Tampa Bay Rays' latest signing signals Cubs once again strikeout on oft-rumored target

Adding a veteran catcher this offseason has been a priority for the Chicago Cubs considering the struggles that Miguel Amaya had throughout the 2024 season.

The Cubs traded for Matt Thaiss last month, but the move was more designed to offer organizational depth at the position than to add a veteran counterpart to Amaya. Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen are among the free-agent catchers the Cubs have been linked to this offseason.

Jansen has been a frequently rumored target for the Cubs in recent seasons but the opportunity has passed the team by once more. Robert Murray of FanSided reports that Jansen has inked a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jansen, who spent the 2024 season with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, remains in the American League East.

Prior to Jansen's deal with the Rays, Sahadev Sharma confirmed that the Cubs were involved in the bidding.

The hope is that Jansen elected for familiarity in his desire to remain in the American League East. Otherwise, the Rays outbidding the Cubs for a free-agent target of need is not a great sign for Jed Hoyer's front office. The same front office who uses the Rays' model for how they should be building sustained success.

With Jansen off the board, Kelly does become the only option in free agency for the Cubs. Kelly does not have the offensive appeal that Jansen does but remains a plus-grade defender at catcher. It's always possible that the Cubs trade for a catcher, with one idea floated into existence has been the idea that Texas Rangers' catcher Jonah Heim could be the return in a potential trade of Cody Bellinger.

While the Cubs have catcher Moises Ballesteros at the top of their prospect rankings, the team isn't sold on him being the long-term answer at the position.