The St. Louis Cardinals pulled off its second major trade of the offseason with the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

The Cardinals sent first baseman/catcher/designated hitter Willson Contreras to the Red Sox in return for a major league pitcher, Hunter Dobbins, and two minor league arms: Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.

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In a news conference held Monday, St. Louis president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom discussed the deal and how communications were with Contreras, who waived his no-trade clause to make the trade with Boston happen.

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“(Contreras) was awesome, as you might imagine,” Bloom said in the news conference. “We had a good conversation in Chicago at the end of the season. As you guys know, because I think he told the world, as well, he basically said this wasn’t something where he was looking to leave. I think he felt that way up until the deal. This wasn’t something he sought. … There’s a lot of things about (Boston’s situation) that could be appealing to him or to any player … but he was a total pro.”

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Bloom spoke about the trio of hurlers the team acquired in the deal and was confident in all three playing a role in the organization in the future.

“We’re excited to welcome all three (pitchers) to the (Cardinals),” Bloom said. “Happy to continue bolstering our pitching depth both in the big leagues and in the minor leagues and to have three guys that have a chance to impact us long into the future.”

The most immediate contributor among the Cardinals’ trade haul was Dobbins. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox this past season. He posted a 4.13 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched across 13 appearances (11 starts).

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Dobbins was placed on the injured list on June 22 with a right elbow strain. He was activated off the injured list July 11. In his first start back in the majors the same day, he suffered a torn right ACL while covering first base and missed the rest of the season.

Bloom was positive while discussing Dobbins’ rehab but clarified the club won’t rush him back.

“(Dobbins is) coming along nicely. He has a check-up in a couple weeks where we’re hopeful that he’ll get clearance to progress toward the mound but he is throwing. … He’s doing well. We don’t want to put a timetable on this. … We’re gonna make sure that we don’t rush him. Obviously want to make sure he’s completely past this before we turn him loose.”

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The full news conference can be seen here.

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