Here’s another catcher the Cubs could sign.
Warning! Warning!
I’m writing this article even though it’s going to be about a catcher who has just had a career year at age 34.
That should bring up all the possible red flags. You know that the Cubs just had a catcher who had a spectacular year at age 36, not a career year but one of his better ones, prompting Jed Hoyer to exercise a contract option on Yan Gomes, who promptly had 34 of the worst games of his life in 2024, leading to his release.
Could the same thing happen to Kyle Higashioka? Yes, absolutely, positively.
But let’s look at him anyway.
Higashioka batted .220/.263/.476 in 84 games for the Padres in 2024, with a career-high 17 home runs. The SLG and his .739 OPS were also career highs, and he stole two bases — the first steals of his career. He was also a good defender, with positive defensive WAR value. He was about league-average in throwing out runners trying to steal, and has had years better than that.
It’s odd that Higashioka established one level of play in over 300 games with the Yankees (.647 OPS), then demolished it in his first year in San Diego. Fluke, or could he maybe do this for another year or two?
Remember, the Cubs (presumably) are only looking for a partner for one year, maybe two, for Miguel Amaya until (presumably) Moises Ballesteros is ready to play in the major leagues.
Higashioka made $2.18 million for the Padres in 2024.
So how about this? $3.5 million for 2025 and a $4.5 million mutual option for 2026, with a $500,000 buyout. That wouldn’t be unreasonable, I don’t think.
Who says no?