After lacking out on Pete Alonso, the Crimson Sox wanted a primary baseman. The Cardinals wanted a spot to ship their veteran first baseman as they try to rebuild their farm system.
Certain, Chaim Bloom helped construct the present Crimson Sox prospect base throughout his time in Boston, thus resulting in a familiarity that would appear to portend a wholesome commerce atmosphere. But it surely additionally ought to be mentioned: These two groups’ wants did line up.
1. Buying and selling for Contreras makes much more sense than signing AlonsoSome Crimson Sox followers had been a little bit bummed once they missed out on Alonso, who would have solved their first-base problem for years to return and, after all, would have offered an entire bunch of thump. However contemplating the value the Orioles paid for him — not simply the cash, however the years — you can also make a powerful argument that the Crimson Sox are in actual fact higher off with Contreras. As my colleague Mike Petriello famous, in complete worth, Conteras has been primarily the identical participant as Alonso, hitting for much less energy however getting on base extra and enjoying a lot better protection at first base.
Contreras performed first frequently for the primary time in 2025 and was surprisingly good at it, placing up above common numbers on the place based on virtually each metric. Contreras, if you account for the cash the Cardinals threw in, will price $28.5 million for the following two years. Examine that to the $155 million Alonso goes to price over the following 5 years, you may completely perceive what the Crimson Sox had been considering.
2. Crimson Sox followers are going to like himContreras has the kind of pull swing that can match completely at Fenway Park, however actually, that’s solely a part of the rationale he appears to be like like a man who might be well-liked amongst Crimson Sox followers. Contreras, famously, is a fiery participant — he has been ejected 9 instances in his profession and acquired a six-game suspension after considered one of them final 12 months. Whereas that could be annoying if you happen to’re a fan of the group he’s enjoying towards, if he’s enjoying in your group, his livid need to win at any price will proper up your alley. Contreras is beloved by teammates and was broadly well-liked in St. Louis regardless of the group’s struggles when he was there. Crimson Sox followers, you’re going to be behind this man from the get-go.
3. The Sox nonetheless have work to doAs good because the Contreras addition is, there’s nonetheless loads left on the winter agenda for the Crimson Sox. Contreras has energy, however he’s not a basic slugger, and the Crimson Sox do nonetheless want energy. How they go about getting it’s the large query, however theoretically, by buying and selling for Contreras and getting some a reimbursement, this shouldn’t stand in the way in which of their spending.
Whereas they’re at it, they need to nonetheless be in for a few of these beginning pitchers, as nicely. Sonny Grey is a pleasant addition, however at this stage of his profession, he could be a greater match as a No. 3 slightly than a No. 2. Contreras matches the place the Crimson Sox are at, however there’s no purpose to convey him in for the following two years if he’s the one man you’re bringing in for the following two years.
4. Contreras deserves to be remembered fondly by Cardinals fansSome Cardinals followers had been skeptical when the Cardinals signed Contreras earlier than the 2023 season. He was, in spite of everything, a member of the hated Cubs and a participant the Cardinals had had some actual dustups with all through the final half decade of the rivalry. Contreras acquired off to a tough begin that season too, culminating in him being pulled from behind the plate reportedly due to complaints from some Cardinals starters who had maybe gotten too used to throwing to Yadier Molina all these years. (Finally he returned to the catching place, in time to have his arm damaged by a swing earlier than in the end being moved to first base.)
Contreras by no means as soon as complained about any of this, and actually simply went about doing what he did: Hitting and attempting to win. The Cardinals didn’t have the success they or Contreras anticipated once they signed him, however that’s completely no fault of his. The deal, from the Cardinals perspective, is completely successful.
5. The commerce clears up some Cardinals positional points … however there are extra strikes to comeClearing out Contreras opens up a slot for Alec Burleson, an satisfactory however unspectacular outfielder, to maneuver to first base, although it’s attainable the long run plan is to place slugging catcher (nicely, catcher for now) Iván Herrera there. There’s nonetheless a logjam within the infield, although, with Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan blocking Nolan Gorman and J.J. Wetherholt, respectively.
Buying and selling these two, after all, has been atop Bloom’s to-do record all winter, and this commerce is an indication that the comb continues to be being cleared in St. Louis. Buying and selling Donovan will after all be a lot simpler — and can convey again a a lot bigger return — however neither is smart to be round St. Louis for much longer. There may be nonetheless much more dealing to be accomplished in St. Louis this winter.
