Free agency commences in a few days, and Willson Contreras will be the unquestioned top backstop available. The career-long Cub is certain to receive and reject a qualifying offer from Chicago while his representatives at Octagon set out in search of a strong multi-year pact.
While clubs can’t formally begin to discuss contract terms with other teams’ free agents until Thursday, they’ve no doubt identified players of interest with the offseason underway. A few teams outside of Chicago have already loosely emerged in the Contreras market. Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweeted this morning the Tigers have interest in the three-time All-Star, while Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link) hears the Astros are contemplating a free agent pursuit.
It’s easy to see the link in both cases. Detroit is led by first-year president of baseball operations Scott Harris, who worked in the Cubs front office through the end of the 2019 season. Harris’ familiarity with Contreras doesn’t on its own give Detroit much of a leg up in free agency, but there’s a clear opportunity for them to pursue catching help. Detroit sees Tucker Barnhart hit free agency, and he looks unlikely to return after a rough year. Eric Haase has decent power and could be an immediate catching option after hitting .254/.305/.443 in 110 games, but he’s never rated highly defensively and may be a better fit for increased work in left field and/or at designated hitter.
Harris declined comment on Contreras specifically when speaking with reporters at the GM Meetings this evening (via Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free-Press). However, he broadly sounded open to the idea of adding catching help from outside the organization. Harris noted the presence of some internal prospect talent — presumably primarily in reference to former second-round pick Dillon Dingler and to 2021 11th-rounder Josh Crouch — but downplayed the likelihood of anyone from the system seizing that job for 2023. Neither Dingler nor Crouch needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter, and neither has yet reached Triple-A. Whether Detroit should be willing to surrender a draft choice for a qualified free agent on the heels of a 66-win season is fair to ask, but it seems likely the Tigers will address catcher in some form over the coming months.
The Astros’ interest in Contreras dates back at least to this past summer. The front office arranged a deal that would’ve sent José Urquidy to the Cubs for Contreras at the deadline, but Houston owner Jim Crane vetoed it. Houston pivoted to land Christian Vázquez from the Red Sox instead, but he’s now the #2 backstop behind Contreras in free agency. A Vázquez reunion seems unlikely after he saw sporadic playing time behind Martín Maldonado down the stretch. Maldonado’s presence could be a roadblock to a Contreras pursuit as well, given the World Series champion’s longstanding affinity for the defensive specialist, but Contreras could be such a marked offensive upgrade the team is willing to consider scaling back Maldonado’s playing time to add an impact bat.
Certainly, interest in Contreras will extend far beyond two teams. High-ranking executives with the Diamondbacks, Cardinals and Red Sox have already gone on record about an openness to adding behind the plate. Katie Woo of the Athletic tweets the Cardinals consider catcher to be their #1 priority, with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak open to both free agent and trade possibilities. The Cardinals have long prioritized elite defense behind the dish with Yadier Molina, perhaps making them an odd fit for a bat-first player like Contreras, but Woo relays that St. Louis isn’t solely looking for defensive stalwarts but is prioritizing all-around impact from the position.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, may have more trepidation about Contreras’ mixed reputation as a game-caller. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe writes that Boston is unlikely to make a serious run at the 30-year-old backstop as they place an emphasis on managing a pitching staff. Concerns about Contreras’ game-calling acumen were mentioned at the deadline as well, perhaps playing a role in the Cubs not finding an offer that inspired them to part ways with him despite being well out of playoff contention. Speier notes the Red Sox have had longstanding interest in A’s backstop Sean Murphy — who’ll be a frequent trade target again this winter — and reports they’ve previously checked in on the Padres’ Austin Nola.
Get him tigers
Greene CF
Javy SS
Meadowns LF
Contreras C
Candelario 3B
Cabrera DH
Myers RF
Schoop 2B
Tokelson 1B
As a Twins fan, if that’s the Tigers lineup I will be very happy.. No disrepect, that’s nine questions in the lineup.
After watching both Realmuto and Maldonado in the World Series, it really opened my eyes to the importance of both pitch framing and defensive stops behind the plate. Both catchers player elite defense and/or displayed elite pitch framing and it saved both teams multiple runs throughout the series.
