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Cubs catcher in 'strong position' to land excellent free agent contract
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- Cubs catcher in 'strong position' to land excellent free agent contract
Cubs catcher in 'strong position' to land excellent free agent contract originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Chicago Cubs could lose a valuable member of their lineup during the offseason.
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FanSided's Robert Murray listed the catcher as an "under-the-radar" impending free agent.
Backstop Carson Kelly is in the second year of a two-year deal with the Cubs. His contract includes a mutual option for 2027.
"This winter, Carson Kelly is in a position to capitalize. He has a mutual option for 2027, but those are never exercised, meaning he will become a free agent," Murray wrote last week.
"He's performed very well in back-to-back years, hitting .254/.336/.404 with 25 home runs and 95 RBI, and should be in a strong position to land a multi-year deal in free agency," he added.
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Kelly is an 11-year veteran who has been a good source of power for a catcher throughout his career.
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He hit 18 homers in 2019 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and totaled 17 in his first season with the Cubs.
On defense, Kelly is a superb blocker but ranks near the bottom of the Majors in pop time.
The second-round draft pick in 2012 just turned 32 in July, meaning he may have just a few more years before he fully transitions to first base.
