CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Over time, it became clear that this emotional and odd day would arrive. Willson Contreras knew that he'd return to Wrigley Field as a visitor this season, that he'd need to walk into the cramped other clubhouse along the first-base side of the ballpark and make that long stroll down the stairs to the other dugout to prepare to face the Cubs, the organization he spent his first 14 professional seasons with.
As they passed to re-sign Contreras on a contract extension and allowed him to hit the open market, the Cubs also knew this strange and uncomfortable day would arrive. It came Monday, when Contreras made his first trip back to Wrigley Field since signing a five-year, $87.5-million deal with the Cardinals in free agency in December.
The beating heart and emotional leader of the Cubs a year ago, Contreras now dons red of the rival Cardinals. He understands that some fans in Chicago might now view him now as a villain, but any boo birds should ring hollow considering Contreras’ importance as part of the Cubs’ championship team in 2016. The cheers will mean more to him.
“Even though I’m wearing a different uniform, it doesn’t mean I don’t love them,” Contreras said Monday afternoon. “Because they know I love them.
“I’m really thankful. The memories that I created here and I had here, they’re not going to go away.”
The circumstances of Contreras’ return to Chicago underscore why the Cubs allowed him to depart in free agency. Instead of serving as the catcher, the 30-year-old Contreras was slotted into the Cardinals’ lineup Monday as the designated hitter, a role in which he's expected to serve for the foreseeable future.
The Cardinals’ struggling pitching staff carries a 5.27 ERA with Contreras behind the plate this season. Signed to replace St. Louis franchise great Yadier Molina, Contreras has instead been relieved of his catching duties and shouldered a great deal of the blame with the Cardinals sitting at a National League-worst 11-24 entering play Monday.
The Cubs were comfortable letting Contreras go because of his struggles to help maximize their pitching staff. In 34 games this season, the Cubs are third in MLB with a 3.34 team ERA. Instead of re-signing Contreras on a lucrative long-term deal, the Cubs landed All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson, center fielder Cody Bellinger, right-hander Jameson Taillon and a cast of veterans in free agency. They've helped the Cubs establish themselves as an NL Central contender early this season.
In reflecting on Contreras' exit, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross have only spoken of their appreciation for his time with the team – and declined to share their thoughts on his shift out of the Cardinals’ catching mix. But just more than one month into Contreras’ five-year deal, the Cubs’ logic behind their decision seems to be vindicated.
For his part, Contreras is motivated to prove himself as a catcher for the Cardinals and isn’t willing to accept that his place as a designated hitter is a permanent role. The Cardinals also are considering using Contreras as a corner outfielder in the coming weeks.
“They signed a catcher,” Contreras said in describing himself. “They have a catcher. And they have him for five years.”
Contreras has also struggled to get his bat into form this season, with just two home runs and a .734 OPS in 33 games. The Cardinals were banking on production from Contreras at the plate, especially early in his contract, but they appear to have completely dismissed the Cubs' reasoning behind their decision to not retain Contreras.
With an average salary of $17.5 million over these five seasons, Contreras currently is the second-most expensive primary designated hitter in baseball, behind only the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera. The Cubs have split their designated hitter role primarily between Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini, who are making just shy of $8 million combined in 2023. Cubs catchers Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart are earning shy of $10 million combined this season.
On Monday evening and throughout this three-game series at Wrigley Field, there will be emotions felt all around as Contreras returns to face the Cubs. It’s a strange reality but one that became inevitable.
Contreras deserves to be remembered as a hero for the Cubs, not as a villain with the Cardinals. But only one side should be at ease seeing Contreras step up to the plate as the Cardinals’ designated hitter.
“There’s no hard feelings,” Contreras said. “I understand that this is a part of the business. Last year I understood that I did everything I could for the Cubs for 14 years. And I understood that it was time to part ways. There’s no hard feelings against anybody there.
“Life puts you in a different spot sometimes. So, you have to accept it and keep going.”
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Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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