Willson Contreras, who, just like Gray, was acquired in a trade with the Cardinals<\/a>, made it clear that he\u2019s not joining his new team with any fond feelings toward its AL East rivals.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever I play the Yankees, from [my time] with the Cubs or St. Louis, my mindset is different,\u201d Contreras told reporters Wednesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to win, we have to win \u2026They have really good players, but I\u2019m not coming to Boston just to like the Yankees, because that\u2019s not going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Contreras, 33, was dealt to the Red Sox in late December after the Mets explored acquiring him<\/a> as a potential replacement for the departed Pete Alonso.<\/p>\n The three-time All-Star, who has spent most of his career as a catcher, is coming off a solid offensive season with St. Louis.<\/p>\n In 135 games, he slashed .257\/.344\/.447 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs.<\/p>\n His comments echo those of Gray, who posted disappointing results over one-and-a-half seasons in New York \u2013 after he reportedly \u201clied\u201d to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman<\/a> about wanting to wear the pinstripes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels good to me to go to a place where it\u2019s easy to hate the Yankees,\u201d Gray said during his introductory presser.<\/p>\n \u201cI never wanted to go there in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to Gray and Contreras, the Red Sox also acquired starter Johan Oviedo <\/a>from the Pirates earlier this offseason.<\/p>\n Boston also agreed to a five-year, $130 million deal with All-Star left-hander Ranger Suarez on Wednesday,\u00a0The Post\u2019s Jon Heyman first reported.<\/a><\/p>\n After watching third baseman Alex Bregman depart in free agency for the Cubs,<\/a> Boston reportedly continues to explore the market for infield help.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Boston has been linked to shortstop Bo Bichette<\/a>, who has also received interest from the Yankees and met with the Phillies earlier this week.<\/p>\n Contreras told reporters he would speak with his close friend, free agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez, about possibly joining him in Beantown.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t talked to him in a few days,\u201d Contreras said, per MLB.com.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Willson](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/willson-contreras-40-st-louis-9185366.jpg\")
The Red Sox acquired Willson Contreras from the Cardinals back in December. Getty Images<\/p>\n