Chicago Cubs: Backup catcher options on the free agent market

Cubs could choose to play it safe in someone like Austin Romine

This option is not incredibly exciting, but Austin Romine can come in and bring experience without  breaking the bank. Romine, 32, spent last season with the Detroit Tigers after playing his first 369 career games with the New York Yankees. He caught 37 games with Detroit last year and hit .238/.259/.323 with two home runs and 17 RBI.

Overall Romine is a career .239/.278/.361 hitter with an OPS+ of 71 and 27 home runs in 405 home runs. In 2018 he hit a career-high 10 home runs and 42 RBI.

So no, Romine would not bring a good bat. He struck out over 30 percent of the time last year and does not get on base. Romine is a decent enough catcher behind the plate and can play first base as well which can help create defensive depth at the position.

This guy is going to be available on the cheap. There’s no way he makes the $4.1 million he received in 2020. Romine is not one of the ideal additions but available nonetheless.

Those are just some options on the market for catchers that could come in and help. Like mentioned at the beginning, bringing in an experienced catcher to backup Willson Contreras, at this point, is an absolute must.