While it would seem surprising to see the Cubs put young backstop Willson Contreras up for trade, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link) that it’s a possibility. “Multiple teams” around the game believe the Chicago organization will take offers for the 27-year-old, per the report.
Let’s stop here to make clear: the expectations of rival executives does not a trade make. But it’s notable nevertheless that such a potential outcome has sprung up at this earlier stage of the offseason; after all, teams have been talking already. The negotiating partners of Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein will want to know whether there’s any realistic possibility of landing Contreras, or whether instead they should simply look elsewhere.
There’s no denying the major value Contreras would have on the open market. He dealt with some leg injuries, but was excellent when healthy. Over 409 plate appearances, Contreras slashed .272/.355/.533 with 24 home runs. He’s a lifetime 117 wRC+ hitter who is perhaps on the upswing (or at least not in decline) with the bat.
Behind the plate? The tools all seem to be there. He has generally been quite successful at cutting down the running game and at blocking stray pitches. There’s an argument that Contreras has been on the upswing in the framing department; he ended the year ranked as a positive in that regard — at least by one tabulation. Framing metrics have varied.
MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian looked at this question recently, noting that there are multiple ways to look at the matter. It seems clear the team feels that Contreras isn’t a fully finished product, though in some respects that only makes him more intriguing.
Bastian quotes Epstein:
“We’ve won a lot of games with Willson Contreras behind the plate. We’ve had a lot of success pitching with Willson Contreras behind the plate. There are certainly areas he can continue to improve upon, but shame on us if we can’t continue his development at the big league level, because this is like the most tooled-out, athletic catcher who has a huge heart and cares and wants his pitcher to succeed as well.”
Contreras won’t turn 28 until next May. He’s projected to earn a relatively stout $4.5MM in his first trip through arbitration, but that’s a plenty manageable figure for a regular backstop. The three years of contract control remaining are quite enticing, all things considered.
All of those factors also make Contreras exceptionally valuable to the Cubs — a team that isn’t exactly in position to pack it in for a rebuild. True, they have Victor Caratini on hand to perhaps take a bigger piece of the action if paired with a veteran. But you’d think that new manager David Ross would be well-positioned to help Contreras reach his monster ceiling. And there’s a reason that clubs prize the few, rare catchers in the game that contribute both with the glove and with the bat on a near-everyday basis.
Teams are already considering just how much to pay the older but also excellent Yasmani Grandal in free agency. They may have a more affordable alternative in Contreras, though it’ll surely cost a small fortune in trade value. (Last year’s J.T. Realmuto swap provides some conceptual help, though he was a year closer to free agency at the time he was dealt.) Just what the Cubs would be looking for in return isn’t known, though it would presumably not be an entirely future-oriented bargain for the Chicago organization. It’ll certainly be interesting to see whether talks gain any traction and, if so, what direction they take.
ramonskee
It wouldn’t make sense for them to trade Willy. Does a great job behind the plate, does very well managing the pitching staff, only 28yo, only $4.5M next year, and three more years of control? You’d need a major haul for him.
This is a non-story, IMO. Kris Bryant being traded makes a lot more sense.
commentinggenius
Maybe Bryant and Contreras to the Yanks for Torres? Just a hypothetical senecio so no need to get angry anyone 😉
ChiSoxCity
That’s we todd it.
chicubcity
Sofa king
Mikel Grady
2 guys with World Series rings for a guy Who can’t even win a AlCS?
AllRiseForTheJudge
lol I wasn’t aware individuals were responsible for a team’s performance. An average third baseman and a catcher whose only value to the Yankees would be that he’s a better defender than Gary Sanchez for a 22-year-old stud who has superstar written all over him, with 5 years of control left?
Sure, let’s talk about trades based on which team was better three years ago than actual individual numbers or need. Stupid comment.
chicagofan1978
Average third baseman? Yikes
Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey
The Mets should trade Jacob DeGrom to the Nats for Matt Adams and Wander Suero, because the two of them have World Series rings and DeGrom doesn’t.
jdgoat
Dude, you can’t say other people’s comments are stupid when you call Bryant an “average third baseman” and act as though the Yankees would laugh that proposal away.
