Chicago Cubs News: tipping our cap to Willson Contreras

For at least the sixth time now since the end of the 2020 season, Chicago Cubs fans are watching a 2016 World Series Champion fan favorite join another team. Free agent Willson Contreras has signed a five-year $87.5 million contract with the "arch" rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Houston Astros reportedly also offered a contract, but the Cubs were never reported to be in the mix.

Contreras follows the footsteps of fan favorites Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kris Bryant by moving from the north side of Chicago. But unlike the forementioned, his first stop post-Cubs is still in the NL Central (Jon Lester did spend a little time with the Cards at the end of is career after Washington, but ultimately retired a Cub).

There is no way around how to feel about this; it just plain stinks. Not only are we losing one of our team leaders, but he also chose our collective last choice of teams we'd begin to imagine him going to. Losing Contreras is going to leave a large gaping hole in the roster offensively and defensively, but this one is going to hurt just as bad - if not, worse - off the field, in the locker room, and in Wrigleyville. As tough as it will be to see him in that ugly red get-up, he is always going to be an icon, a hero, and a staple in Chicago Cubs history.

Chicago Cubs News: tipping our cap to Willson Contreras

While Contreras first caught the attention of most Cubs fans on a June Sunday night at Wrigley in 2016 with his first major league swing, he had been in the organization much prior to that. Willy signed an amateur contract with the Cubs in July 2009 at the age of 17. He spent almost seven years working his way through the organization before he was called up that Father's Day weekend. From that point forward, he served as a third catcher off the bench behind Miguel Montero and David Ross.

As the 2016 regular season closed and the postseason came around, Contreras quickly found himself as an instrumental part of the lineup. He had playing time in every one of the Cubs' 17 postseason games that year. He had clutch at-bats and defensive plays in each of the three playoff series - which ended with the Cubs' first World Championship captured since 1908. After almost a decade of putting in the work to reach the majors, obtaining a championship and a ring within your first five months is not a bad start to a career. Without even a full year of big league experience, Contreras already found himself cemented in the Cubs' history books.

With Ross retiring after the 2016 season, pitcher Jon Lester in need of a new "personal catcher" and the Cubs were in need of a top guy behind the dish. Contreras was someone Rossy really took under his wing as a mentor, preparing him to ultimately take the reins and become the man for the job. Willy took it with ease, and from 2017 on he caught the majority of Cubs games.

Chicago Cubs News: tipping our cap to Willson Contreras

After the men that came before him had been shipped out and did not sign back with the Cubs, all focus shifted to Contreras. He was the next in line for a contract entering the last year of his deal. It was reported talks of an extension had been happening, but nothing came of them. Through the narrative and all the public comments, his message never waivered - he wanted to be a Cub for life.

The 2022 season started as many suspected - not great. The Cubs roster was a puzzle with the pieces in the wrong place. It was guaranteed fans and Contreras were going to hear about the rumors of a trade almost every day until one occurred. Everyone knew distractions would be everywhere, but that did not stop Willy from being an all-star and, above all, a leader.

As a leader, his relationship with rookie Christopher Morel was a viral sensation. Morel leached onto Contreras from the minute he got the call to join the Cubs - and why not? Contreras had the opportunity to be what Ross was to him for someone else, and he did it just as well, if not better. Contreras and Morel were almost always seen with each other in the dugout and in the clubhouse. Their chemistry and bond were like that of a big and little brother. It was the exact reason Contreras was the unspoken captain of the team. It was most noticeable with those two, but he was that for everyone.

It was beautiful to see. But knowing what was inevitably coming, it almost hurt to watch.

Chicago Cubs News: tipping our cap to Willson Contreras

As the trade deadline approached, it was almost a certainty that both Contreras and all-star teammate Ian Happ were going to be moved. The team was not winning and no progress had been made in extension talks for either player. Hanging onto the two without getting anything in return should they choose to move on just did not seem to make any sense. The final home game prior to the deadline on July 26th was a win, but it felt bittersweet at Wrigley Field.

In the end, though, neither player was traded. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer came out and said no offer matched the level of value and talent that would have been leaving. The entire month of July was taxing and tolling to Contreras, it had to be. Plus, it had to be a little awkward being all but guaranteed being dealt and then staying put. But still, he remained a professional and finished out the season as the leader he is - no one expected any different.

Contreras was extended a qualifying offer from the Cubs after the season concluded that was almost immediately declined. After that, from the public eye, talks between the all-star catcher and the ball club were non-existent. It is truly unknown to anyone outside the two sides if it was a fundamental disagreement, a financial separation, or a combination of those and other factors that led to the separation. But Contreras is now a Cardinal.

Chicago Cubs News: tipping our cap to Willson Contreras

Contreras is moving on and he is happy about his decision. And why shouldn't he be? The Cubs for whatever reason decided he is not a piece they envision for the "next great Cubs team." Now he goes across the river to their biggest rival to try to prove them wrong over fifteen times a year for the next half-decade. I would have done the exact same thing.

When he returns to Wrigley for the first time in May, he will receive the largest standing ovation for a Cardinal at the friendly confines since Dexter Fowler came back post-championship. Even thereafter, he deserves the love and respect he gave us for so long for the remainder of his career. Our thanks and gratitude for what he meant to all of us cannot be measured but with a tip of the cap every time he comes "home."

As for the Cubs and us fans, it's time for us to also move forward. Contreras is not a player you can just replace, but a smart and athletic catcher is going to be needed (right now) if this team is going to compete soon. Come February, we all hope we have the pieces needed to start the quest to give our 2016 trophy a friend.