Cubs’ top catcher Willson Contreras will be staying in Chicago after agreeing to a $9.625 million contract on Thursday.
The deal is reportedly right within the midpoint of the Cubs’ $9 million and Contreras’ $10.25 million arbitration proposals according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
By virtue of signing the deal, the Venezuelan catcher will automatically avoid arbitration. The arbitration process was put on hold by the 99-day Major League Baseball lockout during the offseason.
Contreras is playing his final year under arbitration, making him eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season if the sides don’t agree to a contract extension.
The 30-year-old is having one of the best years of his career, leading all MLB catchers with 10 home runs. He is currently ranked 53rd on the Baseball Savant catcher-framing leader board.
In his career, Contreras has been named to the All-Star team twice and has averaged a career slash line of .260/.353/.463 with 105 home runs across 668 appearances.