According to multiple reports, the Cubs added four players to their big league roster on Friday. As expected, Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Kyle Smit and Alberto Cabrera were added to the big league roster.
Micah Hoffpauir also cleared unconditional waivers and the rights to his contract were sold to the Nippon Ham Fighters.
With the additions of Archer, Guyer, Smit and Cabrera, the Cubs big league roster stands at 39 players. Chris Archer – RHP
Archer was acquired on December 31, 2008 along with John Gaub and Jeff Stevens from the Indians for Mark DeRosa. The Indians picked Archer in the fifth round of the 2006 draft and many feel he was the player that made the Cubs pull the deal on the DeRosa trade.
Archer was named the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year after a tremendous 2010 season.
Archer (22 years old, September 26, 1988) posted a 15-3 record in 28 games, 27 starts, with the Daytona Cubs (High Class-A) and the Tennessee Smokies (Double-A). Archer struck out 149 and walked 65 in 142 1/3 innings with a 2.34 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Archer was a solid 8-2 in 13 starts after his promotion to the Smokies and posted a 1.80 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP (67 strikeouts and 39 walks) in 70 innings.
Chris Archer is expected to compete for a spot in the Cubs’ rotation this spring.
Chris Archer’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Brandon Guyer – OF
The Cubs took Guyer in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. After being slowed by injuries early in his professional career, Guyer stayed healthy in 2009 (.282/.339/.385/.724 with 28 doubles, five triples and three home runs in 130 games in Daytona and Tennessee) and showed a glimpse of what he was capable of on a baseball field.
Guyer had a great 2010 despite playing in just 102 games. Guyer earned the title of Cubs Minor League Player of the Year award after posting a .344/.398/.588/.986 line with 39 doubles, six triples and 13 home runs for the Tennessee Smokies. Guyer was also 30-for-33 in stolen base attempts.
Brandon Guyer (24 years old, January 28, 1986) should start 2010 along side of Brett Jackson in the Iowa Cubs outfield.
Brandon Guyer’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Kyle Smit – RHP
The Cubs acquired Smit, along with Blake DeWitt and Brett Wallach, in the Ted Lilly-Ryan Theriot trade last July. The Dodgers picked Smit in the fifth round of the 2006 draft.
The 23-year old right-hander (October 14, 1987) was 5-1 in 12 games, all in relief, with the Smokies (1.96 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP). Smit posted a 10-4 record in three minor league stops last season with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
Smit was 3-2 in 10 games for the Mesa Solar Sox (AFL) with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP.
Kyle Smit’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Alberto Cabrera
Alberto Cabrera is a surprise addition to the Cubs’ 40-man roster. Cabrera (22 years old, October 25, 1988) Cabrera posted a 7-9 record in 28 games, 26 starts, for the Daytona Cubs and Tennessee Smokies last season. Cabrera struck out 125 with only 50 walks in 136 innings but managed only 35 of those strikeouts (24 walks) in Double-A (4.24 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.
Alberto Cabrera’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Marquez Smith was expected to be added to the Cubs 40-man roster but was not. Smith will be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft (December 9).