The Chicago Cubs haven't measured up to expectations in 2024, and the catching position has been largely to blame.
Right off the bat, the Cubs have started four different catchers this season, which should tell you immediately something is not working. Between Yan Gomes, Miguel Amaya, Tomás Nido, and Christian Bethancourt, Chicago simply hasn't found the right man for the job.
Being able to produce at the plate while managing a pitching staff is a tough task, but the Cubs aren't built to withstand a zero from their catchers at the plate. With no real aircraft carrier in their lineup, Chicago's offense only functions well when it can string hits together.
Though Amaya has improved at the plate in August, Cubs catchers still rank 24th in Major League Baseball with a .625 OPS. That led Cubs insider Sadahev Sharma of The Athletic to report on Wednesday that the Cubs are prioritizing adding a catcher this winter.
The issue, however, is that the free-agent market isn't flush with elite offensive catchers. However, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors suggested the Cubs could pursue a trade, naming Seattle Mariners backstop Cal Raleigh as one of the names they should consider.
"The Mariners have Cal Raleigh locked in at catcher, but 2021 first-rounder and top prospect Harry Ford isn’t far from MLB readiness," Adams said.
While Cubs catchers have combined for just 13 home runs, Raleigh already has 27. He has led all big-league catchers by a wide margin with 57 home runs since the start of 2023, producing a .444 slugging percentage and 114 OPS+ the past two seasons.
And while Raleigh being traded may have seemed far-fetched earlier this season, the Mariners' second-half free-fall and subsequent firing of Scott Servais may increase that possibility.
The Mariners' offense needs a complete overhaul, and Raleigh may be worth more to them as a trade chip with Ford waiting in the wings. The Cubs, who have a deep farm system and virtually every other position locked up in their 2025 lineup, should make an aggressive pitch to Seattle's front office.
There are other options, including pursuing Ford if the Mariners are reluctant to listen on Raleigh. But it's clear the Cubs need catching help in 2024, and they might as well pursue one of the best while they can.
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