The Red Sox have finally landed their first bat of the offseason.
According to multiple reports, the Red Sox have acquired first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for right-hander Hunter Dobbins and pitching prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report news of the deal, as well as the fact Boston will receive $8 million in cash to help cover the remaining $41.5 million in salary owed to Contreras.
Contreras, 33, is a three-time All-Star who has been a highly regarded hitter throughout his 10-year MLB career. This past season Contreras batted .257 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, a .791 OPS and 2.5 wins above replacement, and for his career he’s averaged 26 home runs per 162 games with a .811 OPS.
Originally a catcher, Contreras was a member of the historic 2016 Chicago Cubs club that broke the franchise’s 108-year championship drought. He has spent the last three seasons with the Cardinals after signing a five-year, $87.5 million deal as a free agent prior to the 2023 season, during which time he’s transitioned from catcher to first base.
He’s proven adept at his new position. According to Statcast, Contreras ranked 77th percentile in Fielding Run Value and 91st percentile in range this past season.
Contreras figures to provide an immediate boost to the Red Sox offense.
A right-handed hitter, Contreras’ presence will help balance the club’s lefty-heavy lineup. He also figures to slot in as the Opening Day first baseman, ensuring the club won’t be stuck if Triston Casas isn’t fully recovered from his season-ending knee injury by the start of the season.
Contreras has not caught since 2024, but he could potentially be an option at that position too alongside Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong.
Dobbins, 26, enjoyed a promising rookie season for the Red Sox last season, posting a 4.13 ERA in 61 innings over 13 appearances, 11 of those starts. Dobbins’ season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a torn ACL on July 11, though the right-hander is expected to be ready in time for the start of the season.
Had he stuck around, Dobbins would have been among numerous candidates for the last spot in the Red Sox rotation. Boston still has a crowded pool of depth arms remaining, including Patrick Sandoval, Kutter Crawford, Johan Oviedo, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison, among others.
Fajardo, 19, was acquired last winter in exchange for lefty Cam Booser and emerged as one of the breakout pitching prospects in the Red Sox system this year. Fajardo posted a 2.25 ERA in 19 outings and ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Red Sox system, according to Baseball America.
Aita, 22, was Boston’s sixth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. He posted a 3.98 ERA in 23 appearances split between Low-A and High-A in his first full professional season.