Cubs Sign Catcher Christian Bethancourt to Split-Level Contract

[Jason Ross]

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a split-level contract with free agent catcher Christian Bethancourt, which would pay the player $1,600,000 if he is on the major league roster. The catcher spent his most recent season in the Toronto Blue Jays' system, appearing in 58 games with their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, where he struggled with a 42 wRC+.

Despite his struggles in 2025, Bethancourt had a successful stint with the Chicago Cubs the year prior, after being acquired from the Miami Marlins. He would go on to post a .281/.305/.509 line, smashing three home runs and finishing with a 125 wRC+ in 59 plate appearances. 

Bethancourt is not being signed with an eye toward starting with the major league club, as the team projects to have Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya (as he returns from injury) man the backstop. However, as we saw with Amaya last year, you can never count out a rash of injuries at the position, which will strengthen the organization's depth there. This contract will allow the Cubs to stash their new signing in Iowa and have him serve as a "break glass in case of emergency" type of player.

It's true that the club also has top prospect Moises Ballesteros available at the position, but he's still a work-in-progress defensively. He may be able to make a lot of strides over the winter, or he may still need work. With as many as 40-man spots on the team, they can afford this kind of luxury, having a few different options to choose from. If everything goes to plan, you'd hope you'll never need him, but having someone capable of playing the position is always important, as the team has learned in previous seasons. 

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What do you think of Christian Bethancourt? Do you think he's a good addition as a third- or fourth-option at the position organizationally? Let us know in the comments below!

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[Victor Reichman]

I believe Reese is still a FA. He did well in a back up role with the Cubs. Seemed to work well with our staff and had some power. Unless his demand was high, I don't know why they didn't prefer him.

[Jason Ross]

21 minutes ago, Victor Reichman said:

I believe Reese is still a FA. He did well in a back up role with the Cubs. Seemed to work well with our staff and had some power. Unless his demand was high, I don't know why they didn't prefer him.

McGuire probably believes he can get an actual MLB backup position, where as Bethancourt will spend his time in Iowa first and foremost. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

If I'm Bethancourt, I would've held out for more of a ranch style contract.

[Guest]

I think he's a good addition to the team in terms of backups, because he could stabilize the team in that regard with catching, although he might not go to the majors immediately. That being said, I do think that the Cubs are indefinitely stalling towards making bigger moves, especially since the situation at the bullpen is becoming more and more tense.

The Cubs have a large swath of revenue at their disposal. But with Hoyer not spending as much as the already-insignificant budgets that Ricketts is dictating, their willingness to engage with free agents and trades is disturbing, especially in the case of Tatsuya Imai, for example. Furthermore, their idea of change--in other words, less contract term length--is dropping behind the MLB average, which is a key marker of team sustainability. Instead of signing one-year contracts, the Cubs should sign Imai, secure Hoerner (to stabilize the infield), and seriously consider Happ, Imanaga, etc. Their contract with Swanson a few years ago was a milestone (an anomaly, even), but they should continue to consider the viability of the long term in order to secure stability and future growth. 

Edited December 24, 2025 by The Cubs Dude