Early names emerge for one of Chicago Cubs' biggest offseason need

Short of a surprise trade from the core of their Major League roster, it would seem that the position-player side of the Chicago Cubs' roster is just about set.

That's not to say there won't be additions, as the Cubs could stand to improve the overall quality of their bench, but in light of Cody Bellinger returning, there isn't much wiggle room to tweak the starting lineup.

The only exception to that statement for the Cubs is at catcher. Ever since the Trade Deadline last season, it seemed that the Cubs were no longer thinking that Miguel Amaya was capable of being the permanent starting catcher. The Cubs tried to pry Logan O'Hoppe from the Los Angeles Angels but the Angels had no interest in moving their young catcher.

The idea of the Angels trading O'Hoppe this offseason seems to have been ruled out as Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma provided an update in The Athletic (Subscription Required) of where things stand with the Cubs.

The sense was that unless the Cubs trade for a catching prospects who is currently blocked with another organization, the team will use free agency to find a veteran catcher who can split time with Amaya. The three names mentioned specifically are Travis d'Arnaud, Carson Kelly, and Danny Jansen.

The Chicago Cubs will be looking for a catching upgrade.

Of the three, d'Arnaud is likely at the top of the list. There was some surprise that the Atlanta Braves declined his $8MM club option for the 2025 season. d'Arnaud certainly has the power that is much-needed for this Cubs' lineup and his veteran presence may help with not only Amaya but the young pitchers making their way to thye Major League level.

Kelly, a defensive-oriented catcher, spent the 2024 season between the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. The 30-year-old veteran posted a 99wRC+ last season but his defensive WAR of 10.5 last season likely appeals to the Cubs' front office.

Jansen has long been a favorite of the Cubs' front office but is coming off the worst offensive season of his career since 2019 (not including the shortened 2020 season). Given the defensive regression, he has had in each of the past two seasons, signing Jansen now would feel like the Cubs taking a flier with the hope that an aging catcher is more left in the tank. A strategy that failed miserably when they signed Tucker Barnhart prior to the 2023 season.