Jeremiah
Cubs Eyeing Bold Move for Top Free Agent Catcher: Carson Kelly in Their Sights!….
Al Yellon, founder and managing editor of Bleed Cubbie Blue since 2005 and author of three books on the Cubs, most recently Chicago Cubs Firsts, sees the team needing to add a catcher this offseason to support Miguel Amaya. Currently, Amaya is the only catcher on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, so signing or trading for another catcher appears urgent.
Carson Kelly could be a strong candidate. Drafted in the second round by the Cardinals in 2012, he was initially blocked by Yadier Molina and played few games in St. Louis before being a key piece in the trade that brought Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks. Kelly had an impressive first season with Arizona, posting a .245/.348/.478 line with 18 home runs over 111 games, but his performance since then has declined. After stints with the Tigers and Rangers, Kelly ended the 2024 season with Texas.
Defensively, Kelly has generally excelled at throwing out runners, though his 31 games with the Rangers in 2024 were an exception. Now 30 years old, Kelly signed a $3.5 million deal with Detroit for 2024, a pay cut from his previous $4.275 million with Arizona.
The Cubs may target a veteran like Kelly as a short-term backup to Amaya, potentially bridging the gap until Moises Ballesteros is MLB-ready in 2026. Kelly could be available for around $2.5 million in 2025, with a mutual option for $3.5 million in 2026 and a $500,000 buyout if the Cubs decide to move on.
