Cubs to tender Willson Contreras qualifying offer originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
As expected, the Cubs will tender catcher and pending free agent Willson Contreras a qualifying offer, team president Jed Hoyer said Monday.
“We’ll obviously make him a qualifying offer and we’ll continue that dialogue,” Hoyer said. “We’ve talked to Willson. We’ve talked to his representatives.
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“I don’t want to make any assumptions there.”
Contreras’ future was a storyline throughout the 2022 season. The Cubs shopped him leading up to the trade deadline but ultimately hung on to him.
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He's set to become a free agent for the first time in his career following seven seasons with the Cubs and 14 overall in the organization.
If Contreras declines the qualifying offer — a one-year deal worth around $19 million — the Cubs will receive draft pick compensation.
“I had a great conversation with Willson the other day," Hoyer said. "We've always had a really good relationship. I admire how he competes, and I admire the passion."