While signing Contreras would improve most teams’ offense, he is a big step backwards behind the plate compared to the other top of the market catchers so it’s really hard to value Contreras in my opinion. He might be a good fit for Detroit where he can catch for 2023 and part of 2024, but he’ll eventually need to move to first base or DH if he gets the 4-5 year contract he’s looking for. From an all around catching perspective, Sean Murphy seems to be the best ‘available’ option out there but Oakland will be seeking a lot back in return for him. Boston would need to send them a Top 10 prospect along with someone like Dalbec and one other major league-ready prospect for them to even consider trading him.
I like Contreras but this was the argument I’ve been trying to make all year, he isn’t a great hitter who can catch, he isn’t a great catcher who can hit… his bat is above average but not elite and his he lacks the ”it” factor with pitching staffs.
Imo, Contreras should be a personal catcher who can get the majority of his at bats at DH. Give him a day or two behind the plate a week, keep him fresh and competent where he can step in case of injury.
The rub is, Contreras really doesn’t give you the production you want at DH but I believe that slight step back in production is off-set by his ability to catch, spot start, step up full-time in the event of injury.
Most teams, almost all, the “back up” catcher is a roster spot that provides little value. He typically cannot hit well and typically doesn’t play often at all. His not a wasted roster spot but typically doesn’t provide positive value in terms of WAR. Now if you have a guy like Wilco, who will provide positive value offensively at DH, can catch well enough and if you have a Bryce Harper situation where a guy needs to DH, you can move contreras to outfield or first…
With the automated strike zone coming, there will be less concern about the framing aspect of catching. And rightfully so. I’m tired of seeing the 80% ofMLB home plate umpires, missing about 4 or 5 pitches- – each HALF inning.
Dorothy_Mantooth;
For more than the last 100 years most successful people running Baseball Ops-type departments in MLB have understood that building a team starts with having a quality catcher. As Branch Rickey (an ex-catcher) broke it down, the responsibilities of a catcher are:
1. and 2. (can switch them): Calling a game and working with the individual pitchers
3. Playing defense
4. Hitting
And any hitting from a catcher was considered “a bonus”.
Due primarily to rotisserie baseball and a generation of fans (or 2 or 3) that didn’t play the sport, they look at the catchers #4 – their hitting, and pass judgment on them. They’re lost because stats don’t exist to effectively break down #’s 1, 2 & 3 (the Pitch Framing stat is so inaccurate and flawed that if you talk to retired catchers they laugh about it).
The catchers are a teams most important players. In addition to getting beat up with foul balls, the mental aspect is intensive – knowing every days opponents players batting likes and dislikes, their speed on the bases, what sort of game their manager plays. For their own team they need to know each pitcher – what they want to do and what the manager / pitching coach are working with them on. Consider that most MLB teams use over 30 pitchers a year. Then realize that the catcher is the only player that is involved with every single pitch when he’s playing (unless the pitcher pitches a complete game) – because even if he doesn’t catch it, he calls it….and he oversees the defense as well.
FYI – Maldonado has had a reputation as perhaps the most prepared catcher for each game in MLB. The Astros are built (as per Branch Rickey) on defense and pitching. The pitchers love working with Maldonado. Realmuto is up there as well. Your pitching factory teams like Cleveland and Tampa Bay prioritize catchers and continuously work with them. With Friedman the Dodgers always have at least 2 well-schooled catchers on their ML roster, and at least one in the high minors. They prioritize developing catchers from within.
The Yankees finally got wise and dumped an offensive catcher. Jose Trevino did wonders for that pitching staff this year.
And as Dayton Moore said a few years ago – there are more quality QB’s in the NFL than quality catchers in MLB….and at least half of NFL teams fans know full well that they aren’t going to the Super Bowl with their QB.
Don’t forget being the field general for the defense.
The Tigers should have Rogers available next spring as platoon partner for Haase. Contreras would be a huge improvement offensively, but Detroit will likely not become a serious contender next year, so the allure in signing Contreras fades. Sending out expendable catchers as LF or DH does not sound enticing, either – the Tigers have the positions covered (albeit not impressively well) for next year. They better pass on signing Contreras.
