The Cubs’ Opening Day roster is almost set, with the backup catcher slot the last remaining question (and one that could conceivably be answered at any minute). Let’s break it down:
The Lineup
Willson Contreras
Anthony Rizzo
David Bote
Javier Báez
Kris Bryant
Joc Pederson
Ian Happ
Jason Heyward
Went in order by position (around the diamond) here, not through any sort of batting order. All familiar faces, with the exception of Pederson. As always, there’s a ton of talent here. As recently has been the case, there are also questions. For just about everybody.
The Bench
Jake Marisnick
Eric Sogard
Matt Duffy
P.J. Higgins?
Higgins is the current backup catcher, unless the Cubs sign somebody (Jonathan Lucroy?). There are concerns about him, and it’s unclear when Austin Romine will be healthy enough to take over the role.
Elsewhere, it’s a veteran bench. Competent. No huge upside or fascinating specialization. Nico Hoerner will eventually take over one of these spots, so let me say that I can’t tell how much of his demotion is service time manipulation and how much is that he’s struggled at the plate since being necessarily rushed to the majors. If David Bote plays well enough, and, less likely, everyone stays healthy (let’s all go ahead and knock on wood), Hoerner may only be needed as a defensive replacement and occasional spot starter, which does make me think demoting him might be the right move for him longterm. The Cubs need him to be more than a defensive replacement. If getting more minor league at-bats helps accomplish it, good.
It’s worth noting here that whether it’s Higgins or someone new, the Cubs will need to open two spots on the 40-man roster, if my math is correct. Could be a DFA. Could be a move to the 60-day IL. Could be one of each. I think they’re at 41 without Higgins/TBD.
Starting Pitching
Kyle Hendricks
Jake Arrieta
Zach Davies
Trevor Williams
Adbert Alzolay
I’m comfortable calling Kyle Hendricks an ace. He isn’t the prototype, but he’s been more effective than plenty of guys who fit the prototype. Beyond him, everyone’s a reasonable rotation filler. Davies should be solid. Alzolay is mildly exciting. Williams and Arrieta will pitch their innings. While the rotation is expected to be among the league’s worst, the upside does appear better than the downside, especially with projections down on Hendricks, who is unusual and therefore a bit harder to project. There’s no one in the rotation at this time who inspires dread. Compared to what we thought might happen, I’ll take it (also everybody’s likable, which does help a bit psychologically if you’re pulling for the Cubs).
Relief Pitching
Craig Kimbrel
Brandon Workman
Andrew Chafin
Jason Adam
Ryan Tepera
Dan Winkler
Rex Brothers
Dillon Maples
Alec Mills
It’s a middle-of-the-pack bullpen, with Kimbrel, as he’s been, the big potential gamechanger. We’ll see what becomes of it. Rowan Wick and Jonathan Holder will both start the year on the IL. There are plenty of interchangeable parts that could slide in for Adam/Winkler/Brothers/Maples (maybe I’m overrating Tepera, but he did receive that MVP vote…), including Brad Wieck, Kyle Ryan, and Pedro Strop. Mills is nice to have as a starter-in-waiting, should the need arise (or should the Cubs desire to lower workload coming off the short season).
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Overall, it’s a roster. It’s not a great one, but it’s more competitive than was feared. The backup catcher thing feels concerning, but Higgins hit well in 2019 at both AA and AAA, so maybe concerns about him behind the plate are overblown? I may be over-speculating here, but I wonder if he could turn into someone the Cubs pair with Hendricks while Romine gets healthy—again, maybe over-speculating, but I’d imagine Hendricks is the most able, given movement/velocity/guile, to navigate a below-average defensive catcher, if Higgins is indeed below-average defensively. The fear is having a disastrous game where he has four or five passed balls and the Cubs have to think about putting Contreras in on his off day. As long as it doesn’t come to that, it’s probably fine.
