The Cubs’ catching situation could get messy fast this winter.
After a short postseason run ended with a sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series, Chicago heads into an offseason with plenty on its plate. The club has 17 players who could reach free agency, and catcher is one spot worth watching closely.
Carson Kelly gave the Cubs exactly what they wanted over the last two seasons. Chicago signed him to a two-year deal in the winter of 2024, and the production followed. In that span, he hit .254/.335/.402 with a .736 OPS, 27 home runs and 108 RBI, while also improving his exchange times and arm velocity, according to Statcast, as FanSided’s Robert Murray noted.
That kind of profile should play well on the open market. Kelly’s bat and upgraded defense make him a fit for teams hunting for stability behind the plate, and Murray specifically pointed to the New York Yankees as a possible landing spot since they could use a right-handed hitting platoon partner for Austin Wells.
The Baltimore Orioles also make sense as a suitor. Murray said they might be looking for an upgrade over Carlos Narvaez as Samuel Basallo’s backup after trading Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox.
“With so many teams needing catching reinforcements this winter, Kelly will have options in free agency. Another multi-year deal would certainly appear to be in the cards for the free-agent-to-be,” Murray added.
If Kelly walks, the Cubs would need a new plan. Miguel Amaya could move into the starting role, with No. 2 prospect Owen Ayers backing him up. Chicago could also go outside the organization and look for help through free agency or a trade.
In Other News...
Cubs May Have Just Caught A Break In Ryan Flaherty Watch
Don Mattinglys decision to return to the Philadelphia Phillies on a two-year contract trims one more name from the manager-needy board, and that could matter in Chicago even if the Cubs are only watching from the sidelines. Around the league, the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros still have openings, and every filled chair makes the next search a little less crowded for teams hoping to keep their own staffs intact.
For the Cubs, the bigger subplot is Ryan Flaherty, whose work as bench coach has made him a name to track for future managerial jobs. He has been considered a candidate in that market, but he has not been publicly tied to any of this offseasons openings, which at least buys Chicago a little breathing room as the carousel keeps spinning. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs May Have An Intriguing Low-Cost Outfield Answer
Jake Bauers turned up in a big October moment for the Brewers, and it was the kind of swing that can linger with teams looking for affordable ways to patch holes. For the Cubs, the broader appeal is less about one postseason blast than the profile behind it. He has been effective against right-handed pitching this season, which is the sort of detail front offices often circle when they are trying to add depth without committing major resources.
Chicagos outfield mix figures to draw attention again this offseason, and Bauers could fit as a low-cost option who brings some offensive usefulness. He would not be the flashy answer, but that is part of the intrigue for a Cubs team that has reasons to shop carefully while still looking for a bat that can help in the right matchups. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs May Have To Sacrifice A Young Bat For Rotation Help
The Cubs came away from the trade deadline still looking for the kind of rotation piece that can help them beyond this season, leaving the front office with the same question it has been circling for months: how far should it go to secure a starter under control past 2026? As the offseason approaches, names like Reid Detmers and George Kirby figure to come back into the conversation, especially for a team that wants more stability on the mound without locking itself into a short-term fix.
Seattle could be part of that conversation again, and Chicagos willingness to deal from its prospect pool may determine how serious it gets. The idea of moving a young bat such as Matt Shaw or Pedro Ramirez would speak to the cost of chasing pitching, while Kirby stands out as the sort of controllable arm who fits the Cubs timeline even if he would still require some development. The fit is obvious enough, but the price and the level of patience needed could decide whether this remains a rumor or becomes the next big winter swing. [Read more 🡒]