson (signed to a minor league contract last month) also has options available if he is added to the 40 at some point, but he is an Artiocle XX-D player and so he can elect free agency if he added to the 40 and then is subsequently outrighted. 

Jorge Alfaro (also signed to a minor league contract last month) has no options available and he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted after being added to the 40, but it really doesn't matter because he is an Article XIX-A player and so once he is added to the 40 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent (which he is unlikely to give). At that point he would have to be either kept on the 40 as a third cacher, traded, or released. He also likely has multiple opt-outs (including Opening Day) in his contract if he is not added to the 40 by a certain date(s). 

So it is very possible that the only way the Cubs can retain Alfaro beyond Spring Training will be if Gomes or Amaya get hurt prior to Opening Day, and then if they don't want to lose him the Cubs would probably have to keep Alfaro as a third catcher once Gomes or Amaya is reinstated from the IL. Otherwise, it's probably just Serven and Hudson as MLB-ready back-up catchers at iowa in 2024. 

Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 01:10 pm

Interesting that this afternoon's MLBTR chat with Steve Adams had him guess the Cubs would sign Imanaga.

Submitted by cubbies.4ever on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 01:45 pm

Somewhat happy about Imanga.  Maybe more that is they did something.  I assume he’s a starter by IP, but at least baseball-reference doesn’t have him starting since 2018.  Seems to have good control with BB/K.  That aside seems to give up a lot of hits and HRs.  Wrigley is not a place to pitch to HR pitchers.  Plus he’s 30 abd I read he has medical issues. Please do not tell me the Cubs are paying him like $20 million and just blew their whole cheap ass, budget all on the hopes of an unproven never pitched in the MLB player, w/o the hype like Ohtani, Darvish, Tanka etc.  Rather surprise the Dodgers and try to steal them and make it a trio of Japanese pitchers.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 01:05 pm

he's a starter, bb-reference is missing his GS stats for some weird reason.  he threw 2 complete games last year...which is practically cubs HOF material for the club lately in that department.

i just hope he can keep the ball in the park and put in mostly injury-free work.

if MLB hitters can sit on his FB, that might be trouble.  he fools a lot of hitters on off-speed stuff, lot of chasing pitches, but he pounds the strike zone with fastball with great control over it.  if he tries to keep his walk totals too low by throwing too many fastballs...well, hope it works for him if he goes that route.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 01:17 pm

Jon Morosi reports Imanaga gets multiple years for 15mil per.

He takes Hendricks spot eventually.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:49 am

If the Cubs do have to switch to a six-man rotation in 2024 to accommodate Imanaga, that means one less reliever (seven instead of eight), and that did not work too well for the Angels during the Ohtani years or with the Mets last year with Senga in the rotation. 

It is not easy finding five much less six decent MLB SP, and a six-man rotation also puts a lot more stress on the pen if there are only seven guys available instead of eight. 

Note that in NPB there is no restriction on the number of pitchers on the active list roster, so a six-man rotation does not negatively impact the bullpen like it does in MLB. 

[ ]

Submitted by Bill on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:32 pm

Phil, 

Do you thini it Would work if they put 4 guys on a 4 day rest rotation and Imanaga on 5 day rest rotation?

Steele, Taillon, Hendricks, Imanaga, Assad, Steele

Taillon, Hendricks, Assad, Imanaga, Steele, Taillon

Hendricks, Assad, Steele, Imanaga, Taillon Hendricks

Assad, Steele, Taillon, Imanaga, Hendricks, Assad

Rinse and repeat as needed.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:56 pm

BILL: In Japan the starting pitchers pitch the same day every week, very much like college baseball in the U. S., where a team has its Friday starter (#1), Saturday starter (#2), Sunday starter (#3), etc. So NPB starting pitchers get six days off between starts, but everybody does it that way so no team gets an advantage. Also, because starters pitch only once per week they can throw more pitches per game. 

For it to work in MLB where a team has just one once a week starter (like Ohtani or Senga or Imanaga), the once a week starter really has to be the club's #1 or #2 and then maybe two others always work on four or five days rest, and the other two slots change from week-to-week, with those pitchers being mainly "bulk innings" guys who are most effective going just once through the batting order, sometimes starting on only three days rest, but throwing no more than three innings each time. 

Again, this can be done more easily if there is not a limit of 13 pitchers,  but with only 13 pitchers on the roster and with the restriction on optional assignments (five times per season) and the minimum 15-day IL for pitchers and the minimum 15 day on optional assignment before a pitcher can be recalled, the roster juggling required to make it work is very difficult to pull off, much moreso since the maximum 13 pitchers limit was implemented a couple of years ago. 

