Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

37 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (three slots are open)

Last updated 11-17-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 20
Adbert Alzolay 
Michael Arias
Javier Assad
Ben Brown
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
Porter Hodge
* Bailey Horn
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Daniel Palencia
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 8
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Luis Vazquez
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 7
Kevin Alcantara
Alexander Canario
* Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennen Davis
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

 


Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs vs. Cardinals: Series Thread (Games 96-99)

Submitted by Charlie on

The Cubs stand at 45-50 as the Cardinals come to Chicago for a four-game series. This one will close on July 23, roughly one week prior to the trade deadline, and could either seal the Cubs' position as sellers or put them into another precarious week as they attempt to convince a reticent sounding front office and ownership. See below for the daily matchups as they stand now.

Game 96, Thursday, July 20, 7:05 pm central
STL: LHP Steven Matz (0-7, 4.86 ERA)
CHC: RHP Marcus Stroman (10-6, 2.88 ERA)

Game 97, Friday, July 21, 1:20 pm central
STL: RHP Jack Flaherty (7-5, 4.29 ERA)
CHC: LHP Justin Steele (9-3, 2.96 ERA)

Game 98, Saturday, July 22, 1:20 pm central
STL: RHP Miles Mikolas (6-5, 4.14 ERA)
CHC: TBD

Game 99, Sunday, July 23, 1:20 pm central
STL: LHP Jordan Montgomery (6-7, 3.14 ERA)
CHC: TBD

Tags
2023 Series Thread
St. Louis Cardinals

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 07/20/2023 - 07:20 pm

p.wisdom takes 96mph to the helmet and is trying to walk it off pretending it's nothing.  he's staying in the game...but...phew...that was a nasty hit.  i dunno about that, but he seems to be good to go for now.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Thu, 07/20/2023 - 07:11 pm

AZ Phil, if Rucker were to be replaced, who gets that spot?

Let's say Wesneski stays a SP for now. 

Jensen? I know it'll probably be Estrada but I just want something new. 

I'm dreaming of a whole roster revolution of true prospects. Won't happen but that's all the hope we have with this team.

Submitted by Eric S on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 07:19 pm

Pitching to Bellinger with two outs and two bases open - wow.  If you get beat by Suzuki, you can live with that. 

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 07:10 pm

contreras gets HBP, bad one on the wrist/lower hand...stays in game, cubs fans cheer...classy for real, glad they didn't turn on him there.  contreras has playfully been trying to play "heel" but he's still a great ex-cub.

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:39 am

Swanson is back in the lineup. Morel DH. Buoni Beef at 3B, suddenly he's Beef with hot peppers.

Fulmer starting, what's with that?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:28 pm

RHSP Adrian Sampson's 30-day minor league rehab assignment expires on Monday (7/24) and so he will need to be reinstated from the 60-day IL and a corresponding 40-man roster move will be necessary (probably DFA Edwin Rios or Jared Young). 

However, Sampson has pitched very poorly at AAA Iowa after moving up from ACL Cubs on 7/4, so Sampson himself could be the DFA.

If Sampson is Designated for Assignment I don't think the Cubs would be too unhappy if another club claims his contract and picks up the balance of his $1.9M salary, and if he isn't claimed off waivers, Sampson would have to decide to either elect free-agency immediately and forfeit the balance of his 2023 salary (about $700K remains) or accept the outright assignment, keep his salary, and defer free-agency until after the conclusion of the MLB regular season (presuming he isn't added back to the 40 in the meantime).

Keep in mind that most minor league players can be traded  after the Trade Deadline passes (up until the Sunday prior to  the last week of the MLB Regular season), with the exceptions being players signed after being selected in the the 2023 Draft, and outrighted players (right now that would be just David Bote and Manuel Rodriguez, but also anybody else who might get outrighted over the next ten days).  

Also, RHRP Nick Burdi should be about ready to start his rehab assignment. He has missed two months after undergoing an appendectomy on 5/21. 

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Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:40 pm

Thanks Phil! 

