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The Chicago Cubs are still looking for a veteran backup catcher and they’re reportedly interested in Rene Rivera of the New York Mets, according to Marc Carig of Newsday.
Here’s the report from Tuesday night.
In search of candidates to serve as a backup catcher, the Cubs have reached out to the Mets to express interest in trading for Rene Rivera, a source confirmed on Tuesday. The Cubs’ level of interest is unclear, as is whether the talks have gained any traction.
Rivera would be a fit for the Cubs, who could use a veteran behind starter Willson Contreras. The Post first reported the Cubs’ potential interest.
Rivera is 33-years-old, has six home runs in 46 games this season with the Mets, slashing .245/.291/.395.
The Cubs have been linked to Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila, but Chicago Sun-Times reporter Gordon Wittenmyer said that according to his sources Avila isn’t seen as a good fit on the North Side. He went with Miami Marlins catcher A.J. Ellis as a more probable option for the Cubs.
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The other available catcher most often linked to the Cubs, Detroit’s Alex Avila, also is not considered a strong fit, said one source.
The Cubs have explored catching possibilities among the trailers in the National League East, with defensive-minded, clubhouse asset A.J. Ellis of the sell-everything Marlins the most natural fit.
Wittenmyer also dismissed the chance of trading for Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said the following about what he wants in a veteran backup for Willson Contreras.
Via 670 The Score:
“Somebody that obviously understands his role,” Maddon said on the Spiegel and Parkins Show on 670 The Score on Tuesday when asked what he wants in a veteran catcher. “When you throw him out there, probably pretty defensively solid. It’s always nice to get a little offensive push, maybe at least some power. But a guy that definitely knows how to handle a staff, a guy that these pitchers would be comfortable with. Because we have some veteran pitchers here that we need to pop a guy out there that you want him to be comfortable with.”
At the end of the day it would make more sense to trade for the worse offensive backup catcher, Ellis or Rivera and give up less in a deal, than to give up a more valuable prospect for a guy like Avila. Reason being, you really only need the backup to start once a week and when the playoffs begin, Contreras will start every game behind the plate anyway.
Rivera, Ellis and Avila are all free agents after this season.
