Willson Contreras rumors: Yankees, Padres “checked in” on Cubs catcher
Could the Chicago Cubs look to be dealing All-Star catcher Willson Contreras? It appears that if the Cubs are willing to part with Contreras, the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees are among the teams that are interested in acquiring him.
According to reports, the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees have “checked in” on the status of Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in recent weeks
In an article by Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago, sources say that the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres were franchises that “checked in” with the Chicago Cubs on whether Willson Contreras would be available via trade. Contreras is scheduled to be a free agent for the 2023 season.
Contreras has been a part of the Cubs organization since signing with the team out of Venezuela in 2007. With six MLB seasons under his belt, Contreras has already experienced what it is like to win a World Series, helping the Cubs break the curse in his rookie year of 2016. However, he has also seen that team torn apart and he is one of just three players left from that World Champion roster.
Will Contreras be the next to go? For a new contract to happen, he has to want to stay with the organization as much as the Cubs want to extend the relationship. Contreras has already stated that how the Cubs handle this offseason will be an important factor in his decision.
The Cubs have seemingly already their hedged their bets with Contreras and his future in the Windy City, signing veteran catcher Yan Gomes to a two-year, $13 million contract this offseason.
Signing Japanese free agent outfielder Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Marcus Stroman to offseason deals are among the positives the Cubs can point to as they look to regain relevancy in the National League Central. Will it be enough to cause Contreras to stay?
If not, a swap with the Yankees would be very intriguing, especially after New York just sent catcher Gary Sanchez to Minnesota in a deal. New York’s depth behind the plate is anything but enticing, so Contreras taking over as the backstop in the Bronx makes a lot of sense on paper.
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San Diego, meanwhile, has Austin Nola behind the plate, but the catching situation for the Padres is anything but solid after a number of injuries kept Nola from reaching his full potential in 2021. Contreras would certainly be an upgrade for a Padres team that is looking to wipe last season’s second-half collapse from its memory banks.