You're Invited!

What I've always imagined an "invitation to spring training" looked like.

Every year since I've started this blog, I've done a quick little review of each spring's non-roster invitees (or, at least, those of which I have cards), ranking them based on the likeliness of each making the roster.  

Notably, this might be the first year in which I've done this that no NRI's make the cut out of spring training.  Seeing as this current Cubs roster is much more well-rounded than it has been in a LONG time and a good chunk of my time spent writing Wrigley Roster Jenga has come during the rebuild era, this certainly hasn't been the case previously.

Still, an injury can happen at any given time and change everything; plus, one or more of these guys could appear mid-season as reinforcement during the dog days.  So, they still have chances to become official Cubs.

However, here and now, let's take a look at who's in camp and rank them in order of least likely to break camp with the Big Leaguers to those with the best chance:

Leathersich and Crow are a couple of bullpen guys with potential.  Leathersich was a highly regarded prospect in the Mets system (and you know how stacked they are in pitching talent) and Crow has had some solid seasons coming out of the Royals pen.  However, I can say pretty definitively that neither is going to make the team. Why's that?

Well, both guys are coming off Tommy John surgery and are still well within the rehab process.  While both might be ready by mid-season, there's a snowball's chance in hell that either will be ready by April.  Their invitation to MLB camp was likely just a formality.

Next up, we have a couple of prospects who still have something left to prove before they'll be making the ultimate ascent.  

Albert Almora was Theo and Co.'s first draft pick (1st round, 2012) and has yet to make his MLB debut.  The outfielder is thought to be Major League ready when it comes to defense (in fact, he's already made some pretty flashy catches this spring); however, his consistency at the plate has been lacking.  He'll head to AAA to prove that he can hit high-level pitching.  Not to mention, the Cubs have about a million outfielders at the moment.

Armando, on the other hand, could have been in line to make his debut last summer when the Chicago bullpen was in shambles.  However, his timing was anything but impeccable - at the same time, he was going through a super rough stretch his second time through the PCL.  He did rebound by the end of the year, posting respectable overall numbers (3.16 ERA in 57 frames).  That said, like Almora in the outfield, the race to make the Northside bullpen is overly crowded.  Rivero is likely ticketed for Iowa again in order to prove that he's truly worked out his issues.

As you can see, Matt Murton is no stranger to the Cubs organization.  After some productive years in the Wrigley outfield from 2005-08, Murton was given up in the trade that brought Rich Harden in for the 2008 pennant race.  After that, his career in North America tanked and he brought his talents to Japan.  All he did there was become a superstar, breaking the league's all-time record for hits in a season in his first go-round.  After finishing up his contract with the Hanshin Tigers, he figured this was his final opportunity to make it in the MLB.

Unfortunately for Matt, as I've already mentioned, the outfield depth in Chicago is just that - deep.  Further complicating things, he recently had to undergo and emergency appendectomy and has been kept out of spring action.  Unless there's a strong rash of injuries, he'll go to AAA to serve as an emergency backup.

Meanwhile, Jesus Guzman was brought in exclusively for the reason that there aren't a lot of people around who can play first base, beyond the MVP candidate that is Anthony Rizzo.  As someone with a fair amount of MLB experience, he'll likely be teammates with Murton at Iowa unless, God forbid, something terrible happens...

Here are a couple more faces in that crowded race for the MLB bullpen, as I alluded to earlier.  

Though both have a good amount of MLB experience and Machi even has a World Series ring in his name, the fact that both are righties pretty much ensures that they'll also serve as minor league depth, should they accept the assignment.

Ironically, Pettibone does do one thing on the diamond left-handed - bat.  It's a shame he doesn't pitch that way, as well.

On the other hand (puns!), Parra might have an outside shot of making the team, seeing as he is a southpaw.  The Cubs don't have a traditional lefty-specialist as things stand right now; however, it should be noted that Clayton Richard, though he's being groomed as more of a long reliever, has had success in that role before.  Furthermore, Joe Maddon likes roster flexibility and may prefer a "utility pitcher" like Richard moreso than a strict LOOGY.

As for Federowicz, I think he has a chance to become a real Cub; that said, it probably won't be at the end of spring training.  Tim will be the starter for the Iowa Cubs and be ready in case something happens to Miguel Montero or David Ross (Chicago doesn't feel comfy with Schwarber catching more than once a week).  Then, when the rosters expand in September, teams like to have that extra backstop - in steps Federowicz.

