Chicago Cubs, Willson Contreras need to find a path forward

After the Chicago Cubs signed Yan Gomes to a two-year, $13 million dollar deal, it raised serious questions regarding Willson Contreras’ future with the team. After all, $6.5 million a year is quite the price for a backup catcher.

As we’re all well aware, Major League Baseball owners instituted a lockout while a new CBA is hammered out – and it’s widely believed that, with it, the designated hitter will, at long last, come to the National League. If that’s the case, finding regular reps for both Gomes and Contreras is pretty straightforward.

The thing about that scenario though, is there is no guarantee the universal DH will come to the NL at all. Could the Cubs really be looking to move Contreras? Currently, there are no talks of an extension between the two parties, but after making a big splash in signing Marcus Stroman to a three-year deal, it wouldn’t make much sense to then take a step back and move your two-time All-Star backstop.

Currently, speculation has risen due to Contreras liking a tweet regarding being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals once Yadier Molina hangs up his spikes. Simply, this could be nothing more than Contreras stirring the pot out of frustration with the lack of substantive extension talks. He has been known to display his frustration in the past and therefore I see very little to go on here in terms of any rumors.

However, should the Cubs do the unforgivable and trade away Contreras, they need to do it before the season starts. This is exactly like the Kris Bryant situation before the 2021 season started. If you’re going to rip our hearts out, get as much as possible in return. Getting a full year out of Contreras is far more valuable than two months at the trade deadline for a team looking to make a late-season push. The problem with trading Contreras rather than extending him is simply that you would rather have what he brings than those prospects. He is that good of a catcher.

Chicago Cubs are simply better off with Willson Contreras behind the plate

For perspective, when Contreras earned All-Star honors in 2018 and 2019, it was the first time a Cubs catcher had done so in back-to-back seasons since Gabby Hartnett in the 1930s. The value of having a top-tier catcher is incredible and the loss of such a player would fly in the face of the organization’s self-stated goal of returning to the postseason sooner rather than later.

The Gomes signing could just as easily be a move to light a fire under Contreras offensively. in 2021, while having another strong showing behind the plate, at the plate Contreras batted a career-low .237. If the DH should come to the NL, this will give Contreras more at-bats without so much wear and tear on his body and hopefully help him find a groove to get back to his career average of .259.

The future is very opaque for the Cubs and Contreras. The two sides need to find some common ground on an agreement. His fiery nature and sheer drive to win is something that ignites this ballclub. If Jed Hoyer wants to win – moving his team’s most valuable position player would be the ultimate head-scratcher.