Searching For Production At Catcher, Cubs Make Cash Deal With Phillies

Colin Keane

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Searching For Production At Catcher, Cubs Make Cash Deal With Phillies image

The Chicago Cubs welcomed a new catcher into their organization on Tuesday in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Chicago acquired William Simoneit, 27, from Philadelphia for cash considerations.

Simoneit was assigned to Double-A Tennessee Smokies; he was not on the Phillies’ 40-man roster and therefore doesn’t demand a roster spot on the Cubs.

Simoneit has struggled at the plate this year for Double-A Reading Fightin Phils and Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, hitting .145 with a .286 on-base percentage and .306 slugging percentage.

However, the Cubs are hoping that Simoneit can return to the form that he displayed prior to this season.

Originally signed by the Athletics in 2020, Simoneit appeared in 244 minor league games for their organization between 2021 and 2023, hitting .259 with a .359 on-base percentage and .408 slugging percentage during that span.

To say the Cubs are getting meager plate production out of the catcher position this season would be an understatement. Chicago’s two catchers on its 40-man roster, Miguel Amaya and Yan Gomes, are hitting .188 and .154, respectively.

If neither Amaya nor Gomes overcome their struggles soon, the Cubs may call upon the services of either Simoneit or Alí Sanchez, whom the Cubs signed to a minor league deal in April.

More MLB: Cubs DFA Recently Acquired Hurler To Make Room For Another Intriguing Arm

Colin Keane

Colin Keane Photo

Colin Keane is a contributing journalist for The Sporting News. Born in Illinois, Colin grew up in Massachusetts as the third of four brothers. For his high school education, Colin attended St. Mark's School (Southborough, MA), where he played basketball and soccer and served as student body president. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Villanova University. Colin currently resides in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.