Cubs Add Four To 40-Man Roster

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2010 3:16 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

Brandon Guyer, Chris Archer, Kyle Smit and Alberto Cabrera were added to the 40-man roster; with Micah Hoffpauir heading to Japan, the 40-man roster now stands at 39.

Some of you here have said that Guyer has a shot at making the 25-man roster in 2011; I was skeptical at the time, but his addition to the roster means a guaranteed spring training invitation and a shot to impress Mike Quade. Guyer hit .344/.398/.588 in 369 at-bats for Double-A Tennessee last season with 39 doubles, 13 HR and 58 RBI in 102 games. He will turn 25 in January and has already hit a home run at Wrigley Field -- for Peoria in 2008, when the Chiefs played the Kane County Cougars there.

Archer played for the USA team in the baseball World Cup qualifying tournament in October and is considered one of the team's top pitching prospects. He was a combined 15-3, 2.34 between Daytona and Tennessee in 2010 with a 1.17 WHIP. He just turned 22 in September; he'd be a longshot to make the 2011 rotation, but with a 40-man roster spot will also get some spring training playing time.

Smit was acquired from the Dodgers in the Ryan Theriot deal. After the deal he went 5-1 with one save and a 1.96 ERA (4 ER/18.1 IP) in 12 relief outings with the Smokies. He turned 23 last month.

Cabrera, who turned 22 last month, split the 2010 campaign between Daytona and Tennessee, combining to go 7-9 with a 4.24 ERA (64 ER/136.0 IP) in 28 appearances (26 starts). He struck out 125 batters and walked only 50 in 136.0 innings pitched.

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Comments

Nice

I am personally pulling for Guyer to win a spot. Hopefully this means he gets an opportunity to do what Colvin did last year and play his way onto the team. I wouldn’t blame the Cubs for bringing in a veteran RH OF just to be safe, but they certainly lose nothing by giving Guyer a chance in ST.

One thing that excites me about Guyer is his success on the base paths. This team currently has no true leadoff and very little speed. I realize Guyer isn’t a burner or anything, but he seems to be a smart baserunner. Maybe Guyer can at least contribute to fixing this obvious weak spot.

by Bradsbeard on Nov 19, 2010 3:27 PM CST reply actions

I hadn't realized Guyer had that big a year.

39 doubles in 369 AB is very impressive. He’s had some injury problems… but maybe he can be a sleeper.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2010 3:42 PM CST up reply actions

He's also raking in winter ball

with a .400 OBA again. As a 4th/5th outfielder, he may be ready.

No one should be untouchable on this roster unless his name is Eliot Ness...or Starlin Castro.

by cubzfan on Nov 19, 2010 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

Where is he playing winter ball?

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2010 8:35 AM CST up reply actions

Venezuela

Josh posted the link to winter league stats for Cubs players. Here it is again.

Guyer’s line is .348/.444/.435 with 4 SB in 69 AB.

Marwin Gonzalez is the only real surprise: .347/.450/.485 in 101 ABs. He’s never come close to those offensive numbers. He is only 21 and played mostly at AA this year.

No one should be untouchable on this roster unless his name is Eliot Ness...or Starlin Castro.

by cubzfan on Nov 20, 2010 9:02 AM CST up reply actions