Chicago Cubs Add To Catching Depth With Free Agent Signing

 

The Chicago Cubs have added another major league-seasoned catcher to the mix entering spring training, signing former Seattle Mariners backstop Luis Torrens to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. 

In the Venezuelan Winter League the past couple of months, Torrens tore the cover off the ball, hitting .387 with a .484 on-base and a 1.084 OPS. The Navegantes del Magallanes confirmed the Cubs signing. 

Lo que está por venir en 2023, tanto en #MLB como otros circuitos, varios magallaneros tendrán nuevas oportunidades.

Luis Torrens firmó contrato con los @Cubs. Pacto de Ligas Menores e invitación al ST.

Nivaldo Rodríguez se va a la @LigaMexBeis para jugar con @SultanesOficial.

— Ángel Daniel Conde T (@AngelDaniC13) January 23, 2023

This leaves the Cubs five catchers deep in their attempts to replace their longtime backstop Willson Contreras, who moved on to the hated rival St. Louis Cardinals this winter. 

Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart are the primary major league duo, with Miguel Amaya also on the 40-man roster, and now Torrens joins Dom Nuñez at Triple-A as catchers with big league experience.

Torrens, 26, is out of minor league options, and the Mariners decided to non-tender him after the 2022 season. He hit .239 with a .686 OPS in his three seasons in Seattle, and he has a little pop in his bat, as he left the yard 15 times in 2021. 

He makes for some good catching depth for the Cubbies heading into 2023. 

Photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports