Earlier this week, catcher Willson Contreras was one of 12 players to reject a qualifying offer, officially allowing the Cubs to recoup draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. As a team that did not pay the competitive balance tax or receive revenue sharing, the Cubs would be entitled to an extra pick just before the third round. That seems to be their goal, as contract talks with Contreras never seemed to gain much momentum and they are now discussing other backstops such as free agents Omar Narváez and Christian Vázquez, according to a report from Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. There’s nothing yet to indicate they have reached out to the players or their representatives, but the fact that other catchers have been “discussed internally” by the Cubs is nonetheless notable.
Since a Contreras reunion doesn’t seem to be in the cards, the Cubs are currently lined up to go into 2023 with three catchers on their 40-man roster: Yan Gomes, P.J. Higgins and Miguel Amaya. Gomes is a veteran going into his 12th MLB season, which will also be the second of the two-year, $13MM deal he signed with the Cubs a year ago. Once that deal was signed, speculation mounted that the Cubs were set to deal Contreras, though that didn’t come pass. Gomes took a step back at the plate in 2022 but was still solid on the other side of the ball. He hit .235/.260/.365 for a wRC+ of 73 but posted 5 Defensive Runs Saved in just 86 games. He could still be a factor for 2023 but he’ll turn 36 during the year and then become a free agent again, meaning he likely won’t be part of the club’s long-term plans.
Higgins, 30 in May, has done some hitting in the minors but hasn’t been able to transfer that to the big leagues just yet. In 83 career games, his batting line is .210/.291/.348 for a wRC+ of 83. He posted a -6 DRS behind the plate and actually spent more time at the infield corners, meaning he’s likely considered more of a third string/emergency catcher.
Amaya, 24 in March, could be a long-term solution but has question marks in the short term. He’s considered one of the club’s top 15 prospects by both Baseball America and FanGraphs. However, he dealt with forearm issues in 2021 and ultimately required Tommy John surgery. He returned to the field this year and got into 40 games in the minors but hasn’t played anything close to a full season since 2019 and has yet to reach Triple-A. It’s possible he gets to the MLB level in 2023 but it doesn’t seem like something that should be expected or relied upon.
Even though the club seems content to let Contreras walk and recoup the draft pick when he signs elsewhere, they will likely need to do something to supplement this group. Vázquez is arguably the second-best free agent backstop behind Contreras, having been Boston’s regular catcher over the past few years. He’s hit around league average in that time, producing a .271/.318/.416 batting line from 2019 through the present for a wRC+ of 95. He’s also provided quality defense and is considered to be an all-around contributor. He was traded to the Astros at the deadline and served as Martin Maldonado’s backup in Houston, though he’s looking for a full-time job again going forward. That perhaps make him and the Cubs a less-than-perfect fit, given the presence of Gomes, though it’s possible Vázquez would be fine with sharing time in a similar manner to what Contreras and Gomes did in 2022. MLBTR predicted Vázquez could earn a contract of $27MM over three years.
As for Narváez, 31 in February, he will likely be attainable with a lesser commitment than Vázquez would take. Considered a bat-first catcher for the early part of his career, he came to the Brewers and flipped that. He’s posted strong defensive numbers in each of the past three years but hit .233/.318/.350 for a wRC+ of 85. However, as a left-handed hitter, he would pair well with the Cubs’ incumbent catchers, all of whom hit from the right side. He didn’t have strong platoon splits in 2022 but his career numbers definitely favor his work against righties.
Although Narváez and Vázquez were mentioned by name, the Cubs have surely discussed various other scenarios. The rest of the free agent market includes names like Gary Sánchez, Austin Hedges and Roberto Pérez. There’s also the trade market to consider, with Sean Murphy of the Athletics frequently mentioned in rumors and the Blue Jays looking to cash in their surplus. Whichever route they take, the Cubs shouldn’t have financial concerns. The ongoing rebuild means their current payroll is well below previous seasons, and none of the non-Contreras options will require huge expenditures regardless. They will have competition, however, with the Cardinals being one team that’s already known to be looking for catching help.
Omar sucks. Take him
Sean Murphy would be great! But I think the market will bid him too high. Gomes looked better Kate in season so maybe he just gets a platoon partner
“Late” not “Kate”. Trade market for Murphy is sky-rocketing.
He had a rough season (the 2nd half in particular), but he has a decent track record. I could see him rebounding and doing fine platooning with Gomes if the Cubs sign him.
My Plan A:
1. Sign Correa- Lose Mckinstry( 40 man same)
2. Sign Bellinger- Lose Ortega ( 40 man same)
3. Trade Happ and Wick for Jansen ( 40 man +1)
4. Sign Chafin- Lose Vizcaino ( 40 man even)
5. Sign Givens- Lose Leiter Jr. ( 40 man even)
6. Sign Abreu- Lose Rivas ( 40 man even)
How to get things done and save Roster space. I could be wrong but I doubt it. I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken.
