Just last week, I took a “way too early” look at a possible Cubs Opening Day roster.
Today, we stand 72 days from that (hopefully not too cold) Opening Day game Thursday, March 26 against the Nationals at Wrigley Field — and two significant changes have happened since then.
So let’s take another look at who those 26 players will be who will line up on the third-base line at Wrigley Field for introductions. Honestly, I don’t see too many possible changes from this list before March 26. After the Cubs’
two big moves in the last week, I think this is it.
The Cubs’ current 40-man roster currently stands at 38 players — including Alex Bregman, whose signing has not yet officially been announced by the team. I’d expect that signing to become official before this weekend’s Cubs Convention.
Here goes, then.
Catchers (2)
Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly
COMMENT: Still no question about these two. Hopefully Amaya stays healthy this year. If so, this is a very good catching tandem.
Infielders (6)
Tyler Austin, Alex Bregman, Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Matt Shaw
COMMENT: Austin essentially takes over the roster spot held in 2025 by Justin Turner. There is still some question about whether Shaw might be traded. Personally, I hope the Cubs do NOT trade Nico Hoerner. If there’s a trade upcoming, the Cubs would have to find another infielder to be their backup at shortstop, second base and third base. Scott Kingery, in camp on a NRI, is a possibility. Willi Castro, who didn’t play well for the Cubs after they acquired him from the Twins in trade last summer, remains a free agent. Other infielders meeting that description who remain free agents (and I’m not necessarily recommending any of these guys, just noting that they are available) include Santiago Espinal, Thairo Estrada and Isiah Kiner-Falefa..
Outfielders (4)
Kevin Alcántara, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki
COMMENT: If Moisés Ballesteros (see below) serves as DH, Suzuki will play a lot of right field. Alcántara becomes the Cubs’ primary backup outfielder at all three positions.
Designated hitter (1)
Moisés Ballesteros
COMMENT: Ballesteros, nominally a catcher, really doesn’t belong in that category as (in my view) his catching skills aren’t MLB-ready, so I’m listing him exclusively as a DH. He’ll almost certainly be the Cubs’ DH against RHP, and perhaps work into the role vs. LHP over the course of the season.
Starting pitchers (5)
Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Cade Horton, Shōta Imanaga, Jameson Taillon
COMMENT: Justin Steele likely starts the year on the 60-day injured list, but could join the rotation by sometime in early June. Jaxon Wiggins, who likely starts the year in Triple-A,
Relief pitchers (8)
Ben Brown, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Daniel Palencia, Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb
COMMENT: Colin Rea got bumped from the rotation to “swingman/long reliever” as a result of the Edward Cabrera trade.
Names I left off include Javier Assad, Luke Little, Porter Hodge, Ethan Roberts and Jordan Wicks. All of those pitchers have options, and Assad could start the year at Triple-A Iowa, stretching out to start. Brown could, too, although I think his best use is in the bullpen. Wicks, I believe, has a chance to become (eventually) a reliever in the mold of Thielbar, or maybe even the way the Cubs used Drew Pomeranz last year.
Hodge was on the potential 26-man roster I posted here a week ago. Of the eight pitchers listed above, only Brown and Palencia have options. Palencia’s obviously not going anywhere, and it’s possible the Cubs keep Hodge and send Brown to Iowa. As always, we await developments.
This list is probably close to the 26 men who will line up on the third-base line at Wrigley Field March 26. But it’s at least a starting point for discussion. Have at it.
