BOSTON, December 10, 2023 – The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals completed their second notable trade this offseason on Sunday, sending veteran first baseman Willson Contreras to Boston in exchange for right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.This move addresses a key need for the Red Sox, bolstering their lineup as they aim to compete in the challenging American League East.
Contreras Arrives, Cardinals Embrace Rebuild
The Red sox acquired a steady offensive presence at first base, while the Cardinals continued their shift towards a younger roster.
- Willson Contreras, 33, brings a consistent bat and solid glove to Boston.
- The Red Sox will cover $8 million of the remaining $42.5 million on Contreras’ contract.
- St. Louis gains a major league-ready pitcher in Hunter Dobbins, recovering from an ACL tear.
- This trade follows the acquisition of sonny Gray by Boston from the Cardinals in November.
Contreras, a three-time all-Star, has been a reliable right-handed hitter throughout his 10-year MLB career.Boston had been searching for a right-handed bat at first base after failing to secure Pete Alonso,who signed with the Baltimore Orioles. While Contreras doesn’t match Alonso’s power, he provides a proven track record of offensive stability.
What is willson Contreras’ career batting average? Contreras has hit .258 with a .352 on-base percentage and a .459 slugging percentage over his career. Last season, after transitioning to first base full-time, he batted .257 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs.
Contreras waived his no-trade clause after negotiating an additional $1 million guaranteed in his contract, demonstrating his willingness to join the Red Sox.
The financial implications of the deal see Boston assuming $8 million of the remaining $42.5 million owed to Contreras. His amended contract now includes $18 million in 2026 and $17 million in 2027, with a $20 million option for 2028 that features a $7.5 million buyout-an enhancement from the previous $17.5 million option with a $5 million buyout.
Cardinals Focus on Future
For the cardinals, the trade represents another step in their rebuilding process. They acquired Hunter Dobbins, a 26-year-old right-hander who was having a promising debut season before suffering a torn ACL in July while covering first base. Prior to the injury, Dobbins posted a 4-1 record with a 4.13 ERA in 13 outings, striking out 45 batters in 61 innings.
The Cardinals also received two pitching prospects: 19-year-old Yhoiker Fajardo, who had a 2.25 ERA over 72 innings in the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem, and 22-year-old Blake Aita, who recorded 99 strikeouts in 115.1 innings across two levels.
Fajardo, signed out of Venezuela for $400,000, features a fastball reaching 97 mph, complemented by a changeup and slider. Aita,a sixth-round pick in 2024,boasts a mid-90s fastball and demonstrated strong strikeout numbers.
The cardinals were not actively seeking to trade Contreras this winter, but the prospect to acquire a major league-ready starter in Dobbins proved too appealing to pass up, especially following Sonny Gray’s earlier waiver of his no-trade clause to join Boston.
