Willson Contreras reportedly on the trade block |
The St. Louis Cardinals made a significant splash in the free-agent market when they signed former Cubs catcher Willson Contreras to a lucrative five-year $87.5 million contract this past offseason.
However, the Contreras era in St. Louis has not gone as planned, and recent reports indicate that the Cardinals are open to parting ways with the talented catcher before the upcoming trade deadline. MLB reporter Bob Nightengale shed light on the trade rumors, stating that the Cardinals have an impressive array of talent available for potential trades. Among the players listed is Willson Contreras, who has found himself on the trade block despite the high expectations that accompanied his arrival in St. Louis. “The Cardinals have the greatest array of talent available, with outfielders (Dylan) Carlson and (Tyler) O’Neill, infielders Tommy Edman and Paul DeJong, and catcher Willson Contreras is on the block too,” he reported. It's been a disappointing season for the Cardinals, currently sitting 11 games back in the National League Central division. With their playoff chances dwindling, the team has made it clear that they will be sellers at the trade deadline, aiming to reshape their roster and build for the future. Contreras, who was once a fan-favorite during his time with the Cubs, has had a mixed bag of performances in St. Louis. On the offensive side, he has managed a respectable .244 batting average while contributing 11 home runs and 40 RBIs. However, it's been Contreras' defensive skills, particularly his framing, and ability to learn about the strengths of his pitchers, that have come under scrutiny throughout the season. For the Cardinals, parting ways with Contreras might be a tough decision, considering his potential and past accomplishments in Chicago. However, the business aspect of baseball often dictates tough choices, and the team's desire to rebuild and retool for the future could lead them to moving on from Contreras ASAP.