Gruß,
BSHH
Agreed. Contreras seems like a better fit for teams ready to contend. Cardinals, as mentioned here, seems logical? Maybe Boston?
Detroit and teams in their situation (a couple yrs away from contention) that need catching help maybe go for a Carson Kelly? Smells like Arizona has soured on him as a starter. Serviceable defensively; start him and see if a new home gooses his offensive metrics?
Not dirt cheap but not expensive either. 2 yrs with 3rd yr mutual opt out? 4.5 mil per?
Plus, Tigers would have to seriously outbid the competition for Contreras, which does not seem likely. If I am Willson, would I rather go to the Astros, the defending champs, or a rebuilding team like the Tigers. He is going to get paid one way or another so why not choose the better team?
The better question is, what are the Cubs gonna do without him? Get a bigger bat elsewhere, and plug in Gomes back there?
I thought they acquired a top prospect from someone? Perhaps Amaya was his name? I’m not all that familiar with their system but could he be close enough to get in some reps?
Amaya has been a long time Cubs farmhand. They did not acquire any catching talent recently.
The Cubs have Amaya but he hasn’t had a lot of development time over the past several years… lots of injuries.
They also have a handful of interesting catching prospects but none are very close.
I’d say that Gomes is better off catching maybe 3 games a week. And that nothing against him. You don’t mention PJ Higgins, who I feel that Ross has a good amount of faith in. For those reasons along with Amaya being ‘close’, if he can stay healthy – I feel this year the Cubs will go low and sign a LH bat catcher like Barnhart. For one year.
I didn’t mention Higgins because I’m not sure what to make of him.
I believe the Cubs are turning their focus on catchers who can help develop pitching and I know Higgins converted himself into a catcher. I don’t know how he handles games, staffs etc (although Steele seems to like him). The staff era was worse with Higgins behind the plate than with Contreras.
I could see the Cubs having interest in Sean Murphy, a duel threat, and working on an extension with him just because with as much as I like Gomes, I feel dynasties have consistency behind the plate. And maybe dynasty is the wrong word but teams with prolonged success.
The Cubs are going to go with Gomes behind the plate, the question is who do we get to back him up?
Gomes is known for being excellent at developing pitching and handling pitching staffs… it was on full display with Gomes, Thompson, Wesneski etc.
I tend to pay attention to what pitchers say, and when there were a handful of Cubs pitchers who expressed their excitement to pitch to Gomes, notably Marcus Stroman. No one, free agent or otherwise, said they were excited to work with Contreras.
The back up catcher situation is what I’m going to watch because Gomes probably is best suited if he takes two days off a week. That’s a fairly significant chunk of time off and will most likely require a “personal catcher” for one of our starters.
As for replacing Contreras’s bat, the Cubs have rumored interest in the top short stops and Abreu already. I think 1-2 year deals for either Abreu or Martinez make a lot of sense. The Cubs also rumored to float a 7 year deal to Correa last season worth at least 210 million… that may be something they explore again.
Another player that interest me is Josh Donaldson if the Yankees want to move on from him to free up payroll… my offer would be cubs send a prospect to New York, New York sends Donaldson, a prospect back to the Cubs and cover Donaldsons buy out IF the Cubs decline his option. Imo, the Cubs would need to be +5 million in prospect value. So the Cubs send an estimated future value of 40 for a future value of 45.
The Cubs will hopefully stay far far away from Donaldson. I want no part of that contract. I’d just as soon go get Moustakis for one year. Again, a LH bat who knows he wouldn’t play every day.
“Contract”? He has one year left and I said the Yankees cover his opt out and send a plus prospect in return.
Donaldson is only one year removed from a three WAR season where he was extremely solid on both sides of the ball. Odds are, the Yankees would hang onto him vs being raked over the coals in trade but also they have payroll issues and bigger fish to fry at the moment.
Willie gained his reputatation as a novelty. Hit hrs in 2016,.Had lots of spirit and attitude. The World Series that year exposure did not hurt the reputation Really never worked to improve his game on offense or defense. Calls a weak game. Poor framing. Terrible blocking pitches. Lazy at times running down we and passed balls. On offense not clutch. Selfish in situations at times. Dusty veteoed deal for these reasons.
