After seven years of having the same player behind home plate, the Chicago Cubs decided to go in a different direction following the 2022 season.
They did not heavily pursue Wilson Contreras in free agency despite him being their everyday catcher for the past seven seasons.
The Cubs let him go to their division rival St. Louis Cardinals, where he signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract.
Chicago used Yan Gomes as their everyday catcher in 2023, putting more of an emphasis on defense and pitch sequencing. The 38-year-old did a good job in that role and became a leader of the clubhouse.
But, he won't have too many more years behind the plate and has a club option in his contract after the 2024 season.
So, do the Cubs have their franchise catcher currently on the roster?
There's a chance Miguel Amaya turns into that type of player for them.
The 24-year-old was called up to their MLB roster in May before being sent down to Triple-A eight days later.
He once again got an opportunity with Chicago in early June and was kept on the team ever since that call-up.
Amaya didn't have a season to write home about statistically.
He had a slash line of .214/.329/.359 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 53 games.
Remember though, the Cubs were willing to sacrifice offense for better defensive performances at the catcher position. That's why they let Contreras walk.
Baseball Savant measures defense of players compared to the league average. Amaya was below average in blocks and runners caught stealing during his limited time behind home plate, but would have been average in framing if he qualified.
Gomes took the young catcher under his wing during the 2023 season. Whether another year of tutelage can help Amaya become an elite defensive catcher like Gomes is unknown, but it seems like the 24-year-old will get more opportunities to prove what he can do next season.
Better defense and more production at the plate could have Amaya holding Chicago's catcher position for a while.
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