ChrisEnvy76
Average third baseman…. dumbest comment I’ve read on this site in a long time.
Mikel Grady
Individuals aren’t part of team winning ? Ok take scherzer and Strasburg off nats and see if they would have won it . Cole leaving Astros but I’m sure they won’t miss a beat . Yankees sure have won a lot of rings without jeter and Rivera. Bryant fielded the last out to end 108 year drought . I’ll take it
Steven Chinwood
Who upvotes these absurd comments?
Bocephus
Your take on Bryant is just too dumb to fathom. That trade would be ridiculously light from the Cubs end.
twentyforty
The Yankees haven’t won in years…the fan base doesn’t deserve to win with short sighted comments like this.
Priggs89
“2 guys with World Series rings for a guy Who can’t even win a AlCS?”
That’s a great way to value players. Maybe they should make an offer for Mike Trout. Addison Russell has a ring, maybe the Angels will take him straight up for the ringless Trout.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
The ones who make the comments upvote themselves with multiple accounts
AllRiseForTheJudge
Makes less than zero sense for the Yankees. They don’t need either player and trading a superstar in the making creates another hole for the Yankees to fill. Maybe actually watch baseball before talking about it.
rondon
Only a yankee homer would say something as dumb as that.
PopeMarley
I’m a Yankees fan, and think that is a COMPLETELY STUPID thing to say.
Kayrall
The ‘Force Trade’ option is not turned on in real life.
Cubbie991
Don’t forget, the Cubs have Amaya waiting in the minors only a season or so away. Contreras trade not really that far out there.
n2northsiders
Obviously the Cubs got the short end of the stick in the Torres / Chapman deal. You can make the argument that the Cubs won the World Series so it was worth a two month rental. The Yankees had zero chance of making the playoffs in 2016 so Torres was handed to the Yanks on a silver player with Cashman knowing Chapman would resign with them the following year.
The Human Toilet
Actually makes a ton of sense for the Cubs to trade, his value is really high,3 years control remaining and cheap. Cubs can just move Caratini to the starting catcher who pitchers live Darvish prefer to pitch to and also better overall behind the plate.
Losing Willy’s bat would suck, but he can bring in a haul that can plug in some needs on the roster as well,
StandUpGuy
A trade with the Braves would make sense. In the deal the Braves could throw in their top catching prospect which happens to be his little brother Williams Contreras.
Drew Waters Bat
I wonder how many times 2 brothers were traded for each other.
Ry.the.Stunner
Caratini is not starting catcher material. Hate to say it. He had a good couple of first months, but he’s not a starting catcher on a playoff team.
chicubcity
Agreed, this doesn’t make sense unless Amaya was ready to take over.
bencole
This
ChrisEnvy76
Do you realize how many playoff teams have had defensive only catchers starting every game?
CFS77
He scaled better than Wilson at every Catching metric except tossing out base runners. And MLB is not a running league so a minor issue.
Hitting wise Vic is a decent bat. He is not a HR hitter but could end up a .280 BA and hit 30-40 2B per year.
megaj
Either a trade with Atlanta or the A’s makes sense. Getting Luzardo or Puk would be nice for the Cubs
braves25
You’re right it would be amazing for the Cubs! Oakland isn’t trading either of those guys for another 4 to 6 years. Both players are cheaper then Contreras as well.
rondon
The As would if they wanted to actually take the next step now. Why would the Cubs trade a proven major league catcher for Oakland ‘prospects’ anyway?
StandUpGuy
Oakland wouldn’t trade AJ Puk straight up for 3 years of Contreras alone, much less Luzardo as well. Puk is a young very hard throwing left handed pitcher that is over 6 and a half feet tall. He was a top 6 overall first round draft pick and was a steal at that spot. Almost every analyst had him going #1 overall. His minor league performance backed up that status too. Power pitching Ace caliber left handed starting pitchers are way more valuable than catchers. Especially when they are younger, cheaper and under contract for twice as long as that catcher.
