Ken Rosenthal reported in The Athletic Tuesday that the Houston Astros have been in discussions with free-agent catcher Willson Contreras and plan to meet with him during the winter meetings. The 30-year-old proved once again to be a reliable backstop from a fantasy perspective and otherwise in 2022, slashing .243/.349/.466 with 22 home runs, 55 RBI and four stolen bases in 487 plate appearances. Rosenthal said the Astros would consider playing Contreras in left field and at designated hitter in addition to catching. Catcher is always a thin position for fantasy, so Contreras will remain a higher-end option, regardless of what team he goes to. However, his fantasy value would receive a boost if he were to join the 2022 World Champions.

Catcher Willson Contreras will reportedly not accept his qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs, according to a tweet from ESPN's Jesse Rogers on Tuesday. The veteran is coming off one of his best seasons at the plate this past year. Contreras hit .243 in 487 plate appearances in 2022 to go along with a .349 on-base percentage. He also added 22 home runs and four stolen bases in those 487 plate appearances, finishing as one of fantasy baseball's best at his position.

The Houston Astros will be meeting with free-agent catcher Willson Contreras at the general manager meetings this week. The Astros' tentative traded at the deadline in August for Contreras was nixed by owner Jim Crane. Manager Dusty Baker loves Martin Maldonado catching Houston's great pitchers. The 30-year-old All-Star backup already declined the Cubs' $19.65 million qualifying offer and became a free agent on Tuesday. Along with the Astros, the Detroit Tigers are also interested, but plenty more teams will be joining the list in the coming days. Contreras hit .243/.349/.466 with an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 416 for Chicago in 2022, and one of the best hitting catchers in baseball should become more attractive in fantasy if he signs with a contending team this offseason.

The Chicago Cubs are extending the $19.65 million qualifying offer to catcher Willson Contreras, but he is declining it and will become a free agent. The strong two-way catcher should do very well on the open market this offseason after slashing .243/.349/.466 with an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 487 plate appearances over 113 games in what will likely be his final season in Chicago. The Detroit Tigers are reportedly already interested in the three-time All-Star backstop, and more teams will quickly jump into the mix for one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. If he lands with a contending team, as expected, his fantasy upside should only increase in a better lineup.

According to a tweet from MLB Network's Jon Morosi on Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers are reportedly interested in catcher Willson Contreras. Morosi tweeted: "#Tigers are looking at the catching market as the offseason begins. They're interested in free agent Willson Contreras, whom Scott Harris knows from his tenure in Chicago. @MLBNetwork." Contreras enjoyed a strong season with the Chicago Cubs in 2022, batting .243 with a .349 on-base percentage, 22 home runs, four stolen bases, and a career-high 132 wRC+ in 487 plate appearances. As of now, the Tigers' current catching options include Eric Haase, Michael Papierski, and Jake Rogers.

Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said the team will "definitely" give catcher Willson Contreras a qualifying offer this winter, as expected. Contreras will almost certainly decline the qualifying offer and enter free agency in search of a long-term contract elsewhere. It was a surprise that he wasn't traded at the Aug. 2 deadline during the summer, but he instead remained with the Cubs all year and finished with a .243/.349/.466 slash line, an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 416 at-bats. No matter where Contreras is playing in 2023, the three-time All-Star should remain one of the more attractive bats at the shallowest fantasy position.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras isn't starting on Wednesday as the Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Contreras is batting .234 with a .349 on-base percentage, 22 home runs and four stolen bases in 487 plate appearances for the Cubs this year. Instead, it'll be P.J. Higgins hitting seventh and starting behind the plate. Higgins is batting .227 with a .303 on-base percentage and six home runs in 224 plate appearances this season. The 29-year-old could be worth a look as a streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues where on-base percentage is part of the scoring.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds. Contreras appears to just be getting a normal day of rest to start the weekend series against Cincinnati. The 30-year-old All-Star backstop has played in just three games in September due to injury and has gone 2-for-12 with a double, and four strikeouts. Overall, he's slashing .243/.346/.464 with an .810 OPS, 21 homers, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 407 at-bats. Yan Gomes is behind the dish and is hitting seventh on Friday against Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Gomes won't be a very attractive low-cost DFS option. He's gone 2-for-22 (.091) with no homers, two RBI and seven strikeouts in his last six games.

The Chicago Cubs reinstated catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) from the injured list on Tuesday and also reinstated outfielder Seiya Suzuki from the paternity list. In corresponding moves, the Cubs optioned Jared Young to the minors and designated outfielder Michael Hermosillo for assignment. Contreras is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler on Tuesday, while Suzuki isn't in the starting lineup. Contreras might be eased back into his role as the regular catcher, but the 30-year-old should be returned to starting fantasy lineups on Tuesday. He has 21 home runs and 54 RBI on the year in 395 at-bats for the Cubbies. Suzuki should eventually return to an everyday role in the outfield down the stretch.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) has progressed to light agility work in a running progression. Contreras sprained his left ankle recently and was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sept. 6. The Cubs have no reason to rush the 30-year-old All-Star back in a lost season, but it's good news that he's moving in the right direction. Skipper David Ross said that Contreras is likely around a week from returning to the team. Yan Gomes will continue to do most of the catching, while P.J. Higgins will occasionally mix in. Contreras made his third All-Star team this year and is currently hitting .246/.351/.471 with an .822 OPS, 21 home runs, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 107 games. Keep him stashed everywhere.