Lol… okay. They would all be upgrades…
I do see a return Mychal Givens
Happ for Kirk
Maybe Happ and 3 minor league pitching prospects for the American League’s Silver Slugger in Kirk. Even then, maybe not.
I highly doubt the Jays trade Kirk.
They’re going to have a lot of competition, especially with this year’s crop of meh free agent catchers. There are much better trade options if the Cubs are looking for a long term solution. Jed Hoyer needs to be on speed dial with Billy Beane, Ross Atkins and A.J. Preller.
Question for Darragh McDonald:. when you say league average, do you mean LEAGUE average or average for that position? I consider Vasquez above average offensively for a catcher in 22 even with his lack of power. He also has had some very big hits. I try to be objective but am a Sox fan. Because of that I’ve seen a lot of him and congratulate him on improving his production at the plate. When he came up, he was meak at best.
Given the profile they’re reportedly looking for, I’d be okay with either of these guys on the Cubs.
“Vázquez is arguably the second-best free agent backstop behind Contreras.”
Actually, I believe Vázquez if the best FA Catcher available.
I’ve read here in the comment section from Cubs fans that Hoyer and Co are making a big push to build a pitch coaching area to develop their own pitchers. It appears that some results were seen in 2022. This is potentially a franchise-altering move. Teams have to develop and maintain their own players via their coaching staffs to compete in the upper echelons of MLB today. This is especially true with pitchers.
In keeping with that strategy it appears that they value Gomes, and would do well with one of Vázquez, Narváez , Hedges, or Pérez (if healthy) – one of them can share the catching position with Gomes. Hitting doesn’t matter. The NL has the DH – the Cubs can get hitting from that position. Handling a pitching staff is too important to settle for less help for the pitching staff because a guy can get on base 2-3 more times a week – which is the difference between a good hitting catcher and a bad one.
Looks like the Cardinals and Cubs will fight it out over Mr. Vázquez.
If that’s the case Vasquez has a choice Win (STL) and get paid(CHI). He has already won so welcome to the Northside.
Now watch the Cubs end up with Gary Sanchez.
If the Cubs think Contreras is a bad defensive C, They’d take Sanchez who is a complete disaster? I hope you have a shrink on speed dial.
It appears the Cardinals have little interest in Willson Contreras replacing Yadier Molina. I also believe the Redbirds are more likely to swing a deal for a catcher than sign a free agent. The A’s Sean Murphy or one of the three Blue Jay catchers makes a lot of sense for St. Louis.
AaronSapoznik;
Yes, I think Murphy would fit with the Cardinals.
The problem is what the A’s want back for Murphy. As I wrote there, they want 3 quality prospects with 6 years of control. Not sure the Cardinals have those players – and if so, can afford to give them up.
FYI…
From the Guardians the A’s supposedly asked for their top pitching prospect – who many regard as the best pitching prospect in MiLB – plus 2 other top 100 prospects. All of whom are about ML ready.
Samuel says: “This is potentially a franchise-altering move. Teams have to develop and maintain their own players via their coaching staffs to compete in the upper echelons of MLB today. This is especially true with pitchers.”
Samuel I know you can’t read this since you muted me, but when has this profound insight you just proffered ever not been the case??? Teams have had to develop their own talent since the days of Hugh Duffy and Wee Willie Keeler. Captain Obvious strikes again.
For Murphy, I could see Cardinals offering Liberatore, Gorman and Burleson, and the A’s turning it down
It is about quality not quantity
He mutes everyone who calls out his nonsense. Contreras projected to earn 84 million and vazquez 27 million but he thinks vazquez is better seems like trolling to me
I would happily take neither. Boston was apparently upset at Velasquez’s handling of the pitching staff and Navarez historically has been terrible behind the plate.
Narvaez used to be much worse behind the plate but he’s made great strides in 2021 and 2022.
This is the team that I think could buy you 1-2 years of development while still winning 85-90 games and very minimal risk long-term.
I’d go
C – Narvaez *
1B – Mervis/Wisdom
2B – Hoerner
3B – Elvis Andrus *
SS – Correa *
LF – Happ
CF – Kiermaier *
RF – Suzuki
DH – Abreu *
SP1 – Eovaldi *
SP2 – Stroman
SP3 – Clevinger *
SP4 – Steele
SP5 – Hendricks
That line up sucks only slightly worse than our line up last season. Kiermaier cannot hit for average or power nor does he walk enough to give him a respectable on base percentage.
That lineup sucks, except Abreu and Correa would have easily been the top two hitters for the Cubs last year.. Kiermaier’s value is in his defense, not hitting.
Not a fan of Kiermaier (at this stage of his career) or Andrus… Rather have Morel at 3B and a different CF. That’s not a good lineup IMO.
As for Kiermaier being valuable with the glove, that remains to be be seen after hip surgery.
Sorry I disagree with just about every single one of your ideas. Aside from Abreu to play first base, not DH, and Correa, Maybe Clev.
Navarus, kiermaier, eovaldi and Elvis can stay far far away from this team.
Morel is a poor man’s Javy Baez. Flashy, athletic, but can’t take a walk and will swing at anything within 3 feet of the plate.