ChrisEnvy76
Of course they are cheaper… neither of them have done anything at the major league level. if you can trade then for a two time all star, you do it in a heartbeat. People over value prospects on here all the time. They aren’t locks.
braves25
@shocktop
I’m not saying they shouldn’t. I’m saying they will not! That is not how Oakland operates!
StandUpGuy
That’s basically what I am saying too. That is the kind of trade the Mets might make but never Oakland. The A’s try to keep payroll as low as possible and keep cheap young stars whenever they can. Puk could end up being injury prone and end up hurting the A’s making them wish they had traded him but they still won’t do it. The fan base has been looking forward to these pitchers for years. To give up on them now and potentially watch them both turn into aces for other teams would be too much for Oakland fans and the organization to bear. If they were going to trade them they would have done it earlier when their draft status and age still gave them a ton of potential value. They are not going to spend all this time and draft pick capitol acquiring and developing these guys just to trade them away right when they are knocking on the door. They are hoping and half expecting both of these guys end up 1 & 2 co-aces for the A’s for years and years to come. I am sure many want them there for their entire careers. I have heard a ton of comparisons between Puk and Randy Johnson. 2 unbelievably tall very hard throwing lefty starting pitchers like Puk and Unit are always gonna draw comparison but Oakland can’t risk giving up on that for three years of a catcher. Just like Unit was Puk is an absolute freak of nature. Even by MLB professional athlete standards.
CFS77
It would be a starting offer. Cubs would also market Q and Chatwood. Both could be decent back end starters.
ChrisEnvy76
Puk isn’t a starter, he’s being used in the bullpen. Luzardo has been great, when he has been able to stay healthy. which hasn’t been so good this year. You build up your prospects because it builds their value both to your team via play and via trade. You trade those type of prospects if you believe the piece you can get for them is what you need for the long term. Maybe Oakland is getting to the point they want to win? They made trades for Lester and others. No reason to think they couldn’t do the same.
StandUpGuy
Puk is only being used as a reliever in the same way that Tampa Bay used David Price as a reliever his rookie season. That isn’t the long term plan for him. Oakland is planning on using Puk as a starting pitcher by the start of next season and likely spring training as well. I don’t remember what Oakland gave up for Lester but I am guessing it wasn’t prospects as highly regarded as Puk and Lazardo. I don’t even remember Lester pitching for Oakland so it must have been a short term rental. Oakland is a good team that could go for it but there most promising asset is their starting rotation. I doubt they would even consider chipping away at that asset for a catcher “going for it” if you know what I mean. When teams go for it they usually trade for starting pitching like Jon Lester, David Price, Zack Grienke, Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia. I believe that Oakland thinks there is a very solid chance that the combination of Lazardo and Puk will have a higher WAR and a much bigger impact on the team then Contreras will by the end of next season. 2 possible ace level starting pitchers will help a team way more than a catcher. Oakland could very easily lose that trade immediately and then end up having less money and less prospect capital all for a player that is under contract for significantly less time then the possible immediately superior players they gave up. Not to mention the fact that the A’s are very aware if the fact that Houston is in their division. Even if they traded their future away like that they still would likely lose the division and not even make the WS. My guess is that Lester deal happened when Oakland was way more confident they would win a division title that year than they will be next season. I’m not saying no team would make that trade. I could see a team run like the Mets or maybe even the Yankees considering it. I am not even saying it’s 100% guaranteed Oakland wouldn’t do it either. All I’m saying is that Oakland has no $ and they look at their top prospects as their future. Unless Chicago also offered both of their top 2 prospects in the deal as well I believe there is better than a 99.9% chance that Oakland would hang up the phone once they hear the names Luzardo or Puk brought up in the deal.
rondon
Minor league stats? He’s still a prospect and unproven. Contreras is a two time all star and WS winner.
bigjonliljon
I think your wrong. Cubs have pay roll issues and a short farm system. Willy could bring back some nice controllable player packages. And Caratini is ready to step in as a number 1 catcher. Not quite the power, but a better contact guy and a better pitch framer. Framing is where Willy has issues.
bencole
Cubs are either in as a World Series championship contender or all the way out. I’m which of those two worlds does that make sense.
bencole
*In which of those two worlds does that make sense?