And now, drum-roll please, the man I think is most likely to break camp with Chicago (though it's still a longshot, in my eyes):

"The Flyin' Hawaiian," who signed the day after the Fowler deal, could just crack the roster if the team decides to carry an extra outfielder, rather than an extra bullpen arm.  With relievers like the aforementioned Richard, Trevor Cahill and Travis Wood who can go multiple innings, the big league club may not need as many arms in the pen.  But, even if they do opt for an extra bench bat, it's still not smooth sailin' for Victorino.

Matt Szczur is younger, more versatile, currently on the 40-man roster and has more potential that Shane, who has clearly been on the decline over the past few seasons.  However, Matt hasn't been healthy himself this spring and, in what feels like a desperate attempt to gain an advantage, Victorino has decided to take up switch-hitting again.  If that takes, Szczur stays hurt/ineffective and the Cubs brass decide to take an extra bench guy over a bullpen arm, then we might just see this guy in Cubby blue.

That is a lot of ifs. though.

Other notable names also in camp, whose cards I do not have any of, are Juan Perez, Kristopher Negron, Stephen Fife and, everybody's sentimental favorite, Munenori Kawasaki.  All of these guys are just as unlikely to crack the active roster, but I think we'd all like to see Kawasaki defy the odds.

Between his karaoke sessions, inspiring matching team headbands and general goofball personality, he seems like he would be a good presence in the clubhouse.  After all, Maddon likes to keep the mood light and no one would be better suited at that than Muney.  Furthermore, last year's resident class clown, Jonathan Herrera, has moved on; so, somebody needs to come up with antics like the helmet rub and the gum-bucket rally helmet.

 What a card!

There you have it, a mostly complete rundown of this year's non-roster invitees in Cubs camp.  Like I said, I wouldn't bet on any of these guys cracking the roster come April; but, I'll be mostly ready with the cards above should any of them surprise and necessitate being added to my Cubs All-Time Roster Collection.

In the meantime, it's just nice being able to root for a team that isn't relying on NRI's to make meaningful contributions for the first time in a long time.  Yay for no more rebuild!

Coke, No Pepsi!

Cheezborger!

Ahem... Perhaps that iconic bit of Chicago-inspired SNL history is lost on you, just like the minor-league signing the Cubs made a couple days ago:

Or maybe you did know; he was a fairly big-name amongst relief free agents on the market this off-season.

At any rate, the Cubs were able to snag the lefty on a non-guaranteed deal when Phil allegedly had MLB deals on the table.  So, much like last years signing of Emilio Bonifacio, it seems like all Phil has to do is look like a semi-competent pitcher this spring and he'll make the roster.

 You can find Emilio all over the diamond on the other side of town this year

Plus, the Cubs surprisingly cut their only experienced situational lefty, Wesley Wright, this winter.  So, while his overall numbers were pretty bad last year for the Tigers (3.88 ERA in 58 innings), it appears as though he was over-exposed to righties (126 AB vs. righties, 108 AB vs. lefties).  He figures to be the favorite for the LOOGY.

I guess he wasn't the "Wright" fit

Meanwhile, I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss the other non-roster guys I have cards for, lest they be cut before I get the chance:

About a month ago, it was reported that the Cubs had signed Feliciano to a minor-league deal; but, as of today, it still has not been announced.  But, until I hear otherwise, I'm considering him as part of the organization.  There's a lot of mileage on that arm and he hasn't pitched much in the last few years due to injury, but it doesn't hurt to let him compete with Coke for that LOOGY spot.

Bard is a Theo guy and essentially took last season off from pro baseball after a series of setbacks in the Rangers organization.  This is actually the second time he's been acquired by the Cubs, as Theo and Jed claimed him off waivers in September of 2013, but he never appeared in a game.  If he can finally harness his control with a little Bos-mosis, he'd be a compelling darkhorse bullpen piece.

Adron (apparently pronounced as "Adrian") is a one-dimensional speedster who's greatest achievement in baseball thus far has been appearing on an inordinate number of 2012 Topps Heritage floating head rookie cards.  The Cubs outfield is very crowded, but if he hangs around in AAA until September and the Cubs are in contention, he'd make a nice addition to the roster as a pinch-running specialist.

