The Chicago Cubs watched Willson Contreras and Sean Murphy come off the board this offseason. Here are three catchers they can still target this offseason.
The Chicago Cubs have been active this offseason, but when it comes to catchers, that is still an area that needs to be addressed.
They didn’t trade Willson Contreras at the deadline, and watched him sign a huge deal with the rival St. Louis Cardinals on a five-year, $87.5 million contract. Then, Sean Murphy was dealt to the Atlanta Braves in a three-team trade with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers. In that same deal, the Cubs saw the Brewers bring in William Contreras as their new catcher! Then, Christian Vazquez agreed to a three-team deal with the Minnesota Twins.
While the top catchers available this offseason are now off the board, it may seem like the Cubs lost out, right? Well, they still have options available to them.
Here are three catchers the Cubs can still target this offseason
3 Cubs catcher targets after missing out on Sean Murphy: Tucker Barnhart, Free Agent
Even after the Contreras and Vazquez signings, there are still plenty of catchers to look at in free agency. For the Cubs, they should consider looking at former Cincinnati Reds backstop Tucker Barnhart.
In his nine year career, Barnhart has two Gold Gloves to his credit, which is something that should entice the Cubs. After spending his first eight years with the Reds, he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers last offseason.
Barnhart played in 94 games this past season, recording a .221 batting average, a .287 on-base percentage, a .267 slugging percentage, one home run, 16 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 62 hits. Behind home plate, Barnhart posted a .996 fielding percentage (653 putouts, 29 assists, three errors).
Entering his age 32 season, Barnhart could be a solid free agent option for the Cubs.