Cubs' Contreras keeps focus on baseball, blocks out contract extension talks, trade rumors
MESA, Ariz. - Willson Contreras is prepared for anything.
If the Cubs wants want to sign the cornerstone catcher to a contract extension, so be it.
If the Cubs want to trade Contreras this spring or before the summer deadline, no problem.
If Contreras plays the entire season for the Cubs and then departs as a free agent, that's cool as well.
Speaking at Cubs camp Wednesday morning after failing to reach a deal before Tuesday's arbitration deadline, the 29-year-old catcher said he just wants to play baseball.
"I'm not focused on getting an extension," said Contreras, who will have an upcoming arbitration hearing. "I'm not focused on arbitration. I'm focused on winning, I'm focused on competing on the field with my teammates. I'm focused on being the best that I can be for them."
Contreras has been one of the best catchers in baseball since arriving from Class AAA Iowa in June of 2016 and helping the Cubs win the World Series that year.
He's a two-time all-star, a strong defensive catcher, a power bat and a clubhouse leader.
He's also expendable, as Contreras saw last July when Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo were traded.
"The time will come," said Contreras, who hit .237/.340/.438 with 21 home runs and 57 RBI last season. "Probably will become a free agent, probably not. Who knows? But I'm glad to be here where I am. I'm glad to have reached this point because in the minor leagues I had to earn my spot. Once I got to the big leagues my dream came true.
"I won the World Series with the Chicago Cubs and that's something that nobody can take away from me. I'll be proud all of my life because I won with this team."
Chances of Contreras and the Cubs talking contract extension are going to be slim due to a shortened spring training. If there have been any talks before or after the 99-day lockout, they haven't been promising.
Is Contreras close to a long-term deal with the Cubs?
"No," he said. "Not really."
If he winds up being traded like Bryant, Baez and Rizzo - along with Yu Darvish and Craig Kimbrel - Contreras doesn't sound like he'll be overly upset.
The Yankees are the latest in a long list of teams rumored to be interested in his services.
"I think the first year I heard about the trade rumors was 2019," Contreras said. "That was the first year that I really felt like, uh, it was super distracting for me, But then I learned from that, 2020 was the same, 2021 was the same, so right now I'm really good with it.
"When you hear trade rumors, (it's) because you're doing something good on the field that another team might want. I understand the Chicago Cubs are in a rebuild right now and if they can get good packages, they're going to do whatever is best for the team. Whatever happens, happens. That's it."
As Contreras said, he's no longer distracted by off-field issues that are out of his control. Manager David Ross has noticed the focus so far in spring training.
"Willson's in a good head space," Ross said. "I don't know that even I've seen him in such a good place since I've been here. He seems eager to lead, to set an example. He understands he's going to make a lot of money either way. The details get worked out. His job is just to go play."