Joe is actually not a non-roster invitee, but a waiver claim.  However, I'm including him here because he is far from being guaranteed a roster spot.  He's another lefty to add to the mix, coming over from the Rangers organization.  I would have considered him the favorite for the LOOGY until the Coke signing, seeing as he'd likely be lost to waivers if run through again.  But, the water is a lot more murky now.

I'm doubly prepared to add Herrera to my CATRC if he should break camp with the team.  The defensive-whiz is pretty weak with the stick (.233 is 90 AB in '14) and the Cubs middle-infield is almost as crowded as the outfield (Castro, Baez, LaStella, Alcantara, etc.).  But, if an injury were to occur, he may very well head to Chicago.  Also (should he stick around long enough) like Chambers, he'd be extremely useful off of the bench come September.

These two guys are much more "prospecty" than those we've already discussed.  Corey came over from New York in exchange for Alfonso Soriano and just broke Hunter Pence's arm.  Armando came over from Cuba in 2013 and is darn near ready for the Show.  It's highly unlikely they come north, but it is quite possible that they end up in the Bigs before 2014 is over.

Meanwhile, these two prospects are not breaking camp with the big league club;  Bryant for service time reasons and Almora for more minor league seasoning.

Surely you know the scoop on Bryant at this point.  MLB's top prospect will probably be called up as soon as three weeks on the MLB calendar go by so as to secure an extra year of club control.

Almora's bat hasn't developed as quickly as hoped and he's ticketed for AA to further flesh it out.  Patience will be his main concern in West Tennessee.

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There you have it, my non-expert, incomplete and slightly rushed opinion on the Cubs non-roster invitees.  Non-expert because I am a baseball card blogger, not a beat-writer.  Incomplete because there are several other non-roster invitees (Hunter Cervenka, Anthony Carter, Donn Roach & Germen Gonzelez) come to mind, but I don't have any cards of these guys.  Rushed, because I'm going to the Windy City Brewhaha this afternoon and I really need to start getting ready!

I'll be spending all afternoon tasting craft beer; what a labor, right?

I'll leave you here with this, the classic Saturday Night Live skit alluded to in the title of this post;  I really need to get up and shower and stuff.

By Invitation Only

Don't worry, I haven't gone all uppity and joined the velvet rope crowd.  Today I want to write about a subject which I've wanted to tackle since spring camp broke, non-roster invitees.  These quasi-Cubs have a chance at making the regular season roster at some point in 2014, so I have to keep these cards on stand-by.

I keep a box full of active players in the event that they end up with the boys in blue.  These guys here just make the jump from that box to my binder.  Luckily, I have a majority of them, so I'm going to rank them in the order of likeliness that they make the club.  This excludes those who have already appeared on the roster, as they are obviously already in said binder.  Number one...

...Emilio Bonifacio.  If he does not make the team, I will eat my dirty, beat-up, smelly old ball cap.  His versatility and speed (as featured in this 2010 Topps Flagship piece) seem to fit well on this team, where he could garner regular playing time subbing all over the field.

A late addition after he was surprisingly cut by the Royals in February, rumor has it that he signed with the Cubs over other clubs who offered a Major League deal.  I'm keeping a spot warm for Emilio "Estevez" (my own stupid nickname).  Next up...

...Chris Coghlan.  Here's a textbook example of the current front office's low risk-high reward acquisitions.  Chris was Rookie of the Year in the NL for the Marlins back in 2009, hitting .321/9HR/47RBI, but he's been average or slightly below since then.  

The Cubs signed him off the scrap heap in the hopes that he re-discovers that form.  Think of him as this year's Brian Bogusevic.  He just may make the team out of camp as the fifth outfielder.  But, it's time we take a look at pitching...

...Jonathan Sanchez has a power arm and a no-hitter (2009) on his resume from his years as a keystone in a strong Giants rotation.  But, his control got away from him and he has bounced around for the past couple of seasons.  

Although, he has made the switch to the bullpen this year in hopes that he can better harness his control and increase his velocity.  His biggest asset is that he is left handed and the Cubs are in need of lefty relievers.  Theo and Jed are high on him and he has a legitimate chance in the crowded bullpen race. But, the outfield race is pretty crowded too and this next guy is right in the thick of it.

...Ryan Kalish.  A former top prospect with the Red Sox (hey, that's a familiar narrative), Kalish suffered from nagging neck problems that eventually caused the Sawx to give up on him.  However, he recently underwent the cervical fusion surgery performed by the same doctor who fixed up Peyton Manning, so if all else fails, they could always flip him to the Bears.  

