Cubs, two-time All-Star C Willson Contreras avoid arbitration, agree to one-year, $9.6 million contract
Just over two months ago when the Chicago Cubs opened their 2022 season, it was reported that the team was planning to go to an in-season arbitration hearing with two-time All-Star catcher Willson Contreras. That arbitration hearing was scheduled for Thursday, but won't be needed.
ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers added that according to a source of his, there was no "meaningful discussion" about a contract extension, but it "doesn't mean there won't be". Contreras -- who will be a free agent after this season -- is currently leading the Cubs in runs scored (35), on-base percentage (.403), slugging percentage (.530) and OPS (.933), while ranking second in home runs (10), walks (24) and batting average (.277).
The Venezuelan backstop signed with Chicago as an amateur free agent in July 2009 as a 17-year-old and made his big-league debut in June 2016. Contreras recorded 12 home runs, 35 RBI and a .282/.357.488 slash line across 252 at-bats in 76 games that year as a rookie before hitting 21 home runs and collecting a still career high 74 RBIs in 2017.
The 30-year-old played in a career-high 138 games in 2018 and posted a career-best 27 doubles and 118 hits while making his first All-Star team. 2019 was possibly Contreras' finest season thus far, as he made another All-Star squad and posted career-best numbers in home runs (24), slugging percentage (.533) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.888).
He hit seven home runs and had 26 RBI, while producing a career-low .246 batting average in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and then finished 2021 with 21 home runs, 57 RBI and a .237/.340/.438 slash line.
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