(670 The Score) With All-Star catcher Willson Contreras sidelined for around four weeks with a hamstring strain, the Cubs are in need of some reinforcements behind the plate.
So let's take a look at a few options for them, keeping in mind that waiver trades of players with MLB contracts are no longer allowed in August. So teams must claim players and their contracts directly, sign players who have been released or search for players on minor league deals.
Jonathan Lucroy
Lucroy, 33, was recently designated for assignment and then released by the Angels on Monday. Lucroy is having a down season, hitting .242 with seven homers, 30 RBIs and a .681 OPS in 74 games for the Angels. He also had a concussion that sidelined him for three weeks in July, but the Cubs nonetheless are interested. He has extensive experience, and the Cubs need a veteran presence. Another concern is that his defensive metrics have been awful. Lucroy's seven passed balls are the second-most in the American League, and the Angels are the runaway leaders in wild pitches in MLB. Lucroy has caught 26 percent of would-be base-stealers, just a shade under the MLB average.
Rene Rivera
Rivera, 36, has spent the entire season at Triple-A in the Mets' system. He played 20 games for the Cubs in 2017. He's a poor hitter -- he has a career .220 batting average and .624 OPS -- but is solid defensively and respected by pitchers.
Nick Hundley
Hundley, 35, was recently released by the Athletics. Hundley has been known as an adequate defensive player and is a decent hitter for his position, with a career .247 batting average and .703 OPS. He caught a combined 197 games for the Giants in 2017 and 2018. Hundley threw out 21 percent of would-be base-stealers in 2018, which was below league average.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