With the recent draft picks and international signings, how are we looking on the 180 man Domestic Reserve List? Are there going to be some cuts to get us to 180, or just because players are no longer seen as valuable enough to warrant playing time and roster spots and other players have been brought in to replace them?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:02 pm

F NOLDARAN: Right now there are 155 players on the Cubs minor league Domestic Reserve List (25 slots are open), plus 16 players are on the 60-day IL and three are on the Restricted List (and the three players on the Restricted List will be transferred to the Long-Term Restricted List if they are not reinstated by the time minor league reserve lists  are filed in November). 

A minor league player on a 60-day IL must be reinstated no later than 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the final game of the 2023 World Series, which coincidentally happens to be the exact same time and day that players eligible to be Rule 9 minor league free-agents (all unsigned 6YFA and second-contract players not signed beyond 2023 who have not signed a 2024 minor league successor contract) will be automatically declared free-agents - AND - the exact same time and day that the minor league Domestic Reserve List expands by ten players. 

Also, players signed after being selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft must be added to either a minor league  affiliate's active list roster or Development List or placed on a minor league affiliate's 60-day IL within 15 days after signing - BUT - the draft picks do NOT count against the minor league Domestic Reserve List until the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season (or until the 5th day after the conclusion of the World Series if the player is placed on a 60-day IL). 

Because (for some unknown reason) this rule does not apply to Non-Drafted Free-Agents who were eligible for the draft but were not selected, there was supposedly going to be a change in the new Minor League CBA where drafted players would count against the minor league Domestic Reserve list 15 days after signing (unless placed on a minor league 60-day IL) just a NDFA who signs after the draft, but I have not yet seen that rule change come through.
   
Note that also per the new Minor League CBA, the 180-man in-season minor league Domestic Reserve List and the 190-man off-season minor league Domestic Reserve List (which goes into effect at 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series) will be reduced to 165 players (for the in-season minor league reserve list) and 175 players (for the off-season minor league reserve list) in 2024, although I believe the new limits will actually commence at 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the conclusion of the 2023 World Series (still TBA).

In addition (also per the new Minor League CBA), beginning on July 1, 2023, players who are 19 or older on the June 5th prior to signing their first contract will now be eligible for minor league free-agency a year earlier than before. However, this new rule ONLY applies to players who sign their first contract after July 1, 2023. It is NOT retroactive, so it won't really be relevant until post-2028. 

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Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:14 pm

Thanks again Phil! 

Saw that they were reducing the Domestic Reserve List down to 165 players, between that and removing short season minor league affiliates, it seems detrimental to the developmental process of these young players; do you see any actual tangible value these changes are adding, or is this just rapacious on the owners part? 

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:02 pm

raining, tarp on the field, fulmer starting...all around 2023 cubs baseball...

smyly is pitching today...but fulmer is starting...whatever.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:25 pm

oh nice...2 teams playing for trade deadline draft picks in july rain delay.  delaying the pointless.

ARZ game is a free one on mlb.tv...they're fun this season.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 07/22/2023 - 07:45 pm

i guess since we're kicking around trade stuff, the dodgers needing a middle IF'r + SP could be interesting.

btw, madrigal went 2 for 3 (singles) and a HBP in iowa tonight.

unrelated to any trade talk (hopefully) but wesn went 5ip 4h 0bb 8k, 0r/er

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Submitted by Childersb3 on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 07:57 pm

If Jed demotes anyone but Mastro in order to add Madrigal to the 26man roster I'll be truly miffed (but not surprised). He cannot send Morel or Amaya down for Madrigal.

I'm hoping this "lower body fatigue" today for Madrigal was the "we need to wait a bit until a trade happens before we make this move" moment for Jed.

Gomes is supposedly garnering lots of interest. Reports say he will not be a Cub on Aug. 1st.

Obviously Belli could go.

I'm thinking someone might want Tauchman as a backup LH bat/CF. 

I think the 26man roster stays put until a deal is done. This isn't a shock but that would 

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 07:35 pm

bellinger is unreal...he's gonna get this team so many 17-19 year old team ranked 20-40 prospects in trade.

