Frequently Asked Questions
Is Willson Contreras going to be traded by the Cubs in 2022?
The Cubs have a big decision to make with Contreras heading into free agency after the 2022 season. With the team sitting in fourth place in the NL Central and holding the third-worst record in the National League, it seems increasingly likely they will be sellers at the July trade deadline rather than playoff contenders.
How good has Willson Contreras been in 2022?
Contreras has been the best catcher in baseball by several metrics, leading all MLB catchers in runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. He also owns career bests in OBP at .391 and has dramatically cut his strikeout rate down to 19.6 percent from an ugly 28.6 percent in 2021.
Which teams could trade for Willson Contreras?
The Yankees, Mets, Astros, and Padres are all identified as strong potential landing spots for Contreras. All four teams are contenders with weak catching situations and a history of doing business with the Cubs in recent trades.
Why are the New York Yankees a good fit for Willson Contreras?
The Yankees are baseball's best team and their catching situation is a mess, with Kyle Higashioka hitting just .161 and Jose Trevino at .204. Adding Contreras to a lineup featuring Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo would make New York the clear AL favorites, and the two teams already have a working relationship from the Anthony Rizzo trade.
How bad is the Houston Astros catching situation in 2022?
The Astros arguably have the worst catching group in baseball, with starter Martin Maldonado hitting just .122 with a .452 OPS and a -0.5 WAR. Backup Jason Castro has been even worse, batting just .083 with a .344 OPS in 15 games.