SuperSinker
This is false choice.
bencole
Being a Cubs season ticket holder, I would not buy them if they though 75-85 wins would be acceptable. That’s just a ploy to sell tickets at the end of the window. The Mets do things like that. As much as I like our front office, I would fire them all even if they accidentally ended up in this range. Win it all or rebuild. If you’re in, you’re betting your job on being right. If you’re out, you’re betting your job on rebuilding well and multiple titles fast.
CFS77
Signing David suggests a retooling.
seth3120
I think Bryant makes better sense too but Contreras would bring back a bigger return. Just remember the Cubs aren’t in a rebuild phase. If they accept prospects in return they’ll be flipped for major league talent
Quentin
No no no no no…
smrtbusnisman04a
I’m questing not the Pirates?
jdgoat
I don’t understand why they would trade him unless they’re punting this season away.
DarkSide830
i think its worth considering if they are blown away with an offer, given Caritini is not a massive step down. always worth listening, but not always worth just taking that best offer just because.
Ry.the.Stunner
Caratini is a massive step down, offensively at least.
CubsRebsSaints
Carnation can hit. He’s hit at every level of the minor leagues. He hit .26? In his first big league season at age 25. I think he pairs better with a 50/50 or 60/40 guy. He can play 1B should learn 3b for versatility. And can pitch hit. The way he uses left field, My guess is he’ll be a .300+hitter in he next two years , and the years to follow.
tycobb016
I think he was a SS and turned him into a catcher. I wouldn’t trade him. But last year he said out loud that he didn’t play with urgency in 2018. Other that that he can hit and has a good arm. Cubs got him for three years. Use him up. And why hasn’t anyone coached him up on the D as of yet?
bencole
Caratini is a massive step down. I believe that’s probably his best career year offensively going forward. Do you believe that’s not a big drop off of that is true.
bencole
True?
CFS77
No. He is a .280 hitter that will hit 30-40 2B per year. Hits from both sides and can be plugged in at the top or bottom.
The Cubs are stacked with power bats. They need more guys that can put the ball in play more.
CFS77
He is a starting quality catcher and Darvish has thrived with him. The starters Willy caught were stagnant this year.
The O is a secondary concern for catching. You always put your staff first in the decision process with out making 4 ab’s per day a void.
Vic held a wRC+ of 108 which is not a black hole.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
“The negotiating partners of Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein will want to know whether there’s any realistic possibility of landing Contreras, or whether instead they should simply look elsewhere.”
Considering the flap about AA, how is this not “tampering?”
phils phanatic
because contreras is under contract and AA was referring to FA’s…or at least left enough wiggle room in his comments to imply he was talking about FA’s
bravesfan
Would absolutely love the braves to make this happen! It would be very cool to have brothers in the pros in a couple years. Idk what would get the deal done though. They’d prob want at least one high end pitching prospect near mlb ready….
Pretend GM time: Ender and Kyle Wright for WC and some top 30 class A project pitcher.. feel like I’m giving too much, but I generally over value my braves so idk
Kayrall
That’s no where close to Contreras’ value.
raiders
I’m glad you’re just a pretend GM. Contreras is worth more than those two by himself.
SuperSinker
You’re gonna have to do much better
rayrayner
Contreras will cost two of Ian Anderson, Wright, and Bryce Wilson plus Riley.
bravesfan
Well I’ll concede that he might cost two high end prospects without a currently major leaguer like Ender, and I guess they don’t need Ender so kinda dumb for me to suggest that. But it should’t cost Anderson, Wright, and Riley lol. That’s 3 mlb ready high rank prospects for 1 young pretty strong catcher. He’s no super albeit extremely good for a position that doesn’t have a ton a talent league wide. So I’d offer Wright and Langeliers but that’s about as good any team should do and that’s a cringeworthy high offer for him. Cubs would have to throw in a minor leaguer or two (not necessarily top prospects but some with some decent projections) and then for the Braves to not have completely wasted their prospects, they have to go ahead and sign WC to a longer term deal while it could still be on the lower end
bravesfan
Some that’s kinda funny is that looking at the Braves prospect list, giving up langeliers is pretty steep, but the Braves next best catching prospect would be WC brother which would be kinda comical if they were swapped for each other in some sort of a deal (obviously not straight up)
ChrisEnvy76
Good Lord man. Wright had a 8+ ERA while in the majors last season and Langaliers hit .255 at single A. There is NO chance that package comes close to getting you Contreras.