Submitted by azbobbop on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 07:07 pm

I’m in the camp of keeping Bellinger unless the return starts with a Top 100 prospect who plays on the dirt. Gomes is under the radar valuable, especially to a team that needs catching like the Yankees. And I’m trading Stroman, win lose or draw. Plenty of free agent pitching this year.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 07:33 pm

azbobbop: 

The thing about Marcus Stroman is that if the Cubs keep him past the MLB Trade Deadline and then don't sign him to a contact extension, he can opt out, and if he does the Cubs can't extended him a Qualifying Offer because he received one previously in his career. So if he opts out, the Cubs can't even get a comp draft pick for him. 

There is also the possibility (however remote) that Stroman could incur a significant injury sometime over the last couple of months of the 2023 season that would negatively impact his 2024 season, in which case he won't opt out and the Cubs would be struck having to pay him $21M (or $23M if he reaches 160 IP in 2023) to rehab. 

It would be different if the Cubs don't trade Stroman and sign him to a contract extension (like maybe through 2026), because even if he did get hurt and missed part of the 2024 season while rehabbing, the Cubs would still have him in 2025 and 2026.   

So the Cubs need to either sign Stroman to a contract extension, or trade him at the Trade Deadline. Those are their two choices, and they have to decide by next Tuesday (8/1).  

Cody Bellinger is a lot different, because the Cubs CAN extend him a QO post-2023 (like they did with Wilson Contreras post-2022) and get a comp draft pick if he signs elsewhere. So they don't have to trade him or extend him. 

Also, as a Boras client, Bellinger will take the most money once he becomes as free-agent, so whether the Cubs keep Bellinger or trade him, they can sign him once he becomes a free-agent... but of course, that's only if the Cubs offer him the most money!!!

Unlike Marcus Stroman, Bellinger will - NOT - sign a contract extension before he becomes a FA. (The Boras Corporation believes that the true market value of a player cannot be determined until he becomes a free-agent, and players who sign with Boras are required to accept that premise). 

Another thing about Bellinger from the POV of the Cubs is that his 2023 $17.5M AAV hit is based on his $12M salary combined with the $5.5M buy-out on his 2024 $25M mutual option, so if they trade him, his 2023 AAV hit against the Cubs is reduced significantly because they would not have to pay him the $5.5M buy-out.    

Also, Bellinger gets a $1M performance bonus if he wins 2023 National League Comeback Player of the Year (which right now looks fairly likely), but if he is traded to an American League team (like the Yankees or Astros) at the Trade Deadline, spending the last third of the season playing in the A. L. could cost him the N. L. Comeback Player of the Year Award and (most importantly) $1M. 

So in the case of Bellinger, the Cubs should trade him ONLY If the return exceeds what the comp draft pick is worth (just as was the case with Contreras last year).  

BTW, I have it on good authority that the Cubs had a trade in place with the San Diego Padres involving Contreras at the Trade Deadline last year, but it was contingent on the Padres not acquiring Juan Soto, because the return for Contreras (Eric Hosmer plus two younger players) involved one of the players sent to Washington for Soto.  

So once the Padres acquired Soto, they were no longer interested in Contreras, and the other two teams that had previously expressed interest in Contreras (both A. L. clubs) were no longer interested, because the Cubs had jacked-up the price for Contreras on July 27th once MLB announced that the International Draft would not happen, and that draft pick compensation for losing a FA would continue in 2023.

At that point (7/27), the Cubs suddenly increased the cost of acquiring Contreras to one prospect - PLUS - another prospect equal to a 2nd round comp draft pick, and the other two teams said "NO!"...  

Submitted by CubbyBlue on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 07:19 pm

Quick story about the Pat Hughes banner today. I used to bungee my transistor to my bike, ride around and listen to Pat and (original) Ron. Painted it in a sketchbook and happened to have  it at work when a co-worker called. He was doing a State Farm spot, and recording Pat and Ron at a studio RIGHT NOW so get over there. I couldn't get away, but about an hour later I hauled over and ran into them coming out of the elevator. Couple of the nicest regular guys, and they signed the painting. 
SO happy Pat finally got in the Hall.
 

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Submitted by crunch on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 07:37 pm

as someone that collects cubs autographs, i love that they put thought into where to sign your piece.  it's a nice piece and the autos look great without distracting from the piece, itself.

a good chunk of guys take care of where to put their signature, but too many just sign anywhere (though not maliciously...unless you're willie mays).

