Contreras key to formula for optimizing Cubs rotation

Share

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was the first new teammate to reach out to Trevor Williams when he signed with Chicago this winter.

“Which was great,” the former Pirates starter said. “The pitcher-catcher relationship is so special and so unique.”

That unique relationship is part of formula to optimize the Cubs’ soft-tossing 2021 starting rotation. This season and this pitching staff pose a different kind of responsibility for Contreras, a two-time All-Star and 2020 Gold Glove finalist.

At most, only two of the starters in the Cubs’ opening rotation will be pitchers who Contreras caught last season. In addition to signing Williams, the Cubs acquired Zach Davies from the Padres as part of the Yu Darvish trade. Jake Arrieta, at least, Contreras has worked with before, but Arrieta is a different pitcher than he was four years ago.

The sum of all those parts is a rotation full of finesse arms.

“Bringing these guys in,” Cubs ace Kyle Hendricks said, “they definitely go about their work and the way they pitch completely differently than I do. It may look pretty similar, the product out there on the field. But just sequencing pitches, how you're attacking hitters, what your thoughts are trying to get after a guy, we all go about in our own unique way.”

Knowing the ins and outs of those “finer differences” – as Davies put it – is part of the catchers’ job.

“They're the ones back there all the time,” Hendricks said. “So, they're going to see how we're approaching each hitter. And if things start to get too similar, those guys are on top of it.”

Contreras’ bat and arm have always garnered attention. Last year, his improved framing sparked headlines. On the other hand, game-planning, game-calling and developing a rapport with a pitching staff aren’t a flashy set of skills. But they have as much, if not more, bearing on the game.

The Cubs prepare a detailed scouting report for every matchup. And when everything’s going right, Contreras can stick to it exactly. When a pitcher loses the feel for one of his pitches, or an opposing hitter makes an adjustment, that’s when Contreras’ deep understanding of his pitchers becomes especially important.

With so many new arms on the staff, Contreras’ first step is an introductory text. The next conversations touch on things like, what the pitcher likes to throw with two strikes or with a runner in scoring position.

Contreras has refined the process over the past five years of his career.

“You learn a lot,” Contreras told NBC Sports Chicago. “Because when you get called up, you are afraid to talk to the pitchers, you wait for them to come to you.”

As a rookie, Contreras caught a Cubs rotation that included veteran pitchers Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jason Hammel. Arrieta had won the NL Cy Young the year before.

“But once you get experience, you’ve been in the club for a few years now,” Contreras said, “you’re trying to be the guy that represents the pitchers, that represents the team. And you’re trying to be a guy that leads the team in the right way.”

For Arrieta, Contreras’ focus has stood out the most. Arrieta played with the young catcher in 2016-2017 and then returned to the Cubs this year.

“I believe him and J.T. (Realmuto) are the two best catchers in baseball,” Arrieta said, “And that’s extremely high praise, and it’s well deserved. He’s taken many strides, and I just love watching him go about his business.”

Williams described his transition with Contreras as “pretty seamless,” while sitting at a picnic table at the Cubs’ spring training complex Saturday. Throwing to Contreras, Williams had just held the Rockies to one run in five innings.

“I can tell he cares a lot behind the plate, really takes pride in his pitch-calling, in his game-planning,” Williams said, “as well as a lot of things which make him a special player, which make him a multi-All-Star.”

Minutes later, Contreras walked past Williams and the small group of reporters interviewing him from a distance. Contreras golf-clapped for Williams from the nearby path. Williams put his hands together in a victory clasp.

Contreras called out: “The guy!”

A unique relationship, indeed.

Click here to subscribe to the Cubs Talk Podcast for free.

Contact Us