Carson Kelly's Projected Contract Revealed After Declining Option

Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly had an easy decision to make this offseason. 

Kelly had a $7.5 million mutual option set for the 2027 season. However, the expectation all season was that he would opt out. Mutual options rarely get picked up in today’s games, and the veteran catcher could earn a big payday in free agency this offseason. 

On Friday, Kelly officially declined his end of the $7.5 million option for next season. The Cubs will pay the 32-year-old a $1.5 million buyout, and Kelly will now enter free agency following two successful seasons. 

Kelly posted strong numbers in both of his two seasons with Chicago. He slashed .249/.333/.428 with 17 home runs, 13 doubles, one triple, 50 RBI, and two stolen bases across 111 games in 2025, and slashed .258/.336/.376 with 10 home runs, 15 doubles, and 58 RBI across 120 games this past season. 

The 11-year veteran was definitely a better all-around hitter in 2025. Those strong numbers helped Kelly finish with a career-best 3.5 WAR. He cooled off a bit down the stretch during that season, but he provided exactly what the Cubs needed. 

While his numbers this past season were a bit down from 2025, Kelly was still posting consistent offensive stats. He finished with a solid 1.9 WAR (the third-best of his career) and was one of the best catchers behind the plate in ABS challenges. 

Unfortunately, though, it might be hard for the Cubs to get Kelly back. 

Kelly will almost certainly have a strong market this offseason. He is one of the best catchers available in free agency and would be the perfect fit for any catcher-needy team. Even though the Cubs are one of those teams that need a catcher, his price point may be too high. 

Spotrac lists Kelly’s market value at two years, $30 million. That is a significant pay bump for the veteran catcher, who only signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the North Siders before the 2025 season. 

With the Cubs needing a lot of pitching help, they likely won’t be looking to spend $15 million annually on a catcher. The front office probably wants to invest in upgrading the pitching group first before paying Kelly that much money. 

The Cubs also have catcher Owen Ayers (No. 2 prospect) in the wings waiting, so they might be willing to let Kelly walk for that price.