Willson Contreras

According to Sports Illustrated, the Cubs and Mets are engaged in trade talks to send the All-Star catcher to New York in exchange for prospects. The deal isn't ...

The Cubs will head to San Francisco to start a seven-game road trip after the game, so a deal could get done before Contreras has a chance to return with the team. The deal isn’t done yet, but Contreras certainly knew Tuesday’s game against the Pirates could be his last home game at Wrigley Field. The visibly emotional Contreras had to step out of the box to take in the moment — deservedly so.

Updated Report, 7/26/222, 1:34 p.m. On top of Jeff Passan's earlier report, Sports Illustrated's Pat Ragazzo says the Mets have discussed a ...

There’s certainly plenty to keep an eye on from Passan’s story alone, and we’ll watch the Contreras situation with interest given that there is clear interest there. (The Nats could then flip some of the expiring deals for more assets.) Not only is he solid behind the plate, he’s also a legit slugger and he would inject some much-needed power into the middle of this lineup. One final interesting nugget from Passan is that the Cubs could look to use Contreras as part of a blockbuster package for Nationals superstar Juan Soto. After all, Chicago has some interesting pieces in the likes of relief pitcher David Robertson and switch-hitter Ian Happ as well as a collection of high-end prospects. That leaves Tomás Nido , Patrick Mazeika, and the recently acquired Michael Perez (who was sent to Triple-A), but neither player is a World Series caliber backstop. They also badly need help at catcher with James McCann on the shelf with an oblique injury.

Tuesday afternoon when Chicago concludes its brief two-game matchup against the Pirates at Wrigley Field, it'll almost certainly be the final time Willson ...

Contreras more than deserves that – and you can bet he’ll be lobbying to be in the lineup Tuesday in front of the home faithful. That’s not to say the team couldn’t bring him back in free agency this winter, but that possibility doesn’t weaken the blow in the meantime. As for Contreras, he’s made it clear in no uncertain terms: he wants to be a Cub for life.

Cubs fans showed Willson Contreras their appreciation in what likely is his final home game at Wrigley Field.

Cubs fans didn't get to show fellow 2016 champs Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo appreciation before they were traded last summer. Contreras acknowledged Monday it's been a "tough" few days for him and got emotional speaking to the media after the Cubs' 3-2 win over the Pirates. The Cubs catcher stepped away for a few moments to gather himself, taking off his helmet and taking in the Wrigley landscape.

Contreras said the past couple days have been “tough,” as the trade deadline nears.

Fans periodically shouted, “We love you Willson.” They again rose to their feet in the seventh inning, for his final at-bat of the series, and most remained standing until he disappeared into the dugout. Because he’s a good teammate, he’s a great guy that brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse.” “That makes me feel good,” Contreras said. Contreras stepped away from the batters box and tipped his helmet to the crowd. And to watch him continue to get better, not just as a player, but also as a teammate as a leader. Anthony Rizzo, Javy Báez and Kris Bryant were all in their final year of club control, like Contreras is this year, when the Cubs dealt them at the deadline last season.

One of the most rumored names on the trade market seemed unlikely for the Mets a few weeks ago, but now could be a realistic possibility.

He is a DH fit in games, where the Mets are opposing a left-handed starter. They're still in on Josh Bell as well, but are currently not the frontrunners to acquire him after making at least one trade offer. Contreras could catch on certain days, in which the Mets are facing a right-handed starting pitcher, given newest DH acquisition Daniel Vogelbach mashes righties. He is the best hitting backstop in baseball, and by not taking a beating behind the dish on a regular basis it could possibly make his bat even more productive. The Mets also want to hang onto Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, so that would leave either Ronny Mauricio or Alex Ramirez as potential chips in a hypothetical package. This all depends on which prospects the Mets would have to give up.

In the words of Tom Hanks: Willson! The Cubs are seemingly ready to cast away one of the last pieces of their 2016 championship squad in Willson Contreras.

