The Boston Red Sox have acquired first baseman Willson Contreras in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to multiple reports.ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the Red Sox sent right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and two minor league pitchers, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita, to the Cardinals as part of the deal.Passan also said Boston received $8 million from St. Louis to cover part of Contreras’ salary. According to Spotrac, Contreras is under contract for $18 million in 2026 and $18.5 million in 2027. The contract also includes a $17.5 million option for 2028 with a $5 million buyout.Contreras, 33, played 135 games with the Cardinals in 2025 and batted .257 with 20 home runs and set career highs with 31 doubles, 70 runs scored and 80 runs batted in. The three-time All-Star made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Contreras played seven seasons for Chicago (2016-22) before joining St. Louis as a free agent in December 2022. He is a career .258 hitter with 208 doubles, 172 homers and 548 RBI.The Venezuela native primarily played catcher over his first nine MLB seasons and transitioned to first base ahead of the 2025 season. Dobbins, 26, made his major league debut with the Red Sox in April, four years after Boston drafted him in the eighth round. He pitched in 13 games with 11 starts, posting a 4-1 record with a 4.13 earned run average and 45 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. Dobbins landed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain in June. In his first start back from the IL on July 11, he tore his right ACL — an injury that ended his season.In his time with the Red Sox organization, Dobbins made 34 starts with the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double-A affiliate. With the Sea Dogs, Dobbins posted a 12-8 record with a 3.81 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings.This marks the second trade the Red Sox have made with the Cardinals this offseason. On Nov. 25, Boston acquired veteran starting pitcher Sonny Gray and cash from St. Louis in exchange for right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

BOSTON —

The Boston Red Sox have acquired first baseman Willson Contreras in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to multiple reports.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the Red Sox sent right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and two minor league pitchers, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita, to the Cardinals as part of the deal.

Passan also said Boston received $8 million from St. Louis to cover part of Contreras’ salary. According to Spotrac, Contreras is under contract for $18 million in 2026 and $18.5 million in 2027. The contract also includes a $17.5 million option for 2028 with a $5 million buyout.

Contreras, 33, played 135 games with the Cardinals in 2025 and batted .257 with 20 home runs and set career highs with 31 doubles, 70 runs scored and 80 runs batted in. The three-time All-Star made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Contreras played seven seasons for Chicago (2016-22) before joining St. Louis as a free agent in December 2022. He is a career .258 hitter with 208 doubles, 172 homers and 548 RBI.

The Venezuela native primarily played catcher over his first nine MLB seasons and transitioned to first base ahead of the 2025 season.

Dobbins, 26, made his major league debut with the Red Sox in April, four years after Boston drafted him in the eighth round. He pitched in 13 games with 11 starts, posting a 4-1 record with a 4.13 earned run average and 45 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. Dobbins landed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain in June. In his first start back from the IL on July 11, he tore his right ACL — an injury that ended his season.

In his time with the Red Sox organization, Dobbins made 34 starts with the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double-A affiliate. With the Sea Dogs, Dobbins posted a 12-8 record with a 3.81 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings.

This marks the second trade the Red Sox have made with the Cardinals this offseason. On Nov. 25, Boston acquired veteran starting pitcher Sonny Gray and cash from St. Louis in exchange for right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke and a player to be named later or cash considerations.