The Cubs made two roster moves Saturday. LHP Eric Jokisch was optioned to Iowa and LHP Felix Doubront was granted his unconditional release. And the Cubs reduced the spring roster and opened a spot on the 40-man roster in the process.
With a week before the opener against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, the Cubs have several decisions to make before finalizing the first active roster of the season.
A lot is made about which players are on a team’s Opening Day roster, but with the way a big league roster constantly changes and evolves over the course of a season, there is really too much emphasis placed on which players are included.
The Cubs officially have 38 players on its Spring Training roster, meaning 13 players still have to be cut to trim the Opening Day roster to 25 players.
RHP Jacob Turner, RHP Dallas Beeler, LHP Tsuyoshi Wada and OF Chris Denorfia will start the season on the DL*, so that means there are 34 healthy players left in camp.
40-Man Roster
Pitchers
- Jake Arrieta, RHP (49)
- Dallas Beeler, RHP (32)*
- Drake Britton, LHP (66)
- Justin Grimm, RHP (52)
- Jason Hammel, RHP (39)
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP (28)
- Edwin Jackson, RHP (36)
- Jon Lester, LHP (34)
- Jason Motte, RHP (30)
- Neil Ramirez, RHP (54)
- Hector Rondon, RHP (56)
- Zac Rosscup, LHP (59)
- Brian Schlitter, RHP (63)
- Pedro Strop, RHP (46)
- Jacob Turner, RHP (38)*
- Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP (18)*
- Travis Wood, LHP (37)
Catchers
- Welington Castillo (5)
- Miguel Montero (47)
- David Ross (3)
Infielders
- Arismendy Alcantara (7)
- Javier Baez (9)
- Starlin Castro (13)
- Tommy La Stella (11)
- Mike Olt (20)
- Anthony Rizzo (44)
Outfielders
- Chris Coghlan (8)
- Chris Denorfia (15)*
- Dexter Fowler (24)
- Junior Lake (21)
- Jorge Soler (68)
- Ryan Sweeney (6)
- Matt Szczur (41)
Non-Roster Invitees
Pitchers
- Phil Coke, LHP (27)
Catchers
- Taylor Teagarden (12)
Infielders
- Kris Bryant (76)
- Jonathan Herrera (19)
- Addison Russell (75)
Outfielders
- None
Based on multiple reports, the Cubs are expected to open the season with a 12-man pitching staff.
LHP Jon Lester, RHP Jake Arrieta, RHP Jason Hammel and RHP Kyle Hendricks will fill four of the five spots in the rotation. LHP Travis Wood is believed to be the fifth starter and could be paired with RHP Edwin Jackson. If the Cubs do not release Edwin Jackson or trade Travis Wood that leaves six spots in the bullpen.
RHP Hector Rondon, RHP Pedro Strop, RHP Neil Ramirez, RHP Justin Grimm, LHP Phil Coke and RHP Jason Motte, unless something unforeseen happens, are locks for the bullpen. And the 12 pitchers, unless Wood is traded or Jackson is released, that should compose Maddon’s first staff of the season is set.
LHP Drake Britton is out of options. The Cubs should try to keep him in the system if possible, but lefty relievers are hard to stash. LHP Zac Rosscup and RHP Brian Schlitter should be optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
With 13 spots left for position players, here are the locks: 1B Anthony Rizzo, SS Starlin Castro, INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara, CF Dexter Fowler, OF Chris Coghlan, OF Jorge Soler, C Miguel Montero, C David Ross and C Welington Castillo. That leaves four spots on the active roster if the front office doesn’t hear an offer it can’t refuse for Welington Castillo.
INF Javier Baez, INF Tommy La Stella and INF Mike Olt should take three of the last four spots.
Addison Russell can be removed from the list because he’s starting the season as Iowa’s shortstop. And Kris Bryant will either be to Russell’s right in Iowa’s infield or playing behind Russell in left field when the season starts. C Taylor Teagarden will share time with Rafael Lopez in Iowa, unless he has an opt out in his contract.
The last spot, again unless Castillo is traded, is between OF Ryan Sweeney, OF Matt Szczur, OF/3B Junior Lake and INF Jonathan Herrera.
The Cubs are reportedly pursuing starting pitching and listening to offers for Welington Castillo. Castillo could be used to acquire a pitcher as Bruce Levine suggested. The Cubs also scouted the Red Sox and Boston scouted the Cubs with OF/1B Allen Craig possibly being of interest to the Cubs.
It’s shaping up to be a very interesting and busy seven days for the Chicago Cubs.