“I’m ready for this to be over with,” Willson Contreras told reporters in San Francisco on Sunday regarding the trade rumors that have swirled around him for months. Contreras has very likely played his last game for the Cubs, who are widely expected to trade their longtime catcher before today’s 5pm deadline. Contreras, 30, broke into the Majors during the Cubs’ 2016 championship season and made three All-Star teams, including this year. The club chose not to extend him along the way, so now Contreras is on the eve of free agency and will be joining a pennant race before long. Here’s the latest:
LATEST RUMORS:
- The Mets “don’t see a likelihood” for a Contreras trade “at this point,” tweets Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
EARLIER:
- The Rays and Mets are in the mix for Contreras, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, with the Padres treating him as more of a Juan Soto fallback option. Tomas Nido has taken the bulk of the innings behind the plate for the Mets, with James McCann close to returning from an oblique strain. Rene Pinto and Christian Bethancourt have gotten the call of late for the Rays with Francisco Mejia on the IL and Mike Zunino out for the season.
- SNY’s Andy Martino noted a few days ago that the Mets’ front office is “determined to avoid” a deal similar to the one they made last summer with the Cubs, where they gave up Pete Crow-Armstrong for a few months of Javy Baez plus Trevor Williams. Though it can be tricky to plug a new starting catcher into a contending team, the Cubs have a very valuable chip today in Contreras.
The longer this takes, the more I worry that the cubs will end up with nothing.
As long as they extend him id be ok with that
Take a look at the story…they are not extending him. Paying a 30 year-old, Gold Glove catcher does not fit into a rebuild plan.
He’s an All Star, but not a gold glove.
He should be a hold glove winner though.
He’d also in his prime. So there’s no reason to not build around him
Is he going to be in his prime in 2-3 years? Those are the guys to rebuilt around.
You are correct, my bad.
The Cubs aren’t close and catchers generally have shorter shelf lives. They could add more pieces during the rebuild right now, which is what they really need.
Tough to win a gold glove in a league with buster and yadi over the last decade tho in his defense!
Well prime years usually last 3-4 years. So yes.
That’s not true for if they allow him to become a free agent, they will give him a qualifying offer. The compensation will be a 2 and probably 5th round pick and international signing bonus money. However, it looks like the Rays will make an offer due to injuries to their catchers. I suggest the Mets get over the Baez trade and aquire pieces needed to appear in the World Series. With older pitchers who knows what the future holds.
Mets have a real chance to lose 4/5 their rotation next season.
I’m ready too, Willson. We’ll find out in the last hour.
We’ll find out in the last ten minutes.
We’ll find out in the last minute.
I guess you’ll be sticking around.
They will get a comp pick to offset any pick they forfeit by signing a free agent this winter. No sense trading him if the value of the return doesn’t exceed the comp pick.
That does not appear to be true. They are looking for a lot more than just better than a comp pick.
Mets need to get this done. Get Robertson too. Addresses 2 glaring needs down the stretch. Make it happen.
Calling them glaring needs is a bit of an exaggeration. The Mets have pretty much been winning non-stop.
@VonPurpleHayes Agree with you the obvious weakest link offensively is at The Catching position but I’d sooner rather the Mets pull off two trades adding Bullpen Help then just making a Trade for Contreras or a Drury. Nido at least Has decent Numbers with RISP with a 280 ish clip. I can live with the Mets going for Bullpen pieces over offense. I would love it if they addressed both needs though.
True, but it’s hard to believe Carrasco and Walker are going to continue to be effective given their track records of being near-guarantees to not get much past 120 innings, if that.
Bassitt doesn’t have a history of durability, either. I’m betting serious coin the Mets don’t win the division. The pitching won’t be there unless the V*rgin herself taps Jake’s arm.
Braves will overtake them by the end of August.
No actually I believe he’s right; they are glaring issues. Yes, they’ve been on a winning streak, but this isn’t the NLDS/CS, and we’re not playing the Dodgers or the Cardinals or the Braves. We need that kind of reassurance.
The Mets have a winning record against the Dodgers, Braves and Cards..
Sounds good krumble!! Do you guys have another Crow-Armstrong?
