Willson Contreras has spent his entire big-league career with the Cubs. He was signed by the team back in 2009 as a teenager and developed into a three-time All-Star and World Series champion at catcher.
But with Contreras in the final year of his contract and the Cubs out of contention in the National League (and unwilling to spend on players), Willson’s days on the North Side appear to be numbered. According to Sports Illustrated, the Cubs and Mets are engaged in trade talks to send the All-Star catcher to New York in exchange for prospects. The deal isn’t done yet, but Contreras certainly knew Tuesday’s game against the Pirates could be his last home game at Wrigley Field.
The fans knew it too.
Willson Contreras gets a standing ovation in what could be his last home game as a member of the Cubs pic.twitter.com/OHFuzNqkC5
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 26, 2022
When Contreras stepped to plate on Tuesday, he was greeted to a loud standing ovation from the Wrigley crowd. The visibly emotional Contreras had to step out of the box to take in the moment — deservedly so. The Cubs will head to San Francisco to start a seven-game road trip after the game, so a deal could get done before Contreras has a chance to return with the team.
He followed up the moment with a single and would later score a run.
Assuming a trade happens, Cubs fans will clearly miss Contreras. They weren’t ready to say goodbye.