“Really never worked to improve his game on offense or defense. Calls a weak game. Poor framing. Terrible blocking pitches. Lazy at times running down we and passed balls. On offense not clutch. Selfish in situations at times.”
You just described Vazquez, which is precisely why the Red Sox were trying to get rid of him since last offseason.
Fever, I’m not sure what you expected from Vasquez? He came up known for his defense and while he’s not a Silver Slugger with the bat, he’s had more big hits than I ever expected. While I’d love to improve, getting Murphy would be costly and is he worth the investment? I’d rather re-sign CV and use that trade capital elsewhere.
dewey – I personally don’t care if my starting catcher is not a great hitter, in fact I was a fan of Sandy Leon when he wasn’t even hitting his weight. But handling the pitching staff is most important, and that’s where Vaz failed based on reports and comments and Catcher ERA. He also had a chip on his shoulder that rubbed teammates the wrong way, it’s no surprise he didn’t get much PT with the ‘Stros.
I highly doubt the Sox will bring back Vaz.
Fever: Red Sox pitchers did prefer Plawecki this year, right?
Suit – Some Sox pitchers made it quite clear, like Eovaldi who wanted Plawecki for every start. In fact 13 of his 21 starts were with Plawecki (and 3 with Wong).
Last year was even more lopsided, as he had a 3.28 ERA with Plawecki and a 2.66 ERA with Wong (and a 4.77 ERA with Vaz).
I won’t argue about the shortcomings you say he has, but I have a really hard time believing he, “never worked to improve his game”. He really doesn’t strike me as that type of person, especially given some of the comments about his work ethic from years prior. It’s possible to put in effort and just not be able to improve things, especially as you age.
I do not see Houston getting Contreras. Yes Maldy has the defense and would fit Verlander and Framber of our pitchers of them all. Houston needs some offense at the position. Especially at bottom of lineup. But depends on what Houston does. Click has not said yes to a 1 year deal to remain.
Fever Pitch Guy. Agree. Vasquez showed up those traits in series. Maldonado glove first whole career. Runs a pitching staff well. Dusty sees value in that
fungo – Yeah Vaz has a good arm and is a solid backup catcher, but I wouldn’t want him starting more than 55 games a year.
5 years/$132.5M guarantee. 5 years/$125M w/ a $7.5M but out on a $20M option.
*buy out
JT Realmuto didn’t get that as a FA while better and younger. Think Yasmani Grandal in terms what a team will offer. 4yrs 74mil. And I imagine the Cardinals would be where he lands. You know being a competive balance small market team. Only lose their 3rd pick.
I’d be surprised if he ends up with the Cardinals-they like defense too much.
I would put him closer to Grandal than Realmuto as well. I was thinking in the 4/70 range.
I don’t see the Cardinals unless they are thinking he’s a depth piece… a guy who can cover pitching for a bit in case their prospect doesn’t pan out or take longer to develop but mostly view as a DH.
I like Contreras’s versatility as a DH because in a pinch you can put him in the outfield or at first. He gives you that ability to cover those positions in the event of a short IL spell. I just don’t think he views himself that way… otherwise I would love to have him back on the Cubs.
The Cards losing Molina and having a DH means he can both catch and DH. Goldschmidt, Arenado, Contreras. You know Contreras becomes a .900 OPS hitter with whatever it is they must add to the players meals over there. Pujols just had his best season since leaving the Cards! Contreras will be a mix of both Molina/Pujols.
The Cards could get Contreras and another good glove catcher. He also throws very well which will be very important next year with the shorter distance between bases..
I hope no team sinks to the level the wsox did when they over paid for grandal. The reason the Sox got him? defense?offense? no, because he was good at framing pitches. big deal. all ml catchers
I hope no team sinks to the level the wsox did when they over paid for grandal. The reason the Sox got him? defense?offense? no, because he was good at framing pitches. big deal. all ml catchers do that. not worth anywhere near the money the Sox have him.
He won’t get anything close to that. Maybe 4/80
He won’t get anything close to that. Maybe 4/80 from someone,
I see more like 3 for $40Mil
Cardinals please!! Come on Yadi talk to him about joining the Cardinals I know you two are good friends!!
Teams need to know Wilson isn’t the catcher they want behind the plate to instill confidence with their pitchers.