Stop gloating for he’s recovering from shoulder surgery and it could flair up any moment. Says a long-time Cubs fan.
Meanwhile PCA had a 1.000 OPS in A ball this year, AS A CF’er, and a minor league line to date of .315/.388/.535/.923.
We’re eventually going to discover Alderson was tormented as a child by the ghost of a deadball CF’er.
Mets don’t need Contreras, but we do need a reliever.
Sure Nido and McCann bring nothing to the table offensively, but both are good defensive catchers who work well with the pitching staff. If you really want Contreras, buy him in the off season.
I may be in the minority here, but I’d much prefer the Mets go after just Robertson and get another lefty in the bullpen. That’s the real need.
I want Contreras as the Mets RH DH – and backup C. I’m fine with Nido’s glove, but don’t want Mazeika in October.
Jim Duquette mentioned yesterday that the Mets are looking at Contreras for the DH position as well as catcher. They like the dual-role he’d be filling.
I hope the Mets don’t make this trade; I hate to see young talent being shipped away after so many years of having no farm system. We finally have a third baseman in the making, not since David, have we had one.
Yeah, if the Mets can’t bolster their pen and the fringes of their roster without trading actual talent, it would have to mean they’re helmed by the likes of Cohen, Alderson, and Eppler.
Our top prospects aren’t going anywhere. If they were, these trades would have been over and done with already. Why do you think they’re carrying out to the last hour?
I’m thinking a Steven Brault is more likely. Left handed reliever they just faced who has pitched well.
If Contreras is added, he’s most likely going to dh as much catch. Nido has done a great job where it matters the most – receiving.
McCann is a nonfactor. He doesn’t hit and he doesn’t get borderline pitches. He throws very well, so he’s more of a defensive replacement who starts twice a week. Quite honestly, even though he’s just 20, I’d rather see Alvarez get those 2 starts snd DH. Let him work with the pitchers on his off days.
I believe the Mets are shopping, but not overpaying. They have Vientos and Alvarez who could help right now with their bats. Bullpen depth, especially from the left hand side that has closer experience, should be priority one.
It’d be nice to think so, but they’ve already overpaid to get a completely fungible player, creating a modest hole in the process for no reason. This FO needs fumigating.
Once Soto is traded or pulled I’d imagine a flurry of deals (not that there hasn’t been a lot of movement already)
6 pm deadline
Thanks, I was just about to look that up
Eastern time. 5 in Chicago.
Contreras, David Robertson, and a low end prospect rated in the 20s for Xavier Edwards. Which side says says no?
Edwards would be a good get, but I don’t see the Rays letting him go.
Cubs are stacked with INF and OF. I know those SD are a few years away but is.Ecwards close?
I hope they bring him up! Give him a chance…Walls cannot hit ML pitching, at least not yet. Can Edwards be worse?
Cubs do, but I do think he could be the main piece in a deal.
Take the prospect out, and the Cubs would totally take this deal…a stud prospect for two guys who won’t be around next year?
Nah. Cubs already have their shortstop, and several options at 2b.
Cubs need 3b, c, 1b, and pitching.
All their draft picks this yr except 1 was a P and i think they will go that route in FA
But your right 3b,1b and C are def needs
I think 1B is a rental next year for the Cubs until they figure out what they have with their AA outfielders and which ones project to LF/1B instead of RF/CF. If they get a SS/3B in free agency, Wisdom can move to 1B for a year.
I could see the Cubs adding a centerpiece to their team this offseason.. Turner, Judge, Bogaerts. One of those 3 and then build around them. Turner probably makes the most sense.
Sorry but wrong. Signed 19 out of 20 which 4 were position players. Christopher Paciolla, SS,Haydn McGeary, C,Andy Garriola, OF and Ke’Shun Collier, OF. Note Nazier Mule, RHP was sighed as a pitcher but he’s a 2 way player.
I don’t love the fact that Jed is waiting to make all of his moves late on deadline day. I know teams are likely to pony up as the deadline approaches, but Happ, for example shouldn’t be a desperation deal for the Cubs… the Cubs should be able to set the price for him and get what they are looking for or walk away and keep him (which I hope they don’t).
