MLB Rumors: Cubs Asking Price For Contreras Will Be Steep

The Chicago Cubs pretty much tore it down at last season's trade deadline, trading away almost all of their star players. The lone survivor of the 2016 World Series team is catcher Willson Contreras. And it's almost a foregone conclusion around baseball that his time as a Cub is nearing an end. 

According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, Contreras will indeed be in big demand on the trade market this summer. But the Cubs certainly won't be giving away the two-time All-Star. In fact, says Heyman, one exec predicts, "The Cubs will want an arm and a leg."

Contreras currently has an OPS of .869 (and a career mark of .810), numbers that continue to make him one of the best offensive catchers in the game.

The 30-year-old becomes a free agent at season's end, and the Cubs will certainly be sure to maximize him as an asset. 

Interesting note, however, is that Contreras has said he's open to talking about an extension. But the Cubs seemingly haven't gotten the memo. Contreras admitted recently that "it’s still crickets from the front office on the extension front." 

He also said he is embracing the distinct possibility that he will be traded. 

Photo Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports