Headlines

  • Astros Sign Jason Castro
  • Red Sox To Sign Garrett Richards
  • Blue Jays Sign George Springer
  • Nationals Re-Sign Ryan Zimmerman
  • Red Sox, Enrique Hernandez Agree To Deal
  • Angels Sign Jose Quintana
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cubs Notes: Epstein, Extensions, Catchers

By TC Zencka | July 10, 2020 at 10:02pm CDT

Theo Epstein has largely led his clubs with positive, progressive messaging that, if anything, lands on the overly-diplomatic end of the spectrum. True to form, he and the Chicago Cubs organization are encouraging their players to speak their minds as they so choose, writes Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports. Though Epstein’s comments may come off as hollow, there’s little to suggest he’s being anything but sincere. He’s been up front about wanting to organizationally (and personally) take a long, inward look at themselves for traces of the systemic racism that’s been at the fore of the country’s cultural conversation. These comments stemmed from a tweet from Adbert Alzolay that voiced some of his concerns about camp in South Bend. That tweet, however, was deleted after some of his facts proved to be inaccurate, per The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma. This Here’s more from Chicago…

  • Epstein more-or-less put the kibosh on any potential extensions for Chicago’s many popular, star players, per MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian. After Kris Bryant recently re-iterated his desire to stay in Chicago, it’s a little disquieting to hear Epstein so thoroughly shut down the idea of extending much-beloved Cubs like Bryant, Javier Baez, or Willson Contreras. On the other hand, it’s certainly a confusing time in baseball, and there are plenty of logistics to keep the organization busy just in trying to keep players safe and return to the game of baseball. The market for star players like Bryant and Baez could not be any more uncertain, and with at least two seasons before any of their core players reach free agency, the Cubs have the luxury of time. If nothing else, next offseason will offer a fascinating data point as Mookie Betts hits the open market. The Cubs certainly have the funds to re-up their stars, but they might just want to wait to see the going rate for a superstar in these uncertain times.
  • On the field, manager David Ross is mulling the possibility of carrying three catchers once the season starts, per Bastian (via Twitter). Given the somewhat chaotic terms of the 2020 season, it would not be surprising to see many teams go this route. For the Cubs specifically, Victor Caratini proved enough with the bat last season to get some at-bats at first base or designated hitter while Contreras continues to serve as the everyday catcher. The switch-hitting Caratini, 26, hit .266/.348/.447 across 279 plate appearances. He saw 23 starts at first base and 2 at third base to go along with 59 starts behind the plate. Josh Phegley would figure to be the third catcher. Phegley hasn’t rated all that well defensively, but the former Oakland Athletic did pop 12 homers with a .411 slugging percentage last season.
Share 0 Retweet 9 Send via email0

Adbert Alzolay Chicago Cubs David Ross Josh Phegley Kris Bryant Notes Theo Epstein Victor Caratini Willson Contreras

Devin Mesoraco Joins University Of Pittsburgh Coaching Staff
Main
Dodgers Mull Rotation Options
19 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Cubs in STL

    7 months ago

    Carrying three catchers when there’s only 60 games and there’s a massive drop off a cliff from your first two to your third, just makes very little sense to me. I get that you have 35 guys at the beginning of the year…but I don’t think Ross knows how bad this bullpen might be

    Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      7 months ago

      and its not like Phegley is going anywhere. i agree, I’ve never liked the 3 catcher thing, just seems like a waste unless one can play elsewhere. (and 1B/DH doesnt count)

      Like
      Reply
      • mlbnyyfan

        7 months ago

        Ross himself can always be the third catcher.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • SoxRewl

          7 months ago

          I could see him and Kapler getting into some games if their teams get thinned out by the virus

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Kidcub23

          7 months ago

          Be the first time since Rose that we had a player manager!!!!!

          1 Like
          Reply
      • Cmurphy

        7 months ago

        Willson plays outfield, Victor plays first, both can DH. Would we rather have Kyle step in behind the plate if in a bind.

        Like
        Reply
        • wagner13

          7 months ago

          He could always take Descalso’s spot on the roster

          Like
          Reply
      • Mikel Grady

        7 months ago

        Dark side830. Re watch game 7 of 2016 World Series . Contreras bomb, Ross bomb and montero rbi to win 8-7. Better have loved 3 catchers that night .

        Like
        Reply
  2. bobtillman

    7 months ago

    Carrying three catchers THIS year seems a bit absurd. If one of your backstops goes down while on the road, you have the three man taxi squad, with the requirement being that one of them has to be a catcher. If home, you have the Summer Camp guys working out close by; doubtless at least one of those twenty (likely two or three) will be catchers.

    Of course you have the unlikely possibility that both your catchers go down during the same game, but frankly I don’t remember that happening at all, though I admit it MIGHT have happened once or twice.

    After the roster size cutdowns happen, and you only have 26 players to utilize, it seems those spots can be used with more dexterity. With the late start (and not much time for non-pitchers to get into playing shape) , there are more useful ways.

    Like
    Reply
    • Brandon Sans

      7 months ago

      Yep, the probability of needing a third catcher doesn’t often happen. The only normal situation where it could be justified is if one of your catchers was a good offensive player who you wanted to utilize as a pinch hitter or DH.

      Like
      Reply
      • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

        7 months ago

        Caratini and Contreras could both fit the category of “good hitter”

        Like
        Reply
  3. wrek305

    7 months ago

    Ross as player /manager. But he gives up his ABs to a 2nd.dh.

    3 catchers worked great for the cubs in 2016

    Like
    Reply
  4. JD396

    7 months ago

    There’s less off days, but they’re playing 40% of a season. Three catchers is usually a crutch for a manager, and that’s especially the case when the “grind” element of the season isn’t going to be nearly as intense as a 162-game season.

    Like
    Reply
  5. pplama

    7 months ago

    “positive, progressive”
    Well, except for the Addison Russell situation. Twice.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • kyleschwarbersmomkyleschwarbersmom

      7 months ago

      It’s progressive if you can think about it at a higher level that Theo helped Russell. It’s positive if we never see Russell in any future negative light.

      Like
      Reply
  6. amanda_hugandkiss

    7 months ago

    “at least two seasons before any of their core players reach free agency”. I thought Bryant, Baez, and Schwarber were free post ‘21??

    Like
    Reply
    • ChiSox_Fan

      7 months ago

      Yes, what don’t u get?

      2020 Season
      2021 Season

      That’s two!

      Like
      Reply
      • wordonthestreet

        7 months ago

        Yea looks like your math is spot on ChiSox!

        Like
        Reply
    • mike127

      7 months ago

      @amanda——2020 and 2021 = two seasons for the players you listed. In many level of mathematics two does equate to “at least two”. If you would have listed Chatwood…..you would be correct. But, pretty sure there was a reason you excluded him…………

      Like
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Astros Sign Jason Castro

    Red Sox To Sign Garrett Richards

    Blue Jays Sign George Springer

    Nationals Re-Sign Ryan Zimmerman

    Red Sox, Enrique Hernandez Agree To Deal

    Angels Sign Jose Quintana

    Marlins, Anthony Bass Agree To Two-Year Deal

    Twins Sign J.A. Happ

    Padres To Re-Sign Jurickson Profar

    Hank Aaron Passes Away

    Recent

    Jameson Taillon Could Be Next Pirates Player To Be Traded

    Latest On Yasiel Puig And The Outfield Market

    Quick Hits: Alex Wood, Giants, Twins, Ehire Adrianza

    Tigers To Sign Derek Holland

    Minor Transactions: 1/23/21

    Free Agency Notes: Mets, Richards, Red Sox, Profar, Bench Bat

    Latest On Brad Hand

    Astros Sign Jason Castro

    Orioles Notes: Marlins, Santander, Mancini, Deferrals, MASN

    Red Sox To Sign Garrett Richards

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Bauer Rumors
    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • J.T. Realmuto Rumors
    • Marcell Ozuna Rumors
    • Masahiro Tanaka Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version