The Cubs were simply not going to satisfy the expectations of fans for a premier catcher after waving goodbye to Willson Contreras and losing out on Christian Vázquez this offseason. The team began to shift their focus to a more defensive-oriented minded catcher since last offseason with the free-agent signing of Yan Gomes and it’s continued with the addition of switch-hitting catcher Tucker Barnhart.
The 31-year-old has been strongly linked to the Cubs for about a week and on Thursday his signing was reported. According to Jon Heyman, Barnhart is signing a two-year contract, which includes a player option for the 2024 season. Barnhart can earn up to $9.5 million total with incentives. He’s guaranteed $6.5 million with the Cubs.
Like I said a few days ago when the rumors started to ramp up with Barnhart and the Cubs, I’m not the biggest fan. I know that any of the options left on the free agent market weren’t going to bring much upside offensively, but Barnhart also struggled behind the plate with the Detroit Tigers in 2022.
The positive is that Barnhart has been good defensively in his career, winning a gold glove in 2017 and 2020, with the Cincinnati Reds. As Cubs fans, we just have to accept the fact that the team is prioritizing defense and play-calling over offense at the catcher position.
Barnhart does appear to have a good reputation with teammates and well more importantly, with his pitchers.
So yeah, acquiring Barnhart is not the most exciting signing, but if he can get back to his good defensive work with some guidance from Cubs catching coach Craig Driver, then Barnhart will provide the Cubs what they want from their catchers: helping to elevate the pitching staff.
However, if the goal is for the Cubs to compete for a playoff spot in 2023, then they must add a good hitter. That was already the case before they filled their other catching position with Barnhart, and the signing only emphasizes the point further.
To me, and I think many fans, the clear answer is left-handed hitting outfielder Michael Conforto. The Cubs are interested in Conforto, who could easily build his value back up playing at Wrigley Field after missing the entire 2022 season.
As we look at the current Cubs roster, you can’t really expect much offense from catcher, 1B/DH and maybe you get average production at third base with Christopher Morel and Patrick Wisdom splitting time. The Cubs desperately need another power bat if they intend to compete in 2023, and Hoyer has talked about the desire to sign a left-handed hitter specifically.
Again, just get Conforto.
We talk about our expectations for the Cubs and how they can be a playoff team with a few more moves on this week’s Pinwheels And Ivy Podcast. Check out the show below.