An MRI exam on Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) on Wednesday confirmed that he's dealing with a left ankle sprain. Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return when he's first eligible on Sept. 13. The 30-year-old has been one of the better catching options for fantasy managers this year, hitting .246/.351/.471 with an .822 OPS, 21 home runs, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 462 plate appearances over 107 games played. However, fantasy managers may not get all that much production out of him the rest of the way in September. In his absence, Yan Gomes and P.J. Higgins will split playing time behind the plate in Chicago.

The Chicago Cubs placed catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) on the 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain on Tuesday and reinstated Michael Hermosillo from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. The Cubs also designated Nicholas Padilla for assignment. Contreras' injured list stint is retroactive to Sept. 3. The All-Star backstop missed the series against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend with more pain in his sprained left ankle. With the 30-year-old on the shelf, Yan Gomes and P.J. Higgins will share catching duties for Chicago. Contreras has been a no-brainer must-start at the weak catching position in fantasy this year, as he's slashed .246/.351/.471 with an .822 OPS, 21 home runs, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 395 at-bats.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) is still absent from the starting lineup on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 30-year-old backstop has now missed four straight games with left ankle discomfort. It still looks like he'll avoid a trip to the injured list but it's anyone's guess as to when he'll return to the lineup. P.J. Higgins is starting in his place and batting seventh vs. Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas. Fantasy managers should still consider Contreras day-to-day.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Contreras left the game early on Tuesday with left ankle soreness, and he'll get another day to rest. Consider him day-to-day for now. Before leaving the contest early, he at least hit a solo home run for his fantasy managers. It's an ongoing issue for the 30-year-old backstop, as he missed four games last week with the same injury. Yan Gomes will do the catching on Wednesday and will hit seventh against Blue Jays right-hander Mitch White. Gomes will be a low-upside DFS play at the position. He's hitting .217/.247/.338 with six homers, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored in his 207 at-bats for the Cubs this year.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (foot, ankle) exited Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays in the sixth inning with left foot/ankle soreness, per the Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro. Contreras was pinch-hit for in the top of the inning, but went 1-for-2 with a solo home run before exiting. He will get treatment Wednesday and the Cubs have an off day on Thursday, so hopefully, he will have enough time to rest. The 30-year-old backstop has been a solid fantasy option at a weak position once again this season, slashing .246/.351/.471 with 21 HR, 54 RBI, and four stolen bases. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more updates in the coming days.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) will return to the lineup Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Contreras missed the last four games due to stiffness in his left ankle, which was caused by a tweak during the Field of Dreams game. He is ready to go tonight, though, and will catch and bat second against Freddy Peralta and the Brewers. The stud backstop has a tremendous .248/.357/.472 slash line to go along with 20 homers and even four swipes. Get him back in your lineup right away.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be his fourth straight game starting on the bench due to left ankle stiffness. Fantasy managers should continue to view the All-Star backstop as day-to-day. P.J. Higgins is behind the dish again and is hitting sixth on Thursday against Cardinals right-hander Dakota Hudson. Higgins is just 6-for-40 (.150) with two home runs, four RBI, three runs scored and 16 strikeouts in 14 games this month, and he's hitting .242 on the season with six long balls and 20 RBI in his 128 at-bats. There should be better DFS plays on Thursday at the position.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. Contreras is dealing with left ankle stiffness and didn't play in either game of a doubleheader against St. Louis on Tuesday. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 30-year-old All-Star catcher as day-to-day. With Contreras out again Wednesday, Yan Gomes will do the catching and will hit seventh against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Gomes is a low-upside DFS option at the position to begin with, and he's also hitting just .188 (3-for-16) with a homer, three RBI and a run scored in five games over the last two weeks.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Contreras' left ankle felt stiff when he woke up Tuesday morning, but he'll be available off the bench. The fact that he's available off the bench means his injury probably isn't very serious. Consider the 30-year-old All-Star catcher to be day-to-day. P.J. Higgins is behind the dish in Game 2 and is hitting seventh against Cardinals right-hander Jake Woodford. Higgins will be a low-upside DFS option at the position. He's hitting .246 with six home runs, 20 RBI and 17 runs scored in 122 at-bats for the Cubs this year.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras isn't in the team's lineup on Tuesday for the first game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-handed starter Adam Wainwright. The 30-year-old is enjoying a strong season at the plate for both the Cubs and fantasy managers alike, hitting .248 with a .357 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, and four stolen bases in 446 plate appearances. It'll be Yan Gomes starting behind the plate and batting seventh against Wainwright instead. Gomes is hitting .228 with a .257 on-base percentage and six home runs in 206 plate appearances for Chicago this year. Fantasy managers in search of streaming help are probably better off looking elsewhere.