BALTIMORE, MD – Sept. 21: Tucker Barnhart #15 of the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Watch the Chicago Cubs’ Wilson Contreras and Shaun Murphy get off the plate this offseason. Here are three anglers who can still target this off-season.
The Chicago Cubs have been active in the off-season, but when it comes to the catch, this is still an area that needs addressing.
They didn’t trade Wilson 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. Next, Sean Murphy was dealt to the Atlanta Braves in a three-team deal with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers. In the 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 best catchers available for the season are now off the plate, it might look like the Cubs lost, right? Well, they still have options available to them.
Here are three hunters the Cubs can still target this season
3 goals Cubs catcher after losing Shaun Murphy: Tucker Barnhart, free agent
Even after I signed Contreras and Vazquez, there are still plenty of catchers to look at in free agency. For the Cubs, they should consider looking at former Cincinnati Reds assistant Tucker Barnhart.
In his nine-year career, Barnhart has two Gold Gloves to his credit, 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 0.21 batting average, . 287 on-base percentage, . 267 slugging percentage, 1 home run, 16 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 62 hits. Behind home plate, Barnhart posted a . 996 fielding percentage (653 tackles, 29 assists, three errors).
Going into his 32-year-old season, Barnhart could be a solid free agent option for the Cubs.
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