CHICAGO CUBS 2012
For 2011 Opening Day roster, click HERE. For End-of-Season roster, click HERE.
*Players on the 40-man roster: BOLD.
*Players who are injured: +
*Players who are Out of Options: ##
*Baseball America '12 pre-season prospect rankings: BLUE #
*Baseball Prospectus '12 pre-season prospect rankings: GREEN #
'MLBDepthCharts Magazine' includes this roster projection feature but includes additional info, such as player age, 2011 level and stats, 2012 salary and contract info in an easy-to-read, printer-friendly pdf file and excel spreadsheet.
*40-man roster total (40)
*Projected 2012 Payroll: est. $107,000,000 according to MLBDC Magazine
Minor League Free Agents Position Players
C Chris Robinson (12/15: signed w/TEX)
IF Scott Moore* (11/15: signed w/HOU) OF Lou Montanez(12/21: signed w/PHI) OF Brad Snyder* (11/12: signed w/HOU)
Pitchers
RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1/20: signed w/WAS) RHP Robert Coello(12/9: signed w/TOR)
RHP Angel Guzman (12/13: signed w/LAD)
RHP Carlton Smith RHP Jeff Stevens(1/4: signed w/NYM)
Lost off Waivers/Lost in Rule V Draft/Traded
•1B/OF Tyler Colvin* •IF Jeff Bianchi UPDATE 1/11 - lost off waivers to Brewers
•IF Marwin Gonzalez** BP#20UPDATE 12/8 - taken by Red Sox (Rule V) •IF DJ LeMahieuBP#17 •IF/OF Ryan Flaherty* BP#16 UPDATE 12/8 - taken by Orioles (Rule V) •OF Kyung-Min Na UPDATE 1/6 - traded to Padres •RHP Chris CarpenterBA#14BP#14 UPDATE 2/21 - traded to Red Sox •RHP Andrew CashnerUPDATE 1/6 - traded to Padres •RHP Carlos ZambranoUPDATE 1/4 - traded to Marlins •LHP John GaubUPDATE 4/5 - lost off waivers to Rays •LHP Sean MarshallUPDATE 12/23 - traded to Reds
CHICAGO CUBS
OFFSEASON PREVIEWupdated 9/13/2011
Consecutive disappointing seasons for the Cubs and a new General Manager should make for a very interesting offseason. With first baseman Carlos Peña set to become a free agent and third baseman Aramis Ramirez a possibility to join him if he exercises his right to void his $16 million club option, the Cubs' yet-to-be-hired GM might start his tenure with two huge holes in the lineup. Ramirez, who is hitting .306 with 25 HR and 91 RBI, is hoping for a multi-year deal and should be able to get it as the best third baseman, by far, on the market. Peña, who is hitting .230 with 27 HR and 76 RBI, could be in line for another one-year, $10 million deal. The Cubs can probably afford to give Ramirez the multi-year deal he's seeking and could also be in the mix for Peña and the other top free agent first basemen on the market, including Lance Berkman, Michael Cuddyer, Prince Fielder, and Albert Pujols. As I said, it's going to be an interesting offseason, mostly because of the big names available and the Cubs' ability to afford them.
Aramis Ramirez: Seeking multi-year deal
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
The corner infield spots might be the top priority for the team, but there's plenty more work to do. Since Kosuke Fukudome was traded in July, the majority of playing time in right field has gone to Tyler Colvin, who has not taken advantage of his opportunity (.198 BA in 101 AB's since trade). Top prospect Brett Jackson could be the answer. After being slowed by a finger injury early in the season, the 23 year-old came on strong late in the season after a promotion to Triple-A Iowa (.939 OPS in 48 games). They could also bring in a stop-gap just in case they want Jackson to start the season in the minors or if they want to find an upgrade for Alfonso Soriano in left field. The veteran has at least 20 HR in 10 consecutive seasons but he'll turn 36 years old this offseason and has a career-low .289 OBP so far in 2011. Marlon Byrd, Starlin Castro and Geovany Soto are locked into starting jobs. Darwin Barney (.669 OPS), however, may have to hold off competitionto remain the team's starting second baseman.
While not as unsettled as the lineup, the Cubs' starting rotation is not without questions. It is believed that Carlos Zambrano has pitched his last game for the team, meaning that they're prepared to eat the remaining $18 million he's due in 2012. This would leaves Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, and Randy Wells, and a few intriguing candidates to fill out the rotation. Dempster has a $14M player option for 2012 that he's almost guaranteed to exercise. Andrew Cashner, who missed the majority of the season with a strained rotator cuff, is expected to take one of the two remaining spots. Depending on what happens this offseason, the last spot is up for grabs but there is a chance Jeff Samardzija, who has a 3.12 ERA in 69 relief appearances, will get a chance to start again next season. Casey Coleman, Jay Jackson, and Chris Rusin could also be in the competition.
