Cubs Rumors: Team nearing a deal with free agent catcher Carson Kelly

Nothing like things coming down to the wire. After watching multiple free-agent catchers come off the board already this winter, multiple reports indicate the Chicago Cubs are closing in on a deal with Carson Kelly - which would address a major need the team had coming off the 2024 campaign.

Kelly, 30, is a definite upgrade defensively over what we saw from Yan Gomes last season. He ranked in the 68th percentile in framing and graded out above-average in both caught stealing and blocks above average. He was more or less a league-average bat, and he fits the bill for what Chicago was looking for at the position.

There's hope that Miguel Amaya can continue his second-half resurgence at the plate. An in-season mechanical adjustment paid huge dividends offensively and, despite mediocre marks defensively, he continued to draw rave reviews from Cubs pitchers summer long.

Splitting the 2024 season with the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, Kelly slashed .238/.313/.374/99wRC+. Kelly does have some pop in his bat, hitting nine home runs in 91 games played last season, but his bat won't be the reason for his inclusion in the team's starting lineup. The Cubs have been wanting a veteran timeshare option at catcher with Miguel Amaya; Kelly certainly checks that box.

Kelly likely wouldn't preclude the Cubs from pursuing a starting catcher if one becomes available in the trade market but a move for one likely is less of a priority moving forward this offseason. It's also worth noting that Kelly won't address the long-term questions the Cubs may have at catcher.

For now, it seems that the Cubs will enter the season with Amaya and Kelly splitting duties. Kelly will likely get the start against most left-handed starting pitchers. Cubs' catching prospect Moises Ballesteros will likely factor into that mix as well but the organization remains more high on his bat than the idea of him being an everyday catcher.

More to come as the deal is finalized - but crossing catcher off the to-do list is a big win for Jed Hoyer as the Winter Meetings get underway in Dallas.