The Cubs made a quiet move this holiday week, one that won’t grab headlines but could prove useful down the line - especially when depth becomes a factor over the grind of a long season.
Chicago has brought back catcher Christian Bethancourt on a minor-league deal. It’s a low-risk signing, the kind of move that sits in the background until it’s suddenly relevant in July when injuries start piling up and teams start looking for reliable reinforcements.
Bethancourt, now 34, is no stranger to the Cubs. He had a brief stint with the team in 2024, logging just 24 games and 59 plate appearances.
But in that limited window, he made the most of his opportunities, slashing .281/.305/.509 with three home runs and 15 RBI. Small sample size?
Absolutely. But those are productive numbers for a backup catcher, especially one who can offer some pop at the plate.
After his short run in Chicago, Bethancourt signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent. However, he never made it back to the big leagues in 2025, spending the entire season at Triple-A Buffalo.
There, his bat cooled off considerably - he hit just .173 with a .219 on-base percentage and a .332 slugging mark across 58 games. That kind of performance won’t push the door open to a major league roster spot, but it doesn’t necessarily close it either, especially for a player in a depth role.
This signing is very much about organizational insurance. Think of it like the Reese McGuire role from the year before - a veteran catcher who can be stashed at Triple-A Iowa and called upon if the Cubs’ catching corps takes a hit.
Bethancourt fits that mold well. He’s experienced, he knows the system, and he’s not going to cost the team anything more than a minor-league salary unless he’s called up.
No, this isn’t a splashy move. But in a 162-game season, these are the kinds of signings that can quietly matter. Catching depth is one of those things you don’t think about until you need it - and when you do, having someone like Bethancourt in your back pocket can make a difference.