Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has made it clear that one of his primary objectives this offseason is to inject additional power into the club’s lineup. The team has already been linked to several impact bats, and although the free-agent market features a number of intriguing names, Boston seems equally focused on surveying the trade landscape for potential upgrades. Breslow and his staff appear motivated to explore every available avenue as they attempt to reshape an offense that has lacked consistent thump in recent seasons.
Free agents such as Bo Bichette, Eugenio Suárez, Munetaka Murakami, and Kazuma Okamoto headline the list of possible additions capable of offering the type of high-end power production Boston desires. All four players bring their own appeal: Bichette is one of the best pure hitters in the league, Suárez offers steady power with defensive versatility, and Murakami and Okamoto present unique upside as stars transitioning from Japan. Even so, the Red Sox are not limiting themselves to free agency. Instead, they appear to be actively weighing their trade options and looking for opportunities where a deal might offer better value or more roster flexibility.
According to a recent report by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, one of the players attracting Boston’s attention is St. Louis Cardinals veteran Willson Contreras. Cotillo noted that Contreras has emerged as a name of interest as the Red Sox examine potential fits around the league.
Initially, Boston had been connected to Cardinals utilityman Brendan Donovan, a versatile left-handed hitter whose on-base skills and defensive flexibility would appeal to virtually any team. While Donovan remains on the Red Sox radar, Cotillo’s reporting suggests that St. Louis may be reluctant to part with him. As a result, a new possibility has come into focus.
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Cotillo wrote that “a new name has also surfaced for the Red Sox,” and revealed that multiple sources indicate Boston has been in contact with the Cardinals regarding Contreras.
The veteran slugger is well known for his time with the Chicago Cubs, where he developed into one of the most productive offensive catchers in baseball. During his Cubs tenure, Contreras earned three All-Star selections and played a significant role in Chicago’s 2016 World Series championship, a milestone that cemented his status as one of the game’s top catchers of his era.
Interestingly, Contreras’s defensive role evolved significantly last season. After spending nearly all of his major league career behind the plate, the Cardinals used him primarily at first base in 2024. He appeared in 120 games at the position, demonstrating both flexibility and durability while taking on a new role.
That shift could work in Boston’s favor. The Red Sox already have Triston Casas entrenched at first base, but Casas is still young, and the organization may want to ease his workload or give him more flexibility by having another capable first baseman on the roster. Contreras could split time at first with Casas, serve as designated hitter on days he is not in the field, and potentially even catch occasionally if the Red Sox needed depth. His positional adaptability makes him an appealing fit for a team seeking lineup balance and consistent offensive output.
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Financially, Contreras carries a manageable commitment relative to his production. He has two years remaining on his current contract at a total of $41 million, with an additional club option for the 2028 season. While that is not an insignificant amount, it is far less than the long-term deals being projected for top-tier free agents on the market. Additionally, the short-term nature of his contract could suit Boston well as the organization attempts to maintain salary flexibility for future seasons.
One complicating factor is Contreras’s full no-trade clause. He has the contractual right to block any potential trade, meaning the Red Sox would need his approval before finalizing a deal with St. Louis. However, it is plausible that Contreras might be willing to waive his protection under the right circumstances.
Boston is a major-market club with strong resources, and the Red Sox, despite recent inconsistencies, are positioned to become contenders again with a few strategic moves. For a veteran like Contreras—someone who has already experienced playoff success—the opportunity to compete for another championship could be a compelling reason to approve a trade.
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Offensively, Contreras remains a valuable contributor. Over the past several seasons, he has consistently delivered above-average production. He has recorded an OPS+ above 120 in four straight years, showing that he continues to hit well relative to league peers. In 2024, he launched 20 home runs and drove in 80 runs, again demonstrating his capacity to be a middle-of-the-order threat.
Since the beginning of the 2022 season, he has posted an .817 OPS, further underscoring his reliability as a hitter. Whether the Red Sox envision him as a run-producer in the heart of the lineup or as a versatile right-handed power bat who lengthens the order, Contreras’s offensive résumé offers plenty to like.
Boston’s pursuit of Contreras would represent a slightly different approach compared to signing a marquee free agent bat. Opting for Contreras avoids the lengthy contractual commitments that many top sluggers demand. That could be attractive to Breslow, who appears intent on making strategic upgrades without tying the organization to overly restrictive long-term deals. Such an approach allows Boston to bolster its roster immediately while maintaining future flexibility to pursue big-name stars or extend its young core.
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Of course, acquiring Contreras via trade would require giving up prospect capital. St. Louis is unlikely to move him without receiving meaningful pieces in return, especially considering he is still a productive hitter under a reasonable contract. Boston’s farm system has improved over the past several years, but the question will be how much the front office is willing to part with in exchange for a veteran entering his mid-30s. Even so, the Red Sox could view the cost as worthwhile if the return helps address one of their most pressing needs.
Contreras brings experience, championship pedigree, and a track record of consistent offensive output. His ability to play multiple positions gives Boston additional roster flexibility, and his remaining team control provides short-term value without the risk of a long-term financial burden. As a 10-year MLB veteran, he also offers leadership qualities that could benefit a clubhouse undergoing transition.
For a team searching for more power but hesitant to commit to a high-priced free agent for the better part of a decade, Contreras stands out as a pragmatic, underrated alternative. He may not carry the same star allure as Bichette or Murakami, but his track record suggests he could significantly strengthen Boston’s lineup. If the Red Sox ultimately decide to prioritize depth, versatility, and contract flexibility, Contreras might prove to be one of the more sensible and impactful additions available on the trade market this offseason.
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