Roster Move: Cubs sign veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt

Kamil Krzaczynski - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 2 hours ago

When it comes to overall depth signings, the Chicago Cubs have been the masters of depth pickups the past few seasons. That was especially crucial last season when you look at how many injuries the Cubs sustained over the course of the season. One of their biggest injuries was to Miguel Amaya, who was not only out for three months with an oblique injury but also returned for one game before injuring his ankle and missing the remainder of the season.

His loss was a massive blow to the Cubs, but had it not been for Reese McGuire, who the Cubs added as a depth pickup last season, there is no telling where this team would've been. McGuire not only came up to replace Amaya but was never sent down again, hitting .228 for the season and recording nine homers in the playing time he was given.

He was one of those players who would be a difficult decision when it came to rounding out the roster for next season, and the Cubs elected to let him test free agency with the hopes of landing a new deal. His loss will be felt, but instead of letting it linger too long, the Cubs turned around and added a former friend to fill his spot as veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt. The Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract for the 2026 season.

The deal is a complex one, as he can make up to $1.6 million if he makes the major league roster, but would also be in line to make somewhere in the $700-800K range if he stays in the majors. Considering the production they got from McGuire last season, the hope would be for Bethancourt to do the same, but the Cubs hope they don't need to use him long-term, because that would mean Amaya or Carson Kelly would've gone down.

Similar to McGuire, the now 34-year-old Bethancourt is a longtime MLB veteran who has bounced between organizations and was with the Cubs in 2024.

Bethancourt opened the season with the Marlins that year, hitting .159 with two homers and seven RBIs, only to be released in May.

Once that happened, the Cubs pounced on the opportunity to bring him in, and it immediately paid off in a big way. In just seven games with the Iowa Cubs, Bethancourt hit a measly .192 with no homers and two RBIs. It was then that the Cubs chose to release Yan Gomes after an ugly start, as Bethancourt was called up to back up Amaya for the rest of the season.

Not seen as a starter, Bethancourt knew what his role would be, but wound up seeing more playing time than even he expected as he produced about as well as you could've asked for during his time on the Northside. In 24 games with the Cubs, not only did Bethancourt hold his own with a .281 average, but he connected for three homers and 15 RBIs, which is far better than most backup catchers can do.

Seven of those 15 RBIs came in one game against the Pirates, but take that away, and he was still a productive backup who gave the Cubs a boost down the stretch. Despite his offense taking significant steps forward that season, Bethancourt has never been known as an offense-minded guy. His 229 career average would indicate that.

He, instead, has always been known for his defense, especially his cannon of an arm behind the plate as the Cubs needed him to help neutralize the running game in 2024. Once his season came to an end, Bethancourt was hopeful to return to Chicago, but instead signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays organization with an invite to Spring.

After failing to make the team, Bethancourt was sent to AAA Buffalo, where he proceeded to hit .173 in 58 games with seven homers and 21 RBIs, only to be cut before the season was over. A free agent once again this offseason, Bethancourt is returning to an organization where he last played in the MLB in 2024 and is coming in as a veteran to help mentor the young players.

That alone is often overlooked in today's game, as Bethancourt has always thrived on mentoring young players, a role that should continue for the Cubs in 2026. Look for him to get plenty of playing time in AAA to begin the season while the Cubs assess what to do from there based on his performance and that of other guys.