If the Cubs bring Carson Kelly back, Miguel Amaya suddenly becomes one of the more interesting names in their catching picture.
That doesn’t mean Chicago has to move him. It doesn’t even mean they should. But with the Cubs still staring at a long list of pitching needs, Jed Hoyer could take a few unusual swings to patch together the roster, and Amaya is the kind of piece worth at least exploring on the trade market.
One path would be to slide Owen Ayers into the backup job behind Kelly, add some extra catching depth for Iowa, and then see what kind of return Amaya might bring. If that’s the direction the Cubs choose, there are a handful of clubs that fit the bill.
The Cincinnati Reds are an obvious place to start. They know Amaya from plenty of NL Central battles, and their top catcher, Tyler Stephenson, is headed for free agency.
A Stephenson return is still on the table, but if Cincinnati decides to go another way, Amaya would make sense as a target. On paper, the fit between the two clubs is there.
The San Francisco Giants are another team that jumps out. They used five different catchers in a 97-loss season, which says plenty about how badly they need help behind the plate.
Amaya posted what was basically a league-average bat, and none of San Francisco’s catchers could say that. He’s also considered a solid receiver, which could make him appealing to Buster Posey as the Giants look for stability.
Then there’s the Pittsburgh Pirates, who also need reinforcements at catcher. The free-agent market at the position is thin, and Kelly looks like the biggest name available.
If the Cubs keep him, the trade market could move fast. Rafael Flores made a strong impression in limited action, but bringing in Amaya to work alongside him could help settle things down.
The New York Yankees probably feel the most urgency of any team on this list. Austin Wells fought through an injury-riddled first half before finishing well, but Brian Cashman is still searching for another dependable option. Amaya would fit a backup role without giving up much offense when Wells needs a breather.
The Texas Rangers are still sorting through questions at catcher, too. They picked up Logan O'Hoppe from the Angels at the deadline, then quickly sent him to the minors.
Danny Jansen missed a significant chunk of time with injuries, though he should return. Texas needs more steadiness behind the plate, and Amaya could give them exactly that.
Finally, the Los Angeles Angels could be in the mix as part of a broader deal. Trading O'Hoppe signaled a reset at catcher, and while they acquired Moises Ballesteros from the Cubs in the Ryan Zeferjahn trade, the plan is for him to catch about half the time. Amaya could be part of a larger package - Reid Detmers, anyone? - or he could serve as the veteran presence who helps Ballesteros ease into the job.
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That matters now because Kevin Alcantara is approaching his own crossroads, and his situation comes with real roster pressure. Alcantara no longer has minor-league options, which complicates the Cubs flexibility and keeps a trade in the conversation as teams weigh whether he can fit on a big-league roster right away. Velzquezs trajectory shows how fast a young power bat can go from prospect buzz to uncertain fit, and it leaves the Cubs with one more decision they cant afford to get wrong. [Read more 🡒]