Morel and Andrus had very similar offensive profiles last season… just saying.
Except the part where Morel was a flash in the pan until word got out on how to get him out. He hit .194 with a .645 OPS in the second half. Andrus was a 3 WAR player, Morel was 1.6.
Andrus also hit .275 with a .771 OPS in the second half.
So what? The guy hasn’t been good offensively since 2017… but he had a good second half, better sign him!
Elvis has the edge defensively, that’s it but wait, he isn’t a third baseman so there is that. Guess he can just plug in and be fine right?
Andrus isn’t good.. reset and say Profar and you’ll be better off.
Drascoo- Not to mention 3/5 th’s of that roatation would be on the IL by May 1. Clevinger, Eovaldi and Hendricks. I highly doubt Hendricks pitches much next year, just a feeling. My Rotation:
1. Stroman
2. Senga
3. Steele
4. Wesneski
5. Smyly
6. Hendricks
7. Killian
8. Asad
9. Sampson
They better get started.
Stroman has started less games in the last 3 years than Eovaldi has. Clevinger had TJS, most pitchers come back sharp immediately after that. He was extremely good before that.
Senga could end up being a reliever for all we know. Relying on a first-year foreign pitcher to be at the top of your rotation is just silly.
Wesneski is far from proven, Smyly is more injury prone than anyone either of us listed.
Ok I get it. You’re the president of the Eovaldi fan club. I just think he sucks. And Clevinger is a has been that never was. Hawkins came from Cleveland. I’d think if he wanted him he’d be here.
No thank you
This is the malaise jimmy carter warned us about
It’s telling that the Cubs are showing no interest in Contreras and the Red Sox haven’t been touted as a contender for Vasquez.
Cardinals and other catcher-seeking clubs should take note.
As a RS fan, I still like Vazquez. But relating back to Samuel’s point, and my own opinion that teams don’t need offense from all 9 positions, I could close my eyes, roll with Wong & McGuire, and spend my allowance elsewhere.
Certainly the Cubs can put together a package for Sean Murphy? They aren’t going to get much MLB ready talent, but there is a lot of talent they can move for him.
That’s seems to be quite a difference haha
Good for them not to be suckered into the overrated Sean Murphy hype.
Beane can ask for whatever he wants. Doesn’t mean he’s gonna get it. Jansen would be a great option. Maybe Happ gets it done. Throw in Wick and you get another 40 spot.
Unclemike1526;
1. Beane is not the GM.
2. If the A’s don’t get what they want they simply keep Murphy. His value goes sky high in late summer when a contender loses their top catcher to injury.
3. If we’re proposing trades, it’s always nice to figure out what the other team is looking for….not what one team can give up.
Samuel- Hoyer isn’t the GM for the Cubs. But we all know who makes the final decisions. What’s your point exactly? And if they keep Murphy we all know they file Chapter 11.
I would still like to see Vázquez back in Boston.
Either one of these 2 guys would be a fall back option and would just kick the can down the road 1 year. Jansen or Murphy would be bridges to Aliendo, Ballesteros or Opitz. Maybe even Quintero who should start A-Ball this year. Just bite the bullet now Jed and Carter and get it done. Plus I don’t think much of Navarez.
How is their interest news, yet you can’t post anything regarding the Rizzo resign? I come here for baseball news and updates. Did I miss it or am I on the wrong app for baseball news and updates. I had to read it elsewhere. Glad they have an interest in Vasquez though?!?!?
Did you really think Rizzo was coming back? Interestingly enough, Rizzo re signed for just about the same money the Cubs offered him and he turned down and pretended to be indignant. And it was ALL OVER the Yankees pages as he SIGNED WITH THEM! Another fan club president heard from I guess. LOL
dgiannini;
The Rizzo-Yankees signing was news 2 days ago.
That’s when MLBTR posted it.
Pretty sure SD is going to unload Alfaro because it doesn’t really make sense to pay him like $3M+ when they have Campusano ready for MLB action.
Might be better off trading something minimal for him than signing Narvaez
With young pitchers I would rather have a good glove catcher like Gomes than a stronger bat with with a weaker glove. When the computers replace pitch framing, then we will see
Is Miguel Amaya even ready for the show? Ig Contreras is not in the cards I would sign narvarez to a 1 year deal. Maybe flip him if Amaya turns out to he the prospect he was once projected to be.
Amaya hasn’t caught a game in 3 years. He had TJ surgery last year and had surgery for a Lisfranc injury at the end of last year. He got hurt DH’ing. Ready for the show? He’s ready for a nursing home. A Lisfranc injury for a guy who squats for a living. Good thing or bad thing? I don’t even know why he’s taking up a 40 man spot much less thinking of him being on the team.
I knew about the TJS but not the lisfranc surgery. If that’s the case they need to try to re-sign Contreras.
Egrossen- I could take a flyer on that, for sure. I don’t love it, but Narvaez and Gomes could form a reasonable duo w respectable offense and solid defense/receiving.