The St. Louis Cardinals have found their new catcher to replace future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina, they have signed free agent catcher Willson Contreras to a five-year contract, worth $87.5 million. The contract includes a team option for 2028, worth $17.5 million. Contreras, 30, hit .243 with 65 runs, 101 hits, 23 doubles, 2 triples, 22 home runs, 55 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 45 walks with the Chicago Cubs in 2022. The runs were a career high for Contreras.
Contreras helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. Contreras has been an All-Star three times: (2018, 2019, and 2022).
Contreras had his best season in 2017. That season, Contreras hit .276 with 50 runs, 104 hits, 21 doubles, 21 home runs, 74 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 45 walks. The batting average, RBI's, and stolen bases were all career highs for Contreras. In 2018, Contreras had career highs in hits (118), doubles (27), triples (5), and in walks (53). Contreras had a career high 24 home runs in 2019.
Overall, Contreras has played 7 seasons in the MLB. Contreras has played 734 games with 353 runs, 636 hits, 133 doubles, 10 triples, 117 home runs, 365 RBI's, 22 stolen bases, 279 walks, and a .256 batting average.
Contreras should be a great addition for the Cardinals lineup. The Cardinals also killed two birds in one stone by signing Contreras/ Their number one priority was to find a starting catcher, it fills that need. Contreras can also bat 5th in the lineup.
The Cardinals might lose a bit of defense, since Conteras isn't really that good on defense. But his offense should make up for that. What if Ivan Herrera also develops overtime? That would help the Cardinals a lot too. Then you could have one DH at times and the other at catcher. All in all, it it's a win-win for Contreras and the Cardinals. It should be interesting to see what the Cardinals decide to do next.