Contreras and Robertson are obviously gone, and I’d see if any takers will give up something for Stroman.
Stroman will be traded next deadline. His 3rd year is a player option for $21m. There’s no way he takes that year, unless injured.
Stroman and Hendricks will be traded next year
So odd that they made that Stroman deal last year (with an impending rebuild) if they didn’t plan on moving him this year at the deadline. What am I missing?
They’re not trying to go for a full 4 to 6 year rebuild. They’re attempting to remain competitive if they aren’t injury ridden like this season, while building for the future and not mortaging the farm. They will start to run payrolls up against the luxury tax like the did from 16-19 when more players from the minors are up on the 26 man roster.
They did the same thing with Edwin Jackson in 2013. They just wanted an innings eater and someone to make it look like they were trying. Being in that big of a market, they can’t just avoid spending altogether, they have to pretend to try a little.
Stroman will be traded at the 2023 deadline.
Hendricks won’t be traded. Stroman is a maybe. They need pitching. Makes no sense to subtract from what they have currently. Hayden Wesneski will probably be in the rotation next year. Unless he’s closer than I know of. Maybe Sept call up .
Why do you assume he’s waiting and the one holding this up?
Cubs want too much and that’s why the Astros went elsewhere. I’m fine not getting Contreras, but we definitely need a Reliever.
Hoyer’s just waiting it out, as well he should. A nickel and dime offer won’t get it done.
I’d rather not see the Mets make this deal and try to pry Robertson from the Cubs. The Mets are playing great ball and they have a top rate rotation. Most times when inserting a new catcher into the fray they have a hard time meshing with the pitching staff. The Mets can afford to keep going this year with Nido who has done a very good job behind the plate and McCann who honestly has been a huge disappointment. Mets need 2 relief pitchers including a lefty…Robertson!
But I believe Houston was the key. Instead they made a great move getting Vazquez, who is every bit as good as Willie this year (because his offense is solid and he’s better defensively) and he cost less. Hoyer is in for a struggle trying to find a top 100 prospect for Contreras. I hope he can, since I’m a Cubs fan, although I’d rather they sign him to an extension. Not gonna happen but a kid can dream.
Happ and Robertson to Jays for Biggio and Pearson?
Lol. Biggio is terrible. Try again.
I doubt the Jays are willing to get rid of those two for rentals. Biggio has had a rough year, but to claim he is “terrible” is laughable. That’s why you are on a DB and not in a baseball front office, revolver.
The problem with the Mets trade of Crow-Armstrong wasn’t that he’s a sure thing untouchable type of prospect, but that they acquired a clubhouse cancer to add to a failing team that had just lost its best player for the season. For all of his physical ability, javy Lopez is not a positive difference maker for a good team.
One bad thing doesn’t make a player a negative
And neither is Wilson.
I have watched Wilson play and his catching skills and controlling pitcher’s is lacking and Wilson wouldn’t be my choice for catcher.
Now after you factor that into the equation is he worth trading for at DH and playing catcher if needed and in my opinion it is a hard no.
Yes, Wilson can hit but he isn’t a difference maker and if I am a GM I would just pass on him and focus on the Cubs bullpen and get their arms instead and maybe go for Ian instead.
Terrible take but as I said at the time it was totally unnecessary to add Lopez, at least not for PCA
However, they did also get Trevor Williams, an underrated pitcher who has been good this year
PCA isn’t *that* great a prospect but it was still too much to give up
If they feel like they learned their lesson from last year as reports are stating, well, they’re supposed to be experienced executives who should already know these things
Who is Lopez??
He means Baez
@Camden
PCA isn’t and never will be as good as Jankowski, perhaps the most unappreciated player in baseball history.
Steve… He wasn’t a cancer when they won the WS in ’16. He was a lightning rod.
Javy Lopez? lol, I love it when experts can’t even get the name right.
Nola, a top twenty prospect and a top thirty prospect to the Cubs for Contreras.
