Five moves the Chicago Cubs must make to have a chance

Chicago Cubs: Contreras may be better served in the outfield

When the Cubs went out and traded for Martin Maldonado, the effect was two-fold. They unloaded a guy who, simply, didn’t want to be there anymore in Mike Montgomery and got a defensive-minded catcher to fill in for the injured Willson Contreras.

Maldonado isn’t going to impact many games with his bat – but he absolutely will with his glove. He’s a great framer who knows how to steal pitches on the edge and get his pitchers calls in big spots. But with Contreras nearing a return, how will the Cubs balance carrying three catchers?

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Victor Caratini has been far better than I anticipated – especially offensively. You’re not going to take at-bats away from a switch-hitting backstop who’s played as well as he has. But with him playing well and Maldonado getting a lot of love since joining the team, what does that mean for the Cubs’ two-time All-Star backstop?

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Maddon utilize Contreras more in the corner outfield spots down the stretch – adding his potent bat to the mix and, in the process, keeping him fresh.

If theoretically, Almora is dropped and Heyward moves to center, Contreras could work in right field a few times a week and, hopefully, help power the Cubs to another division title.

I’m not saying this one has to happen – but it might be a way for the team to internally address their lack of offense from some of their outfield spots, thus dedicating their deadline resources to more pressing needs.