Do the Chicago Cubs really not want to sign a backup catcher?

Chicago Cubs: Willson Contreras

Understand this, Willson Contreras isn’t a ‘final product’ just yet. Last season, he was an All-Star after a blistering first half. This built off is 2017 season in which he hit 21 home runs while knocking in 74 runs. But in the second half of last year, the power outage of Contreras was frightening. He hit just three home runs and batted just .200 in the second half with only a .294 SLG%. It was a far cry from the beef he and Yadier Molina had earlier in the year about the new generation of catchers. 

His caught stealing rate won’t raise many eyebrows. But his ability to manage the running game by using back picks on runners is his bread and butter. He had five in just 57 games in 2016. In 2017, he raised the total to seven, topped that with eight last year. Watching Contreras operate with Jon Lester shows the potential he has.

But one of the most significant ways to gauge a catcher is pitch framing. For Contreras, he’s one of the worst in baseball. Of 117 catchers ranked for framing, he sits 116. But while he can manage the run game, he takes a lot of chances. He loves to show off that arm, sometimes too often. With all that being said, Contreras still has a bright future.

I think he ‘teased’ his breaking out party in the first half, and will do it for a full season this year. He’s battled a few injuries, including a hamstring that kept him out for an extended period. But he knows one speed. Full throttle. Joe Maddon has worked to bring him down a notch. It may have been a few notches too many.