NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs regular season begins just ONE week from today, but the roster is still fairly loaded (42 players for 26 spots before today’s latest round of cuts).
But the march to 26 continued this morning, with five more cuts from the spring roster, bringing our total down to 27.
Cubs Roster Cuts
Here’s the Cubs press release on their most moves:
MESA – The Chicago Cubs today reduced the spring roster from 42 to 37 players.
Right-handed pitcher Daniel Palencia has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Four non-roster invitees have been assigned to minor league camp: right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer, left-handed pitchers Richard Lovelady and Thomas Pannone and infielder David Bote.
Chicago’s spring roster of 37 players consists of 18 pitchers (which includes two non-roster invitees), four catchers (two non-roster invitees), eight infielders (two non-roster invitees), six outfielders (one non-roster invitee) and one infielder/outfielder.
Obviously, the two big names there are Daniel Palencia and David Bote.
Even with injuries to Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal, even with a solid Spring (114 wRC+, 5 HRs), and even with his guaranteed contract (he’ll make $5.5M this year), Bote never felt like much of a threat to make the big league roster from the jump, especially because he’s not currently on the 40-man. Remember, because Bote has been outrighted before in his career, he could elect free agency if the Cubs had to outright him again. So they’re really only going to call him up if they’re pretty sure they can use him quite a bit. It’s a bit of a no-man’s land for the one-time fan favorite, which is why Brett was hoping Bote would be traded, for his own sake if nothing else. Alas. For now, he’ll continue serving as (very well paid) extreme depth at Iowa.
As for Palencia, the story is quite different. The 24-year-old right-hander (and his 98 MPH fastball) will be back with the Cubs at some point this season; there’s no doubt about it. But given a crowded bullpen picture, including some guys without options, Palencia made sense as an initial send down. He’ll be back up soon. The only thing that’s a little surprising here is that Luke Little (who’s in an almost identical situation) hasn’t been cut yet. Maybe the Cubs are actually thinking about keeping him? I don’t know, but it stands out.
You can read more about the Cubs other three cuts by following the links on each of their (Grade-A) names: Colten Brewer, Richard Lovelady, and Thomas Pannone. Each were signed to minor league deals this offseason with outside shots at making the big league roster. It’s possible/likely even that they have some opt-outs if/when they don’t make the big league team by a certain date, so we’ll have to see what happens from here, if the Cubs can keep them or not.
