Yahoo Sports senior MLB analyst Jake Mintz is joined by Dani Wexelman to discuss the Boston Red Sox trading for Willson Contreras. How will the first baseman help improve this Boston team and what does it mean for the roster moving forward? Hear the full conversation on the “Baseball Bar-B-Cast” podcast – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
The Boston Red Sox, who I guess only trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals: They have acquired first baseman Willson Contreras from The Cardinals and $8 million in cash considerations in exchange for pitcher Hunter.
Dobbins and pitching prospects Yoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.
The Boston Red Sox acquire a really good hitter.
Uh, Contreras is gonna be playing this year.
At 34.
He is still pretty good at hitting.
Last year, he posted a 123 OPS+, went yard 20 times.
Got on base at a .344 clip.
His transition to first base, Though, pretty good.
He’s a very good defensive first baseman.
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That’s gone well, and he’s just going to be the everyday guy over there for the Boston Red Sox.
Dani, when you saw this news, what popped into your cranium?
Well, where’s Tristan Casas going?
Honestly, that was the first thing that came.
Into my mind.
And I feel for Tristan Casas, who hasn’t been Able to stay on the field healthy and has such a large personality and I think is so good.
For the sport, but we haven’t really had a chance to see the full bloom of who he can be.
So that was my first thought.
My second thought is, I love the Craig Breslow era right now in Boston.
And he has wheeled and dealt, and the fact that he’s built his team.
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On not having to send his biggest and best prospects time and time and time again.
Go back to the Garrett Crochet trade from last year, like, I’m in awe of how he’s been able to construct the team.
And here’s the cliffhanger: is that by making a move like this, You still have financial flexibility to bring in an Alex Bregman.
Bring him back to this ball club, which I think is, like, A must-have.
So there was, like, a three-pronged thought.
Process.
Yeah.
…
When I saw the movie, I think for the R-, it really just depends on Bregman for me, because if you’re adding Contreras and you don’t bring Bregman back, You’re notwhat do you think?
… A better team.
Agreed.
… Than you were last year.
If you can get both of them, Then you are a better team.