As is the case at the beginning of every off-season, questions are asked about the status of the players on the Cubs 40-man roster. Which players are free agents? Which players are under contract? How many players are arbitration eligible? And what players have minor league options left?
The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players. Dan Haren announced his retirement and he will be officially removed from the roster at the conclusion of the World Series. Seven players will become free agents after the World Series. The Cubs will have eight spots opened on the roster immediately after the World Series, reducing the 40-man to 32 players.
The Cubs are not expected to tender contracts to Taylor Teagarden, Jonathan Herrera and Quintin Berry.
The deadline to file reserve lists for all Major and Minor League levels is Nov. 20. The Cubs will add C Willson Contreras, 3B Jeimer Candelario and RHP Pierce Johnson to the 40-man at that time and possibly RHP Corey Black in order to protect those players from the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10.
The Cubs have until Dec. 2 to tender contracts to unsigned players (arbitration eligible and 0-3 men) for the 2016 season.
Seven players are under contract for the 2016 season, 10 players are arbitration eligible and 16 players are automatic renewals with less than three years of Major League service time.
Updated 6:25pm CDT – The White Sox claimed RHP Jacob Turner off of waivers from the Cubs. Turner was on the 60-day DL and had not officially been reinstated.
Cubs 40-Man Roster
Players Under Contract
- Jason Hammel
- Jon Lester
- Miguel Montero
- David Ross
- Starlin Castro
- Anthony Rizzo
- Jorge Soler
Arbitration Eligible
- Jake Arrieta
- Justin Grimm
- Clayton Richard
- Hector Rondon
- Pedro Strop
- Jacob Turner
- Travis Wood
- Taylor Teagarden
- Jonathan Herrera
- Chris Coghlan
Automatic Renewal (0-3 men)
- Dallas Beeler
- Carl Edwards Jr.
- Kyle Hendricks
- Eric Jokisch
- Yoervis Medina
- Neil Ramirez
- Zac Rosscup
- Arismendy Alcantara
- Javier Baez
- Kris Bryant
- Tommy La Stella
- Addison Russell
- Christian Villanueva
- Quintin Berry
- Kyle Schwarber
- Matt Szczur
Free Agents
- Trevor Cahill
- Dan Haren
- Tommy Hunter
- Jason Motte
- Fernando Rodney
- Chris Denorfia
- Dexter Fowler
- Austin Jackson
Minor League Options
The Cubs will have decisions to make with several players in Spring Training if they are not traded during the off-season and tendered a contract. As of the end of October, here is an updated list of players and how many minor league options (years) they have left.
RHP Dallas Beeler (1), RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (2), RHP Kyle Hendricks (3), LHP Eric Jokisch (2), RHP Yoervis Medina (0), RHP Neil Ramirez (0), LHP Zac Rosscup (1), RHP Jacob Turner (0), C/OF Kyle Schwarber (2), INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara (1), INF Javier Baez (2), 3B/OF Kris Bryant (3), INF Tommy La Stella (3), INF Addison Russell (3), INF Christian Villanueva (0), OF Quintin Berry (0), OF Jorge Soler (1) and OF Matt Szczur (0)
The Cubs should have fewer waiver claims this winter due to the fact they finished with the third best record in baseball. Players that could help next season would likely not be available by the time the Cubs could claim them.
The Cubs are expected to be rather active this off-season with trades and free agent signings. The 40-man roster should look a lot different by the end of the calendar year.