"As first reported by Jon Heyman, the Cubs have signed catcher Christian Bethancourt to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.6 million if he makes the team. The 34-year-old's last big league action came with the Cubs in 2024, when he slashed .281/.305/.509 with a 125 wRC+ over 59 plate appearances over the last two months of the season."
"With Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya slotted in as the club's main catchers, Bethancourt provides much-needed organizational depth. The Cubs had no catchers who looked like guarantees for Iowa's Triple-A roster before this move, so it's very possible they'll keep adding. Carlos Perez looked like Crash Davis for the I-Cubs this past season, putting up a .944 OPS with 27 homers as a 35-year-old journeyman, but he signed a minor league deal with the Astros."
Christian Bethancourt signed a minor league deal with the Cubs that pays $1.6 million if he makes the major-league roster. The 34-year-old last played in MLB for the Cubs in 2024, slashing .281/.305/.509 with a 125 wRC+ over 59 plate appearances in the final two months. Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya are the primary catchers, while Bethancourt adds veteran organizational depth. Iowa's Triple-A catching depth lacked clear guarantees, Carlos Perez signed elsewhere after a .944 OPS season, and Moises Ballesteros remains a candidate for Chicago or DH focus. The signing mitigates injury risk at the MLB level.
Read at Cubsinsider
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