Sounds like a good catching platoon, especially over the replaceable Kyle Higashioka. Contreras would add instant offense to a unit that's been a little worse than in recent years. Even still, they make for a good landing spot Fellow backstop Austin Wynns wasn't faring much better with the bat, slashing .221/.280/.294 as part of the platoon. Contreras would be a sparkplug for a Mets offense that desperately needs output. A Contreras trade would solidify backstop the rest of the season, though it'd be tricky to figure the fit: Trevino leads the majors in framing runs, though Contreras is the much better offensive catcher. Castro has produced -2 framing runs this year. While Jose Trevino earned his first All-Star bid this year, he's regressed a bit offensively in recent months, playing a bit more to the back of his baseball card. As always with the Rays, there's a question as to whether or not they'd want to add payroll at this point in the season, even for a quality rental. I don't want to get too attached to them, because you never know what's going to happen next week, or this week, in San Francisco. I understand that, I respect that. Knowing everything that's happening around, and I knew it would get to me at some point.

Even with a week to go before the MLB Trade Deadline, today definitely had a bit of “final” feeling to it. The final game at Wrigley Field (at least this ...

The final game at Wrigley Field ( at least this season … ) for Willson Contreras, after 13 years in the organization. And maybe also the final game at Wrigley Field for Ian Happ, about whom the trade buzz has picked up considerably. Contreras, with each of his teammates.

With the trade deadline looming, Willson Contreras was emotional after Monday night's 3-2 Chicago Cubs win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

No one wants to see Contreras leave the Cubs. He has made a major impact on the team for many years, and his inevitable departure is just another reminder of how bad things have gotten in Chicago. You can’t help but feel for the guy. Willson Contreras signed with the Chicago Cubs’ organization as a 17-year-old out of Venezuela in 2009. I love my teammates most, and I don’t want to get too attached with them because you never know what’s going to happen next week or this week, even in San Francisco. But, it’s been a tough, tough, tough couple of days for me.”

Willson Contreras got emotional at the prospect of playing his final games at Wrigley Field as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

I know that I did everything I could to make this team better, from Day One of when i was called up in 2016, and I have a good relationship here. Bryant had his helmet on and was preparing to pinch hit when the game ended, one final loss at Wrigley. “It’s part of the game. “And I love my team,” he continued. “It’s been a tough couple days for me,” Contreras said afterward. “Go Cubs Go” blared for 37,342 fans celebrating the Cubs’ season-high fifth-straight victory.

The catcher and the outfielder, who are likely to be dealt at the trade deadline August 2nd, played in what may be their final game at Wrigley Field as ...

Would the Mets put together a big enough trade package to land Willson Contreras and David Robertson?

(Of course, that is a reason for the Cubs to want to wait as long as possible, or until they get a massive offer from the Mets.) So the Mets might be willing to/wanting to jump the market a bit to get their preferred pieces before the Soto dust settles and other teams start scrambling. So maybe it isn’t realistic to pine for a top 50 prospect in a deal like this in the first place.

The likelihood of Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras being moved before the Aug. 2 deadline remains high, but the three-time All-Star may have to play a ...

He is one of five catchers with at least 100 homers since the start of 2016. Contreras won't cost much in terms of salary for interested teams. He ranks fourth at the position in FanGraphs WAR during that span (minimum 2,000 plate appearances). Only 10 teams have a collective on-base percentage over .300 from their backstops in 2022. Offense is down across MLB this season, with catchers particularly struggling to make an impact. The Cubs have acknowledged Contreras' defensive limitations based on the near equal split of starts he has made at catcher (22) and designated hitter (18) in 40 games since June 1.

Chicago Cubs star Willson Contreras has been heavily focused on in trade rumors, but he may not be the one that ends up traded.

Happ and Contreras are two of the best hitters in Chicago this season. He said he feels “weird” about the thought of going elsewhere. Willson’s been here forever.” -Ian Happ, viaChicago Sun-Times Especially when I’ve been here since 2015. Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras has consistently come up as a target in trade rumors, but outfielder Ian Happ may be a favorite to be traded. Chicago Cubs star Willson Contreras has been heavily focused on in trade rumors, but he may not be the only one to be traded.

CHICAGO -- Willson Contreras waited before he stepped into the batter's box in the first inning on Tuesday afternoon. The Cubs' longtime catcher stood near ...

