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2021 Chicago Cubs season

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2021 Chicago Cubs
DivisionCentral Division
BallparkWrigley Field
CityChicago
OwnersTom Ricketts
President of baseball operationsJed Hoyer
ManagersDavid Ross
TelevisionMarquee Sports Network
(Jon Sciambi, Jim Deshaies)
RadioWSCR
Chicago Cubs Radio Network
(Pat Hughes, Ron Coomer, Zach Zaidman)
← 2020 Seasons

The 2021 Chicago Cubs season will be the 150th season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 146th in the National League and the Cubs' 106th season at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will be managed by David Ross, in his second year as Cubs manager, and will play their home games at Wrigley Field as members of Major League Baseball's National League Central Division.

Previous season

The Cubs finished the 2020 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] with a record of 34–26 to win the Central Division by three games, marking the fifth time the Cubs had made the playoffs in the previous six years.[2] As the No. 3 seed in the newly expanded playoffs,[3] the Cubs were swept in the Wild Card Series by the Miami Marlins.[4]

Television broadcasts

On December 4, 2020, the team announced that longtime TV play-by-play broadcaster, Len Kasper, was leaving the broadcast booth to join the Chicago White Sox radio booth.[5][6] Marquee Sports Network announced they would conduct a search to replace Kasper.[7] On January 4, 2021, the Cubs announced that Jon "Boog" Sciambi would join color analyst Jim Deshaies as the play-by-play man in the Cubs booth.[8]

Offseason

Front office changes

On November 17, 2020, President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein announced his resignation effective November 20.[9] General manager Jed Hoyer took over Epstein's duties.[10] Hoyer signed a five-year extension as the president of baseball operations on November 23.[11] The Cubs promoted Jeff Greenberg and Craig Breslow to assistant general manager positions, but Hoyer announced the club would not hire a general manager prior to the 2021 season due to COVID-19 restrictions.[12]

Transactions

On December 3, the Cubs announced that they would not tender a contract to OFs Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr.[13] Schwarber later signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals.[14] On December 28, the Cubs traded P Yu Darvish and C Víctor Caratini to the San Diego Padres for P Zach Davies and prospects.[15]

October 2020

October 3 Activated LHP Brailyn Marquez, CF Albert Almora Jr, C Miguel Amaya, LHP Rex Brothers, RHP Colin Rea, RHP Rowan Wick, RHP Dillon Maples, RHP Tyson Miller, RHP Duane Underwood Jr., RHP Tyler Chatwood, 1B Jose Martinez, and LHP Justin Steele.
October 4 Signed free agent RHP Juan Gamez to a minor league contract.
October 15 Signed free agents LHP Angel Hernandez, SS Leonel Espinoza, IF Andrews Cruz, RHP Yohan Crispin, RHP Joandy Duran, OF Jerry Torres, LHP Marino Santy, RHP Jose Romero, RHP Waimer Fabian, C Jose Herrera, and RHP Jose Lopez to minor league contracts.
October 21 Activated OF Mark Zagunis from the restricted list.
October 22 Sent OF Mark Zagunis outright to Iowa.
October 28 RHP Tyler Chatwood, 2B Jason Kipnis, C Josh Phegley, LHP Jose Quintana, LF Cameron Maybin, RHP Jeremy Jeffress, CF Billy Hamilton, and LHP Andrew Chafin elected free agency.
October 30 Claimed 2B Max Schrock off waiver from St. Louis Cardinals. Sent LHP Rex Brothers outright to Iowa.
October 31 2B Daniel Descalso elected free agency

Source[16]

November 2020

November 2 Activated RHP Manuel Rodriguez, RHP James Norwood, and LHP Brad Wieck from the 60-day injured list.
November 5 Traded SS Ronny Simon to Arizona Diamondbacks to complete Andrew Chafin trade.
November 16 Signed free agents OF Rafael Ortega, RHP Jake Jewell, C Taylor Gushue, and LHP Jerry Vasto to minor league contracts.
November 17 Signed free agent OF Ian Miller to a minor league contract.
November 20 Selected the contract of RHP Cory Abbott and RHP Keegan Thompson from Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Selected the contract of 3B Christopher Morel from South Bend Cubs.

Source[17]

December 2020

December 2 RHP Ryan Tepera, LF Kyle Schwarber, CF Albert Almora Jr., and 1B Jose Martinez elected free agency. Claimed RHP Robert Stock off waivers from Boston Red Sox.
December 10 Claimed RHP Gray Fenter off waivers from Norfolk Tides. Assigned P Samuel Reyes and P Nicholas Padilla to Cubs.
December 13 Signed free agent P James Bourque.
December 14 Signed free agent P Trevor Kelley.
December 16 Signed free agent 3B Matt Duffy.
December 17 Signed free agent RHP Jonathan Holder.
December 22 Claimed LF Phillip Ervin off waivers from Seattle Mariners.
December 23 Signed free agent P Matt Dermody.
December 29 Traded P Yu Darvish, C Victor Caratini and $0 to San Diego Padres for CF Ismael Mena, SS Yelson Santana, SS Reginald Preciado, P Zach Davies, and OF Owen Caissie.

