2021 Chicago Cubs season
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.
2021 Chicago Cubs | |
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Major League affiliations | |
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Location | |
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Other information | |
Owner(s) | Tom Ricketts |
President of Baseball Operations | Jed Hoyer |
General manager(s) | Jed Hoyer |
Manager(s) | David Ross |
Local television | Marquee Sports Network (Jon Sciambi, Jim Deshaies) |
Local radio | WSCR Chicago Cubs Radio Network (Pat Hughes, Ron Coomer, Zach Zaidman) |
< Previous season |
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]
February
February 6 | Signed free agent LF Joc Pederson, RHP Trevor Williams, LHP Andrew Chafin. Designated 2B Max Schrock for assignment. |
Regular season
Game log
2021 regular season game log: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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April: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
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May: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
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June: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
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July: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
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August: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
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September/October: 0–0 (–) (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0)
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Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Cubs team member |
Season standings
NL Central | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
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Chicago Cubs | 0 | 0 | -nan | — | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Cincinnati Reds | 0 | 0 | -nan | — | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 0 | 0 | -nan | — | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 0 | 0 | -nan | — | 0–0 | 0–0 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 0 | 0 | -nan | — | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Division Leaders | W | L | Pct. |
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Arizona Diamondbacks | 0 | 0 | -nan |
Atlanta Braves | 0 | 0 | -nan |
Chicago Cubs | 0 | 0 | -nan |
Wild Card teams (Top two qualify for postseason) |
W | L | Pct. | GB |
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Cincinnati Reds | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Colorado Rockies | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Los Angeles Dodgers | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Miami Marlins | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Milwaukee Brewers | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
New York Mets | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Philadelphia Phillies | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
San Diego Padres | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
San Francisco Giants | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
St. Louis Cardinals | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Washington Nationals | 0 | 0 | -nan | — |
Record vs. opponents
2021 National League Records
Source: NL Standings Head-to-head | ||||||||||||||||
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Team | ARI | ATL | CHC | CIN | COL | LAD | MIA | MIL | NYM | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL | WSH | AL |
Arizona | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Atlanta | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Chicago | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Cincinnati | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Colorado | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Los Angeles | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Miami | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Milwaukee | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
New York | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Philadelphia | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Pittsburgh | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
San Diego | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
San Francisco | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
St. Louis | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Washington | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 |
Updated with the results of all games through xxx xx, 2021.
Roster
Chicago Cubs 2021 spring training roster | ||||||
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40-man roster | Non-roster invitees | Coaches/Other | ||||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager Coaches
40 active, 0 inactive, 0 non-roster invitees 7-, 10-, or 15-day injured list |
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 |
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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
- Nightengale, Bob. "'Embrace the unconventional:' Opening Day has finally arrived, ready for 60-game sprint". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- "Cubs clinch the NL Central division title after the Brewers' win over the Cardinals". WGN-TV. September 27, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- "MLB to expand postseason to 16 teams for 2020 season. - Sports Illustrated". www.si.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- Lacques, Gabe. "'You're just floating': Marlins' magical season continues with sweep of Cubs, trip to NLDS". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- 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.
- Bumbaca, Chris. "Chicago Cubs TV announcer Len Kasper leaves for White Sox radio job". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- "Marquee Looking to Replace Len Kasper with Someone Who Fits 'Cubs Culture'". Cubs Insider. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- "Sciambi to call play-by-play on Cubs broadcasts". ESPN.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- "Theo Epstein leaving Cubs after nine seasons, 2016 World Series title". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- "Cubs championship architect Epstein steps down". ESPN.com. November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- "Cubs sign new president Jed Hoyer to a five-year contract". WGN-TV. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- "Jed Hoyer, Cubs will enter 2021 season without a new general manager". www.radio.com. December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- Press, Associated (December 4, 2020). "Cubs non-tender Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr". MLB | NBC Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- Press, Associated (January 9, 2021). "Report: Schwarber, Nationals agree to 1-year, $10M deal". MLB | NBC Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- "Cubs trade Darvish to Padres in seven-player deal". RSN. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- "2021 Chicago Cubs Transactions". ESPN. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- "Cubs, Miller reach Minors deal (sources)". MLB.com. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- "Cubs release lefty reliever so he can sign with Seibu Lions". CubsHQ.com. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- Yellon, Al (September 1, 2020). "MLB's proposal to MiLB could change the minor leagues forever". Bleed Cubbie Blue. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- "Minor league baseball restructuring: Full list of 119 affiliate invites sent out by MLB teams". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved December 10, 2020.