Projecting Cubs' Opening Day roster as Spring Training begins

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs were busy this offseason in their bid to build a postseason-caliber roster after falling short of playoff aspirations the past two years. After Chicago’s flurry of moves, it is easy to look at the group and feel it can indeed contend for the National League Central crown.

With camp underway for the Cubs, it’s time for a way-too-early look at how the 26-man roster could look when Opening Day arrives. For Chicago, the opener comes earlier than usual with the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers on March 18-19 in Japan. This projection is for the Cubs' domestic opener on March 27 against the D-backs.

Catcher (2): Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly
Amaya turned a corner in the second half in 2024 and gained trust from the pitching staff, but the Cubs wanted a veteran to pair with him behind the dish. Chicago signed Kelly on a two-year deal, giving the team two backstops capable of handling the starting role.

First baseman (1): Michael Busch
Busch was handed the keys to first base in 2024 and put together a solid rookie campaign both offensively and defensively. He will return as the starter at first, while veteran utility man Jon Berti should offer some right-handed balance off the bench.

Second baseman (1): Jon Berti
Entering the spring, the timeline for Nico Hoerner (October surgery on his right forearm) is cloudy, making his availability for the season opener (March 18) uncertain. If Hoerner needs more time, Berti looks like a fit at second, or potentially top prospect Matt Shaw (No. 19 on Pipeline’s Top 100).

Shortstop (1): Dansby Swanson
Swanson is entering the third season under the seven-year contract he signed with the Cubs prior to the 2023 campaign. He is currently working back from October core-muscle surgery to address an issue he played through during last season, when he led the North Siders in bWAR (4.0).

Third baseman (1): Matt Shaw
At the moment, Shaw looks like the favorite to claim the opening at third base. Dating back to the Trade Deadline last year, the Cubs have parted ways with every player who made at least one start at third last season. The path looks clear for Shaw as camp opens.

Outfielders (3): Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker
Tucker heads into camp as the Cubs’ marquee addition this winter, adding star power to the middle of Chicago’s lineup. Crow-Armstrong is coming off an impressive showing down the stretch last year and gives the Cubs an elite defender with plus speed and overflowing energy. Happ won his third consecutive Gold Glove in left last year and returns as a source of veteran leadership and offensive consistency.

DH (1): Seiya Suzuki
The addition of Tucker to man right field pushed Suzuki out of the regular rotation for the outfield. While Suzuki can be worked in for left and right field, he stands to get the majority of his at-bats as the Cubs’ DH right now.

Bench/Utility (3): Vidal Bruján, Alexander Canario, Gage Workman
Hoerner’s status for Opening Day will have a domino effect for the bench, but these are safe picks going into camp. The Cubs traded for the versatile Bruján, who can bounce around the infield and outfield. Canario is out of Minor League options, making him a versus-lefties fit off the bench. Workman can man multiple infield spots and was a Rule 5 Draft pick, so the Cubs either need to carry him on the roster or offer him back to the Tigers. There are candidates beyond this group, including Nicky Lopez (non-roster invitee).

Starting Pitchers (5): Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon
The North Siders already had a formidable front three between Imanaga, Steele and Taillon, and signed Boyd over the winter to lengthen the group. With Javier Assad currently dealing with a left oblique issue, Rea would be the current favorite for the fifth spot. Younger options like Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks will also be in contention this spring.

Relief Pitchers (8): Ryan Brasier, Porter Hodge, Julian Merryweather, Tyson Miller, Nate Pearson, Ryan Pressly, Caleb Thielbar, Keegan Thompson
The Cubs acquired Pressly from the Astros, giving them a veteran closer to anchor a bullpen that will likely need all spring to sort out. The recent addition of Brasier adds another layer to a suddenly crowded field. Arms like Eli Morgan and Luke Little, among a long list of other candidates, will very much be in the hunt for an Opening Day job.