I guess if anybody can make it work it would be Craig Counsell. 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:11 pm

So for instance with the Cubs in 2024, you could have Imanaga always pitching on Sunday, and then Steele, Hendricks, and Taillon pitch on the other days of the week with four or five days off between starts, and then Smyly, Wesneski, Assad, and Wicks would be the "bulk innings" guys who would "piggy- back" in various two-pitcher combinations (like maybe Smyly/Wesneski and Wicks/Assad) on thd other days and normally pitch no more than three innings each and go just once through the order, and then the other five pitchers would be the high-leverage one inning guys (probably Alzolay, Merryweather, and Leiter, and some combo of Palencia, Little, Rucker, K. Thompson, Horn, Hodge, Wieck, et al) who normally would not pitch until the 7th inning, and then hope the five one inning guys don't get burned out over the course of the season. 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:24 pm

One good thing about dedicating four slots on the pitching staff to "bulk innings" guys is that it might be a really good way to transition young pitchers (like Assad, Wesneski, Wicks, Horton, and Brown) into MLB, sort of like the way they did back in the 1960's when clubs had four starters who pitched on three days rest and then two "spot starters / long relievers" (usually younger guys trying to establish themselves as big league starters or older guys at the end of their careers) who would usually only start in the second game of a doubleheader (and teams played a lot of doubleheaders in the 60's), but otherwise could throw multiple innings out of the pen in-between spot starts. 

Of course it helped that starting pitchers threw complete games whenever possible back in the day (and closed their own games), thereby keeping the bullpen guys fresh for when they were actually needed. 

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:58 pm

I still see/hope Jed going after Belli and Hader. 

40+mil to get those two guys. Maybe HHoskins on a prove it deal.

But I think your trading Hendricks idea to create extra spending space below the Luxury Tax is truly viable. Maybe put Hendricks and Wisdom together in a deal since Hoskins takes Patrick's ABs.

We pay 5mil of his deal, to free up 10mil or something like that.

This would give Jed over 50+mil to get Belli, Hader and Hoskins.

To be clear, I don't think Hoskins is a must get. It seems that Jed believes he is. 

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 01:16 pm

Jim Bowden ofrom CBS says the deal is 2yrs for 30mil. Can grow to 4yrs for 60mil and could get to 80mil with multiple opt outs. 

Jed Hoyer, the master of the prove it deal with the solid to above average talented players

[ ]

Submitted by cubbies.4ever on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:26 am

These opt-out deals are becoming very annoying.  How can you build a team for longevity if 1/3 of your team and all your star players have opt out or player/mutual options?  MLB and all leagues need to have a hard salary cap like the NHL.  No player can have more than 20% of teams salary, nobody can break the cap top period, also there’s a floor limit, no opt outs, any player/club etc options, 8 year contract limits max, no Ohtani 20yr contracts with most $ when he’s retired, still have bonuses, no trade clauses, also you can trade draft picks.  Plus the cap is at like $83 million.  Would keep players in check and put Scott Boras out of business or at least ruin his life of luxury.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:18 pm

Fans want a salary cap and most of the owners want a salary cap, but the MLBPA will never agree to a salary cap (other than the CBT), and unlike the NFL, NBA, and NHL player unions, the MLBPA is the strongest sports union in the world. 

So a salary cap in MLB is never going to happen, although I would think the MLBPA would love to see a payroll floor for clubs receiving CBT money.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:15 am

If the contract was for (let's say) $80M guaranteed the release fee would be $13.25M to be paid in four installments over the next 18 months, but if the guarantee is only $30M the release fee would be $5.75M to be paid over the next 18 months. 

Then if additional years & money are added later by virtue of player and/or club options, performance bonuses, and/or salary escalators, the additional $7.5M release fee would not have to be paid until the additional years & money become guaranteed, and that might happen over the course of two or more seasons, thus even further spreading out the release fee. 

So while the release fee does not count against the Cubs AAV, the release fee probably does count against Hoyer's annual payroll budget, and so perhaps the contract is structured the way it is in order to spread out the release fee over as many years as possible.

Submitted by Bill on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:27 am

The NFL has similar salary caps as mentioned above.  But in order to make them work, you have to have functional revenue sharing among the teams as they do in the NFL, and you have to have the total salary cap tied to a percentage of total league revenue.

The NFL was able to do this because they were not generally profitable at the time that television revenue was meaningful, and they were able to get the large market teams to agree to the revenue sharing.  That has isn't likely to happen today.

Also, to make it work, the players have to agree to the salary cap tied to a percentage of total league revenue.  That has been offered in the past, and rejected by the players.

