It’s been a few weeks, and Spring Training is about to start. So let’s take another look at the roster for the Cubs after a few minor league free agent signings.
There is still time for a few more moves – most likely minor-league deals with Spring Training Invites for veterans who are unable to get major league deals. If they decide to sign someone to a major league deal, the will need to clear space on the 40-man roster, which would be most likely be Ben Cowles or Justin Dean. It is also possible that Justin Stelle could go on the 60-day IL, but that would keep him out through most of May.
The most likely major league signing would be Zac Gallen, but as he received a qualifying offer, and is still tied to draft pick compensation, I feel like there’s only a small chance he comes to the Cubs. Most likely, he goes back to the Diamondbacks. Although, he could take the route that Craig Kimbrel took a few years ago, and wait until the amateur draft on July 11th to sign with a team, as he might be able to get a better deal then with more teams involved.
Locks (20*):
- Carson Kelly (0) – Catcher
- Miguel Amaya (0) – Catcher
- Michael Busch (2) – First Base
- Nico Hoerner (0) – Second Base
- Dansby Swanson (0) – Shortstop
- Alex Bregman (0)- Third Base
- Seiya Suzuki (3) – Right Field / Designated Hitter
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (2) – Center Field
- Ian Happ (0) – Left Field
- Matthew Boyd (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Cade Horton (3) – Starting Pitcher
- Shota Imanaga (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Justin Steele (0) – Starting Pitcher (*may start on 60-day IL)
- Jameson Taillon (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Edward Cabrera (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Daniel Palencia (2) – Closer
- Phil Maton (0) – Reliever
- Hunter Harvey (0) – Reliever
- Caleb Thielbar (0) – Reliever
- Colin Rea (0) – Swingman
I’m moving Amaya to the lock area, as the Cubs did not add any catchers good enough to compete to be the backup. There’s no way Ballesteros would be the third catcher, and Christian Bethancourt is injury insurance. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Cubs get another veteran catcher on a minor league deal, as the depth in Iowa ay be an issue. Greg Huss from Out of the Vines has Casey Opitz as the backup in Iowa, with Arial Armas and Miguel Useche in AA.
Near Locks (1)
- Matt Shaw (2) – Infielder
Shaw is a close to a lock as possible. I see almost no way he gets sent to Iowa to start the season, but I needed to put someone in this category.
Probables (3)
- Moises Ballesteros (2) – Designated Hitter/Catcher/First Base
- Tyler Austin (0) – Designated Hitter/First Base/Corner Outfield
- Hoby Milner (0) – Reliever
There were rumblings on social media about the Cubs getting another bat to compete for reps at DH, but I think the Cubs will go into Spring with Ballesteros and Austin as a platoon. I can also see one of the regular position players getting a day at DH with Shaw or the backup outfielder taking their defensive spot.
If one of the non-roster players is amazing in Spring and Balleseros or Austin really struggle, we might see the non-roster player get a spot.
Hoby Milner will likely be the second lefty in the bullpen
Possibles (9)
- Kevin Alcantara (1) – Outfield
- Chas McCormick (2) – Outfield – Non-Roster
- Dylan Carlson (0) – Outfield – Non-Roster
- Jacob Webb (0) – Reliever
- Ben Brown (1) – Reliever
- Javier Assad (2) – Swingman
- Porter Hodge (2) – Reliever
- Luke Little (1) – Reliever
- Jordan Wicks (2) – Reliever
There are essentially three wide open spots left to fill out the roster, if everything works out as planned. But there is always the downside possibility of injury or ineffectiveness. Or the upside possibility that someone looks so good, you can’t keep them off the roster – such as happened to Brad Keller last season.
Assuming all goes well, the locks (except for Steele) are healthy and Ballesteros and Austin are able to win the DH job, the Cubs need two pitchers to complete the 8-man bullpen and one outfielder to backup PCA, Suzuki and Happ.
I see three players currently on the spring training invite list who have a chance for the last bench spot: Carlson, Alcantara and McCormick. Alcantara has minor league options, and I assume the Cubs will want him getting regular at bats in Iowa, so I think he has the least chance. But he might be the first called up in there is a injury. I’d think Carlson has a slight advantage as a switch hitter, but I think either he or McCormick could win the job with a really good spring.
The last bullpen spot is wide open, with Jacob Webb having an edge because he has no options left and Ben Brown due to all his major league experience last season. I know lots of people would prefer Assad, but he might be more valuable to be stretched out in Iowa in case a starter gets injured, and Colin Rea is not ready to immediately step in.
Luke Little might get a chance if he can improve his control. And then there’s Porter Hodge, who dominated in 2024 but looked bad last season.
Unlikely (12)
- Justin Dean (3) – Outfielder
- James Triantos (3) – Infielder
- Scott Kingery (2) – Infielder – Non-Roster
- Ethan Roberts (1) – Reliever
- Riley Martin (3) – Reliever
- Jack Neely (1) – Reliever
- Gavin Hollowell (1) – Reliever
- Ryan Rolison (1) – Pitcher
- Jeff Brigham (0) – Pitcher – Non-Roster
- Corbin Martin (0) – Pitcher – Non-Roster
- Collin Snider (0) – Pitcher – Non-Roster
- Trent Thornton (0) – Pitcher – Non-Roster
We’ve seen Roberts, Neely and Hollowell on the major league team at one time or another, and they could be back for small stretches this season. But I would be shocked if any of them made the opening day roster.
Rolison had an ERA over 7.00 for Colorado last season, so unless they see something special in him, or an obvious adjustment that can make him better, he could be a candidate to be waived. But I’ve been saying that about Hollowell for over a year.
Brigham, Martin, Snider and Thornton are fliers who have been invited to camp. I don’t think any will have the impact of Chris Flexen, let alone Brad Keller. But you never know. Thornton was great with Toronto and Seattle in 2023, with somewhat limited playing time, and was solid in 2024.
Very unlikely (3)
- Christian Bethancourt (0) – Catcher – Non-roster
- Ben Cowles (2) – Infielder
- Jonathon Long (n/a) – First Base – Minors
No Chance / Rule 5 Guys (10)
- Pedro Ramirez (3) – Infielder
- Ariel Armas (n/a) – Catcher – Minors
- Casey Opitz (n/a) – Catcher – Minors
- BJ Murray (n/a) – Infielder – Minors
- Jefferson Rojas (n/a) – Infielder – Minors
- Brett Bateman (n/a) – Outfielder – Minors
- Jaxon Wiggins (n/a) – Pitcher – Minors
- Grant Kipp (n/a) – Pitcher – Minors
- Connor Schultz (n/a) – Pitcher – Minors
- Connor Noland (n/a) – Pitcher – Minors
Ramirez is only on the 40-man due to Rule 5, which has started the clock on his option years. Wiggins will need to go on the 40-man after his season, but the Cubs will not rush him.
Several of these guys are 25+ (Opitz, Murray, Kill, Schultz and Noland), so I’m not sure how much runway they have left to make an impact. Perhaps they could move into “very unlikely” category based on how they look early in the Spring.
Cubs in 7 
Leave a comment