MLB insider Bob Nightengale on Willson Contreras' future: "I think he's gone for sure" |
Not great news for Cubs fans.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale was on the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score on Tuesday and talked about the possibility that the Cubs and star catcher Willson Contreras work out a deal on a long-term contract extension. "Yeah, I don't see it happening," Nightengale said. "I think they're just so far away. He wants to be paid as one of the top catchers in the game. We saw what (J.T.) Realmuto got over $100 million. He'd like to have something close to that himself. He saw what Salvador Perez got. So I think he's gone, for sure. "It's always possible something could happen in the offseason, but I think go ahead and trade him. If you want, you can always re-sign him in the offseason – I don't' see that happening. Once a guy gets traded, a little bit like Jon Lester, it’s like, 'OK I’m done now and I'm not coming back.' But I think they could get a ton for Contreras. Too many teams could use a great catcher like that. Look at the Houston Astros, their catching has been a nightmare, but they're still winning the division. So I think the Cubs hold out and trade this guy the last minute before the trade deadline, try to get as much as possible." If Contreras gets traded at the deadline, the Cubs will have veteran Yan Gomes and top prospect Miguel Amaya as their primary options moving forward. Contreras is hitting an impressive .276 with nine homers and 22 RBIs for the season.