Submitted by Childersb3 on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 07:19 pm

AZ Phil,

I just watched Marino Santy's scoreless and hitless 5 IP with 8Ks outing tonight.

He's 21 already, but he started with the Cubs at 19. He's season has been fun to follow, but tonight he's Curve was not hittable. He lost his FB command in the 5th (it did start raining) but before that his FB had great life. Cut/ride whatever they call it. It got into RH bats and stays away from LH bats. His glove side. Kind of Steele like. Not saying it's the same, but tonight acted similarly. He likes to work low in the zone for sure.

He did get a K swinging to a RHer with a change-up but it was up high and away. I'm sure he's working on that.

But he's motion looks clean and doesn't appear to be max effort. 

Can't ever have enough LHSP guys. 

You think he can progress or just an org depth/filler?

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 07:48 pm

Childersb3: 

Marino Santy is NOT "org depth / filler."  

Santy was one of four pitchers brought up from the Dominican Academy to Minor League Camp (pre-Extended Spring Training) in March 2022 (the others were Michael Arias, Kenyi Perez, and Joel Sierra), and I was told by somebody with the Cubs who knew all four of them that the Cubs considered them to be their top four Cubs pitching prospects in the DSL in 2021.

Although he had just recently been converted from SS to RHP, Arias was clearly the Cubs #1 pitching prospect at Extended Spring Training last year, which you may recall I reported several times in my EXST games reports last year.  (BTW, the Cubs consider Arias to be one of their Top 10 pitching prospects, and so he could very well be added to the 40 post-2023, because if he is he would get four minor league options, just like Kevin Alcantara does).  

So I saw a lot of Santy in Extended Spring Training and then in the ACL last year, and while he clearly had above-average stuff, he had zero command of it and he just could not throw strikes. He spent more time in the Pitch Lab and throwing bullpen sides than he did pitching in games. 

It was mainly a matter of Santy harnessing his stuff and being able to command it in games, and it appears that he  is (finally) at least beginning to do that (although he is still very much a work-in-progress, with a long way to go).  

So while he is not the pitching prospect that Michael Arias is, Marino Santy is also very definitely - NOT - "org depth / filler." 

Submitted by cubbies.4ever on Tue, 07/25/2023 - 07:29 am

Armstrong ended up signing for $135,000.  So the Cubs will still be clear of the 5% threshold if Wiggins doesn’t sign.  As the Wiggins watch is down to 9.5 hours to go with no word either way.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    thomas hatch is going to fight ham in japan.  he was on PIT's 40-man.

  • crunch (view)

    morel played somewhere besides 3rd and SS...he got 8 innings in CF, 2 putouts and an assist.

  • crunch (view)

    ryan flaherty new cubs bench coach.

  • crunch (view)

    bellinger wins comeback player of the year.  the AL winner was liam hendricks and his 5ip before he got tommy john...setting himself up for a 2025 shot at the award.

  • Bill (view)

    I hope that Perlaza goes on to have a successful career.  On most Cubs teams prior to the current administration, he would have been one of their more highly ranked prospects.  As far as the others are concerned, one or more may well go on to be much better than expected, but unfortunately there is no way to tell which one at the present time.  You can't keep everyone.

  • crunch (view)

    s.gray signs with the cards...3/75m

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Another one of the nine Cubs post-2023 Rule 9 minor league 6YFA has signed, as RHP Carlos Guzman (acquired from the Tigers for Zack McKinstry at the end of Spring Training) signed a 2024 minor league contract with the Mets. 

     

    So RHRP Yovanny Cruz (SD), C-INF P. J. Higgins (CIN), and now Carlos Guzman (NYM) have already signed 2024 minor league contracts with new MLB organizations, and OF Yonathan Perlaza is headed for Korea (Hanhwa Eagles).

  • crunch (view)

    ...and back to 3rd for another game.  at this point i'm gonna hang back and when/if he actually plays 1st then i'll find it notable.  i am glad he's playing a good amount of 3rd, though...give the club one more good look at him there.  shrug

  • crunch (view)

    morel played SS last night (no errors)...hit a homer and a double.  he's got 2 of both in 19PA.

  • crunch (view)

    e.escobar was throwing 95-97mph on his fastball in 2023.

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