Cubs, Catcher Carson Kelly ‘Making Progress’ on Deal

The Cubs went into the offseason needing to upgrade their depth at catcher and there’s really only one obvious option left after Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen signed elsewhere. That would be Carson Kelly, with whom multiple outlets have reported the Cubs are close to signing. Projections for the 30-year-old backstop have him getting two years at the $7-9 million AAV range, though he may have a little leverage at this point.

Kelly was tied for 12th with 21 runners caught stealing last season, but everyone with a higher number logged at least 93 more innings behind the plate. That defense will help to offset his career 85 wRC+, though he did post a 99 last season en route to 1.8 fWAR. Along with Matt Thaiss, the Cubs solidified their organizational depth at a position of need both in Chicago and Iowa.

Jed Hoyer figures to be active in his effort to build a stronger bullpen as well, with former Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan looming as a probable target. We recently looked at Finnegan and former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano as fits for the Cubs following non-tenders from their respective teams, and Roman just agreed to a deal with the Phillies. Finnegan has lots of late-inning experience and fits Hoyer’s preference for short-term reliever deals since he’s in his last year of arbitration-eligibility.