The decision to transition St. Louis Cardinals’ power hitter Willson Contreras to first base has been officially confirmed by John Mozeliak, the president of baseball operations.
During the GM meetings, the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations stated, “Given his productivity at the plate, we believe that shifting away from catching will enhance his hitting abilities. How can we safeguard his career?”
Sources close to the situation have indicated that Contreras has granted his consent for the positional change. If not for his approval, the Cardinals might have contemplated a trade during this offseason.
Nevertheless, the experienced catcher holds a no-trade clause in his five-year, $87.5 million deal running through 2027.
This move also provides more opportunities for catchers Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés. A primary focus for the Cardinals in the offseason is to ensure consistent playing time for their emerging talents in the upcoming season.
Willson Contreras makes the transition to first base for the Cardinals
Shifting Contreras to first base allows both young catchers to remain on the roster while ensuring Contreras stays active in the lineup.
Contreras has previously appeared 11 times at first base, starting in four of those matches. In 51 1/3 innings at the position, he has maintained a clean record without any errors. His last stint at first base dates back to 2019 when he featured in two games for the Chicago Cubs.
He will now be stepping in to take over from Paul Goldschmidt, who has held the first base position for the Cardinals in the last six seasons.
Goldschmidt, a former Gold Glove and MVP winner at first base for the Cardinals, is now a free agent. The team subtly communicated to him at the conclusion of the season that his return was not anticipated, paving the way for Contreras to assume the role.
Contending with about 80 missed games this season due to two injuries, one of which was a fractured arm suffered during his catching duties, Contreras still emerged as the team’s leading offensive contributor. He tallied an .848 OPS with 15 homers and 17 doubles in 84 games. The decision to shift him to first base contrasts with the previous attempt in 2023 to utilize him as a designated hitter and possibly in the outfield. Although he declined that prospect, he did take a two-week hiatus from catching.
Contreras’ commitment to remaining with St. Louis
Contreras’ willingness to switch positions underlines his loyalty to the Cardinals, even as the team encounters uncertainties. With a shrinking payroll and a focus on development, Mozeliak has initiated conversations with all players possessing full no-trade clauses to gauge their desire to stay amid this reconstruction phase.
The 32-year-old has made his intentions clear about remaining with the franchise, which guarantees he won’t be dealt this winter, according to Mozeliak. Another player, Sonny Gray, has also expressed interest in staying with the team.
During his two seasons with St. Louis, Willson Contreras has recorded a solid .263/.367/.468 slash line with 35 home runs over 209 games. However, injuries and his defensive challenges as a catcher have been recurring issues.
This positional change enhances his fantasy prospects for 2025, as he is expected to receive more regular playing time. Furthermore, it paves the way for Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés to showcase their skills.
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