MESA, Ariz. – While a group of the Cubs’ stars are taking part in the World Baseball Classic, the team has the ongoing task in Arizona of evaluating the group and thinking about ways to build its Opening Day roster.
Coming off a 92-win season that ended with a run to the National League Division Series, this Cubs team has World Series aspirations. The roster reflects as much, with the bulk of the group locked in place, barring anything unexpected. The only roster competitions at the moment are for one bullpen spot and a couple bench roles.
Just prior to Spring Training, we took an initial look into how the Cubs’ 26-man roster could be constructed come Opening Day. Here is an updated projection given developments since the start of camp and with Chicago’s season opener less than three weeks away:
Catcher (3): Miguel Amaya, Moisés Ballesteros, Carson Kelly
Amaya and Kelly formed a strong catching tandem early on last season before injuries shortened Amaya’s campaign. If healthy, they give Chicago a solid duo for a potential timeshare behind the plate. Ballesteros (Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 55 overall) is third on the depth chart, but projects mainly as a designated hitter out of the gates.
First baseman (1): Michael Busch
The 28-year-old Busch enjoyed a breakout performance in his second season with the Cubs, launching 34 homers with 90 RBIs and an .866 OPS. He is a solid defender at first base and found a home in the lineup’s leadoff spot down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Second baseman (1): Nico Hoerner
The veteran Hoerner is coming off his best all-around season (6.2 bWAR) in which he won a Gold Glove Award, contended for a batting title and garnered some down-ballot MVP votes. Hoerner provides an elite contact bat and is versatile enough defensively to also serve as the Cubs’ backup at short.
Shortstop (1): Dansby Swanson
Swanson has heightened expectations for his fourth season with the Cubs after appearing in 159 games in ‘25 for the North Siders. The veteran shortstop belted 24 homers and continued to play elite defense at short, helping anchor a Chicago squad that took home the team Gold Glove Award in the NL last year.
Third baseman (1): Alex Bregman
Bregman was the Cubs’ primary target this offseason and agreed to join the fold via a five-year, $175 million contract in free agency. The veteran third baseman brings a reliable bat, solid defense and a reputation for impactful leadership behind the scenes. Bregman is a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champ and one-time Gold Glove winner.
Outfielders (3): Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki
Crow-Armstrong found stardom last summer, being voted into the NL’s All-Star lineup and winning his first Gold Glove Award in center. He also became the first Cubs player in history to have 30 homers, 30 doubles and 30 steals in one season. Happ took home a fourth straight Gold Glove for his play in left and Suzuki (32 homers and 103 RBIs) had another strong tour.
DH: Multiple players
Ballesteros will likely get the bulk of his at-bats as a DH, but expect Craig Counsell to also rotate a variety of players in and out of this spot as a form of rest. Suzuki could get some action here, along with players on what should be a deeper bench than last year.
Bench/Utility (3): Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, Matt Shaw
Shaw projects to back up multiple infield and outfield positions as a super sub for the Cubs. Tyler Austin was a perceived lock for the team before right knee surgery took him out of the equation. Without Austin in the mix right now, prospect Jonathon Long (No. 7 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list) could compete for that spot, but he is working back from a left elbow sprain right now. The Cubs signed Conforto to a non-roster deal, making him an interesting piece to consider. Non-roster candidates Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick are very much in the mix, but Carlson’s ability to switch-hit might be helpful for the bench. Outfielders Kevin Alcántara and Justin Dean are also under consideration.
Starting pitchers (5): Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon
The only question the Cubs have to solve right now for their rotation is who will get the ball on Opening Day. Horton (Rookie of the Year runner-up in ‘25) and Boyd (All-Star in ‘25) look like the favorites. Imanaga and Cabrera have been impressive this spring, while Boyd (USA) and Taillon (Canada) are currently away for the World Baseball Classic.
Relief pitchers (8): Ben Brown, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Daniel Palencia, Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb
This is the same group from the pre-spring roster projection. There are six virtual locks and the veteran Rea (No. 6 on the starting depth chart) would be the seventh if the rotation avoids any issues before Opening Day. That leaves one job up for grabs. Porter Hodge was a leading contender, but he is now expected to start the year on the injured list with a right flexor strain. Javier Assad is also in the mix, along with multiple arms on the 40-man roster and in camp as non-roster invitees. Jordan Wicks (left forearm) is also out for now due to an injury timetable that is also likely to require a season-opening IL stint.