Five Cubs prospects you’ll see at Wrigley Field next season

Chicago Cubs: Could the Cubs trade Contreras?

The only guy who isn’t a pitcher in my list, Miguel Amaya (and his lack of ability to develop naturally in 2020) might be the biggest question mark coming into Spring Training in a couple months.

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Thought to be headed to Double-ATennessee in 2020, the razed minor league season undoubtedly put a huge crimp in the Cubs plans for Amaya. In turn, it also could have handcuffed them in possible wheeling and dealing with All-Star big league catcher Willson Contreras and even his backup, Victor Caratini. Had Amaya torn up Double-A and moved to Iowa or Chicago, the Cubs may have felt more willing to trade one of their two excellent big league catchers.

Even still, there’s talk that Contreras might be one of the biggest trade chips for the Cubs, so if he goes elsewhere in a trade, Amaya could be pushed a big faster and harder to back up Caratini. If the Cubs go the way of trading Caratini, they’d more than likely get a veteran backup to complement him, thus letting Amaya progress more naturally.

Then again, if the Cubs decide they’re going to hang on to Contreras long term, it could make Amaya disposable. A Top 100 prospect in most prospect lists, a catcher who can hit could fetch something else the Cubs need. One way or the other, it’s a good bet you’ll see Amaya for at least a cup of coffee at some point in the second half of the season.