The bullpen is untrustworthy, and this Chicago Cubs lineup lacks consistent power. However, one of their biggest qualms in 2024 is finding production at the catching position. Miguel Amaya and Yan Gomes have not played up to the standards of major league catchers.
As for the plate, “atrocious” would be an understatement. Amaya is batting just .188 with a .250 on-base percentage. Gomes is even worse, with a .154 average and an OBP of .179. It doesn’t get much better defensively, either. In 51 games behind the plate, Amaya has allowed 42 stolen bases, cutting down just five runners. Gomes has allowed 21 stolen bases and cut down three runners in 34 games. Together, they combine for a -7 run value.
Another big problem the Cubs face is a lack of a “backup plan” in their farm system to relieve the troubles of the catching position in Chicago. The system ranks as one of the best in baseball, but they only have one catching prospect. Moises Ballesteros is the Cubs’ sixth-ranked prospect who was just promoted to join AAA Iowa. He’s batting .303 with nine home runs this season in the minor leagues. But the Cubs do not have him projected to be “major-league ready” until 2026. That means they either need to wait it out or head to the trade market.
Outside pressure is mounting for Jed Hoyer to do something to improve the Cubs before it’s too late. Many people are pointing towards Colorado Rockies All-Star Elias Diaz as a viable option for the Cubs at the deadline. Well, Hoyer has made a move for a catcher – just not that one.
The Cubs have made a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies to acquire catcher William Simoneit. Simoneit will join the AA Tennessee Smokies after prospect Moises Ballesteros was promoted to the AAA Iowa Cubs. The Cubs will send “cash considerations” to the Phillies in exchange for Simoneit.
Simoneit has played 20 games this season in the Phillies minor league system. In 62 at-bats, he is batting .145 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. He went undrafted and signed with the Oakland Athletics as a free agent in the summer of 2020. Simoneit has never played a game in the majors.
What’s interesting about this move is that the Phillies are in their own predicament regarding the catching position. J.T. Realmuto underwent knee surgery last week and is expected to miss up to eight weeks. The Phillies promoted Rafael Marchán to join Garrett Stubbs on their roster while Realmuto heals. I guess they feel their depth at catcher is plentiful. Or, as Simoneit’s stats may show, they don’t need him around.
This is not exactly the catching trade followers were looking for the Cubs to make. Simoneit’s slash line seems eerily similar to Miguel Amaya’s and Yan Gomes’s; Simoneit just plays in the minors instead of the majors. This was a move to fill out the minor league roster to keep things moving. Hopefully, this is not the Cubs’ last move for a catcher before the July trade deadline.
