The Chicago Cubs are looking to add a catcher, and as the trade deadline looms ahead, one of the players they’re showing interest in is Rene Rivera.
The surging Cubs, neck and neck with the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central, are looking to add someone that will back up Willson Contreras, their starting catcher. They have been looking at Alex Avila of the Detroit Tigers, but have recently turned their attention to Rivera as well.
The Mets aren’t going anywhere this season (12 games behind the Nationals in the NL East, 4 games under .500), and with the veteran Rivera becoming a free agent at the end of the season, it makes sense to find a deal for him that might land them something.
Rivera, 34, is in his second season with the Mets playing backup catcher and just a bit of first base play. He’s hitting quite well this season considering previous years, batting .245 with 6 home runs in 158 plate appearances. Before the Mets he played for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners, making his debut for them and MLB in 2004.
He probably won’t find a lot of playing time behind Contreras, who has been one of the best hitting catchers in Baseball over the last two seasons. He’s batting .273 with 16 home runs in 89 games this season, spending a bit of time in other positions, including the outfield.