The Boston Red Sox’s reported Willson Contreras acquisition could eliminate another potential trade.
As first reported Sunday night, the St. Louis Cardinals are sending Contreras to Boston for a package led by starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins. The Red Sox landed a considerable upgrade at first base, but that will reportedly lead them to stop pursuing another All-Star infielder.
The Red Sox are expected to end talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks for Ketel Marte, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Boston will pay $32.5 million of Contreras’s remaining $40.5 million salary over the next two seasons.
That cost may discourage Boston from also chasing Marte, who has five years worth $92 million (not including escalators and a $11.5 million player option for 2031) left on his contract. The Red Sox may also not want to move more young talent to acquire the 32-year-old after trading for Contreras, who turns 34 in May.
Boston’s lineup would look nice with both players, but Contreras delivers a significant boost on his own. The former catcher hit .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs in a career-high 563 plate appearances last season.
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Contreras has posted an above-average weighted runs created plus in each season of his 10-year career and made thunderous contact with a career-best 48.9 hard-hit percentage and 13.8 percent barrel rate in 2025.
Second base remains a question mark for the Red Sox, but they have internal options.
Ceddanne Rafaela saw some time there last summer. Marcelo Mayer could move to second if the Red Sox re-sign Alex Bregman, or they could hope Kristian Campbell makes enough strides offensively and defensively to earn the starting job this spring.
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