A few years late, but it finally happened: both the catching Contrerases not only are playing at MLB level, but they're both playing really damned well. Not since the Molina brothers have we had such an entertaining catching family roaming around the MLB.
[Sorry, Heineman's, I said ENTERTAINING.]
The big story is the elder Contreras. Willson Contreras is having a great season, hitting .279 with 12 home runs, 26 RBIs and a heck of a lot of defensive runs saved. He's, as expected, the breadwinner in Chicago, and with Seiya Suzuki injured, Schwindel and Wisdom around the .230s and Jason Heyward...doing his usual thing, somebody like Contreras is greatly appreciated right now. I feel very bad for Cubs fans, because they had this full, wonderful team a year ago, and they could appreciate so many different people, and now they pretty much just have Contreras and Hendricks, and that's not much at all.
It's even worse because Willson might also be dealt at the deadline, as this is near the end of his contract, and though he turns 31 next year, he's definitely gonna find some MLB club to pay him what he's worth. I used to think the Yankees were gonna make a run at this guy, and now they have Jose Trevino so they really don't need a starting catcher anymore. So now I reckon it'll be either the Giants, the Astros, the Guardians or the Rays. Hopefully of those it's the Giants, but it'll likely be a rental if so.
Meanwhile there's also William Contreras in Atlanta, who, while not holding the starting catching job just yet [Travis d'Arnaud is, somehow, still healthy], has been a refreshingly huge lineup presence this year, FINALLY. Contreras is hitting .292 with 9 home runs and 17 RBIs, as well as being an upgrade vs. d'Arnaud at catcher. People are begging the Braves to put Contreras in the lineup more, even DHing him once or twice, and it's worked wonders. I'm glad he's such a success at the plate, because that's where he had trouble last year.
And who knows. If Contreras leaves for a competitor, the two brothers could meet in the postseason this year. Wouldn't that be cool?
Coming Tonight: One of the few steady starting options the Rangers have right now.
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