November 24, 2013

WINTER ROSTER

The Cubs will probably enter the Winter Meetings with this active roster:

# Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
49 Jake Arrieta R-R 6'4" 225 Mar 6, 1986
28 Daniel Bard R-R 6'4" 215 Jun 25, 1985
55 Alberto Cabrera R-R 6'4" 210 Oct 25, 1988
11 Kyuji Fujikawa L-R 6'0" 190 Jul 21, 1980
52 Justin Grimm R-R 6'3" 200 Aug 16, 1988
36 Edwin Jackson R-R 6'3" 210 Sep 9, 1983
12 Chang-Yong Lim R-R 5'11" 175 Jun 4, 1976
50 Blake Parker R-R 6'3" 225 Jun 19, 1985
43 Brooks Raley L-L 6'3" 200 Jun 29, 1988

Neil Ramirez R-R 6'4" 190 May 25, 1989
56 Hector Rondon R-R 6'3" 180 Feb 26, 1988
59 Zac Rosscup R-L 6'2" 205 Jun 9, 1988
18 Chris Rusin L-L 6'2" 195 Oct 22, 1986
40 James Russell L-L 6'4" 200 Jan 8, 1986
29 Jeff Samardzija R-R 6'5" 225 Jan 23, 1985
46 Pedro Strop R-R 6'0" 215 Jun 13, 1985
33 Carlos Villanueva R-R 6'2" 215 Nov 28, 1983
41 Arodys Vizcaino R-R 6'0" 190 Nov 13, 1990
37 Travis Wood R-L 5'11" 175 Feb 6, 1987
# Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
53 Welington Castillo R-R 5'10" 210 Apr 24, 1987
# Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
15 Darwin Barney R-R 5'10" 185 Nov 8, 1985
13 Starlin Castro R-R 5'10" 190 Mar 24, 1990

Mat Gamel L-R 6'1" 220 Jul 26, 1985
8 Donnie Murphy R-R 5'10" 190 Mar 10, 1983

Mike Olt R-R 6'2" 210 Aug 27, 1988
44 Anthony Rizzo L-L 6'3" 240 Aug 8, 1989
24 Luis Valbuena L-R 5'10" 170 Nov 30, 1985
61 Christian Villanueva R-R 5'11" 160 Jun 19, 1991
5 Josh Vitters R-R 6'2" 200 Aug 27, 1989
22 Logan Watkins L-R 5'11" 175 Aug 29, 1989
# Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
47 Brian Bogusevic L-L 6'3" 220 Feb 18, 1984
7 Brett Jackson L-R 6'2" 220 Aug 2, 1988
21 Junior Lake R-R 6'3" 215 Mar 27, 1990
19 Nate Schierholtz L-R 6'2" 215 Feb 15, 1984
68 Jorge Soler R-R 6'4" 215 Feb 25, 1992
6 Ryan Sweeney L-L 6'4" 225 Feb 20, 1985
72 Matt Szczur R-R 6'1" 195 Jul 20, 1989


Just before the deadline, the Cubs added Arismendy Alcantara (2B/SS), Dallas Beeler (RHP) to the 40 man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings.

Looking at this roster, we can begin to eliminate those players who really have no future with the new front office: 3B Josh Vitters, OF Brett Jackson, OF Matt Szczur. Whether any of these "old" prospects have any trade value except for exchanging "change of scenery" players is debatable.

Then we have the journeymen'replacement players who have no future as being part of the "core" rebuild: RP Alberto Cabrera, RP Hector Rondon, RP Zac Rosscup, 2B Logan Watkins, OF Brian Bogusevic, OF Ryan Sweeney.

Then you have projected utility/bench guys for other teams: 2B Barney, 1B Mat Gamel, IN Donnie Murphy, IN Luis Valbuena, 3B Christian Villaneuva, OF Junior Lake.

If one has to rank the player values (for trade purposes), this is what I get:

1. Travis Wood, LHP: There would no reason to trade Wood as he appears to be the most consistent starter.
2. Nate Schierholtz, OF: After a career best offensive season, it would probably be best to trade him at his peak.
3. Jeff Samardzija, RHP: Since there is other team interest in the Shark, he has value, especially since he hit 200 IP this season.
4. Wellington Castillo, C: There is a shortage of power hitting catchers in baseball, so Castillo's value is very good. However, since the Cubs have no heir apparent in the organization, Castillo will not be traded.
5. Starlin Castro, SS: Castro is an interesting candidate because he is still young, and has had success in the past. Some teams may think they can "fix" his swing to bring back his production. But after a regression year, his trade value has taken a hit.
6. Anthony Rizzo, 1B: Rizzo is in the same position as Castro, a regressive season after a lot of front office hype. Despite the press releases, Rizzo is barely an average first baseman defensively. The NL is looking for power hitting first basemen, but his poor BA devalues him.
7. Donnie Murphy, IN: A scrap heap in-season signing, Murphy surprised everyone with his power and play at third base. However, every team passed on his services before last season started; he may be one of those journeyman guys that a contender may want to solidify their bench.
8. Chris Rusin, LHP: He has show some ability as a starter, and lefty starters are in demand; but he is not overpowering pitcher so a team with a large ball park (like San Diego) would be suited for him. His trade value is low because he projects at best as a 4th starter on the right team. The Cubs probably think he is more valuable staying a Cub in 2014.
9. Pedro Strop, RHP: Strop was traded by the Orioles because of his inconsistent control. He got some of that back with the Cubs, so some teams may like to have his arm in their pen. However, given the uncertainty of the Cubs bullpen, Strop won't be traded.
10. Brooks Raley, LHP: Like Rusin, he has show some ability as a starter, and lefty starters are in demand; but he is not overpowering pitcher so a team with a large ball park (like San Diego) would be suited for him. His trade value is low because he projects at best as a 5th-6th starter. I think the Cubs would package him in a trade to get more value.