Willson Contreras rejects Cubs’ qualifying provide, seemingly ends tenure

As anticipated, free agent catcher Willson Contreras rejected the Cubs’ qualifying provide earlier than Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

By Contreras turning down the provide (a one-year deal price $19.65 million), the Cubs will obtain draft decide compensation in 2023 if he indicators elsewhere. The decide would land after Aggressive Stability Spherical B.

However barring one thing unexpected in his market, Contreras has performed his final sport as a Cub. He’s the highest free agent catcher this winter and positioned to land a multi-year deal, and the Cubs have not held extension talks with him in years.

Contreras mirrored on the finish of the 2022 season on his Cubs tenure whereas additionally wanting forward after incomes free company.

“It is a spot that I needed to be since I used to be a child, and I did every part I may to achieve free company,” Contreras mentioned through the Cubs’ closing sequence. “So, it makes me proud. 

“On the identical time, it makes me a bit nostalgic to go away my staff. However every part occurs for a purpose, and I’m prepared for no matter comes subsequent.”

RELATED: Why Willson Contreras free agency looks like waiting game

Contreras has spent his whole skilled profession with the Cubs after signing as a world free agent from Venezuela in 2009.

He made his big-league debut in 2016 and began 5 World Collection video games that 12 months, shortly rising as one of many sport’s prime backstops.

 

Contreras has began three of the final 4 All-Star video games and ranks third amongst Cubs catchers all-time in dwelling runs (117), trailing Gabby Hartnett and Jody Davis.

Right here’s the place he ranks amongst all catchers in baseball in just a few outstanding offensive classes since his MLB debut:

-OPS: second (.815)

-wRC+: second (118)

-HR: fifth (104)

Contreras hit .243/.349/.466 with 22 dwelling runs and 55 RBIs in 113 video games this previous season, with commerce rumors swirling round him main as much as the commerce deadline because the Cubs shopped him. They’d a deal in place with the Astros that was nixed by Houston possession.

The Astros have curiosity in Contreras once more and met together with his representatives on the GM Conferences final week. 

With Contreras out, the Cubs’ catching depth chart options Yan Gomes and PJ Higgins, and prospect Miguel Amaya can also be on the 40-man roster.

The Cubs determine to discover including catching depth this winter. Jed Hoyer was requested how he views that spot on the GM Conferences final week.

“It’s a two-way place,” Hoyer mentioned. “Clearly, you need guys who can hit, however it’s a run-prevention place. 

“A lot of it’s game-calling, preparation, feeling strongly about every part that pitchers do is a ‘we’ factor. It’s about teamwork and that collaboration.”

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