4 areas of need the Chicago Cubs must invest in this winter

2. The catching situation still isn't certain

Hoyer and the Cubs also signaled at the deadline that the catching situation would be a key target going forward for the team. Lately, the backstop hasn't been as big of an issue thanks to a late-season tear by Miguel Amaya (157 wRC+ in August) and Christian Bethancourt (264 wRC+ in August). However, the team remains cautious after the position was a black hole for them for most of the season.

Catchers for the Cubs this year have only managed to hit .215/.258/.346 this year with Amaya and Bethancourt's recent resurgence the only thing keeping those numbers from being even more unsightly. Things fell apart early on with Yan Gomes rapidly declining to a .154/.179/.242 slash line and a 19 wRC+. Defense, similarly, took a sharp turn for both him and Amaya. Even now, their current young backstop only has a -3 Fielding Run Value, which accounts for a catcher's throwing, blocking, framing, arm, and range.

They'll likely look for an upgrade both offensively and defensively and there are options. Assuming the Angels are willing, they'll likely re-engage in trade talks for their blossoming young backstop Logan O'Hoppe. If they stay on the trade market, they could look at prospects close to the majors like Daulton Rushing or Kyle Teel as options, not unlike the Michael Busch trade. In free agency, Carson Kelly represents an intriguing, if unsexy choice with a 107 wRC+ and a 4 FRV, or they could revisit a deal for Danny Jansen as a bridge to Moises Ballesteros.