Chicago Cubs: The 2010s All-Decade Team
By Bill Felber
The All-Decade Chicago Cubs Infield
Willson Contreras, Catcher
- Years: 2016-2019
- Home runs: 67
- OPS+: .113
- All-Star (2018-2019)
The Cubs’ minor league system has rarely been known as an overly productive one, but three times in the decade the Cubs benefitted from that system behind the plate.
Among Geovany Soto, Wellington Castillo and Willson Contreras, the incumbent is the logical All-Decade team selection. Contreras appeared in more games (1,381) than any of the others, hit more home runs (55), and had a higher batting average (.264).
Soto was also an All-Star starter – and rookie of the year – but that was back in 2008. By the time of his mid-season trade to Texas in 2012, Soto was a sub-.200 batter.
Castillo’s arrival speeded Soto’s exit, but Castillo only gave the Cubs two good seasons before his offense, too, dried up. His successor, Miguel Montero, held down the catching tasks through the world championship season before being shunted aside in favor of Contreras.
Aside from a desultory second half of the 2018 season, Contreras has been a steady contributor, producing OPS+ numbers consistently around 120.
His biggest weakness has been identified as pitch framing. He’s also been injury-prone, averaging 120 games over the most recent three seasons.