It’s still January and there could be additions to come.
Before I get into this list — and it’s likely to change perhaps even before Spring Training begins — here’s the caveat. This is a look at who will take the field for the Cubs Thursday, March 27 against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field — not who will open the actual 2025 season against the Dodgers Tuesday, March 18 in Japan. Reason: The roster that will head to Tokyo to represent the Cubs is likely to be at least 28, and possibly 29, players. In addition, since the Cubs will only need two starting pitchers in Japan, they could take additional relievers and leave some of the projected rotation back in Mesa.
It is, as the headline says, way too early to do this. But here I am on a random Tuesday in January trying to figure out something to write about and give you a topic for discusion, so here we are.
Catchers (2)
Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly
I don’t think anyone will disagree with this, especially since these are the only two catchers on the 40-man roster and both are considered important for the Cubs this year.
Infielders (6)
Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Matt Shaw, Gage Workman, Vidal Bruján
I am going to take the optimistic path here and say that Nico will be ready for Opening Day. We still don’t know exactly how far along he is in recovery from flexor tendon surgery, though you can find some clues in this article from last weekend.
It’s possible the Cubs will return Workman, a Rule 5 pick, to the Tigers and someone else will make the roster.
Bruján, who can play all the infield positions and some outfield, should be an improvement over Miles Mastrobuoni
Outfielders (5)
Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Alexander Canario
Suzuki, of course, will primarily DH this year and perhaps occasionally start in the outfield. Canario can play all the outfield positions.
Is it possible that Kevin Alcántara or Owen Caissie surpass Canario and make the Opening Day roster? Sure, but at this point Canario is the logical choice.
Starting pitchers (5)
Shōta Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea
It’s possible the Cubs could sign or trade for another starter, which would put Rea in the bullpen as a swingman
Relief pitchers (8)
Porter Hodge, Eli Morgan, Nate Pearson, Julian Merryweather, Caleb Thielbar, Luke Little, Tyson Miller, Javier Assad
Here’s where you are probably going to differ from my choices, and I am certainly not committed to these eight. I’ve left Ben Brown off here, even though I think he’d serve the team better in relief than as a starter. In this scenario Brown is probably sent to Triple-A Iowa to stretch out to start. Also not listed here: Matt Festa, Gavin Hollowell, Caleb Kilian, Jack Neely, Daniel Palencia, Cody Poteet, Ethan Roberts, Keegan Thompson, Jordan Wicks and Rob Zastryzny. All of those pitchers have MLB experience and could be part of the pen at some point in 2025. Of that latter list, Hollowell, Kilian, Neely, Palencia, Poteet, Roberts and Wicks have options remaining.
Okay, that’s one look at a possible 26-man roster for Opening Day. Now it’s your turn.