rayrayner
The Cubs don’t need to trade Contreras. So it’s going to cost an overpay to wrest him away. The Cubs have a lot of depth thru the system at C with Caratini, Amaya, Higgins, Pereda, Hearn, and Quintero, So, other clubs think they may be able to match up well to get Contreras.
phils phanatic
i dont see how giving up a middle of the order hitting catcher who also is, at the very least, an average defender can help u contend. dont see a contreras trade happening and i’d go as far as saying bryant is more likely to be traded than contreras
CFS77
Sub avg. He is over rated in his throwing. His blocking also degraded and his framing is losing runs.
He is a great hitter that plays catcher. He is not a great catcher that hits.
dirtbagfreitas
I don’t see it happening unless Ross doesn’t want him for some reason.
rayrayner
That’s a possibility, Dirtbag.
weaselpuppy
Gets Schwarbs some time back behind the plate…
Steven Chinwood
L
hoyce
I’d like to see reds trade Eugenia Suarez and raisel Iglesias. For Contreras, Kimbrel and almora
Reds take on a little money. Cubs shed money, have a good replacement to trade Bryant for prospects.
SuperSinker
What
everlastingdave
Who does this help? The team that gets Kris Bryant?
Emerson83
Is it possible that him and David Ross didn’t get along?
boo rad
Astros: Willson Contreras
Cubs: Corey Lee, Bryan Abreu, Abraham Toro, Jose Urquidy
SuperSinker
4 quarters for one $1 bill. I think the Cubs can do better
braves25
4 quarter=$1 bill. So your analogy suggests that is the perfect trade for both teams. Then you say the Cubs could do better, so are you suggesting a team had to overpay for Contreras?
rondon
Absolutely. And at least one or two need to be major league ready.
braves25
@Rondon
I don’t see Contreras bringing back a lot more then Realmuto did. Maybe another lesser arm, but nothing significant.
So you’re looking at 1 mlb ready player and 3 guys several years away. Yes the Marlins got a very good catcher back along with the “ace” caliber pitcher in Sixto, but he is at least another year away so 2 years minimum at the time of the trade. Plus he already had injury concerns.
ChrisEnvy76
Do the Braves have a package that could realistically get Contreras?
braves25
@@shocktop
I think the Braves definitely have the pieces to make a trade for Contreras. I guess 3 years of him could be ideal too. I know they have high hopes for Langliers and Contreras’ younger brother William. So I unfortunately do not see the Braves making a trade for him either.
Especially if the Cubs are wanting more then what Realmuto brought back. The Braves didnt want to give that up for him, so I doubt they give that up or more for Contreras.
rondon
I think that was a pretty strong return for Realmuto. But as the article says, the Cubs don’t appear to be actively shopping him, so they’ll probably have to be blown away by an offer.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
You would trade 4 barely ranked prospects (if there are even considered that. For Contreas? Contreas KB and Schwarber for Bregman, Reddick and 2 prospects is basically what your asking for
bigcheesegrilledontoast
He’s there best player. If they could replace him sure but there’s no catcher in the game the Cubs could get that would even come close to being as good as Contreras.
megaj
True, but they need pitching…bad. The deal that makes sense is one that brings back young arms. They still have a decent catching core with Caratini and Amaya waiting in the wings.
Rallyshirt
“Let’s stop here: and then sound like Yoda.”
megaj
Contreras to A’s for Luzardo and Puk would be a good deal
Steven Chinwood
Fantastic deal for the Cubs. Hell, best deal ever. Get real dude.
megaj
2 relatively unprovens to get a a premier catcher which the A’s really need? Overreact much?
braves25
@megaj
Yeah he can overreact when the A’s would not trade one of them for Contreras muchless both!
Contreras may not be expensive in 2020…but he will be in 2021 and 2022. Laz has already positioned himself to be the ace. Pair him with Puk and Montas and the A’s are probably picturing their next 3 headed rotation comparing him to Zito, Hudson, and Mulder.
