The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran catcher/first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals, first reported by Jeff Passan Wednesday. The Red Sox will be sending a package with right-hander Hunter Dobbins being the main piece. The Cardinals also receive prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita. The Red Sox will also receive $8 million in cash compensation from the Cardinals.
Willson Contreras
Contreras was a longtime development project as a part of the Chicago Cubs system. After getting signed in 2009 out of Venezuela, Contreras didn’t make his debut in the majors until 2016. In seven years for the Cubs, he hit 117 home runs in total, while manging an OPS+ of 114. He also made three all-star appearances during that time.
Contreras agreed to terms with the Cardinals after the 2022 season with a five-year, $87.5 million deal. In three years with the Cardinals, he hit 55 home runs in three seasons, with a 127 OPS+.
Yhoiker Fajardo
Fajardo, a fellow Venezuelan, signed with the Chicago White Sox for $400,000 on the 2024 International market. He’d make his way to the Red Sox in exchange for lefty Cam Booser. Fajardo made it up to Single-A Salem, pitching in 51 1/3 innings in 2025. In Salem, he’d pitch to a 2.95 ERA, while striking out 27.8% of the batters he faced.
Blake Aita
Aita got drafted in the sixth round in 2024 by the Red Sox out of Kennesaw State University. At KSU, he was an All-Atlantic Sun First Team member in 2024. Aita pitched 115 1/3 innings between Salem and A+ Greenville. In that time, he had a 4.53 ERA in 23 games, with 19 starts, with a 1.049 WHIP.
Red Sox First Base Quandary
Contreras will easily slot in as the Opening Day first baseman for the Red Sox. He’ll also look to provide some more power into a Red Sox lineup that was desperately lacking in that department.
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