The Chicago Cubs have faced significant struggles behind the plate this season, a reality that’s been evident to anyone following the team. Cubs catchers have been batting a dismal .199/.246/.305 with a 54 wRC+ in 2024, numbers that are bleak even when taking into account the traditionally lower offensive expectations for the position. The situation is further compounded by their defensive performance; the Cubs’ catchers have amassed -4 Defensive Runs Saved (21st in MLB) and a -6 Fielding Run Value (23rd).
Overall, Miguel Amaya, Christian Bethancourt, Tomás Nido, and Yan Gomes have collectively contributed -0.9 FanGraphs WAR, making them the least productive group in the National League and second-to-last across Major League Baseball. Only the White Sox have seen worse production from their catchers.
Given these challenges, it’s no surprise that the Cubs made a concerted effort to acquire a new catcher before the July 30 trade deadline. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was very proactive in his search for catching talent this summer. One of the key targets was Logan O’Hoppe of the Los Angeles Angels. However, Sharma reports that the Angels were consistently resistant to Hoyer’s trade proposals for their 24-year-old catcher.
This aligns with the Cubs’ known strategy leading up to the trade deadline. The team had previously shown interest in Danny Jansen, widely considered the top catcher available in trade talks. However, Hoyer indicated that his focus was on moves that would benefit the team beyond the 2024 season, aiming for acquisitions that would have long-term value rather than short-term gains. Jansen and Carson Kelly, the other notable catcher moved at the deadline, are set to become free agents this winter, which did not fit the Cubs’ strategy. O’Hoppe, in contrast, is not eligible for arbitration until the 2026 season and won’t reach free agency until after the 2028 season, making him a more attractive option for future stability, similar to Isaac Paredes.
The Angels’ reluctance to trade O’Hoppe makes sense given his recent performance and future potential. O’Hoppe had a breakout season at the plate in 2023, hitting 14 home runs in just 51 games and posting a 113 wRC+. His .264 isolated power ranked second among primary catchers (minimum 150 plate appearances), and his .500 slugging percentage was fourth. In 2024, he has continued to show promise, slashing .260/.320/.435 with a 111 wRC+ over 101 games. Defensively, while O’Hoppe’s metrics are still below average in areas like pitch framing, blocking, and pop time, he has improved significantly from last season. His Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) has improved from -9 in 2023 to -3 in 2024, and his Fielding Run Value (FRV) has similarly improved from -7 to -3. Overall, he has accumulated 1.8 fWAR, ranking 10th among primary catchers.
As the trade deadline passed, the Angels opted to remain conservative, dealing only relievers Carlos Estévez and Luis García. General Manager Perry Minasian’s strategy seemed to focus on moving players on expiring contracts, leaving those with multiple years of control, like O’Hoppe, largely untouched. This approach likely reflects the Angels’ hopes of remaining competitive in the near future.
In the end, the Cubs were unable to secure O’Hoppe and chose to continue with their current roster of catchers: Amaya, Bethancourt, and Nido. Amaya is expected to be the primary catcher, though the team views him as more of a backup option for the future. Bethancourt, who joined the team as a replacement for the injured Nido in late July, has been performing well. Once Nido returns, the Cubs will need to decide whether to keep Nido or Bethancourt as the second-string catcher for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Looking ahead to the offseason, Hoyer will need to address the catching situation. Free agent options will include Jansen, Kelly, Elias Díaz, and Jacob Stallings (if his mutual option with the Rockies is not picked up). Additionally, top catching prospect Moises Ballesteros, although only 20 years old, is a potential future option, though there are concerns about his defensive capabilities. Hoyer will likely continue to explore trade possibilities, but it remains uncertain whether any prominent catchers will be available this winter.
