This Trade Between the Cubs and Astros for Willson Contreras Could Actually Work
By Mark Powell
The Cubs are moving forward with new manager David Ross, but despite the former Chicago catcher's presence in the clubhouse, the North Siders may be moving forward at backstop.
Reports suggest Willson Contreras is on the trade market, and the 27-year-old Venezuelan catcher would be an upgrade for several contenders, or teams looking to make a jump in 2020. Look no further than the Houston Astros, who despite being marred in controversy due to the sign-stealing scandal currently taking over the headlines, are in need of an upgrade at Contreras' position.
I kinda feel like, if Willson Contreras knew you were cheating to steal his signs, he would knock you through the outfield wall. pic.twitter.com/z4oVCiI28u
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) November 17, 2019
Willson Contreras Contract
Contreras' contract runs through the end of next season, meaning any significant collateral given up by the Astros would likely have to come with a promise from the two-time All-Star that he plans on staying in Houston long-term. Currently, he's schedule to make a respectable $4.5 million next season, per Spotrac.
The White Sox signing Yasmani Grandal officially makes Willson Contreras the best catcher available:https://t.co/nLwuQDfl28
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) November 21, 2019
With Yasmani Grandal signing with the Cubs' rival, Contreras is now the best catcher on the open market. This means the price will be quite high to tear him from the Cubs' grasp. Thankfully for Houston, their farm system includes some familiar names Chicago would be interested in.
Houston has long avoided dealing top prospect Forrest Whitley, who also ranks as the No. 16 farmhand in all of baseball, but to receive a catcher of Contreras' quality, the negotiations would likely start here.
The #Astros' farm played a huge role in the team's resurgence after owning #MLB's worst record from 2011-13, but graduations and trades have left it thinner than it has been since it was among the game's worst early in the decade.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 22, 2019
More from @jimcallisMLB: https://t.co/AyhiKfJyCH pic.twitter.com/9kHHFeiHeB
The Cubs could very well hang up the phone if Whitley isn't included, but for the sake of this conversation let's say Chicago is willing to listen. Behind Whitley, Houston's next-best pitching prospect is Bryan Abreu, and paired with No. 5 prospect Abraham Toro, would be a tough trade for the Cubs to turn down.
Either way, there is surely a path for these two teams to make a groundbreaking deal. Houston acquires one of the best catcher in the game, and the Cubs save money while building up a beleaguered farm system which currently ranks near the bottom of the league.