There is a reason why the Cubs went with another catcher and the Cubs pitching improved, so team should see the warning signs and just pay for what they believe would be a DH bat and a backup catcher when your defensive catcher need a rest or goes down.
I would love contreras in STL but I think a trade for a Blue Jays catcher would also be awesome
That’s what I want too. Noot or Burly plus a AAA pitcher gets you one of them.
More and more MLB teams are getting wise to offensive catchers……
While they hit well compared to other catchers, their offense isn’t anything special if they have to be played at 1B, 3B, or DH some. But when they’re playing catcher the team is accepting a lower level of production in calling / running a game and defense – particularly blocking hard breaking balls that hit the dirt with runners on base. This affects the production of their pitching staff. Yet the offensive catchers agents want substantially more money than good defensive catchers get because their guy gets on base 2-4 times a week more than the average catcher.
In short, if Willson goes out as a DH, 1B or 3B with his offensive numbers he’s not getting anything like the amount his agents want for him.
Willson is not a poor boys J.T. Realmuto.
Contreras had a wRC+ of 132, that would have tied him with Rizzo for 6th (of 24) among 1B, You don’t define what you mean by anything special, so I’m not sure if that’d qualify. If you want to do more of an average of his last 3 years a 120 wRC+ ties him for 13th with Matt Olson among 1B in 2022.
I don’t know why it’d be surprising that a guy that can catch, even part time, would get more money than a guy who can only play 1b/DH. It’s much easier to find 1b/dh than even passable C.
I’m going to disagree with you on 3B being included in that, since 3b that play solid defense and put up a wRC+ of 120-130 still get paid pretty well..
Tigers front offisce isn’t this dumb. Scott Harris is sharp. AJ Hinch is sharp. The tweet that started this from Morosi was paid agent fluff. Thats how morosi gets paid. Casual fans don’t understand that though. Basically anything Morois tweets from the GM meetings …..he was paid to tweet. Thats how that works. It works too….because every single tigers blogger starts writing articles about it.
As far as the Tigers go…..in my opinion there least position of worries is Catcher. They have so many holes and catcher really is not one of them. They literally had the worst 3rd,2nd,1st, DH,RF, and LF in the entire league. They need to start there if they want to get the most bang/most war impact. Catcher was in the Top half in performance. Rogers Barnhart and Haase wouldve started on every AlCS and NLCS roster minus Philly.
Rogers has the potential to be better than the philly catcher maybe even this next yr. That guy is elite, was the top catcher in the fall league back when they sent nothing but the best there. WAs the starter in Futures game. He was always picked above will smith and murhphy at every level and all star team. Hes about to really have a year and build on his last year i’m thinking. Rogers will be back with an even better arm if thats even possible. Could play shortstop, has pop and had OPS over .800 last year while also throwing out over 50% of the runners. Where else does that exist?
Rogers will never be the same after TJS. He very likely never even plays in the big league again. Dingler will most likely be the catcher sometime in 23 and for the future. Tucker is a free agent and won’t be back. Hasse will potentially move to LF once Dingler is ready.
Contreras can’t handle a pitching staff that well. Cubs Pitching improved when they don’t play him in CERA. Him and the buffalo are one of the same to me…..bottom 2 or 3 worst defensive catchers in the league sometimes hard to watch.
I’vfe been a Cards fan since the early 80’s. They have a history of good defensive catchers all through the years. Porter, Pena, Pagnozzi, Matheny and obviously Molina. All team leaders. Is Contreras that guy? I have my doubts.
I agree with you! As Cards fans we’ve come to expect greatness behind the dish. Knizner is NOT that guy and Herrera is still a little ways off. I’d be happy with Vazquez or Murphy and I hope Mo doesn’t drag his feet and get left out in the cold and we get stuck with Tucker flippin Barnhart or someone of that caliber
The more I think about the Cardinals catching situation, the more I am leaning towards wanting Murphy OR Vazquez. Cost wise, Vazquez is the choice because I think in order to snag Murphy it’s gonna take a package that starts with N. Gorman and goes from there. I wonder if a package of Gorman, D. Hudson and a mid-level prospect would be enough to get Murphy from Oakland?? What say y’all!!?