Willson Contreras‘A five-year, 87.5mm contract with the Cardinal included full trade terms for the first four seasons, Contreras said after last season he was reluctant to agree to a deal. The first baseman has now changed his stance slightly, telling reporters (including MLB.com’s Jeff Jones) that he still wants to stay in St. Louis but is willing to consider giving up his untrade protection.
“If anything [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] It makes sense for him and the organization, it makes sense for me and my future, how do we talk about it?Contreras said.But as of now, I want to be [rebuilding] process. ”
Contreras noted that he had not requested a deal and had shared his thoughts left with the club at his meeting with Bloom on Friday. “I want to be part of a young team and they need to have some kind of experience around them. That’s what I mean, but I understand part of the team’s business, we just come to an agreement,” said the first baseman.
We’ve seen it Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado Everyone shows that with the upcoming rebuilding of the Cardinals, they will give up their own trade-free protection this winter. Grey was in contract status for the 2026 season alone, but the price was as high as 40mm (35mm backload wages, at least 5mm, purchased the 2027 club option). In the 2027 season, Arenado owed 42mm, although that figure has been lowered from delayed money and 5mm according to the terms of the deal that will take Arenado from Colorado to St. Louis.
Contreras just completed the third season of his five-year contract, and his remaining salary owes 41.5mm – $18mm in 2026, 18.5mm in 2027, and 5mm in 2028’s $17.5mm club option, and these three expensive St. Louis veterans are more tax-free than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than one less than The last three seasons.
Right shoulder strain ended Contreras’ 2025 season in early September, so his season number was 20 home runs, occupying the 0.257/.344/.447 slash on 563 crickets. Contreras’ time with the Cardinals was largely defined by the team’s downturn and defensive issues under performance, which led to his transition from receiver to first base, but the veteran continued to hit – he hit Cardinals’ unified .261/.358/.459 at 1416 PA at 1416 PA.
These numbers are much better from the receiver position than first base, so it is assumed that trade suitors may be interested in transferring Contreras to at least part-time roles behind the plate. Given the lack of depth to catch in the league, a team may also be more interested if deployed if the Catchers fill larger holes than the first base.
As Jones observed, trade Contreras will allow the Cardinal to find more playing time for multiple players on the roster. Alec Burleson It may take up most of the time at first base, which in turn opens the bats in the outfield of DH and others.
That said, Contreras ended up having a last word because of his contract. His complete no trade protection can only last until 2026, as Contreras can then submit a no trade roster for 10 teams. The Cardinals may stick with Contreras over the coming season and then look at trade talks more seriously next winter, when teams will have more freedom when they reach a deal with at least 19 teams.
Even if Contreras left the trade in Ajar slightly, he made it clear that he was happy in St. Louis and would accept the idea of helping guide the new generation of cardinals.
“I understand it may take three to five years to have a playoff team or a team that can compete with the World Series, and even if I’m not there, I’ve said that you guys compete in a World Series and I feel like I can be proud of it just because I want to help young people develop better and understand baseball better and also analyze the scope of baseball.,” Contreras said.