The bullpen also has questions marks, like whether they're going to stick with Carlos Marmol as their closer. The 28 year-old can be unhittable. And at times, he can be downright awful. He's blown nine saves and given up at least 3 ER on five different occasions this season. Setup man Sean Marshall is an option, although his current role in the 8th inning is, arguably, just as important. Rookie Chris Carpenter has the 'stuff' to be a closer but doesn't appear ready, at least not yet. Re-signing veteran Kerry Wood would make sense but he would return to a setup role. Ideally, Marmol can get on track and become a more reliable closer but the Cubs may not want to risk another season where he implodes a few too many times. If they're worried, which they probably should be, I wouldn't be surprised to see them look for a possible upgrade.
•UPDATE 10/29 - Dempster has exercised his $14M player option. No surprise there.
•UPDATE 10/31 - Ramirez has exercised the right to void his contract after the team picked up his option.
•UPDATE 11/30 - Former A's and Royals outfielder David DeJesus has agreed to a two-year deal. He'll be the starting right fielder. The team is reportedly trying to deal Soriano, which could open up a spot for Jackson or Colvin. •UPDATE 12/8 - Ian Stewart was acquired from the Rockies so he's likely to be given every chance to win the starting third baseman job. The 26 year-old was a productive player from 2008-2010 before struggling badly last season.
Ryan Dempster has a player option which he could void if he doesn't think he'll get a multi year deal next year. He would be one of the top 5 available SP'er this offseason.
So technically, he should be listed as a FA with the guys who have team options.
I am not convinced Theo will exercise Dempster's option. His xfip of 4.01 in a year of the pitcher is not good. He is going to be 34 years old and he missed fewer bats. Yes his strikeout rate didn't decrease a notable amount but his BAPIP was extremely high at .324 so guys are hitters are making great contact. Theo is most likely looking for less expensive, higher ceiling, undervalued pitchers since the cubs do not expect to be contenders this year. Wilson, Jackson, Oswalt, Kuroda, Capuano, and Bedard have proved more reliable, though more expensive, and will be better going forward. Dempster is a good innings eater but $14 is a lot of money for that role. I would imagine he will come back but at a lesser price.
I love the prediction of jackson in center and byrd moving to right field. I bet theo is looking to make a splash in left if he can eat soriano's contract and ship him out. Willingham?!?
Unfortunately, Dempster has a player option. No way he opts out since no one else is paying him close to that much $$$. Cubs have deep pockets, though, so I wouldn't count them out of the race to sign CJ Wilson or Roy Oswalt.
Would be tough to eat Soriano's contract. I think they at least start the season with him as their everyday LF. If they go after an OF, I think it would be to play CF or RF (Byrd would fill other spot). Jackson would then start the season in AAA and would be called upon once they've seen enough of Soriano.
I see little chance of Clevenger making the club over Campana. They don't need 3 catchers (Clevenger needs time in AAA) but they do need 5 outfielders.
Good point. Forgot that I had to add a 3rd catcher to fill out the bench because there was really no one else. Replaced Campana with Johnson without taking that into account. Thanks!
Here is the deal, based on the current roster. If Wood is in, Cashner is probably in the bullpen. BUT, if this is truly a rebuilding season and they believe Cashner's future is in the rotation, then they definitely want to get him a full year of rotation experience. With that said, I believe they'll end up trading Garza or Zambrano before the season starts.
Cubs need some late-inning arms more than anything. Sonnanstine does not fit that role. He could help in long relief or as a spot starter. In what appears to be a re-building year, I have their Rule V pick in that role. Corpas was a very good closer a few years back. If he comes back strong from TJ surgery, he could help in the 7th or 8th inning.
Yeah. I think they'd prefer to trade him. They have a lot of holes and a weak farm system. If Hoyer can get a good package of young players, I think they trade him.
They don't have to add him until he's either called up to the big leagues or is eligible for the Rule V draft, which would be next season. Either way, he'll be on there at some point in 2012. Probably by mid-season.
Doubtful. I think they need a left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup. Taking a long look at LaHair for a few months and then handing over the everyday job to Rizzo sounds like the plan to me. Not sure where Lee is a fit. Haven't heard his name at all this winter. He may retire.
Hey Jason, Where does Brett Jackson fit in the Cubs future plans as far as a lineup spot? I'd assume that unless Starlin Castro has a major power surge and hits third, he could go into the two hole, but does he belong at the top of the order like in the lead off spot or in the middle of the order like third, fifth or sixth? I know that the strikeouts he has could pose a major problem as a lead off hitter. Your thoughts?
Hard to say. It really depends on the lineup around him. His OBP, speed, and power combo could put him anywhere from 1-6 in the lineup. Don't know if the Cubs view him as a middle of the order guy or top of the lineup guy.