This is the only team that I know. "This is the team that I've been with for 14 years. "This is the only thing that I know. "If the Cubs get a good package for me to make this team better, they're going to do it," Contreras said. This is the only thing that he knows." This is the only team that I know. In the years since that moment, he has won a World Series, started three All-Star Games and grown into a leader behind the scenes. \"This is the team that I've been with for 14 years. ,"type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12":{"contentDate":"2022-07-26T20:50:21.701Z","description":"Mychal Givens retires Cal Mitchell with a groundout to first base in the top of the 9th, earning the save in the Cubs' 4-2 win","duration":"00:00:49","slug":"mychal-givens-in-play-out-s-to-cal-mitchell","source":null,"tags":[{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.0","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.1","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.2","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.3","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.4","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.5","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.6","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.7","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.8","typename":"Tag"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/bt2o9ilqa9kowsbmzx5r","title":"Mychal Givens earns the save","type":"video","url":"/video/mychal-givens-in-play-out-s-to-cal-mitchell","__typename":"Video"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.0":{"slug":"season-2022","title":"Season 2022","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.1":{"slug":"gamepk-661064","title":"2022/07/26 pit@chc","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.2":{"slug":"playerid-571710","title":"Mychal Givens","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.3":{"slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.4":{"slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.5":{"slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.6":{"slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.7":{"slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.tags.8":{"slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.13":{"content":"With extension talks seemingly stalled and free agency looming, Contreras is now in the same situation. ,"type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10":{"contentDate":"2022-07-26T20:36:37.649Z","description":"Seiya Suzuki tees off on a solo moonshot to left field off Wil Crowe, extending the Cubs' lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th inning","duration":"00:00:45","slug":"wil-crowe-in-play-run-s-to-seiya-suzuki","source":null,"tags":[{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.0","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.1","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.2","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.3","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.4","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.5","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.6","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.7","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.8","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.9","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.10","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.11","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.12","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.13","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.14","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.15","typename":"Tag"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/kd8lw65esrviuqt6rozf","title":"Seiya Suzuki's solo moonshot","type":"video","url":"/video/wil-crowe-in-play-run-s-to-seiya-suzuki","__typename":"Video"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.0":{"slug":"season-2022","title":"Season 2022","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.1":{"slug":"gamepk-661064","title":"2022/07/26 pit@chc","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.2":{"slug":"playerid-673548","title":"Seiya Suzuki","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.3":{"slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.4":{"slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.5":{"slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.6":{"slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.7":{"slug":"group-9","title":"group 9","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.8":{"slug":"home-run","title":"home run","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.9":{"slug":"wow","title":"wow","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.10":{"slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.11":{"slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.12":{"slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.13":{"slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.14":{"slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.15":{"slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.11":{"content":"\"He's a big part of that championship,\" Cubs manager David Ross said, \"and has been a really good player for a really long time. ... We'll see what happens.\"","type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16":{"contentDate":"2022-07-26T20:22:08.367Z","description":"Willson Contreras strikes out in what could be his final Wrigley Field at-bat as a member of the Cubs, after a huge ovation in the 7th","duration":"00:01:10","slug":"willson-contreras-strikes-out-swinging-bf8bb8","source":null,"tags":[{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.0","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.1","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.2","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.3","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.4","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.5","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.6","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.7","typename":"Tag"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/owah30iwglha9bfficbp","title":"Contreras' 7th inning at-bat","type":"video","url":"/video/willson-contreras-strikes-out-swinging-bf8bb8","__typename":"Video"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.0":{"slug":"season-2022","title":"Season 2022","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.1":{"slug":"gamepk-661064","title":"2022/07/26 pit@chc","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.2":{"slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.3":{"slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.4":{"slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.5":{"slug":"playerid-575929","title":"Willson Contreras","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.6":{"slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.16.tags.7":{"slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.17":{"content":"Before his final at-bat in the seventh, Contreras received an even louder reaction from the crowd. This is the only thing that he knows.\"","type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8":{"contentDate":"2022-07-26T23:34:23.772Z","description":"Ian Happ and Willson Contreras open up about the trade rumors surrounding them and what could have been their final home game as Cubs","duration":"00:02:30","slug":"happ-contreras-on-cubs-rumors","source":null,"tags":[{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.0","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.1","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.2","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.3","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.4","typename":"Tag"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/qeurz5u6jagnodeowuux","title":"Happ, Contreras on Cubs, rumors","type":"video","url":"/video/happ-contreras-on-cubs-rumors","__typename":"Video"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.0":{"slug":"gamepk-661064","title":"2022/07/26 pit@chc","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.1":{"slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.2":{"slug":"playerid-664023","title":"Ian Happ","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.3":{"slug":"playerid-575929","title":"Willson Contreras","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.4":{"slug":"interview","title":"interview","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"willson-contreras-last-game-at-wrigley-field-before-trade-deadline\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.9":{"content":"During that first inning, as the fans offered an ovation and continued to roar, Contreras hoisted his helmet high into the air and waved to his audience.