He stands as a another low risk-high reward type player, but he's younger and has a higher upside than Coghlan at this point.  Rumor has it that if Nate Schierholtz is dealt this spring, Ryan could make the cut.  He could also be stashed at AAA until the inevitable trading frenzy or injuries occur.  Kalish's fate largely depends on others, but this next guy's fate has likely already been determined by others...

...Ryan Roberts.  If only tattoos has a quantifiable statistic, because when it comes to ink, Ryan is Ruth-ian.  With the bat, though, he's pretty ho-hum.  Outside of a career year in 2011 for Arizona where he batted .249/19 HR/65 RBI, he's largely been roster filler.  His glove work and versatility makes him a useful sub.

But, Emilio Bonifacio, who can do all that and a bag of chips better, was the worst thing that could happen to Roberts.  He may have even had the inside track on the utility job before that signing.  There probably isn't room on the roster, as of now.  However, if Olt falters and the Cubs cut ties with Danny Murphy, then maybe he squeezes in.  But, now we go back to the mound to discuss...

...Tsuyoshi Wada, who I hope makes the team for the selfish reason that I want this pretty card in my binder.  A Japanese import with a good arsenal and a funky delivery, he underwent Tommy John surgery almost immediately upon making it to America. Thus, he never actually appeared in an MLB game with the Orioles, despite signing a two-year deal in 2012.  So, the Cubs picked him up as a low risk-high reward diamond in the rough (rinse, wash, repeat).

I see Wada going to Iowa, mostly to prove his health, but he could be shuttled to Chicago soon.  He has been viewed as an option for both the rotation and the bullpen, but with his age (33) and questionable durability, I'd say the bullpen is his best bet to catch on.  Hey, speaking of catch...

...John Baker catches! Please ignore that that was the worst segue in the history of the written word.  Baker is one of two catchers in camp as an NRI, the other being Eli Whiteside (I don't have a card of him though).  He's been with the Marlins and the Padres over the last few seasons, strictly as a back up.  His weak bat (.223 avg since 2012) but solid glove (.991 fielding avg) dictate that placement.

He won't make the roster unless Welington Castillo or George Kottaras get hurt.  His best bet to end up a Cub is to stick around at Iowa and hope to be this years version of J.C. Boscan; Baker is strictly a third-string option.  If he goes to Iowa, he will likely be teammates with...

...Marcus Hatley.  The Cubs see something they like in Marcus, as he was granted minor league free agency this offseason and Theo and crew snapped him back him fairly quickly.  

He's been in the system since 2006, when he was drafted in the 39th (!!!) round of the amateur draft; how's that for dedication?  Still only 25, Marcus has made the Cubs pay attention to him as he hasn't had the attention lauded to early-rounders.  He's spent the last two seasons bouncing from Tennessee to Iowa and back as a swingman.  He likely won't make the big league team, but I predict that the Cubs will keep him in the system as a just-in-case option.  I don't think that I can say that about...

...Aaron Cunningham.  A former prospect with the White Sox, he's bounced around in the majors since 2008 with the A's and Indians, never capitalizing on that potential.  The best thing about this guy is really his socks.  No really, they're pretty sweet, check them out:  http://bit.ly/1giUWiR

The only reason this guy is really in the crowd is because there is a slight chance that he might rediscover the form that made him him a top prospect.  Though low, that potential is still higher for Cunningham than it is for...

...Casper Wells.  Casper is an appropriate name, as he must feel like a ghost that just haunts every Major League clubhouse.  His journey through 2013 took from Seattle to Toronto to Oakland to Chicago (White Sox) to Philadelphia to nowhere.  The Cubs signed him in his quest to become the first player to suit up for every ML team.  Ok, not really, but it sure seems that way.

I see Casper getting cut before spring training ends.  He brings little potential and upside and has too many younger and talented players ahead of him in the pipeline.  Hopefully he hasn't unpacked his suitcase (with his track record, he sure shouldn't have) because he will likely be hopping franchises very soon.

There we have it, a (nearly) complete examination of the non-roster invitees, or at least the ones that I have cards for.  Maybe I'll be sliding a few of these into my binder in the coming months or maybe I'll be using them as coasters for an ice-cold beverage (just kidding, I'd never do that to a baseball card).  Either way, it sure is fun to speculate!