Source[18]

January 2021

January 2 Signed free agent LF Nick Martini.
January 4 Released P Colin Rea.
January 5 Signed free agent 3B Patrick Wisdom.
January 15 Agreed to terms with 3B Kris Bryant, SS Javier Báez, and C Willson Contreras.[19] Signed free agent C Carlos Ramos, P David Olivo, C Moises Ballesteros, P Welington Quintero, SS Cristian Hernandez, P Adrian Martinez, P Kenneddy Delgado, OF Daniel Ferreira, OF Oferman Hernandez, C Fredy Montenegro, P Zhiorman Imbriano, SS Pedro Ramirez, P Gabriel Agrazal, P Ronny Corniell, and P Joel Sierra.
January 18 Signed free agent P Shelby Miller.[20]
January 21 Released P Matt Dermody.[21]
January 22 Signed free agent C Austin Romine.
January 28 Signed free agent P Kohl Stewart.

Source[22]

Regular season

Game log

2021 regular season game log: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement
Bold = Cubs team member

Season standings

NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Milwaukee Brewers 95 67 .586 45‍–‍36 50‍–‍31
St. Louis Cardinals 90 72 .556 5 45‍–‍36 45‍–‍36
Cincinnati Reds 83 79 .512 12 44‍–‍37 39‍–‍42
Chicago Cubs 71 91 .438 24 39‍–‍42 32‍–‍49
Pittsburgh Pirates 61 101 .377 34 37‍–‍44 24‍–‍57
Division Leaders
Team W L Pct.
San Francisco Giants 107 55 .660
Milwaukee Brewers 95 67 .586
Atlanta Braves 88 73 .547
Wild Card teams
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)
Team W L Pct. GB
Los Angeles Dodgers 106 56 .654 +16
St. Louis Cardinals 90 72 .556
Cincinnati Reds 83 79 .512 7
Philadelphia Phillies 82 80 .506 8
San Diego Padres 79 83 .488 11
New York Mets 77 85 .475 13
Colorado Rockies 74 87 .460 15½
Chicago Cubs 71 91 .438 19
Miami Marlins 67 95 .414 23
Washington Nationals 65 97 .401 25
Pittsburgh Pirates 61 101 .377 29
Arizona Diamondbacks 52 110 .321 38


Record vs. opponents

Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2021

Team AZ ATL CHC CIN COL LAD MIA MIL NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL WSH AL
Arizona 3–4 2–4 5–1 9–10 3–16 2–5 1–6 1–5 4–3 4–2 8–11 2–17 1–6 3–4 4–16
Arizona 3–4 2–4 5–1 9–10 3–16 2–5 1–6 1–5 4–3 4–2 8–11 2–17 1–6 3–4 4–16
Atlanta 4–3 5–2 4–3 2–4 2–4 11–8 3–3 10–9 10–9 4–3 4–2 3–3 6–1 14–5 6–14
Chicago 4–2 2–5 8–11 3–3 4–3 1–5 4–15 4–3 2–5 14–5 5–1 1–6 9–10 4–3 6–14
Cincinnati 1–5 3–4 11–8 5–2 3–3 5–2 9–10 3–3 4–2 13–6 1–6 1–6 10–9 5–2 9–11
Colorado 10–9 4–2 3–3 2–5 6–13 4–2 2–5 2–5 5–2 4–2 11–8 4–15 3–4 4–2 10–10
Los Angeles 16–3 4–2 3–4 3–3 13–6 3–4 4–3 6–1 4–2 6–0 12–7 9–10 4–3 7–0 12–8
Miami 5–2 8–11 5–1 2–5 2–4 4–3 3–3 9–10 10–9 2–5 3–4 3–4 0–6 8–11 3–17
Milwaukee 6–1 3–3 15–4 10–9 5–2 3–4 3–3 4–2 2–5 14–5 5–2 4–3 8–11 5–1 8–12
New York 5–1 9–10 3–4 3–3 5–2 1–6 10–9 2–4 9–10 3–4 4–3 1–5 2–5 11–8 9–11
Philadelphia 3–4 9–10 5–2 2–4 2–5 2–4 9–10 5–2 10–9 4–3 4–2 2–4 4–3 13–6 8–12
Pittsburgh 2–4 3–4 5–14 6–13 2–4 0–6 5–2 5–14 4–3 3–4 3–4 4–3 7–12 2–4 10–10
San Diego 11–8 2–4 1–5 6–1 8–11 7–12 4–3 2–5 3–4 2–4 4–3 8–11 3–3 4–3 14–6
San Francisco 17–2 3–3 6–1 6–1 15–4 10–9 4–3 3–4 5–1 4–2 3–4 11–8 2–4 5–2 13–7
St. Louis 6–1 1–6 10–9 9–10 4–3 3–4 6–0 11–8 5–2 3–4 12–7 3–3 4–2 2–4 11–9
Washington 4–3 5–14 3–4 2–5 2–4 0–7 11–8 1–5 8–11 6–13 4–2 3–4 2–5 4–2 10–10

Updated with the results of all games through October 3, 2021.


