Rays Sign Cubs Free Agent Target Danny Jansen

Well, this is certainly disappointing. While a few other catchers had gone off the board the Chicago Cubs were still reportedly in the market for the top free agent at the position. They were linked to Danny Jansen early in the offseason and on Thursday another local report said Jansen was definitely on the team's radar.

Sadly, it appears as though the Cubs did not close the deal for Jansen, who is reportedly signing with the Tampa Bay Rays. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the 29-year-old is signing a one-year contract worth $8.5 million. The deal also includes a mutual option for the 2026 season.

Catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $8.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for a second season, sources tell ESPN. Jansen, who has played in Toronto and Boston, remains in the AL East. On it: @ByRobertMurray and @TBTimes_Rays.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2024

The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma confirmed that the Cubs were indeed in the mix for Jansen, but obviously could not get the catcher to join them on their terms.

Heard Cubs were in the mix but obviously didn't get this done. https://t.co/JbOD5D0MRu

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) December 6, 2024

First time I've felt that the Cubs truly missed on not signing a free agent who could fit nicely on the roster. The quality of catchers available in free agency is dwindling. Carson Kelly is another name the Cubs have been connected to this offseason.

(Previous Update)

The Chicago Cubs currently have two catchers on their 40-man roster, Miguel Amaya and Matt Thaiss, so umm yeah, they need to acquire another one. While a few other intriguing options have already found new homes, Travis d'Arnaud with the Los Angeles Angels and Kyle Higashioka with the Texas Rangers, the top free agent catcher remains available and the Cubs are reportedly interested in him.

According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs have Danny Jansen and Carson Kelly on their radar, looking to upgrade their catcher position among other things as the team prepares for the Winter Meetings next week.

Via 670 The Score.

At the Winter Meetings, the Cubs will be seeking a catcher and bullpen help. Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen are a pair of catchers on the team’s radar.
The Cubs talked at length with the Blue Jays about Jansen last July before he was traded to the Red Sox.

You can read about the relievers the Cubs are interested in here.

In 2024, Cubs catchers were worth -0.2 fWAR, tied for the third-least valuable catcher group in baseball. On offense, they combined for a 69 wRC+ and that was thanks to Amaya's resurgence in the second half. Sure, Moises Ballesteros is currently a catching prospect ranked near the top of the team's farm system. Yet, at 20-years-old, he's probably a few years away from actually being trusted to handle an MLB pitching staff and even at that point Ballesteros has to prove he can be good enough defensively to stick at the position.

There should be no hesitation from the Cubs this offseason when pursuing a catcher and while Kelly would be adequate enough to pair up with Amaya in 2025, how about the Cubs actually go after the top free agent option this time around?

Danny Jansen

Danny Jansen had a brutal 2024 season, ending the year with an 89 wRC+ in 328 plate appearances. Funny that in what was Jansen's worst full-year performance since 2019, his 2024 results still outperformed Cubs catchers by a significant margin. But I don't want Jansen because he's only better than last season's disaster of a catching situation, I want him because Jansen actually has upside and a track record to back the optimism.

From 2021-23, Jansen played in 70, 72 and 86 games for the Toronto Blue Jays and while not playing every day he still posted a 6.1 fWAR in those three seasons. The right-handed hitter combined to slash .237/.317/.487, a 121 wRC+ and hit 43 home runs in 754 plate appearances across those three years in Toronto.

I'll take more stock into those three straight years of success over the down 2024 season that Jansen had.

Behind the plate Jansen isn't a stud by any means, average arm, OK framing numbers and decent blocking pitches in the dirt. At 29-years-old and coming off the down season, Jansen is projected to sign a short deal, two years for $8-10 million per season. The Cubs should be all about creating less certainty when it comes to one of their worst offensive positions.

So, it's encouraging to see that the team does have Jansen on their radar. Obviously closing the deal is a story for another day. Hopefully.