Willson Contreras makes bold prediction about Chicago Cubs future

Chicago Cubs starting catcher Willson Contreras is collecting all of his roses this week as he is set to be the starting catcher for the National League in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Much like last season with Kris Bryant, Contreras is representing the Cubs while likely playing his final games with the organization.

Contreras figures to be among the most valuable trade chips on the trade market this season considering his value as a catcher and as a potential designated hitter for teams that already have a starting catcher in place.

Despite the overwhelming expectation that Contreras will indeed be traded before the Major League Baseball trade deadline on August 2, the Cubs’ catcher offered a different prediction regarding his future with the team.

"“But to be honest I don’t feel like this is gonna be my last [All-Star Game] with a Cubs uniform,” Contreras told reporters at media day for the All-Star Game in Los Angeles. “I don’t know why. I haven’t had talks with the team, I haven’t had anything, but it’s just a feeling that I have that this is not gonna be my last one with the Cubs. It’s something that I’ve been feeling throughout the year.”"

Willson Contreras may have a feeling that he will be a Chicago Cubs’ all-star again after Tuesday night but the reality is that he will not finish the season with the Cubs.

On the season, Contreras is hitting .253/.366/.455/.821 to go along with 13 home runs and 133 wRC+. Contreras already had value for teams in need of a starting catcher given his arm strength behind the plate but his offensive success this season highlights the potential for a team to acquire Contreras for the purpose of being their designated hitter in the event that they already have a starting catcher in place.

Contreras has no value to the Cubs. The Cubs are not contending in 2022 and they are not going to contend in 2023. Idolizing a player for being a part of a team that won a World Series six years ago has no value in the present day. Contreras likely will not fetch the Cubs a top-50 prospect unless part of a larger, package deal but likely will net the Cubs a top-100 prospect or two. For that reason, the Cubs have to trade Contreras if they want to continue with the reality that their window will open in 2024.

Is it possible that Contreras signs back with the Cubs this off-season after being traded? Anything is possible but note that none of the previous core in Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez signed back with the team last offseason after their respective trades. Contreras may think that he will wear a Cubs uniform at an All-Star game again but reality suggests that it won’t be as an active player.