The Chicago Cubs have decided to sign a veteran backstop to pair up with the recently acquired Miguel Montero and they are set to complete a deal to sign David Ross as most sources have confirmed today. The deal is expected to be a two-year, $5M contract.
Ross might not be a massive upgrade in terms of offense - he only hit .184 in 171 PA - but he's certainly a nice piece to add in terms of defense. Ross has a reputation to be an excellent guy on the clubhouse and he's the kind of veteran leader the Cubs were looking to add to what is expected to be one of the younger rosters in all of baseball. He's also excels in terms of pitch framing and while he will be 38 next season, Ross can easily be a backup for Montero as the former Arizona Diamondbacks backstop is also over 30 years old.
The signing of Ross - and the addition of Ryan Lavarnway as a potential third catcher and backup at 1B - certainly make Welington Castillo expendable. Theo Epstein has declared he considers Castillo to be "one of the top 20 catchers at the Major League level" but it remains to be seen if there's interest for a 27-year-old backstop that has a decent bat but several deficiencies in terms of defense.
Whatever ends up happening with Castillo, it seems as if the Cubs will be set with Montero and Ross handling the catching duties. Both are excellent framers and offer plenty of defensive value - something that could prove to be useful as the Cubs can add offense from virtually anywhere else on the field thanks to their exciting collection of prospects and young players.