Chicago Cubs could make noise by pursuing this veteran catcher

Chicago Cubs: Looking at Grandal’s numbers

As mentioned before the veteran backstop had a particularly strong 2019 as he posted a .246/.380/.468 slash with 28 homers, .848 OPS , 121 wRC+ and a 5.2 fWAR in 153 games.

Grandal, a career .241/.348/.446 hitter, has averaged a 5.0 fWAR the past five seasons and has hit 20 or more homers the past four seasons. He also sports a career 64 Defensive Runs Saved and 134.1 Catcher Framing Runs Above Average.

This guy is the complete package as a catcher. Do not let some really bad errors a few postseasons ago fool you, the guy can really play. His skill at pitch framing can also be understood looking at metrics provided by Baseball Prospectus which includes the CSAA stat which helps account for additional strikes given to the pitcher. His CSAA was eighth-highest in baseball last year while being second-highest in Framing Chances.

Outside the pitch framing and catching, the guy has an incredibly productive bat. Career 141 homers and 118 wRC+ in 879 games as a catcher is nothing to take lightly. His walk rate one the season usually is around the low to mid-teens as he has a good eye at the plate. He drew over 100 of them last season.

It may also be worth noting he has played 497 innings at first base on top of his 6,271 innings behind the dish. We saw Craig Counsell utilize him a number of times at first in 2019. Averaging roughly 132 games the past seasons, Grandal is a work horse.