Chicago Cubs News: Where the 40-man roster currently stands

The Chicago Cubs have had an active offseason as the team has made several signings in starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, relief pitcher Brad Boxberger, catcher Tucker Barnhart, shortstop Dansby Swanson, and center fielder Cody Bellinger that have all raised the floor of the expected production of the team.

The Cubs still have at least one more move pending as the signing of veteran free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer was reported earlier this week but has yet to be officially announced by the team. The Cubs' 40-man roster is currently full so once the Hosmer signing does become official, there will be a corresponding move to be made.

As Spring Training about one month away, let's take a look at where the Cubs' 40-man roster currently stand.

Where the Chicago Cubs' 40-man roster currently stands

1. Adbert Alzolay

Alzolay is entering the 2023 season with the expectation of pitching out of the bullpen and could thrive in that role as he did late in 2022.

2. Javier Assad

Assad was a nice find for the Cubs in 2022 as he posted a 3.11 ERA in 8 starts (9 appearances) and likely will begin the 2023 season with the Iowa Cubs.

3. Brad Boxberger

The veteran reliever signed with the Cubs this offseason and likely will serve as the primary right-handed setup man in the team's bullpen.

4. Ben Brown

Brown was acquired by the Cubs in the 2022 Major League Baseball trade deadline deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Brown could quickly ascend to the top level of the Cubs' system this season.

5. Jeremiah Estrada

Estrada posted a 3.18 ERA in 5 Major League appearances with the Cubs in 2022 and will serve a bullpen depth while starting the season with the Iowa Cubs.

6. Kyle Hendricks

The 2022 season was another disappointing mark for Hendricks as he struggled with injuries and effectiveness. 2023 is an important season as he attempts to get his career back on track.

7. Codi Heuer

Heuer will likely start the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

8. Brandon Hughes

Hughes posted a 3.12 ERA in his first season at the Major League level and could slide into a late-inning left-handed relief role out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2023.

9. Ryan Jensen

The Cubs remain high on Jensen and 2023 could be a breakout season for the team's pitching prospect.

10. Caleb Killian

Killian's stock took a hit during the 2022 season after he struggled with command issues after his stint at the Major League level. If he can make those corrections with the Iowa Cubs in 2023, he could still reach his potential.

11. Ethan Roberts

Roberts will likely miss a bulk of the 2023 season as he continues to recover from Tommy John Surgery.

12. Julian Merryweather

Merryweather provides the Cubs pitching staff with something they desperately lacked in 2022 and that is velocity as he features a fastball that can reach the upper 90s.

13. Michael Rucker

Rucker became a favorite of Cubs' manager David Ross in 2022 and posted a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.

14. Adrian Sampson

Sampson has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubs over the course of the past two seasons and he posted a 3.11 ERA while pitching predominantly out of the starting rotation in 2022.

15. Drew Smyly

Smyly returned to the Cubs on a two-year deal this offseason and likely will serve as a swing-man for the team between their starting rotation and bullpen.

16. Justin Steele

Steele was dominant during the 2022 second half and 2023 could be the season where he emerges as the true ace of the Cubs' starting rotation.

17. Marcus Stroman

Stroman appeared to find his footing in the second half of his first season with the Cubs and that could pave the way for consistent success in 2023 for the team.

18. Jameson Taillon

Taillon was the big free-agent pitcher signing for the Cubs and he likely will slot toward the top of the team's rotation in 2023 as the team looks to begin the season with more consistency from the top half of their rotation.

19. Keegan Thompson

Thompson was a bright spot for the Cubs in 2022 and the expectation in 2023 is that he will serve a multi-inning reliever for the team.

20. Hayden Wesneski

Wesneski was brilliant in his run at the Major League level to end the 2022 season and that could have paved the way for him to break camp in 2023 in the Major League starting rotation.

21. Rowan Wick

Wick has struggled in each of the past two seasons and it would seem that the door to him being the long-term closer out of the Cubs' bullpen has closed.

22. Miguel Amaya

2023 will be an important season for Amaya as the Cubs' catching prospect is expected to be fully healthy at the start of Spring Training and a return to catching duties should be in play.

23. Tucker Barnhart

Barnhart was added by the Cubs on a two-year deal this offseason and likely will split time at the catching position with Yan Gomes.

24. Yan Gomes

After finding success with how he managed the Cubs' pitching staff in 2022, Gomes likely will receive a bulk of the starts in 2023 as the team's catcher.

25. Eric Hosmer

Hosmer joins the Cubs after being a rumored trade target for much of the past two seasons. Hosmer gives the Cubs a veteran presence at first base with prospect Matt Mervis not far off from the Major League level.

26. Trey Mancini

The draw to Mancini for the Cubs is the power that he has in his bat as he is capable of hitting 20 home runs in a season with relative ease. Expect Mancini to serve mostly as the Cubs' designated hitter in 2023 though he will see time at first and the corner outfield spots.

27. Nico Hoerner

Hoerner cemented himself as part of the next contending core of the Cubs in 2022 and enters 2023 as the team's starting second baseman and likely will be the team's leadoff hitter to begin the season.

28. Nick Madrigal

It remains unclear what role Madrigal will have on the Cubs in 2023 as he is without a starting position with Hoerner moving over to second base.

29. Miles Mastrobuoni

The Cubs acquired Mastrobuoni in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last November and the second baseman by trade is likely to begin the season with the Iowa Cubs.

30. Zach McKinstry

After showing a preference to keep McKinstry on the 40-man roster this offseason, there is a good chance that the Cubs plan to utilize the former Los Angeles Dodger as a utility infielder in 2023.

36. Brennen Davis

A back injury led to a washed season for Davis in 2022 but he is entering 2022 with no restrictions and could restock his value as one of the team's top prospects with a hot start with the Iowa Cubs.

37. Ian Happ

Ian Happ is entering the final season of team control with the Cubs and could be a trade candidate if the Cubs are out of contention by the time that the Major League Baseball trade deadline arrives.

38. Christopher Morel

Morel was one of Major League Baseball's most exciting rookies in 2022 and despite a majority of his starts last season coming in the outfield, 2023 could see him emerge as the team's primary third baseman.

39. Seiya Suzuki

With a full season of Major League Baseball under his belt, 2023 could be the season where Suzuki begins to reach his full potential and shows glimpses of being the superstar that he was in Japan.

40. Nelson Velazquez

Velazquez still has promising offensive potential but the goal for him in 2023 should be to get regular playing time and that likely will come with the Iowa Cubs.