The Chicago Cubs have non-tendered one of their unsung heroes from the 2025 season as veteran catcher Reese McGuire is now a free agent.
McGuire may not have put up eye-popping numbers while filling in for Miguel Amaya, but he was solid enough throughout his tenure, maintaining his backup role since the end of May through the Cubs' postseason run.
The 30-year-old played in 44 games with the Cubs, posted a .688 OPS and hit nine home runs in 140 plate appearances. Those nine home runs were a new career high in a single season for McGuire, who has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.
It's kind of crazy how life works out sometimes because at one point in 2025, McGuire asked for his release by the organization while at Triple-A and eventually he returned to play for the Iowa Cubs. Then, a few days later Amaya suffered an injury and suddenly McGuire was called up to become the new backup for the Cubs and what a debut it was for the catcher.
(Previous Update)
Turns out there wasn't a better opportunity out there for recently released Reese McGuire. The 30-year-old catcher was let go by the organization last week and on Thursday he returned, agreeing to a minor league deal.
McGuire has been assigned to Triple-A, where he's played in 21 games with the Iowa Cubs so far in 2025.
Iowa Cubs beat reporter Tommy Birch passed along the roster move prior to Thursday's game.
Not that the Cubs need much help at catcher, but out of all the backstops at Triple-A he does have the most MLB experience with 355 games in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, White Sox and Red Sox from 2018-24.
McGuire has recorded a 118 wRC+ with an .845 OPS in 82 plate appearances at Triple-A this season. By the way, we obviously know that the catcher who fans mostly pay attention to with the Iowa Cubs is prospect Moises Ballesteros, but I want to give a shoutout to 34-year-old journeyman Carlos Perez.
Perez is now slashing .282/.431/.814, with 6 home runs in 24 games.
(Previous Update)
The Chicago Cubs have released veteran player Reese McGuire. The 30-year-old catcher signed a minor league contract with the Cubs back in January and was in camp down in spring training competing for a roster spot. McGuire didn't make the team and began the regular season at Triple-A, where he's actually put up good numbers with the Iowa Cubs.
Yet, as the Cubs continue to get great production from Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, plus the recent addition of a third catcher in Moises Ballesteros, there wasn't much of a path for McGuire to get back to the majors in Chicago. So, he'll look for a better opportunity now that he's a free agent.
McGuire slashed .282/.366/.479, in 82 plate appearances during his time with the Iowa Cubs. He homered in his last game with the club on Thursday.
Kelly and Amaya have combined to slash .282/.370/.558, with 11 home runs and 41 RBI so far in 2025. After having one of the worst offensive performances from their catchers last year the Cubs currently have the best hitting catchers in MLB, as they've combined for a 158 wRC+. Kelly alone has already been worth 1.3 fWAR in 27 games.
Meanwhile, at Triple-A the Iowa Cubs are