Willson Contreras was showered with love on what might be his final day as a Chicago Cub at Wrigley Field.

While he always was well-liked, it wasn’t until Rizzo, Bryant and Javier Báez were dealt that Contreras became the most popular player on the team. Maddon, who was so close with Contreras some called the catcher “Joe’s son,” helped build the rookie’s confidence. He’s going to be here many years and he’s going to be really good.” “He’s young, he’s learning,” Maddon said that July. “You keep him fresh mentally and physically, and he’s going to look like that all year. “That was the floor,” then-team President Theo Epstein said. He’s obviously playing himself into a position to take on real responsibility and help the team win. Many have forgotten he received sparse playing time in his first month with the Cubs, playing behind Miguel Montero and Ross, who was Jon Lester’s personal catcher. From homering on the first pitch he saw in 2016 to his frequent spats with the rival Milwaukee Brewers, Contreras’ Cubs career had been anything but dull. He received another standing O before his final at-bat in the seventh, and pumped his fist before striking out to end the inning. Because of the pandemic, Jon Lester’s last game in a Cubs uniform came in front of an empty stadium during the 2020 postseason. Sammy Sosa walked out on his team at the start of the final game of 2004 and was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason, never to return to the ballpark he once owned. “It makes me feel like if I have to walk away from this team, I’m going to walk away with my head up high,” he said.

Longtime Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, who along with Ian Happ could be traded before the deadline, received several standing ovations Tuesday in ...

Contreras was given several standing ovations throughout the afternoon as he came to the plate. "Getting traded to a team that is competing is good," he said. "It's not up to me," Contreras said. Before his last at-bat, in the eighth inning, he took time to survey Wrigley Field as the crowd's cheers came to a crescendo. Contreras said he'd be willing to look at a long-term offer if the Cubs approached him with one, but that hasn't happened. And I'll be more than happy to help a different team to make it to the World Series. If [a trade] doesn't happen I'll be more than happy to stay here with my teammates and try to find a way to make everyone better."

Willson Contreras felt the love from Cubs fans in what likely was his final home game at Wrigley Field.

I love how the fans embrace myself and how much they love me. “They know how much I care about business. “I tried to enjoy it as much as I could and take it all in.

With the Cubs about to embark on a seven-game road trip and the MLB trade deadline a week away, it's likely that Willson Contreras has played his final game ...

The 27-year-old outfielder put his cap over his heart and waved to the fans in the outfield before jogging off the field. Happ, who made his Cubs debut in 2017, went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. I love you all.” I respect that.” “It’s been a tough couple days for me,” Contreras told reporters on Monday. “I’m trying to appreciate everything Wrigley Field is, thinking about all the memories that I have here since 2016. Contreras is one of just six remaining players from Chicago’s 2016 World Series team.

Contreras and closer David Robertson reportedly would be included in a package deal to the Mets for a haul of prospects.

