Miami Marlins: Does a Trade for Willson Contreras Make Sense if Available?

As the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline fast approaches, the Miami Marlins have arguably fully emerged as sellers. However, could they still buy when looking toward the future?

It seems likely at this point that the Marlins will be trading multiple players leading up to the July 30th deadline, but we shouldn’t be surprised if they end up buying as well. In fact, one could argue that this is what Miami should do; both buy and sell to add to what will already be a talented roster entering the 2022 season.

So, if they plan on buying as well, why not call the Cubs in particular? It has been widely rumored that Chicago will potentially be among the biggest sellers at this year’s deadline with starting catcher Willson Contreras an intriguing player for Miami to monitor should he become available.

Does a Miami Marlins trade for Willson Contreras make sense?

It is no secret that the Marlins’ catchers have struggled offensively this season. Current major league catchers Jorge Alfaro and Sandy Leon have both posted an OPS under .600, as well as a negative WAR.

With no other clear big league ready option at the position other than Chad Wallach in Triple-A, it certainly feels like Miami needs to upgrade at the position entering the 2022 season. Does a trade for the two-time All-Star backstop make sense?

Contreras originally signed with the Cubs back in 2009, and worked his way to the big leagues in 2016 where he quickly burst onto-the-scene as one of the top young catchers in the game from day one. After playing a big role in Chicago’s 2016 World Series winning team as a rookie, Contreras has since continued to impress including making the 2018 and 2019 NL All-Star teams.

Currently in year six of his time in Chicago, Contreras is slashing .241/.352/.430 with 14 HR’s and 33 RBI’s across 286 at-bats. While it’s unknown if the Cubs will trade the 29-year old catcher, it’s clear why Contreras will potentially become one of the more sought-after players on the market should he become available.

The Marlins have the prospects needed to make that trade with the Cubs, but should they? When looking toward the 2022 season, potentially acquiring Contreras would give Miami one of the best catchers in baseball that has extensive postseason experience, as well as an elite defensive catcher to pair with one of the best, if not the best, young rotation in the game.

Still under team control for one more season, potentially re-signing Contreras is also a move that makes sense for the Marlins to do, at-least until recent 2021 MLB Draft pick Joe Mack is ready.

The Miami Marlins will surely sell over the next week, but when looking at potential options to buy, trading for Contreras is a move that makes sense when looking toward next season. Regardless of what this team does to sell at the deadline, the Marlins will enter 2022 with numerous young pieces ready to contend, and a potential addition of Contreras at catcher is a move that could certainly improve Miami’s postseason chances going into next season.