3 Cubs players who’ll be better in 2023, and 2 who won’t
By Tim Boyle
Why Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart will not have a better year in 2023
Cubs fans shouldn’t nor do they have high expectations for Tucker Barnhart this year. After many years of having Willson Contreras behind the plate, it’s going to be different to see Barnhart.
Barnhart comes over from the Detroit Tigers after spending parts of eight seasons with the rival Cincinnati Reds. He’s a lifetime .245/.320/.360 hitter who last year suffered with his Tigers teammates in a dreadful season at the plate.
Barnhart batted just .221/.287/.267 in 308 plate appearances. He had only a single home run. Although it’s possible to be better, it’s not going to be noticeable enough.
Barnhart should share much of the catcher duties along with Yan Gomes. It could allow the pair to work as a lefty/righty platoon with two-time Gold Glove winner Barnhart supplying the Cubs pitchers with a solid game-caller behind the dish.
Anything the Cubs may get out of Barnhart is a bonus. Chicago is completely changing their strategy at the catcher spot. Contreras was an okay defensive catcher and a far more important hitter. The complete opposite is true for Barnhart. The Cubs are taking a page out of the Houston Astros’ book. You don’t need an offensive weapon at the catcher spot. Having a guy who can play the position well, even while sharing the duties, is more than enough to win a championship.