I remember when everyone on this board was raving about Nola and him being the answer at catcher…kinda like when folks thought McCann should get four years $80 million…
Mets don’t even need Contreras, since McCann is coming back
But I get it. They’re trying to get Robertson also. And Contreras obviously would be an upgrade offensively at C
But there’s really no need to add Contreras and spend prospects unless you’re getting Robertson. And I’d be asking to throw in Brault also
If the Astros get him they’ll win the chip
Lol, PCA made the Mets gun shy on making big trades. Mets collapse in effect
You’ve been talking of a collapse since May you twit
65-37 bud. Not adding an oft injured catcher isn’t going to change much about this team. Farm system will be at least top ten to start 2023. No need to panic. Best rotation is baseball as deGrom return tonight
Wilson Contreras is a 3x All-Star with cannon arm and bat. He can surely handle your pitching staff and he can DH. If you feel an unproven prospect is better than Contreras don’t make the trade. Hard for baseball teams to repeat a great year. Good luck!
Apparently no other team thought it was worth it either. Perhaps you are over valuing him
Mets targets on the Cubs should be:
1 Robertson
2 Givens
3 Happ
4 Contreras
In that order.
Campusano, Mears, Hosmer, and a couple of A ball fliers for Contreras and Happ.
Why would the cubs want Hosmer? Not considering that they have already sent him to Boston.
Enough about PCA, dude’s currently hitting .250 at A+ ball for South Bend…talk to me when he’s doing something in AA/AAA. He might hit, he might not, Mets FO not sweating that. Contreras for 2 months isn’t worth giving up ANY prospects.
Nor a WS ring right?
Let the Padres empty out their farm system for Soto, in 2 years time he will be saying goodbye and Steve Cohen will be right there with his wallet. Plus, that supposed haul from the pods has no can’t miss prospects…Gore had almost no time in AA/AAA and even that wasn’t great, now he’s pitching to a 4.50 in the bigs…
@DFlynn Really think the Pods won’t try to hang on to him?
Sounds like you are coping.
Gore will be FINE. He’s only 23 and has been dealing with an elbow issue, hampering his last few starts. He absolutely crushed the minors while he was there. It’s going to be a situation very similar to Tyler Glasnow where a slow start turns around QUICKLY and he become one of the best pitchers in his league!
It’s not about PCA. It’s the fact that Vientos and Mauricio are both far stronger prospects and not worth trading for a rental. Contreras doesn’t move the needle much. If the Cubs want to keep him and risk a QO (he may except it at $20M) then go for it. No team is bowing to the Cubs demands so it seems to me they are over valuing rather than teams being “afraid”. Houston moved on already. Padres are probably out. Rays don’t trade top prospects for rentals. Wait it out. Call up Vientos to be the Right Handed DH. Grab a BP arm or two and go to war with Max Max and deGrom
How did I not know that Contreras misspells his first name?
On a Cubs broadcast it was stated that all the Contreras boys, (Willmer, Willson and William, have two L’s in their first names in tribute to their father William.
Cubs should keep him as a DH and a leader in the clubhouse.
Its going to be Contreras and Happ to the Giants – Bart and prospects will go to the Cubs
San Fran appears to be sellers not buyers.
No it’s not.
OK, Bart, a ML infielder of your choice and prospects – do we have a deal?
If WC is to be traded I hope it is any team but the Mets-
Cubs are losing this deadline so far. They wanted the kings ransom from the Padres in a huge deal including Contreras, Happ and Robertson. With that not happening, they are flailing away trying to recover and will inevitably have to settle for much much less.
Still hope for Happ to Houston if they think he can play CF the rest of the season.
Padres had bigger plans, haha.
LMAO… they have already landed two future SP for a couple relievers. The Cubs will get plenty of value for Contreras & Happ whether they trade them or not.
AJ may as well just finish it off..
Campusano, Merrill, Myers, and a single A guy for Contreras and Happ
Take Myers out and the Cubs give you just Happ.
His defense liabilty is overstated..he has some of the weakest throwing slowest starters that seriously effect his punch out success..lester lackey mills hendricks just to name a few…he is better then he is giving credit for
FIRE JED HOYER AND HIS BUDDIES NOW!
Jed is in trouble. Will be left holding Happ and Contreras with nothing to show.
Happ has another year of control. Contreras can be resigned or use the QO. Can still be traded also.