SURPRISE, Ariz. – When Cubs manager Craig Counsell was asked a few weeks ago whether he’d ever been in a camp with so few real roster decisions to make, he challenged the premise of the question.
“That’s today,” Counsell said. “That’ll change.”
Sure enough, since the Sun-Times’ last roster projection, which dropped as Cactus League play began last month, the bench picture has shifted with a single injury (first baseman Tyler Austin) and one non-roster invitee signing (outfielder Michael Conforto).
Two weeks before the Cubs’ final spring training game, their bench and bullpen are still the most intriguing competitions to follow. But who knows what factors may shake up the projected roster in that time.
Here’s one potential configuration, while acknowledging that there’s still plenty of time this spring for things to change:
Starting pitchers (5)
RHP Cade Horton
RHP Jameson Taillon
RHP Edward Cabrera
LHP Matthew Boyd
LHP Shota Imanaga
The rotation picture has remained unchanged. Boyd (United States) and Taillon’s (Canada) participation in the World Baseball Classic, however, has given pitchers like Colin Rea and Ben Brown extra opportunities to start.
Rea is expected to begin the season in the bullpen, in a swingman role. Brown is competing for a roster spot in what would likely be a similar role. But having him start in Triple-A as starting depth could also be beneficial.
Rotation depth could be a strength for the Cubs this year, thanks to the re-signing of Imanaga and acquisition of Cabrera this offseason. The fact that right-hander Javier Assad, a fixture in Team Mexico’s rotation this WBC, appears to be the odd man out speaks to the talent of the starting staff. And that’s even with left-hander Justin Steele (elbow surgery) likely sidelined for at least the first month and a half of the regular season.
Relievers (8)
RHP Colin Rea
RHP Daniel Palecia
RHP Phil Maton
RHP Hunter Harvey
RHP Jacob Webb
RHP Corbin Martin
LHP Caleb Thielbar
LHP Hoby Milner
The Cubs have an intriguing group of NRI relievers in camp. Martin, who hadn’t allowed a run or more than one hit in a game before the Giants scored two against him on Sunday, gets the nod in this projection to preserve depth. Along with Martin’s performance, the Cubs will take into account the opt-out he can exercise if he doesn’t make the team.
Fellow right-handed non-roster invitee Collin Snider is also an interesting option, but the Cubs have longer to make a decision on him.
The Cubs could also choose to prioritize minor-league options for the flexibility they provide. Players who still are optionable include Brown and right-hander Ethan Roberts (0.00 ERA).
Catchers (3)
C Miguel Amaya
C Carson Kelly
DH/C Moisés Ballesteros
Ballesteros got a late start to the spring, delayed by visa issues. But he’s made up for lost time. The Cubs’ game against the Rangers Tuesday was Ballesteros’ fifth behind the plate this spring.
The Cubs prioritized Ballesteros getting experience, even though catchers Miguel Amaya and Carlson Kelly are expected to split a majority of the playing time, with a plan to have the rookie catch some during the regular season. Ballesteros has only caught 316 games in his professional career, including one in the majors.
Infield (6)
1B Micheal Busch
2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Alex Bregman
UTL Matt Shaw
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer made improving the bench a priority this offseason. And, funnily enough, the move that made the biggest impact in accomplishing that goal was Bregman’s signing.
Bregman’s addition pushed Shaw into a super utility role. Having a lineup-regular filling in for players across the field, including the outfield, is a luxury the Cubs didn’t have last year.
With Austin out for months, if the Cubs want to carry a backup first baseman, Jonathon Long is in line for the role, but he has missed a chunk of the spring for a sprained left elbow.
Outfield (4)
LF Ian Happ
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
RF Seiya Suzuki
OF Michael Conforto
OF Chas McCormick
Counsell recently confirmed that the Cubs could carry five outfielders on the Opening Day roster.
Conforto is in strong position to claim one of those bench spots. And fellow non-roster invitees Chas McCormick and Dylan Carlson appear to be in a tight race for another. That’s why they’ve taken turns appearing in the Sun-Times’ roster projections.
Carlson has had the better spring from a pure results perspective, albeit in a small sample size. The Cubs’ evaluation of the two will go beyond the box scores.
Injured list
LHP Justin Steele (elbow surgery)
RHP Shelby Miller (elbow surgery)
Tyler Austin (knee surgery)
RHP Porter Hodge (right flexor tendon strain)
LHP Jordan Wicks (radial nerve irritation)