Contreras has hit at least 20 home runs in six seasons of his 10 MLB seasons.
Contreras is expected to be a reliable bat in the heart of Boston’s lineup. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Boston Red Sox have reportedly added some pop to their lineup.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Boston is acquiring first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. Passan later added that pitcher Hunter Dobbins is the “headliner” in the return going to St. Louis, along with other “minor league arms”.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic later added on X that the Red Sox are also sending minor-league pitchers Yhoiker Fajardo and RHP Blake Aita to St. Louis to complete the deal. MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported that Boston is also receiving $8 million in cash from the Cardinals along with Contreras.
Contreras, 33, is a three-time All-Star and former catcher who helped win a World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
He largely played first base for the Cardinals in 2025, batting .257 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI over 135 games. Contreras projects to be Boston’s starting first baseman in 2026, especially with Triston Casas sidelined with several injuries over the last few seasons.
Willson Contreras, you’re going to love Fenway Park.
Over the last two seasons, his 130 wRC+ ranks 25th in the sport (minimum 800 PA).
Still finished 87th percentile for xwOBA and 85th percentile for xSLG. This will help the power department.
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) December 22, 2025
When called upon, the right-handed Contreras can fill in at catcher behind Carlos Narvaez, and could also fill in at DH when needed.
He may not have the slugging profile of a Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso, but Contreras has been a steady contributor over the years as a reliable, middle-of-the-order bat. Not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Contreras has hit at least 20 home runs in six of nine big-league seasons.
Beyond his pop at the plate, Contreras should also help shore up Boston’s up-and-down infield defense.
Last year, Contreras ranked fourth among players at first base with six Outs Above Average. Alonso — viewed as an intriguing free-agent add for the Red Sox at first base this winter, posted a -9 Outs Above Average in 2025.
Contreras — who signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in 2022 — is under contract for both the 2026 and 2027 season with a combined cash commitment of $36.5 million over those two years. His contract also has a $17.5 million team option for the 2028 season with a $5 million buy-out.
He may not be flashy, but Contreras should provide solid pop at the plate and plus defense — all while under contract at a reasonable rate for the next few seasons.
This marks the second time this season that the Red Sox have struck a trade with Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals. In November, Boston agreed to a deal with St. Louis that reeled in starter Sonny Gray in exchange for pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke.
Dobbins, 26, was a reliable option in Boston’s rotation after making his MLB debut in 2025. The righty went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA across 13 games (11 starts). He is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his season in July.
It remains to be seen what Boston’s next move will be as they try to bolster their roster. While the Red Sox remain in the mix for free agent Alex Bregman, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale noted on X that Boston is “now expected to end trade talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Ketel Marte.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.