Cubs current roster 2018

CubsFaninMN said:

He'll go with eight relievers, likely with Grimmer as the 8th (seeing as how he is completely out of options -- he either is in the bullpen, traded or DFA'ed), so that takes care of keeping Zags at AAA. And with the addition of Darvish, Caratini gets to soak up AB's at AAA and act as trade bait, while Gimenez takes up the backup catcher duties on the big league club.

Your bench will be Zobrist, LaStella, Happ and Gimenez most days, except for those days when Darvish starts, or when we're facing a LHP. And I betcha that, even on days when Yu starts, Willson may end up playing left, or first -- depending on who has the hotter bat, etc.

I can still see a trade window, even before the season starts, that could include people like Montgomery, Caratini and even (if he has any trade value) Zobrist. So, the 25-man is likely pretty well patted into shape, barring such a trade, but the 40-man could still see some adjustments before the season starts.

Here's a question -- at what point does Bourjos look to be a better bench-sitter than LaStella? Tommy gives you a left-handed bat and spells infielders with spot starts, but Bourjos gives you an almost-daily defensive sub in late innings for Schwarbs (or whoever starts in left on any given day). And Happ, when he isn't spot-starting, gives you that left-handed situational bat off the bench, as well. I wonder if Bourjos won't take the bench spot that Tommy is currently keeping warm...?

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I will never get the need of that 8th reliever that hardly ever used except in that occasional blowout, over having that extra guy on bench that seems to be needed a whole lot more...

You plan on not using the backup catcher just in case..
So that leaves him with just 3 guys to use as a PHer Double switch PR defensive replacement in game situations, or injury/kicked out...

Zobrist LaStella Happ...

Funny thing is, none of them would be a better defensive option then a starter at any position except maybe Schwarber in LF, none have that base stealing speed if you need that late in game...
So basically their best use would be as a PHer and obviously giving regular a day off...

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chibears55 said:

I will never get the need of that 8th reliever that hardly ever used except in that occasional blowout, over having that extra guy on bench that seems to be needed a whole lot more...

You plan on not using the backup catcher just in case..
So that leaves him with just 3 guys to use as a PHer Double switch PR defensive replacement in game situations, or injury/kicked out...

Zobrist LaStella Happ...

Funny thing is, none of them would be a better defensive option then a starter at any position except maybe Schwarber in LF, none have that base stealing speed if you need that late in game...
So basically their best use would be as a PHer and obviously giving regular a day off...

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Again, I tend to agree, but we know what Maddon's tendencies are. And he likes to have that 8-man 'pen.

I will say that Gimenez is known for picking up pitching innings in blowouts, having done so six times last year for the Twins, if I'm remembering the stat correctly. Perhaps, if Gimenez is our backup C next year (likely), Joe will feel more comfortable knowing he has a guy who can soak up innings in blowouts who doesn't count against his bullpen usage.

Your point about defensive upgrades is what makes me wonder whether or not Bourjos takes the place of LaStella on the bench next year. He can pinch-run as well as be a LF defensive upgrade to close out games. I get the feeling that situation will come up more often than needing Tommy's left-handed bat off the bench, or needing him to spell KB at third. We got a ton of infielders who can cover a KB day off -- you can move Javy to third in any situation, and let Happer or Zo cover second. Plus, at least once, I think Joe started Contreras at third. So, if Tommy's biggest asset is being able to spell KB for rest days, maybe it's time he gives up his seat.

Maybe Theo needs to get out there and try to sell a package of Montgomery, Grimm, Caratini and LaStella in exchange for a legitimate back-of-the-bullpen kind of guy, to shore up the possibility that a first-time closer might not quite be ready for the job...

CubsFaninMN said:

Again, I tend to agree, but we know what Maddon's tendencies are. And he likes to have that 8-man 'pen.

I will say that Gimenez is known for picking up pitching innings in blowouts, having done so six times last year for the Twins, if I'm remembering the stat correctly. Perhaps, if Gimenez is our backup C next year (likely), Joe will feel more comfortable knowing he has a guy who can soak up innings in blowouts who doesn't count against his bullpen usage.

Your point about defensive upgrades is what makes me wonder whether or not Bourjos takes the place of LaStella on the bench next year. He can pinch-run as well as be a LF defensive upgrade to close out games. I get the feeling that situation will come up more often than needing Tommy's left-handed bat off the bench, or needing him to spell KB at third. We got a ton of infielders who can cover a KB day off -- you can move Javy to third in any situation, and let Happer or Zo cover second. Plus, at least once, I think Joe started Contreras at third. So, if Tommy's biggest asset is being able to spell KB for rest days, maybe it's time he gives up his seat.

Maybe Theo needs to get out there and try to sell a package of Montgomery, Grimm, Caratini and LaStella in exchange for a legitimate back-of-the-bullpen kind of guy, to shore up the possibility that a first-time closer might not quite be ready for the job...

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I don’t want us to trade TLS. The dude can flat out hit.

