The Cubs have plenty on their offseason plate, and catcher may not be the first thing they attack. Building out the starting rotation sits at the top of the list, and if there’s still time before the lockout, the team also wants to address Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki.
But Carson Kelly can’t get lost in the shuffle. He’s a free agent, and if Chicago can’t bring him back, that would be a real blow to both the lineup and the pitching staff.
There’s obvious reason for the Cubs to want Kelly back. He put up a wRC+ above 100 in both of his seasons in Chicago and was flirting with an All-Star nod in 2025.
Just as important, his work behind the plate fits the Cubs’ run-prevention approach, and he’s been viewed as a plus for the pitching staff. That makes him a priority in a perfect world.
The problem is the Cubs may have to sort out the rotation before they can seriously turn to catcher.
That’s why Kelly’s market matters. The expectation is that he’ll draw plenty of interest in free agency, which could push the Cubs toward other options if the price climbs too high.
If Chicago has to pivot, there are a few names that probably don’t line up with what the club wants. Ryan Jeffers is the most productive bat of the group, and he showed it with the Minnesota Twins in 2026 by hitting 14 home runs in 92 games and posting a 128 wRC+.
He drew interest at the trade deadline, and he should again this offseason. But the Cubs have a clear preference for catchers who fit their run-prevention model, and Jeffers doesn’t really match that profile.
Hunter Goodman is another name that stands out on paper. The Colorado Rockies catcher has crushed 72 home runs over the last two years and is controlled through the 2029 season. That kind of production and control would make him expensive in trade, though, and the Cubs don’t look like a team in position to spend that much prospect capital when their pitching staff needs so much attention.
Tyler Stephenson also belongs in the discussion, but probably not near the top of it. He was viewed as a possible trade piece at the deadline before the Cincinnati Reds kept him.
Stephenson has had some modest offensive success, which will create interest, but his defense behind the plate is seen as a liability. That makes him a tough fit for the Cubs.
If Kelly is gone, the more realistic path is probably not a big swing at an immediate replacement. The sense here is that the Cubs could be comfortable rolling with Miguel Amaya and Owen Ayers as their catching tandem in 2027, while adding a veteran to the mix.
Austin Hedges is one name that fits that idea. He has long been known as a glove-first catcher and has been with the Cleveland Guardians since 2020.
The Guardians value what he brings behind the plate, and the Cubs would likely see the same appeal. He should be available on a one-year deal.
Rogers fits in a similar lane. He’s also a glove-first catcher, and that lines up with what Chicago would likely want if it has to shop in free agency.
Still, the bigger point is hard to miss: good starting catchers rarely hit the market. That brings everything back to Kelly.
The Cubs know what they have with him, and they know what they’d be giving up if he leaves. He’s the best fit for what they want at catcher, and even if the front office’s models don’t love the contract, this may be the one spot where Chicago should be willing to push past its usual comfort zone.
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Cubs Outfield Reality Is Starting To Crush The Dream Options
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Bryce Harper and Ronald Acua Jr. are the kind of names that can ignite a winter, but the reality around both makes those dreams feel remote. Harpers contract is a major obstacle, and Acuas trade status is uncertain enough to make a deal unlikely, which leaves the Cubs pointing toward shorter commitments for veteran hitters and more affordable outfield help on the open market. [Read more 🡒]