Cubs might pounce after unexpected twist in Samuel Basallo extension

Seattle Mariners v Baltimore Orioles | Jess Rapfogel/GettyImagesThe Chicago Cubs may quietly be in the market for a starting catcher this offseason. Unfortunately, the 2025 season has proved that availability remains the biggest thing keeping Miguel Amaya from being the everyday catcher, and Carson Kelly, as great as he's been this season, feels like a prime candidate to have Yan Gomes' type regression in 2026.

Throw in the idea that the Cubs may not feel catcher is where Moises Ballesteros will stay, and suddenly, there's a clear path to understanding why a backstop upgrade may be a part of the offseason plan.

The Baltimore Orioles' signing of their young catcher, Samuel Basallo, to an…