 

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 01:51 pm

MLBPA is an extremely powerful "collective bargaining organization" with huge strength on the team level.  players in other sports with they had the power MLBPA has over owners.

on the cubs side, ian happ is a very strong representative that is very savy with executives, press, and fellow players.

Submitted by Alexander Dimm on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 01:35 am

It’s sad that Nelson Maldonado didn’t get a cup of coffee at the big league level.  The last couple years he was mostly playing DH or 1B, and although the Cubs are short at both spots, he didn’t play enough long ball to be considered.  He wasn’t chosen in the Rule 5, so he decided it was time.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 01:01 pm

When Nelson Maldonado was drafted he was projected as a DH in search of a position. He was tried at both 1B and corner OF and was well below-average defensively everywhere. He spent three seasons in AA and not only did he not progress to AAA, he stopped hitting at AA in 2023. He wasn't even taken in the AAA Phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft ($24,000 price). 

Maldonado has been replaced in the pipeline by Haydn McGeary and Brian Kalmer, both of whom are bat-first DH types. Maldonado was not going to get an NRI to MLB Spring Training and there was a very good chance that he would have been released at the conclusion of Minor League Camp because the Cubs have so much depth in their minor league system. 

Maldonado is not an Arizona or West Coast guy, so why bother coming to Spring Training in Mesa if you have no future in the organization?

Submitted by Childersb3 on Fri, 02/23/2024 - 02:43 pm

While we're all speaking about Morel's 3B defense being good enough, his swing has gotten better.

You could see it a little last fall. He didn't drop his hands behind his body as much (barred arm). But in videos from his Winter ball and this Feb in AZ you can tell he's keeping his hands tighter to his body. He's just stronger and able to have a tighter swing now. He'll be even quicker to the ball this way.

Fun times.  

Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 02/24/2024 - 02:01 am

My takeaway from the first Spring Training game of the year: It's really refreshing to have a slew of exciting young players in a season that should not be a total punt at the MLB level. It's been a while. 

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 02/24/2024 - 02:00 am

yeah, i like the team.

my main complaint isn't that they won't be competitive, rather that they could be even more competitive given their resources.  there's still time to add on, and they have 10s of millions to do it without going past their self-imposed limitations.  whether these limitations should exist or be way more flexible is up for debate, but we have what the owners give the front office to work with.

some of the sites doing wins predictions have CHC at or just below STL for taking the NL Central.

it's also nice knowing if some of the kids expected to break with the team don't work out, there's a good amount of kids near-MLB ready to hedge some of the failures...a few non-roster vets, too (peralta/d.smith/cj edwards).  no guarantees, but it's nice to have around.

i feel good about 2024 even without additions, but i'm still expecting an addition until the "Boras 4" are off the market.

if the cubs we see today are the cubs we get going into opening day, i will be disappointed, but i still think they got a shot at the playoffs.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 02/29/2024 - 02:56 pm

Injury update. Brennan Davis in concussion protocol.


The Cubs' 24-year-old prospect was hit in the helmet by a pitch in the eighth inning of Chicago's Feb. 27 game against the Reds and is undergoing concussion protocol. Davis will be out for some time for more tests while dealing with what Cubs manager Craig Counsell referred to as a "mild concussion" on Feb. 29.

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 03/01/2024 - 03:59 am

AZ Phil: This spring has been my first chance to actually watch Owen Caissie at the plate. How much do you think his strikeouts have been a matter of swing decisions vs swing mechanics? Do you have any reference points for how long it might take a guy with his approach to adjust and make enough contact to be playable at the next level? Or are we just hoping he can be a Joey Gallo kind of outlier?  

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 03/01/2024 - 03:52 am

CHARLIE: I see a Joc Peterson comp for Owen Cassie, in that Pederson had K issues early in his MLB career and then improved his contact over time, and with the time he spends working on his hitting that's what I expect Caissie to be able to do. 

BTW, the Cubs aren't exactly loaded with LH power hitters in their system (Caissie, Busch, Ballesteros, and Mervis, and that's about it), so Caissie has more value to the Cubs as a prospect than he might have in another org.

Also, keep in mind that Owen Caissie is Rule 5 Draft-eligible post-2024, so he could get called up to MLB without a second thought during the 2024 season if he is raking at AAA.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/09/2024 - 03:14 pm

Jameson Taillon was a last minute scratch. He was warming up full bore in the bullpen right up until 10 minutes before the game started without any apparent difficulty, but then Thomas Pannone started the game.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/23/2024 - 03:19 pm

AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW... 

