Cubs’ Carson Kelly, Added In Minor Move, Is Having Major Impact

Carson Kelly signed with the Cubs last December, only hours after Jed Hoyer had acquired Kyle Tucker from the Astros. Suffice it to say his addition didn’t receive a lot of attention at the time.

Here’s how the Athletic viewed Kelly, who was signed after the Cubs had seen their other targets, Travis d’Arnaud (Angels) and Danny Jansen (Rays) sign elsewhere:

“Kelly figures to be a co-starter with young catcher Miguel Amaya as the Cubs try to upgrade a position group that was among the worst in the game for parts of last season. Amaya made significant in-season adjustments, though, hitting .271 with a .761 OPS after the All-Star break while continuing to build trust with pitchers. Still, with their catching options dwindling, the Cubs had to make a move.’’

Amaya was the Cubs’ Opening Day starter but Kelly started the second game in that series against the Dodgers in Tokyo, then had a five-RBI game on March 31, in his third start. He followed that up with a three-run homer in his first start at Wrigley Field and steadily hit his way into the middle of the order.

The cost to add the 30-year-old Kelly was $11.5 million over two seasons, with a $7.5-million mutual option for 2027. That looks like one of the best bargains in last winter’s free-agent market, especially with Amaya expected to miss four-six weeks with a strained left oblique.

Amaya, who was having a nice season himself (.280 with four homers, 25 RBI and an .818 OPS in 27 games), injured himself making a throw on May 24. The Cubs promoted veteran Reese McGuire to back up Kelly. McGuire was signed to a minor-league contract in January and was hitting .280 with an .827 OPS at Triple-A Iowa.

Kelly had accrued 5.9 fWAR in his first nine seasons. Fangraphs’ calculations have him at 1.5 through 38 games this season. Despite being in a time-share with Amaya for most of the season, he ranks behind only the Dodgers’ Will Smith among National League catchers in fWAR.

Look for Kelly to receive strong consideration for next month’s All-Star Game. He is batting .268 with nine homers and a .913 OPS through Wednesday and, per Statcast, is doing an average job behind the plate (despite a -1 grade for framing).

Kelly’s contract pays him $5 million in 2025 and ’26, and includes a $1.5 million buyout for the ’27 option. He will add $250,000 if he starts 81 games and another $250,000 for 91 starts.

With bat-first prospect Moises Ballesteros crushing the ball in Triple-A (.333 with six homers and an .886 OPS), the Cubs are positioned to possibly trade a catcher. But they’re rightfully focused on the postseason after a 38-23 start, making the surplus most likely an issue for the off-season, not the mid-season trade deadline.

They’re in the enviable position of having depth at the catcher’s spot. That’s a significant edge they picked up without having to spend heavily.