Fri Dec 13 23:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Cubs Ink Catcher Carson Kelly to Two-Year, $11.5 Million Deal

**Chicago, IL (December 13, 2024)** – The Chicago Cubs have bolstered their catching corps, signing Carson Kelly to a two-year contract worth $11.5 million, the team announced today. The deal, as reported by multiple sources including ESPN and The Athletic, includes a mutual option for 2027 and performance-based incentives totaling $500,000 annually. The guaranteed portion of the contract is $5 million over two years, with a $1.5 million buyout on the $7.5 million mutual option for the third year. Incentives are structured around plate appearances, with $250,000 awarded for 81 starts and an additional $250,000 for reaching 91 starts each season.

The signing comes on the heels of a trade that sent Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and Cam Smith to the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Kyle Tucker. This move freed up a spot on the Cubs’ 40-man roster. The acquisition of Kelly is seen as a significant addition to the team’s catching depth.

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