Breaking down the Cubs' top 3 free agent catcher options to pair with Miguel Amaya

The Chicago Cubs probably won't be looking to break the bank this offseason as the team looks to upgrade a roster that finished a disappointing 83-79 last season. While Cody Bellinger trade rumors swirl and many speculate the team will look to add pitching, the one path to a substantial upgrade for the North Siders is behind the dish.

The incumbent, soon-to-be 26-year-old Miguel Amaya, has not done much to distinguish himself as a worthy everyday catcher over his young career. With a slash line of .232/.288/.357 and eight home runs his performance with the bat was good for a wRC+ of 83 last season, which is 17 percent below league average.

Defensively, Amaya is no whiz either. According to Baseball Savant's Statcast-based framing data, he was worth -5 framing runs last season while also being worth -2 stealing runs indicating a slightly below-average arm.

While the Cubbies added a catcher, acquiring Matt Thaiss in a trade last week, the 29-year-old is more of an organizational depth piece than someone who can unseat or even operate in a timeshare with Amaya.

Fortunately for the Cubs, three free-agent options exist that could present a significant upgrade and come in at a reasonable price. Those players are Danny Jansen, Carson Kelly and Kyle Higashioka. The Cubs must come away with one of them this winter, and one may stand above the others as the best option.

Carson Kelly gives the Cubs a defensive upgrade

Carson Kelly, a former top prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system, may have never reached his full potential, but the 30-year-old brings some nice things to the table. Last season, he posted a 99 wRC+, buoyed by a solid walk rate of 8.0 percent, an acceptable strikeout rate of 17.6 percent, and ine home runs over 91 games showing both adequate plate discipline and occasional pop in his bat.

Where Kelly excels however is defensively. Last season he was a net-positive as a pitch framer, generating 1 framing runs on the season. Among all catchers, his strike rate of 48.5 percent ranked 16th in baseball, indicating he is at least average and generating strike calls on those borderline pitches.

Where he really shined was with his arm. Last season Kelly posted 3 stealing runs which was good for 10th in the league. His caught-stealing rate of 30% was even better, ranking sixth overall.

Kelly might not strike fear in the heart of opposing pitchers with the bat, but he's a professional hitter who brings value both as a pitch framer and as a deterrent to opposing base runners. Put that all together and he's a nice upgrade for the Cubs, though you might prefer a little more offensive prowess.