Chicago Cubs: Three Possible Destinations for Willson Contreras
This offseason, the Chicago Cubs are breaking it down, and trading their All-Star catcher could be their next big move.
2020 did not work quite well for the Chicago Cubs. After non-tendering Kyle Schwarber and shipping ace Yu Darvish and his preferred catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres in exchange for prospects, the Cubs’ plan to rebuild in 2021 is very clear. The next move in their teardown is most likely going to be trading away All-Star catcher Willson Contreras.
Trade rumors regarding Contreras have been rumbling all offseason. He was an All-Star in 2018 and 2019. It has been reported that the Cubs are shopping him extensively. Contreras, 28, could bring in a haul for the Cubs.
He debuted in 2016 and helped them win the World Series. Since 2018, Contreras has played 300 games, slugging 41 home runs and driving in 144 runs. He has hit 55 doubles and scored 144 runs during that span as well. During that span, his batting average is .256 and his OPS> is .792. He is a career .265 hitter with a career .814 OPS.
He has two years of team control remaining, having him under contract through the 2022 season. He has grown defensively each year and is continuing to become more of a well-rounded player. Any team, that is fine with parting ways with prospects and needs a catcher, would want trade for Contreras.
Here are three teams that could be trade partners with the Chicago Cubs in a possible Willson Contreras deal.
Philadelphia Phillies
Last season, the Philadelphia Phillies had the best catcher in the league on their roster. However, with J.T. Realmuto test free agency, the Phillies are missing a power bat, and are missing a stud behind the plate.
He is looking elsewhere and has not agreed to a deal yet. He is going to make teams wait on his decision, and that will impact the Willson Contreras trade market.
Ideally, the Phillies would bring back Realmuto, but if he goes elsewhere; they are most certainly going to call the Chicago Cubs about Contreras. They traded for an All-Star catcher two years ago and easily could do it again. They have a deep farm system and Bryce Harper has made it clear that he wants more talent in the clubhouse.
This would be an expensive move in terms of giving up prospects and talent, but it would not be very financially impactful. Contreras is projected to earn at least $5 million, which could be as much as $7.4 million.
The Chicago Cubs are looking to dump that salary. For other teams, Contreras at that price would be a dream. He is a top five catcher in the league and would automatically deepen the Phillies’ lineup.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams that have been talking with J.T. Realmuto. However, if he does not end up in Toronto; the Blue Jays might make a big splash and trade for Willson Contreras.
They have a young core. They have money to spend and prospects to spare. Contreras would be a great it and he would instantly improve their lineup. He brings some veteran leadership to a young team that barely made the playoffs last season, even with the expanded format.
The American League East is going to be beyond competitive and cutthroat once again. Adding Contreras would immensely help the Blue Jays’ chances at returning to the postseason.
Danny Jansen was Toronto’s primary catcher in 2020 and was fairly underwhelming. He is not the future behind the plate for the Blue Jays.
Batting Contreras third or fourth in the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup would make it real explosive. Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernandez, and Cavan Biggio are all strong hitters. Contreras would complement their talents well and be an All-Star if he were to be traded to Toronto.
Contreras would be a backup plan for the Blue Jays, much like how he would be the same for Philadelphia. Contreras would make Toronto a real threat if they were to acquire him.
Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels have never been too afraid to trade prospects. If they were to gain an All-Star, let alone a catcher of Willson Contreras’ caliber, they would make the move in a heartbeat.
For years, the Angels have been trying to build around Mike Trout and bring more talent to Anaheim. They traded for Justin Upton and Andrelton Simmons, spent millions on Anthony Rendon and Albert Pujols, as well as bringing in two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani from Japan.
Despite all the moves and all the money that has been dealt out, the Angels have not been to the playoffs since 2014.
Contreras would be a big step up from Max Stassi, the catcher currently on the top of the Angels’ depth chart. With the type of lineup the Angels have, Contreras would do well hitting behind Trout and Rendon. This would give the catcher a big opportunity to drive in a lot of runs. His bat is very much needed in this fairly thin lineup.
The Angels have a lot of talent on paper but have yet to see all of their pieces put everything together at the same time. If all of the pieces come together and they add Contreras, it would be highly likely that they sneak their way into the playoffs in 2021.