Carson Kelly remains the cleaner fit for the Cubs, but if Chicago decides to go cheaper this winter, Austin Hedges looks like the kind of fallback that makes sense.
Hedges, 34, is heading into his 13th major league season after spending the last three years with the Cleveland Guardians. He also made three straight postseason trips with them.
At the plate, though, he would be a clear step down from Kelly. Hedges posted a .247/.325/.377 slash line last season, and the source of that production matters: it was the best offensive year of his career by a wide margin.
If the Cubs brought him in, they could not reasonably expect that version of Hedges to show up again in 2026.
That said, the appeal is obvious. Hedges would almost certainly come at a lower price than Kelly, and Chicago may be comfortable sacrificing some offense if the plan is to bridge the gap until Owen Ayers is ready.
Ayers, a top-10 catching prospect, is viewed as the long-term answer, with a major league callup expected sometime in 2027 unless injury or a trade changes the timeline. In the meantime, Hedges would likely slot in as Miguel Amaya’s backup.
Kelly still sounds like the preferred target for Jed Hoyer. He brings a much better bat, he has been the Cubs’ primary catcher for the last two seasons, and he has become a fan favorite.
The sticking point is the contract. Kelly is likely to seek a multi-year deal, and Chicago may be hesitant to make that kind of commitment with Ayers coming and several pitching needs still on the winter shopping list.
Defensively, the difference between Kelly and Hedges would not be dramatic. Hedges finished at -3 in caught stealing above average, while Kelly was at -4.
Their pop times were nearly identical, with Hedges at 1.94 and Kelly at 1.96. In catcher framing runs, Hedges had 2 and Kelly had 1.
Kelly held the edge in blocks above average, 6 to Hedges’ -3, and in ABS challenges won, 69% to 51%.
It all points to a thin catching market. Kelly and Hedges sit near the top of a weak free-agent class, along with Tyler Stephenson. However the Cubs play it, they need to come away with one of the three this winter to hold things down until Ayers arrives.
In Other News...
Cubs Prospect May Be Forcing A Faster Timeline Than Expected
Josiah Hartshorns rise in the Cubs system has started to look less like a long-term project and more like a player pushing on the door. The top prospect was named the 2026 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove winner at first base, a notable step for someone who spent time moving around the diamond in the minors before settling in and showing he can handle the position. Add in a strong offensive finish at Double-A in 2026, and it is easy to see why he has become one of the more intriguing names in the organization.
For the Cubs, the question is no longer just how good Hartshorn can be, but how soon he might fit into the picture. There is already speculation that his MLB debut could come as early as 2027, depending on how the roster shapes up and how other players perform ahead of him. For a club always balancing present needs with future upside, Hartshorns progress is the kind of development that can quietly alter the timeline faster than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Are Giving One Bullpen Arm Another Shot To Break Through
After spending the 2026 season with Triple-A Iowa, Gabe Klobosits is getting another look from the Cubs. The right-hander has re-signed on a minor league deal, keeping him in the organization after a year in which he put up a 3.51 ERA and continued to show the kind of arm strength that can make a reliever interesting, with his fastball reaching 98.5 mph.
For Chicago, it is another low-risk bet on a pitcher who has yet to break through to the majors but remains on the radar as a bullpen possibility for 2027. Klobosits never got the call last season, yet the Cubs are clearly willing to give him more runway and see whether the stuff translates into a real big league role down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Defense Just Earned Recognition That Says Everything
The Cubs defense got a major stamp of approval this week, with Pete Crow-Armstrong taking home the National League Platinum Glove and Cody Bellinger earning the American League version. It was the kind of recognition that reflects more than a few highlight plays. It speaks to how much value both players brought every night, and it also put Chicago in a familiar conversation about run prevention and all-around team quality.
The Cubs also were honored as the NLs best defensive club with the team Gold Glove award, a reminder that this was not just about one elite outfielder making spectacular catches. For a team trying to build around cleaner baseball and fewer mistakes, that kind of hardware matters. It also puts an extra spotlight on how the rest of the roster helped make those individual awards possible, with the full picture still worth watching as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]