De La Cruz gets DFA'd if he doesn't make the team. If he does, they won't have to open a spot for one of the other guys. Mateo to the 60-Day, maybe. The 3rd would be tough. Maybe Maine or Gaub DFA'd.
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25 comments:
Ryan Dempster has a player option which he could void if he doesn't think he'll get a multi year deal next year. He would be one of the top 5 available SP'er this offseason.
So technically, he should be listed as a FA with the guys who have team options.
I am not convinced Theo will exercise Dempster's option. His xfip of 4.01 in a year of the pitcher is not good. He is going to be 34 years old and he missed fewer bats. Yes his strikeout rate didn't decrease a notable amount but his BAPIP was extremely high at .324 so guys are hitters are making great contact. Theo is most likely looking for less expensive, higher ceiling, undervalued pitchers since the cubs do not expect to be contenders this year. Wilson, Jackson, Oswalt, Kuroda, Capuano, and Bedard have proved more reliable, though more expensive, and will be better going forward. Dempster is a good innings eater but $14 is a lot of money for that role. I would imagine he will come back but at a lesser price.
I love the prediction of jackson in center and byrd moving to right field. I bet theo is looking to make a splash in left if he can eat soriano's contract and ship him out. Willingham?!?
Unfortunately, Dempster has a player option. No way he opts out since no one else is paying him close to that much $$$. Cubs have deep pockets, though, so I wouldn't count them out of the race to sign CJ Wilson or Roy Oswalt.
Would be tough to eat Soriano's contract. I think they at least start the season with him as their everyday LF. If they go after an OF, I think it would be to play CF or RF (Byrd would fill other spot). Jackson would then start the season in AAA and would be called upon once they've seen enough of Soriano.
I see little chance of Clevenger making the club over Campana. They don't need 3 catchers (Clevenger needs time in AAA) but they do need 5 outfielders.
Good point. Forgot that I had to add a 3rd catcher to fill out the bench because there was really no one else. Replaced Campana with Johnson without taking that into account. Thanks!
I read that Marshall for Travis Wood and prospects was done (pending physical. Do you know who the prospects were?
No word. I won't make any updates until all the players are named.
Travis Wood is going to start, it's not in question at this point.
Here is the deal, based on the current roster. If Wood is in, Cashner is probably in the bullpen. BUT, if this is truly a rebuilding season and they believe Cashner's future is in the rotation, then they definitely want to get him a full year of rotation experience. With that said, I believe they'll end up trading Garza or Zambrano before the season starts.
Looking at the statistics, I feel Wood has a better shot than Wells in the rotation. Plus they'll be a lefty so it isn't 5 righties
Manny Corpas over Andy Sonannstine in the bullpen?
Cubs need some late-inning arms more than anything. Sonnanstine does not fit that role. He could help in long relief or as a spot starter. In what appears to be a re-building year, I have their Rule V pick in that role. Corpas was a very good closer a few years back. If he comes back strong from TJ surgery, he could help in the 7th or 8th inning.
With Zambrano now dealt, is there still a chance that they trade Garza?
Yeah. I think they'd prefer to trade him. They have a lot of holes and a weak farm system. If Hoyer can get a good package of young players, I think they trade him.
I don't mean to break any Cub fan hearts but this is a pathetic roster right now. I know they are rebuilding but wow.
Why isn't Brett Jackson on the 40 man roster? Isn't he kinda major league ready.
They don't have to add him until he's either called up to the big leagues or is eligible for the Rule V draft, which would be next season. Either way, he'll be on there at some point in 2012. Probably by mid-season.
Derrek Lee reunion?
Doubtful. I think they need a left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup. Taking a long look at LaHair for a few months and then handing over the everyday job to Rizzo sounds like the plan to me. Not sure where Lee is a fit. Haven't heard his name at all this winter. He may retire.
Hey Jason, Where does Brett Jackson fit in the Cubs future plans as far as a lineup spot? I'd assume that unless Starlin Castro has a major power surge and hits third, he could go into the two hole, but does he belong at the top of the order like in the lead off spot or in the middle of the order like third, fifth or sixth? I know that the strikeouts he has could pose a major problem as a lead off hitter. Your thoughts?
Hard to say. It really depends on the lineup around him. His OBP, speed, and power combo could put him anywhere from 1-6 in the lineup. Don't know if the Cubs view him as a middle of the order guy or top of the lineup guy.
How are the Cubs going to come up with these 4 (well 3 with an open spot) additional nonroster 40 man spots they need?
De La Cruz gets DFA'd if he doesn't make the team. If he does, they won't have to open a spot for one of the other guys. Mateo to the 60-Day, maybe. The 3rd would be tough. Maybe Maine or Gaub DFA'd.
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