After having a chance to see these guys at MLB and/or Minor League Spring Training, here are the 2024 Rule 5 Draft-eligible players most likely to get added to the 40 either during the season or pre-Rule 5 Draft:  

POST-2024 RULE 5 DRAFT ELIGIBLE: 
Owen Caissie, OF (virtual lock) 
BJ Murray, 3B (likely) 
Christian Franklin, OF (likely) 
Hunter Bigge, RHRP (likely) 
Riley Martin, LHRP (better than 50/50)
NEXT FIVE ALPHABETICAL: 
Yohendrick Pinango, OF 
Walker Powell, RHSP  
Chase Strumpf, INF 
Matt Thompson, RHSP  
Bryce Windham, C-INF 

Adding a Top 15 Rule 5 Draft-eligible prospect to the 40 is a no brainer, but otherwise a club's decision to add a Rule 5 Draft-eligible player to the 40 has a lot to do with whether a 40-man roster slot is available and if the club believes the slot will not be needed later in the off-season or prior to MLB Opening Day, whether the player actually is projected as being a member of the MLB 26-man roster at some point in the future, whether the player is projected as having future trade value that exceeds the $100,000 Rule 5 Draft price, and whether the player is likely to get selected (near-MLB ready relief pitchers and catchers are the most popular Rule 5 Draft picks, although any Top 15 prospect regardless of position left unprotected is likely to get snatched).  

And here are the post-2024 minor league 6YFA who are most-likely to be added to the 40, either during the season or after the conclusion of the World Series (In this order): 

POST-2024 MINOR LEAGUE 6YFA: 
Cam Sanders, RHRP (likely) 
Pablo Aliendo, C (better than 50/50) 
NEXT EIGHT ALPHABETICAL: 
Luis Devers, RHSP 
Kohl Franklin, RHSP 
Eduarniel Nunez, RHRP 
Ezequiel Pagan, OF
Jake Reindl, RHRP 
Cole Roederer, OF  
Jake Slaughter, INF 
Riley Thompson, RHRP 

The likelihood of adding a minor league 6YFA to the 40 increases substantially if the player declines to sign a minor league successor contract. Last year the Cubs signed only one of their post-2023 minor league 6YFA to a 2024 minor league successor contract, and that was Eduarniel Nunez, but there are an unusually high number of quality prospects who are eligible to be minor league free-agents post-2024 who the Cubs will probably not want to lose for nothing.  

Submitted by Childersb3 on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 04:09 am

AZ Phil,

Does Erian Rodriguez have SP stuff?

I thought I saw him throw a change-up yesterday and two different breaking balls?

May be totally wrong or Erian just doesn't have total control yet. 

His 2SFB can move though. 

Submitted by Childersb3 on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 04:24 am

Thanks

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    bleh.

    at least MIL has lost the past 2 nights, too.

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal pinch hitting for matt mervis vs jansen?

    okay.

  • crunch (view)

    surprising amount of cubs fans at the park, too.  HR really brought them out.

  • Cubster (view)

    hmmmm... 

    4-4

    beisbol can be fun

  • crunch (view)

    4 singles and 0 walks (1 HBP) through 7 innings for cubs batters...amazing they even have 1 run.

  • crunch (view)

    nico gets his 5th error on the year...damn.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Folks, I've known Richard Lovelady since he was an 18 yr old Freshman at East Ga State College in Swainsboro, Ga.

    I was the WBB Coach at EGSC and Richard was their prize recruit from outside of Hinesville, Ga.

    My roommate was the Pitching Coach there.

    Richard showed up a skinny, loose lipped, 83mph Lefty. Pretty good basketball player actually. 

    My roommate became the head coach.

    Richard came back from a minor injury for his Sophmore year a more serious man. He hit 90mph and started mowing GA JUCO hitters down. It was really fun to watch.

    He was the first D1 signee for EGSC baseball (school had only had athletics for five yrs at that point). He went to Kennesaw St and became their closer. One yr later, he hit 100mph and KC drafted him in the 10th Rd. 

    He lost the high velo with a surgery a while back.

    It's so cool to see him in MLB. And now he's a Cub!! It's crazy to realize I actually "know" a Cub.

    He's a legit good guy.

    Easy to root for!!!

     

  • Cubster (view)

    Tim. Thanks for remembering Lee Elia Day. It will always be one of the most epic rants in all sports.  It took about 3 seconds to recognize him from your picture but I  did get it right. 

    Now that Les Grobstein is no longer with us, that might contribute to this grand piece of Cubbery fading.

    Just like fine wine, it should be savored...unedited. 40 years, wow.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Does he have any options left, Phil?

  • crunch (view)

    morel in the lineup and playing 3rd.

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