Cubs catcher Carson Kelly has reportedly declined his 7.5 million choice for 2027 and can obtain a 1.5 million buyout, turning into a free agent, based on Related Press reporter Ronald Blum.
Kelly (age 32) hit for a .258/.336/.376 slash line with 10 dwelling runs, 58 RBI’s, and a .712 OPS. Kelly will now enter a free-agent market class that, for catchers, additionally contains Ryan Jeffers, Austin Hedges, Tyler Stephenson, Jonah Heim, to call a couple of.
Kelly was the Cubs’ major catcher in 2026, beginning in 120 video games, and catcher Miguel Amaya was the backup; he appeared in 83 video games, posting a .237/.340/.377 slash line with 6 dwelling runs and a .717 OPS in 2026. Kelly will now search for a brand new deal, doubtlessly with a brand new membership, for the 2027 season and probably past.
Kelly Formally Enters Free Agent Catcher’s Market
Kelly suits the mould of groups trying to find catching depth. For granted-handed hitter, Kelly posted very robust numbers in opposition to left-handed pitching in 2026. In 121 at-bats versus southpaws, Kelly hit .298/.375/.496496 slash line with 6 dwelling runs, 24 RBI’s, and an .871 OPS in opposition to left-handed pitching, based on ESPN.
Kelly has a lifetime .821 OPS in over 700 profession plate appearances in opposition to left-handed pitchers, based on StatMuse. Maybe Kelly could possibly be a platoon choice for groups such because the Yankees, who could possibly be available in the market for a right-handed hitting catcher this offseason. Kelly additionally didn’t chase, whiff, or Ok a lot in 2026, as his percentages have been all within the excessive seventieth percentile amongst hitters, based on Baseball Savant.
As for his defensive metrics, Kelly’s biggest ability in 2026 was his blocks, which have been above common, posting a optimistic six and inserting him within the 89th percentile amongst catchers, based on Baseball Savant. Kelly ranked about common in framing and beneath common in pop time, however he was properly beneath common with a -4 caught-stealing share, based on Baseball Savant.
Kelly Wanting For New Deal As Baseball Approaches Lockout
Kelly initially signed a two-year contract in 2024 for 11.5 million, which included a mutual choice he simply declined. Kelly will definitely be in search of one other multi-year deal available on the market as he checks free company this winter. He doubtless will land one, contemplating the function he has served within the Cubs’ catching room over the previous couple of seasons and this season particularly, from an offensive and defensive standpoint, whenever you take a look at his general metrics and a few of the underlying ones as properly.
How this free-agent class as an entire performs out stays to be seen, with Main League Baseball’s present CBA deal set to run out on December 1st at 11:59 PM E.T. If a brand new deal isn’t reached earlier than then, baseball will enter a lockout till Main League Baseball, its house owners, and the gamers affiliation, also called the MLBPA, attain an settlement.
Yearly, gamers select whether or not to roll the cube in free company and attempt to get larger market worth in a contract in the event that they assume it’s possible. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see whether or not the lockout has any substantial impression on the free-agent market and/or the commerce market.
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