The St. Louis Cardinals have traded first baseman Willson Contreras, and $8 million (which will cover part of the $41.5 million Contreras is still owed) to the Boston Red Sox for starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins, starting pitcher Yhoiker Fajardo, and starting pitcher Blake Aita. Contreras, 33, hit .257 with 70 runs, 126 hits, 31 doubles, 1 triple, 20 home runs, 80 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 44 walks in 2025. The runs, hits, doubles, and RBI's were all career highs for Contreras.
Contreras has been an All-Star 3 times: (2018, 2019, and 2022). In 2016, Contreras helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series.
Contreras had a career high (5) triples in 2018.
In 2019, Contreras had a career high (24) home runs.
Contreras has a career high (6) stolen bases in 2023.
Overall, Contreras has played 10 MLB seasons. Contreras has played 1,078 games with 954 hits, 208 doubles, 11 triples, 172 home runs, 548 RBI's, 37 stolen bases, 419 walks, and a .258 batting average.
Dobbins, 26, was 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA, 13 games, 11 starts, 61 innings, 45 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a whip of 1.28 in 2025. Dobbins made his MLB debut on April 6, 2025, at Fenway Park against the Cardinals.
Fajardo, 19, was 1-4 with a 2.25 ERA, 19 games, 17 starts, 72 innings, 83 strikeouts, 27 walks, and a whip of 1.10 combined between the Florida Complex League (Rooke ball) and Single-A Salem in 2025.
Fajardo ranked was the Red Sox 23rd best prospect. Fajardo can reach 96 miles per hour with his two-seam fastball and 97 with his four-seamer.
Overall, Fajardo has played 2 minor league seasons. Fajardo is 2-8 with a 2.93 ERA, 32 games, 30 starts, 122.2 innings, 147 strikeouts, 35 walks, and a whip of 1.13.
Aita, 22, was 5-7 with a 3.98 ERA, 23 games, 19 starts, 115.1 innings, 99 strikeouts, 30 walks, and a whip of 1.05 combined between Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville in 2025.
Aita can reach 92-95 miles per hour with his fastball.
Overall, it was Aita's 1st minor league season.
On paper the trade seems like it's good for both sides. The Cardinals add more pitching. Yes, the Cardinals lose one of their best offensive bats in Contreras, but you win with pitching. Do the Cardinals have a plan to try to make the offense better in 2026? What move will the Cardinals make next? It seems like Chaim Bloom is doing more of what was needed for the Cardinals current rebuild.
Contreras is also reunited with former Cardinals teammate, starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Contreras and Gray will return to Busch Stadium in 2026 on April 10th-12th.
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