The Cubs and catcher Christian Bethancourt have agreed to a minor league deal, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. He would make $1.6MM if in the majors. He’ll presumably be in major league camp in spring training.
Bethancourt, 34, was a Cub in his most recent stint in the big leagues. Chicago rostered him in the second half of the 2024 season. He performed well in a small sample. He took 59 plate appearances in 24 games with a strong .281/.305/.509 batting line in that time.
Since his offense has been very up-and-down in his career, the Cubs presumably didn’t feel that kind of production was sustainable. He could have been retained for 2025 via arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a $2.5MM salary. Instead, the Cubs outrighted him off the roster and he elected free agency.
The Blue Jays signed Bethancourt to a minor league deal last offseason. He spent 2025 with Triple-A Buffalo without getting a call up to the majors. Toronto’s catchers stayed relatively healthy this year but Bethancourt also didn’t do himself any favors. As mentioned, his offense has been inconsistent and he hit .173/.219/.332 for the Bisons this year.
Though he’s coming off a down year at the plate, there’s no harm in this deal for the Cubs. They haven’t committed anything and things went well the last time they had Bethancourt around. Their catching situation is also a bit fluid right now. Reese McGuire got a decent amount of playing time in 2025 but he has been non-tendered.
The Cubs still have Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya and Moisés Ballesteros but there are some questions in that group. Kelly is coming off a good year overall but hit just .218/.278/.318 in the second half. Amaya is still trying to get fully established as a big leaguer but spent most of 2025 on the injured list and only got into 28 games. Ballesteros is a great hitter but there are questions about his defense. Ballesteros is the only one of those three who can be optioned to the minors but the Cubs might want his bat in designated hitter mix in the majors.
Bethancourt gives them a bit of non-roster depth at the Triple-A level. As mentioned, he’s coming off a down year at the plate but he’s a veteran who made his major league debut over a decade ago. He has a decent defensive reputation, though more so for his work controlling the running game than his framing or blocking. If he eventually is added to the roster, he is out of options.
Photo courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images
To be fair to Carson Kelly, the Cubs offense tanked after the second half, so he’s not the only one that fell off a cliff. Either way, good depth signing.
Good depth signing? Signing a guy who didn’t play in the major leagues in 2025. Hey how about signing someone who might help you win a game? The Cubs downward spiral has begun. They will not make the playoffs in 2026.
Seems a bit dramatic for a minor league signing…
Maybe next they’ll resign Tucker.
I would have prefered that they would have kept McGuire over signing Bethancourt.
Maybe McGuire said no thinking he might land a #2 role somewhere…
Jed Hoyer, you are worthless
Why do you say that, CC, with regard to this move specifically? Bethancourt is the 3rd catcher to stash at Iowa and bring up when Amaya gets hurt. They need someone for that role, so isn’t this a reasonable move?
Jed now leading the MLBTR Donkey of the week award again. Slight lead ahead of Brian Cashman in this shortened week
Bethancourt just needs 3 more home runs for his MLB career total to surpass Line #37 on my Baseball spreadsheets, thus making them look more aesthetically pleasing.
I’m rooting for this guy, but for selfish reasons.
Same as every offseason, a few relievers, nobody outfielder and there 3rd catcher, offseason complete and Tommy will still cry poor.
So Tucker was a nobody in 2025?
Then Bellenger was a nobody in 2022?
Add in Shota and Taillon to the pile up
At least complain with accurate
@CFS: Actually, Tucker did turn out to be a nobody, at least relative to expectations. He was oddly un-impactful, rarely got a key hit, generally played pepper with the first baseman or hit fungoes to the centerfielder, pulled up on catchable balls in right field, and seemed annoyed that everyone not named Alex Cohen didn’t bow down to him. Glad he will be someone else’s disappointment next season.
You really need to do better on the troll vibe. Lacks creativity.
Sigh.
He was more than adequate as minor league depth and a 3rd C the last time he was here. He’s fine. If somebody wants Amaya depending on the return I’d be OK with McGuire coming back as #2 C also. If somebody knocked me over for Amaya it’s a real possibility.
It is a non headline move that just insures against another Amaya injury case. McGuire was due Arb so inking a minor league deal was better for payroll.
Not much to see here. Just business stuff
I thought he converted to the mound?
I believe you are correct. Maybe he’s a dual threat. backup catcher and part time bat swinger. Full time pitcher?
Veteran depth at C is essential on winning teams even if they arent the star-type or name player for that matter. Bonus here bc it’s an inexpensive move. Veteran depth. Ballesteros isnt the answer as a catcher unless its a blowout and a position player is on the hill.
Amazing that this guy is still around.
World Series here we come!
I thought he retired like 7 years ago.