The Chicago Cubs bolstered their defense again Thursday, agreeing to a contract with Gold Glove-winning catcher Tucker Barnhart.
A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal to the AP on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. According to reports, it is a two-year conract with $6.5 million guaranteed with a player option for 2024.
Barnhart, who turns 32 on Jan. 7, is expected to back up Yan Gomes. Willson Contreras was the starting catcher for the Cubs last season, but he signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on Dec. 7.
Barnhart returns to the NL Central after struggling in his only season with the Detroit Tigers. He spent his first eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, winning Gold Gloves in 2017 and 2020.
The addition of Barnhart comes one day after the Cubs finalized a seven-year, $177 million contract with All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson, who won his first Gold Glove in 2022. The team also added Gold Glove-winning center fielder Cody Bellinger
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on a one-year, $17.5 million contract.The Reds selected Barnhart in the 10th round of the 2009 draft. He made his big/-league debut when he appeared in 21 games with the Reds in 2014.
He was traded to the Tigers in November 2021 and batted .221 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 94 games. He is a .245 career hitter with 52 homers and 277 RBIs in 838 games.