1B Rizzo L
2B Zobrist S
SS Russell R
3B Bryant R
IF Baez R
IF La Stella L
LF Schwarber L
CF Almora, Jr. R
RF Heyward L
OF Happ S
OF ---
C Contreras R
C Gimenez R
SP Darvish R
SP Lester L
SP Hendricks R
SP Quintana L
SP Chatwood R
RP Montgomery L
RP Cishek R
RP Duensing L
RP Strop R
RP Edwards, Jr. R
RP Wilson L
CL Morrow R

Not bad. Could drop the extra OF for an 8th RP.

fatbeard said:

1B Rizzo L
2B Zobrist S
SS Russell R
3B Bryant R
IF Baez R
IF La Stella L
LF Schwarber L
CF Almora, Jr. R
RF Heyward L
OF Happ S
OF ---
C Contreras R
C Gimenez R
SP Darvish R
SP Lester L
SP Hendricks R
SP Quintana L
SP Chatwood R
RP Montgomery L
RP Cishek R
RP Duensing L
RP Strop R
RP Edwards, Jr. R
RP Wilson L
CL Morrow R

Not bad. Could drop the extra OF for an 8th RP.

Click to expand...

I'm about as sure as I can be that the fifth bench slot (that you have as the unnamed OF, likely Bourjos if they went that way) is going to have to be an eighth reliever, instead. Named Grimm.

People keep forgetting that Grimm is out of options. He'll either be on the active roster or DFA'ed, unless he gets traded. And for a guy who lost his arbitration hearing, I dunno what his trade value would be. It would likely be a "for future considerations" trade, having mostly to do with how much of his salary they can get another team to take over.

Of course, this assumes that Wilson gets his act together and get the ball over the plate occasionally. If not, then JW may be the guy we have to DFA. Assuming he's out of options, too. (I gotta admit, I'm not sure about his options.)

Otherwise, yep. That's the 25-man. At least to start the season.

Edit -- unless there is a trade in the next couple of weeks. I guess it depends on just how pissed off Montgomery is about losing his spot in the rotation. If he really needs a trade, maybe we can package him with Grimm, promote Zas to the big-league team to take the lefty-long-reliever role Monty would be vacating, and leave us enough room to sign Greg Holland. It pushes Morrow up to be the 8th inning guy, and strengthens the back end more than the front end of the BP, but could overall be a winning move.

I'm pretty sure it will be Grimm. They didn't have to offer him Arb at all. The fact that they did means it is Grimm's spot to lose. The only guy that may boot hom off the roster is Maples but I'm predicting that he closes at Iowa. He really needs to stabilize this year with his command and a solid year in a set role should help with his development. Last year he was rushed and he never really had a chance to settle in at a level. It should be a huge confidence builder that he needs.

I'm pretty sure that they are planning a Iowa rotation of Butler, Mills, Tseng, Underwood, Alzolay. That way if anything happens they have 5 guys to choose from to bump up.

Over all I'm pretty satisfied with what is happening. They have plenty of depth and all 5 Iowa starters are quality pitchers that can fill in if needed. This puts Montgomery into a set role in the pen vs swing which did affect him last year with fatigue.

Looks to me like this will be the roster heading North...
Only question will be that 8th reliever..
Grimm, Simmons or someone else that surprises



C. Wilson Contreras

1B. Anthony Rizzo

2B. Javier Baez

SS. Addison Russell

3B. Kris Bryant

LF. Kyle Schwarber

CF. Alberto Almora

RF. Jason Heyward

C. Chris Gimenez

IF. Tommy LaStella

UT. Ben Zobrist

UT. Ian Happ

SP. Jon Lester

SP. Yu Darvish

SP. Jose Quintana

SP. Kyle Hendricks

SP. Tyler Chatwood

Rel.Mike Montgomery

Rel. Steve Cishek

Rel. Pedro Strop

Rel. Brian Duensing

Rel. Carl Edwards

Rel. Justin Wilson

Clo. Brandon Morrow

Relievers... for that 8th spot

Justin Grimm

Shea Simmons

Dario Alvarez

Dillon Maples

Randy Rosario

Rob Zastryzny

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Agreed, with a couple of provisos. First, Grimm is out of minor league options, and Simmons has a split contract and thus can be shuttled back and forth as much as the front office likes. So, if it's not Grimm on the 25-man, then Grimm ends up being DFA'ed. In other words, since making it anyone except Grimm means you have to cut him loose entirely, I bet the FO will wait before taking that step. As has been noted, the Cubs didn't have to offer him arbitration at all, even though they won the case. I take that as meaning they still believe Grimm has some value, and they'll want to avoid the need to cut him loose entirely as their first (and last) move with him for the year.

Second, there is still a chance that Gimenez starts at AAA and Caratini comes north with the club, though I think that's not too likely. I really believe they will bring Gimenez north, partially because of his relationship with Darvish, and partially for clubhouse veteran leadership.

Third and last, there really is only one roster spot on the 25-man that two guys are fighting over, I believe. That's the final bench spot. I think LaStella and Bourjos are fighting over that one. LaStella is the better selection in terms of having that left-handed bat on the bench with good pop and decent average, Bourjos is the better selection for pinch-running (something for which this team has not had a bench specialist in lots of years) and for outfield defensive upgrade late in a game. So, this spot will come down to which guy looks better this spring, and (likely more important) which of these two cut-and-dried types of flexibility Joe feels he wants on the bench coming into the season.

Honestly? I think Joe's gonna go with Bourjos. Nothing against Tommy; I just think he wants that well-defined defensive upgrade (look how many times he used Martin to close out games late last season), and I think he likes the pinch-running capability that Bourjos opens up for him. And since he's going to start the season with two switch hitters on the bench, each with potential for good pop from the left side (Happ and Zobrist), and each of which can handle any defensive replacement situation that Tommy could, Bourjos seems to add the most to the bench in the way of capability and flexibility.

But, we'll have to see how it shakes out over the next five weeks...