The reports of the Cubs moving on from Contreras and Happ seem to have been corroborated during Chicago's game vs. It's also worth noting that both Contreras and Happ are pending free agents and would be rental pieces for new teams. That would make him more of a DH/corner bat presence with the ability to catch if needed. And earlier Tuesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that teams interested in Contreras have had misgivings about playing him at catcher. "I love how the fans embrace myself," he said, per MLB.com. "That makes me feel good. According to a report from Sports Illustrated's Pat Ragazzo, All-Star catcher Willson Contreras is part of a trade package that has been proposed to the Mets. He and closer David Robertson would go to New York for a haul of prospects.

Cubs All-Stars Willson Contreras and Ian Happ are expected to be traded before the Cubs return home from a seven-game road trip.

It makes me feel good if I have to walk away from this team I’m going to walk away with my head up high because I know that I did everything that I could to make this team better from Day 1 when I got called up in 2016.” “It was amazing,” said Contreras, who teared up again talking about it Tuesday — less than 18 hours after similar emotion hit him talking after Monday night’s game. This is the only thing that Ian knows.” “I was going to stay out there and take it in. This is the only thing that I know. “But Willson,” he added.

The two Cubs All-Stars possibly played their last home game on Tuesday ahead of MLB's trade deadline.

If, or when, Contreras leaves Chicago, this will make Jason Heyward and Kyle Hendricks the last two Cubs players left from the 2016 World Series team. Happ is averaging .282/.366/.446 with nine home runs, 44 runs and 96 hits. So far this season, Contreras is averaging .258/.373/.470 with 14 home runs, 51 runs and 78 hits. Then, Chicago will travel to St. Louis on the same day as the trade deadline. It was an emotional day for them, to say the least. The Cubs will now head to San Francisco to face the Giants in a four-game series.

Trade candidates Ian Happ and Willson Contreras were the last people in the Cubs' dugout after Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

“I wanted to be out there and take that in. "It was a really cool moment for both [of us]. He was emotional after Monday’s game discussing what will transpire by next week.

Both players, who may be traded away at the August 2nd trade deadline, each had emotional sendoffs in potentially their final home games as members of the ...

In what could be their final home game together, Willson Contreras and Ian Happ shared an emotional hug in the Cubs dugout on Tuesday.

So, yeah, it’s no wonder Tuesday’s game was a bittersweet moment for the pair with the trade deadline just days away. After Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, cameras caught Contreras and Happ sharing quite the emotional hug in Chicago’s dugout. The 2022 MLB trade deadline is fast approaching and Willson Contreras and Ian Happ may have played their last home game with the Chicago Cubs.

It's officially Hug Watch Season as the Cubs embark on a road trip to San Francisco and St. Louis.

“And I’ll be more than happy to help a different team to get to the World Series. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll be more than happy to stay here with my teammates and try to find a way to make everyone better and keep being a leader, on and off the field. “I know that I did everything I could to make this team better from Day 1 when I got called up in 2016.” “This is the team that I’ve been with for 14 years,” Contreras said. It’s officially Hug Watch Season as the Cubs embark on a road trip to San Francisco and St. Louis that will take them beyond the trade deadline. “This is business,” Contreras said. When president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer traded away Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Báez at last year’s deadline, Contreras saw an opportunity to show more of his personality and become the player the Cubs would build around for the future. Before his first at-bat at 1:28 p.m., someone in the announced crowd of 30,978 yelled, “We love you, Willson!” Contreras tipped his helmet and acknowledged the loud cheers before knocking the first pitch he saw from Bryse Wilson into center field for a single. Contreras saluted the fans behind home plate in the seventh inning when the crowd gave him a standing ovation before his final at-bat (a swinging strikeout) as the designated hitter. The Cubs were on Year 101 without a World Series title when Contreras signed with the organization in the summer of 2009. Contreras has spent nearly half of his life in the Cubs organization, spanning different ownership groups, multiple bosses in baseball operations and several boom-or-bust cycles. Contreras wiped his forehead with his left hand and exhaled deeply as he answered that question. The 17-year-old prospect out of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, received a $100,000 bonus on the strength of his athleticism, defensive versatility and offensive potential.

The New York Mets (60-37) have a two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves (59-40) in the National League East and are talking with the Chicago Cubs about ...

