3 notable Cubs who won’t be back and where they will sign

Willson Contreras will be out from Cubs with free agency looming

After a season filled with wondering if this game or that one would be his final one in a Cubs uniform at Wrigley Field, Contreras can go into this off-season with the knowledge that he will assuredly not return to the Cubs.

With a move toward youth and a lack of real talk about signing him long-term, Contreras can freely go into free agency.

The 30-year-old catcher played in 111 games for the Cubs in 2022. He hit .241/.345/.461 with 21 home runs, 63 runs scored, and 54 RBI.

The Cubs’ long-time rival St. Louis Cardinals will be looking for a catcher this offseason after the retirement of future Hall-of-Famer Yadier Molina. With Andrew Knizner more of a backup and the team in a holding pattern on who they believed was Molina’s heir-apparent, Ivan Herrera, the Cardinals could sign Contreras on a short-term deal.

The catching position is a rough one on the body. The Cardinals will certainly not be the only team desiring Contreras’ services, as many teams need catching.

Where Contreras lands will be fascinating to see as the offseason nears for the Cubbies.