Jed Hoyer, the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, has made moves early in the offseason, a welcome change after a season of measured patience. The Cubs have added depth to their pitching staff, signing left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd and making a significant bullpen upgrade by trading for Eli Morgan. These additions are sensible, especially since pitching depth is always critical, and Morgan, in particular, addresses a major area of need for the team.
Despite these improvements to the pitching staff, Hoyer has left other critical areas unaddressed. One of the Cubs’ most pressing needs is at the catcher position, where they struggled mightily last season. While Hoyer has made some moves to fill other gaps, the catcher position remains a glaring weakness, especially after missing out on high-profile free agents like Danny Jansen and Gary Sanchez. With those options off the table, the Cubs are left with limited alternatives, and Hoyer’s inability to address this need is concerning.
The Cubs’ catchers last season were among the worst in all of baseball. They ranked 26th in the majors with a 69 WRC+ and were tied for 28th with a -0.1 fWAR, surpassing only the Chicago White Sox in the latter category. While young Miguel Amaya showed some promise late in the season, his overall performance was underwhelming, with a .644 OPS as the primary catcher. Christian Bethancourt also had a brief stint with the Cubs and performed decently, but his history suggests his success may not be sustainable.
To address this, the Cubs traded for Matt Thaiss, a player who was once a first-round pick but has posted a modest .655 OPS over six MLB seasons. Thaiss is out of minor league options, which raises doubts about his ability to contribute significantly at the MLB level. With Amaya and Thaiss both lacking proven track records, and neither being particularly reliable, the Cubs are left with a catching situation that remains a major concern heading into 2024.
Looking at the Cubs’ options, Moises Ballesteros, a promising prospect in the upper minors, might be counted on more than expected, though it remains uncertain whether he’s ready to take on a major role. With limited free-agent options left, including Carson Kelly, the Cubs may have no choice but to rely on Ballesteros, which could be a risky move for a team aiming to contend. Essentially, the Cubs are opting to return with a catching group that was among the league’s worst last season, a decision that raises questions about their commitment to improving key weaknesses.