According to Spotrac, Contreras is making $9.625 million this year and will be a free agent after the season. The Cubs signed Robertson in March to a one-year contract. Contreras, an All-Star catcher, has been linked to the Mets for weeks now as the Aug. 2 trade deadline approaches. The 30-year-old Contreras is hitting .258 with 14 home runs and 37 RBI this season. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. He missed all of the 2020 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The market will keep evolving over the next few days, but one thing has held pretty steady so far: Willson Contreras is the best rental bat available.

The bat is legit, but teams don’t always want to pay premium prices for any starting catcher at midseason because of the potential disruption with the pitching staff. At some point, the enormous difference between the bats of a “plus defensive” catchers and Contreras is too great to ignore. Maybe that’s not a “starting catcher,” but it’s a heckuva lot more than a pure bat who can just very barely catch. We know that there is hard-to-statistically-analyze value associated with game-calling and in-game adjustments, for which Contreras has not been celebrated as top tier (hey, don’t confuse that with saying Contreras is a BAD game-caller – only that, while some guys constantly get hype on that front, we haven’t really heard it much about Contreras over the years). Some of this is clearly overstated by teams that don’t want to pony up, or that want to scare off other bidders. It’s whether his new team keeps him at the position where he has played more than 90% of his games.

The bear hug in the dugout between Willson Contreras and Ian Happ on Tuesday afternoon sure felt symbolically like watching Cubs fans preparing to bid ...

Smyly is being paid $4.25 million this year, and the contract has a club option for 2023. He has 49 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings this year, with a 2.72 ERA and 3.95 FIP. Will he bring back a big return? He’s having his best season in the bigs; he already has a career-best 2.9 bWAR, to go with a .366 on-base percentage and 127 OPS+. His power is down a little bit, with only nine homers in 95 games, after 25 in 148 games last year. Need to know: He might not be a youngster at this point in his career — he turned 30 in May — but Contreras is still one of the best catchers in the bigs. Need to know: The Robertson signing raised plenty of eyebrows when announced by the Cubs, mostly by people who were surprised that he was still in the league. He won’t command an elite prospect but the Cubs will have lots of interested teams asking about him. He can play center field in addition to the corner spots, which is probably more important to teams considering a Happ trade. Happ is under club control through the end of the 2023 season, a final year of arbitration eligibility. It’s not quite the same as his former teammate Kris Bryant, who could have been a full-time starter at either corner infield spot or in the outfield. Since the start of the 2020 season, Happ has started exactly four of his 300 games on the infield. Which is, of course, completely inexcusable for the Cubs, with all the resources they have in hand. A year after the trade-o-rama sent Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez out of Chicago, Cubs fans are braced for yet another sell-off.

The Chicago Cubs find themselves 17 games under .500 entering Thursday's opener of a four-game series in San Francisco, but have won six straight following ...

The fact the Cubs waited nearly six weeks to provide information on the status of one of their top pitching prospects suggests Hoyer still has work to do to overcome criticism he’s received in his plan to build the “next great Cubs team.” That’s their prerogative, but it also means he’s likely to be dealt on the upcoming seven-game road trip to San Francisco and St. Louis. Then Monday, vice president of player development Jared Banner told reporters that Marquez underwent a surgical debridement on his left shoulder on June 17 and would miss the rest of the season. He’s not only been shopped by the Cubs but is one of their primary trade chips after Contreras and Ian Happ, who has drawn the most interest according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. There’s no real need for the Cubs to risk injuring one of their top trade chips at this point. Yet Marquee Sports, the Cubs’ own TV network, treated Contreras’ expected final game at Wrigley Field Tuesday as if it was a solemn day for the organization. “That’s a great assessment, and the outside perspective is always fun to hear,” Ross replied. One of Ross’ duties is to sell hope to Cubs fans. But injuries and COVID-19 kept him out of action after his one major league appearance in 2020. The Cubs find themselves 17 games under .500 entering Thursday’s opener of a four-game series in San Francisco but have won six straight following a nine-game losing streak. Zimmer then got a small piece of cardboard and wrote “TALENT” on it. We’ve got guys that know how to win, guys learning how to be successful and win.