According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs and Willson Contreras are preparing for an in-season arbitration hearing later this summer.
Contreras, who is on the verge of becoming a free agent after this season, reportedly made an offer of $10.25 million earlier in the offseason. The Cubs countered with a $9 million offer. As of right now, the star catcher will earn the lower offer unless he wins his hearing.
Realistically, the Cubs and Contreras could still agree on a contract extension. But with the way Cubs President Jed Hoyer has operated in past arbitrations, it seems the two sides will head to a hearing. Unfortunately, this is not what Cubs fans want to hear. It makes one wonder just how awkward things could get, especially if Contreras loses the hearing.
With Tom Ricketts and co. reportedly interested in purchasing a soccer team, and such a small difference in offers from the two sides ($1.25 million), Cubs fans are probably wondering why the organization doesn’t just pay Contreras his money. If the Cubs and Contreras plan on having any type of relationship in the future, it’s crucial that the star backstop wins the hearing.
But then again, who knows? Maybe the damage has already been done? Perhaps the relationship between Willson Contreras and the Chicago Cubs has already begun to sour? One thing is certain: fans will be sure to let ownership hear about it, especially if a deal doesn’t come to fruition anytime soon.
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