It will take more then Contreras to trade with the A’s for one of theose guys, so that isn’t happening.
Bocephus
Yea, that the A’s would be selling off 2 thirds of a dynamic young, and cheap mind you rotation with such a high ceiling for this one player is crazy.
ChrisEnvy76
Again, you all over value prospects. They haven’t done anything at the major league level. Neither of them are even in the top 10 in any prospect list I’ve read a let alone top two at their position in the majors like Contreras is. People are seriously whacky.
braves25
@shocktop
Let’s look at facts!
Realmuto is all around better then Contreras. Even with 1 extra year of Contreras he isn’t going to bring back a substantially better package then Realmuto.
The Marlins got a very good starting catcher back. They got a very good young starter in Sixto who does have “ace” potential but was and is still a few years away along with another sp that is still only in single a.
So to think Contreras is going to bring two “ace” caliber starting pitchers that are mlb ready now is what is wacky.
ChrisEnvy76
Contreras is the second best player at his position IN THE LEAGUE. That is as close to a fact as you have presented. An extra year of control goes a LONG way. That is also a fact. Contreras can bring back more than Realmuto without any doubt. The extra year of control does that for you.
Melchez
How could david Ross help Contreras? Ross was a backup catcher that couldn’t hit.
capnfatback
Pitch framing, at which Ross was very good at and Contreras has been consistently bad
rayrayner
Ross has been helping Contreras with pitch framing as a special assistant the last couple of years with mixed results.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
No one cares about pitch framing. Contreas is actually one of the best but it’s not a relevant stat and never will be. The only thing that matters is he throws out 65% of the runners. Even higher on the back throw to Rizzo with the quick glove.
CFS77
He was top in framing. Willy gets to league avg in framing and his arm and bat he becomes the #1-2 catcher in baseball. He can’t calm himself back there and that is needed to frame proper.
Priggs89
He’s not going to calm down anytime soon. That’s just his personality.
Melchez
Frazier and German for contreras. Ok, yanks throw in ellsbury.
Steven Chinwood
Ask the south beach kid if it’s ok…
riffraff
Since the cubs could use affordable pitching that they can control for several years and they probably don’t want to trade him within the NL , I would imagine the 2 top destinations would be Oakland and TB.
jdan74
Yea, I see a lot of these guys on here constructing trades to other National League teams. Guys, it isn’t gonna happen. Theo makes most of his trades with American League teams, like the Rangers, A’s, Yankees, Mariners, etc.
He’s not gonna trade superstars to teams that we regularly face, and make it harder for us to eventually win in the National League.
braves25
Does anyone ever think about how teams have operated in the past? Oakland has constantly looked for cheap cost controlled players. When was the last time they traded for a player that was about to start making a lot of money? Yes Contreras is expected to make around 4.5 mil in 2020, but what about 2021 and 2022? They would then be looking to trade him away due to financial reasons.
Yes they could use an upgrade at catcher, but do you really see them trading away a guy they see as a dominate ace in Luzardo? NO! Puk, maybe. They have the makings of a dominate rotation for years to come with Luzardo, Puk, Manaea, and Montas. I dont see them breaking that up for Contreras.
I am not suggesting the Cubs should include anything to get one of those guys! I’m suggesting the Cubs and A’s may matchup on paper, but not likely due to how the A’s normally operate. They trade players before they get expensive like Josh Donaldson, not trade for players about to get expensive like Contreras will in 2021 and beyond.
Whifff
If teams trade from strength, and they do, the Cubs would trade a catcher. Even Contreras. But a Michael Kopech type with ace potential better be part of the package or that phone call is quickly OoooVa.
frankf
I’d hate to see him go, but if he did, I’d have to imagine it being for one hell of a haul.
toddfather93
If Reds miss out on Grandal I expect they might try for Contreras next. A package centered around Hunter Greene and others possibly?
bigbadjohnny
Contreras not getting traded to NL Central.
Rayland#1
The Cubs have been talking “big changes” last off-season and this one. Time to stop talking and start dealing.
