Cubs Listening on Willson Contreras Doesn’t Mean He’ll Be Traded, But Yes, He’s Probably Very Available

Like I said yesterday when Jeff Passan first mentioned that multiple teams in search of a catcher were expecting that the Cubs would be making Willson Contreras available, that’s not necessarily something we wouldn’t have been able to say on our own weeks ago. We know the Cubs are trying to overhaul the roster, and we know they’re going to be open-minded about everyone.

But the fact that Passan was saying it as the entree to his GM Meetings coverage … it just sounded like a little bit more than him making an obvious point. It struck me more as a, “oh, yeah, he’s heard some things” kind of statement.

In further support? There’s a little local backup now from Passan’s colleague at ESPN:

In other words, Rogers is confirming that other teams do believe Contreras is going to be available, and, since that’s now coming out of Chicago, it’s not unreasonable to conclude that Contreras probably IS available.

Again, I want to be very cautious before folks who love Willy freak out: this still isn’t the same thing as hearing that the Cubs are affirmatively trying to move Contreras in trade. Yes, it’s more than a mere “they listen on everyone,” but it’s not like we’re being told that Contreras is a goner.

Instead, I think the best way to sum things up, given what we know of the organization, where they are in their process (step back?), what Theo Epstein has said, and what these reports suggest: the Cubs are interested in finding out just how much value Contreras has on the trade market. And if there is a fit that substantially improves the Cubs for 2021 and beyond without hurting them TOO much in 2020, they’re willing to consider it. (That goes for a few guys, to be sure, but Contreras is the one we’re hearing about now, and might be the one most realistically covered for internally and in free agency.)

I don’t think any of us simply wants to see Contreras gone. But this is the fandom pain that comes with club growing a core, holding them together for a long time, and then recognizing that serious change is necessary. It isn’t going to be serious change if it involves only peripheral roster elements that don’t really impact your emotional connection to the club.

For much more on what goes into making someone like Contreras available right now, read the thoughts from yesterday if you missed it.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

Rays Closer Pete Fairbanks With a Wonderful and Brutally Honest Line About His Performance

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...

Still Thinking About That Incredible Christopher Morel Play

I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 3 – April 17, 2024

UNCLENCH. They did it. There was 9th inning drama, because of course there was, but Drew Smyly was able to get the job done, pitching for the third consecutive day. Cubs win the game, Cubs win the series. Cubs win...

Cody Bellinger’s Third Homer of the Year Breaks the Tie in Arizona!

Thank god. I was starting to think Brandon Pfaadt was Cy Young in disguise or something. I can't stand (or understand, for that matter) how this guy carves up the Cubs while getting destroyed by almost everybody else. But at...

Watch Owen Caissie Launch His First Triple-A Home Run (Off a Lefty, Too!)

Owen Caissie is just one of several Cubs top prospects at Triple-A Iowa this season, but after a monster Spring Training performance (following an equally impressive Double-A debut last season), he's got a lot of eyes on him this summer....

Cubs Call Up a Couple of Fresh Arms from Iowa

In discussing the potential for a Cubs move today for a fresh arm, I wondered if they'd go down and grab someone already on the 40-man roster or if they'd shift Julian Merryweather over to the 60-day IL to make...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs vs Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — How many rubber matches can one team have? After two wild games to start the series, the Cubs are looking to win their second-consecutive series this afternoon in Arizona. Jordan Wicks is on the mound for Chicago....

MLBits: Orioles Can’t Stop Hitting Home Runs, Learn Jac Caglianone’s Name, More

If you have an MLB.TV subscription: I suggest you try to catch a Baltimore Orioles game soon. The Orioles lineup is chock-full of young talent, and they're absolutely mashing the baseball right now. They're fun to watch if you can...

Latest News

Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Chicago Cubs (11-7) and the Miami Marlins (4-15) face off at Wrigley Field on Thursday at 7:40 PM ET, beginning a four-game series.The Cubs will give the nod to Jameson Taillon against the Marlins and Andrew Jacob Puk (0-3).Cubs...

Green Bay Packers Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

The Green Packers made some noise in the playoffs last season and hope to build on that success in the 2024 NFL Draft. Take a look at the Packers draft picks for 2024. Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Draft Picks...

Cincinnati Bengals Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

The Bengals missed the playoffs in 2023 and QB Joe Burrow played just 10 games. The team is now moving forward and focusing on the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the Bengals list of draft picks for 2024. Cincinnati Bengals...

DraftKings Promo Code: Unlock $200 New User Bonus for Thursday!

Are you ready to experience the thrill of sports betting? The new DraftKings promo code is here to get you started. DraftKings, one of the leading online sportsbooks in the United States, is offering a fantastic opportunity for new users...

You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

Bedard’s Expectations, Dickinson’s Selke Case, Farewell Arizona, Records Made & Missed, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Welcome to the final day of the 2023-24 NHL season, hockey fans! The Blackhawks visit the LA Kings to close the books on their campaign tonight. Gotta love a 9:30 puck drop against a team that's beat the Hawks soundly...

Check Out BetMGM Bonus Code, MLB Odds, and NBA Futures for 4/18

New users can score a BetMGM bonus code right now for a $1,500 first bet offer in legal states. Check out today's MLB odds, NBA futures, and more as you look to make your first bet. BetMGM Sportsbook Promo Code...

Los Angeles Rams Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

The Los Angeles Rams got hot to end the 2023 season to reach the playoffs before being knocked out in the Wild Card Round. Now, they focus on the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the team's selections for this year's...

Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

Rays Closer Pete Fairbanks With a Wonderful and Brutally Honest Line About His Performance

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...

more cubs news