The 2022 MLB trade deadline is imminent, and high-value names throughout the league are being shopped. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is one of those players, as Chicago goes nowhere and many teams need a two-way catcher for the playoff push. Here are three potential trade destinations for Contreras ahead of the August 2 trade deadline.
The Astros are the most obvious fit for Contreras at the trade deadline. The Cubs can send him outside of the National League, the Astros are pushing for another World Series berth, they can pay the Cubs what they want (and/or start a bidding war) and Houston desperately needs a good catcher.
Martin Maldinado and Korey Lee are hitting just .178 and .190 through the All-Star break. The catchers on this team are an obvious weak spot on the roster. In fact, it may be the Astros’ only weak spot. Contreras not only brings the defense, but can assimilate to the culture quickly due to his high-passion play. This is a no-brainer, as long as the Cubs get what they want.
While the Yankees still have the best record in the MLB, the other New York team happens to the best record in the NL East and the second-best record in the entire National League. The Mets and their talented roster are determined to not be forgotten after their rivals, the Braves, won the World Series in 2021.
The Mets’ two catchers, Mazeika and Nido, are hitting .175 and .218, respectively. Contreras is an automatic uptick in production, both at the plate and behind it. A slugging catcher is a difference maker and could be the piece that Queens needs to shore up the NL East early, allowing them to cruise to the playoffs. They may have to pay a high price to grab him from another NL team, but the Mets are nearing World Series or bust territory.
San Francisco also boasts two catchers hitting at or below .200 on the season. Joey Bart and Austin Wyyns make up their catchers’ room, and it has been underwhelming in 2022. A veteran piece at the position with winning experience could be invaluable to the 2021 regular season champions.
Like the Mets, the Giants would need to give up slightly more to grab him from another NL team. Also, the other two teams above seem to be pushing hard for Contreras’ services. That bidding war could make him a little rich for their blood, but it would make sense if they’re still trying to top the Dodgers.
Stay tuned for more breaking MLB content, including trade deadline information, power rankings and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
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