ChiSoxCity
“Big changes” to conservative Theo Epstein means adding some scrub to the bench or bullpen, and a new pitching coach.
Priggs89
They went from LaStella to Descalso. That was a big change – in the wrong direction.
bigbadjohnny
Make the trade. Caratini is a better catcher !
bigbadjohnny
When there was no playoffs for the 2019 Cubs…….Big Moves have to be made for 2020 !
braves4life1
Braves get: Kris Bryant & Wilson Contreras
Cubs get: Ender Inciarte, Austin Riley, Touki Toussaint, Williams Contreras, & Kyle Wright.
bigbadjohnny
Not enough !
ChrisEnvy76
Not remotely close to enough.
SalaryCapMyth
I think bigbad and shock are correct. That’s a pretty good package of talent but Bryant and Contreras give you a total of 5 years of control, although this does depend on whether Bryant wins his case over service time manipulation.
Assuming Bryant has two years control and not one, I tried constructing a prospect package that didnt include Pache, Anderson or Langeliers but I just dont think it would be enough.
Of course there is the legitemate question as to whether a prospect package would even work because the Cubs window is now and I doubt the Cubs would put a lot of value in Inciarte. They might want MLB talent which is why deals like this almost never happen.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Its 2 years not one. It’s not gonna change
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Inciarte immediately makes the cubs worse
Throw in fried and a few others and it’s a done deal only scrap Ender for someone worth while
its_happening
Cubs are looking to cut some payroll in an area where they can soften the blow. Caratini hit outstanding in Iowa the last two years. Contreras is in-line for a nice raise. Contreras’ value is high, strike while the iron is still hot.
The Cubs have to think about 2021 and 2022 considering pay raises and who’s a free agent. This all makes sense.
SalaryCapMyth
First Bryant and now Contreras rumors? Cubs fans, are you starting to feel like the vultures are circling?
jdan74
We aren’t good enough to compete for a World Series, next year. A 1.5 – 2 year retooling is what’s desperately needed. We need an army of good pitching.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Contreas for at least 3 players just to start talks. 1 of those players has to be ML ready. The cubs are far better off giving him an extension when the time is right. For now give Baez and Rizzo an extension. 8/240 for Baez and 175/7 for rizzo. I’d love to see Bryant start and finish his career with the cubs. But Boras is gonna demand harper+ money for his services. He wont get more than 250mil. Theo and Jed Should extend their first offer of 10/265 but they likely won’t ever offer him an extension. Boras his still mad over 10 extra days in the minors. KB is still mad but Boras is to the point where he’d rather get KB released and go elsewhere. If Bryant was smart and he is. He’d take 10/265.
Boras will want easily want 60-75mil more.
jdan74
As a Cubs fan, I would trade Caratini. Caratini could easily be a starter on any other team. He’s a good clutch hitter and a great framer. WC’s contract is very cheap, he’s a proven multiple All-Star, and we still have him for 4 more years. Miguel Amaya is also in the catcher pipeline, and he can be the successor when it comes time for Contreras’ big payday, when he’s on the wrong side of 30. Caratini can easily bring back a good haul of farm talent that we need. The HUGE haul will come from trading Bryant, which needs to happen soon.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Contreras is a great defensive catcher as well. Being a great framer doesnt mean anything .. WC is as good as any other catcher framing pitcher.
tycobb016
Wrek305 Agree about pitch framing meaning nothing. Next ridiculous stat analytics comes out with could be who is the best at checking their swing. or maybe they already have that stat.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
They need to change the check swing rule. The HP umpire should not be allow to make that call. javy Baez does it right he asked the 1st base umpire all the time if he went around..
HP umpire should only make that call if Its full swing. Otherwise it’s pointless to ask 1st and or 3rd if they went around
midway_monster85
Hoerner and Happ to the royals for Merrifield. Contreras to the Mets for McNeil. Let’s make it happen cubbies!
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Ummm no that’s a horrible trade. Hoerner is only 22 and happ is 25 You want Merrifield who will be 31 in 2020 ..
Contreas for McNeil deGrom and their #3 prospect. Then you might get somewhere. Flip McNeil