Contreras Leans Into Cardinal-dom, Cubs and Catchers, Heyward’s New Gig, and Other Cubs Bullets

I’m gonna be doing a little traveling over the next five days, so I will PERSONALLY hope no major transactions go down in that time. But for your sake, I will wish you all the big moves you crave. If and when that stuff does happen, Michael and Patrick will be around pitching in on coverage, and/or I will dig in when the travel schedule permits. For most of the middle parts of the day, that’s when I’ll be absent, though. Apologies in advance if you notice some lighter content days.

  • I don’t like much about this, and I’ll just tell myself that it’s the kind of thing a player has to say when signing up with a new team – especially a rival – if he wants to get buy-in from the fans:
  • Still. It just makes me cringe a bit to think about Contreras on the Cubs’ bench imagining himself as a Cardinal. At least we know Willson is DEFINITELY going to lean into this rivalry. (Also, in fairness to Contreras, by the time that moment happened, it was likely VERY clear to him that the Cubs were ready to move on, so why wouldn’t he be thinking about free agency and other teams?)
  • If you were wondering, yes, Contreras did say he wants to beat the Cubs: “I knew I had to keep working and getting better, so I was ready when this opportunity came. I always wanted to do something every single day to get better even though [the Cubs] were rebuilding. … I’m excited for the next chapter, and I’m looking forward to beating the Chicago Cubs. I want to do everything I can to help the St. Louis Cardinals win it all.”
  • Contreras’s five-year deal comes with a sixth-year team option, by the way:
  • It’s actually not impossible to imagine that Contreras will still be worth well over $10 million annually in that sixth year, even if not as a catcher, because he might still be hitting well.
  • From the Cubs:
  • You have to be SUPER careful with catcher ERA stats, because they are extraordinarily noisy. But it is hard not to notice when it is this stark:
  • To be sure, we’ve noticed this kind of thing before in the numbers with Contreras, HOWEVER (1) he had plenty of success behind the plate with Jon Lester, and you think a veteran like Lester would let a catcher torch his performance?; and (2) Contreras’ bat is so good that you permit SOME drop-off in performance.
  • That said, just consider it another (small, noisy) data point for why the Cubs are wanting to go all out on a run-prevention catching tandem. Their ideal, I suspect, would be two Yan Gomes back there, which is why I think Christian Vazquez remains the prime target. (Well, short of trading for Sean Murphy, who is fantastic behind the plate AND batting.)
  • The pre-arbitration bonus pool (remember that thing) is being paid out this month:
  • I haven’t seen the full list yet, but I’ve gotta believe Nico Hoerner is going to get a little extra scratch (Update as I type: yup, Nico got at least $500,000 – good for him). Maybe Justin Steele, too? Not sure anyone else would get into the top 100 performances by pre-arbitration players.
  • I wish Heyward well and everything, but I would point out that Trayce Thompson actually hit well when in the Cubs organization, too – it was just small sample, mostly at Triple-A, and without a chance to show it in the big leagues:
  • Also, maybe there is a metric that shows Heyward still has above-average bat speed, but the eye test seemed to suggest it was slowing waaaay down over his years with the Cubs. Still, whatever – the Cubs did the best they could by Heyward, and he worked as hard as he could with them. So if he does rebound with the Dodgers, it’s no knock on him or the Cubs. It’s just the way it played out.
  • Not entirely unlike Cody Bellinger now and the Cubs.
  • Old friend becomes new coach in the Cubs organization:
  • 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

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Pete Crow-Armstrong Gets a Start

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs won again last night, which means they've already won the season-series against the still-struggling Astros. Justin Verlander will be on the bump for today's finale, but he'll have to go up against the mighty Javier...

    The Leadoff Role, Cubs Front Office is Not Particularly Well-Liked? And Other Cubs Bullets

    It's a pretty big day for the Chicago Bears, eh? For the second year in a row, they own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Only this time, they actually plan to use it (and on a quarterback,...

    Chicago Cubs Sign Brazilian-Japanese Pitcher Daniel Missaki Out of Mexican League

    That's a geographic mouthful right there, and it underscores what an interesting signing this is. Stray signings throughout the year are not uncommon, particularly as injuries accumulate down on the farm and the Chicago Cubs have the ability to take...

    Do the Cubs Have a Scoring-Late Problem?

    Once a month since August of 2016, my friends and I get together for "Supper Club." It's like book club, but instead of reading books, we go to a different restaurant in the city. Last night, we hit our 77th...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

    Latest News

    76ers vs. Knicks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are playing in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 3 up next.The Knicks beat the 76ers 104-101 on Monday when they last met. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in the...

    Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic, with Donovan Mitchell needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    On Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Caris LeVert's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires just one trey.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Josh Hart Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Josh Hart needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks meet the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 7:30 PM...

    Jalen Brunson Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Knicks' Jalen Brunson drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Jalen Brunson's Three-Pointer...

    Donte DiVincenzo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Donte DiVincenzo needs to make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:30 PM ET.Donte...

    Joel Embiid Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Joel Embiid needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Philadelphia 76ers meet the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...

    Tyrese Maxey Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers play the New York Knicks at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires four trifectas from Tyrese...

    Franz Wagner Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    Franz Wagner needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Orlando Magic meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Franz Wagner's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Tobias Harris Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks, with Tobias Harris needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Tobias Harris' Three-Pointer...

    more cubs news

    Latest News