Roster

40-man roster Non-roster invitees Coaches/Other

Pitchers


Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders







Manager

Coaches

  • 63 Juan Cabreja (assistant hitting)
  • 93 Erick Castillo (bullpen catcher)
  • 84 Ryan Flaherty (bench)
  • 68 Tommy Hottovy (pitching)
  • 76 Dustin Kelly (hitting)
  • 85 Garrett Lloyd (bullpen catcher)
  • 80 John Mallee (assistant hitting)
  • 53 Daniel Moskos (assistant pitching)
  • 90 Jonathan Mota (major league coach)
  • 97 Alex Smith (data development and process)
  • 81 Mark Strittmatter (major league field coordinator)
  • -- Vacant (bullpen)
  • -- Vacant (first base)
  • -- Vacant (third base)



40 active, 0 inactive, 0 non-roster invitees

7-, 10-, or 15-day injured list
* Not on active roster
Suspended list
Roster, coaches, and NRIs updated November 19, 2024
Transactions Depth chart
All MLB rosters


Farm system

Due to MLB's change in the minor league system, teams had the opportunity to change minor league affiliations.[23] However, it was announced on December 9, 2020 that the Cubs would retain the same four minor league teams: Iowa (AAA), Tennessee (AA), South Bend (now high-A), and Myrtle Beach (low-A).[24]

Level Team League Manager Location Ballpark
AAA Iowa Cubs Pacific Coast League Marty Pevey Des Moines, Iowa Principal Park
AA Tennessee Smokies Southern League Michael Ryan Knoxville, Tennessee Smokies Stadium
A South Bend Cubs Midwest League Buddy Bailey South Bend, Indiana Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium
A Myrtle Beach Pelicans South Atlantic League Steven Lerud Myrtle Beach, South Carolina TicketReturn.com Field
Rookie AZL Cubs Arizona League Carmelo Martinez and Ricardo Medina Mesa, Arizona Sloan Park
Rookie DSL Cubs Dominican Summer League Carlos Ramirez and Leonel Perez Boca Chica, Dominican Republic Baseball City Complex

Sources

  1. ^ Nightengale, Bob. "'Embrace the unconventional:' Opening Day has finally arrived, ready for 60-game sprint". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "Cubs clinch the NL Central division title after the Brewers' win over the Cardinals". WGN-TV. September 27, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "MLB to expand postseason to 16 teams for 2020 season. - Sports Illustrated". www.si.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Lacques, Gabe. "'You're just floating': Marlins' magical season continues with sweep of Cubs, trip to NLDS". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Kirsch, Jesse (December 4, 2020). "Chicago Cubs' long-time announcer Len Kasper leaving North Side for White Sox announcers' booth". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  6. ^ Bumbaca, Chris. "Chicago Cubs TV announcer Len Kasper leaves for White Sox radio job". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "Marquee Looking to Replace Len Kasper with Someone Who Fits 'Cubs Culture'". Cubs Insider. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Sciambi to call play-by-play on Cubs broadcasts". ESPN.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Theo Epstein leaving Cubs after nine seasons, 2016 World Series title". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Cubs championship architect Epstein steps down". ESPN.com. November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "Cubs sign new president Jed Hoyer to a five-year contract". WGN-TV. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  12. ^ "Jed Hoyer, Cubs will enter 2021 season without a new general manager". www.radio.com. December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  13. ^ Press, Associated (December 4, 2020). "Cubs non-tender Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr". MLB | NBC Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  14. ^ Press, Associated (January 9, 2021). "Report: Schwarber, Nationals agree to 1-year, $10M deal". MLB | NBC Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  15. ^ "Cubs trade Darvish to Padres in seven-player deal". RSN. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  17. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  18. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  19. ^ "2021 Chicago Cubs Transactions". ESPN. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "Cubs, Miller reach Minors deal (sources)". MLB.com. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Cubs release lefty reliever so he can sign with Seibu Lions". CubsHQ.com. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  22. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  23. ^ Yellon, Al (September 1, 2020). "MLB's proposal to MiLB could change the minor leagues forever". Bleed Cubbie Blue. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  24. ^ "Minor league baseball restructuring: Full list of 119 affiliate invites sent out by MLB teams". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved December 10, 2020.