Cubs Sign Catcher Christian Bethancourt to Split-Level Contract

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.

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. 

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

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.