The Torey Lovullo Show is back
The Red Sox have answered a big question mark that had hovered throughout the offseason: Who was going to be their middle-of-the-order acquisition?
Thanks to another deal with Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals, the Sox have at least a semblance of an answer.
As was first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Red Sox have traded for first baseman WIllson Contreras. The 33-year-old waived his no-trade rights to make the deal happen.
According to Passan, pitcher Hunter Dobbins is part of the package being sent back to St. Louis. Per MassLive.com, the Cardinals will be sending some money back to cover the $41.5 million still owed Contreras. Also going to the Cardinals are minor-league pitchers Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.
The righty-hitting Contreras is owed $18 million in 2026 and $18.5 million in 2027, with the team holding a $17.5 million option for 2028 that includes a $4 million buyout.
Contreras is coming off his first season as a full-time first baseman after serving as the Cardinals' longtime catcher. Last season, the righty hitter finished with a .257 batting average and a .791 OPS and 20 home runs in 135 games.
The 2025 campaign marked the second-most games Contreras has played in a season throughout his 10-year career, with the righty hitter finishing with a career-high 563 plate appearances.