Red Sox land Contreras in 4-player trade with Cardinals
The Boston Red Sox acquired first baseman Willson Contreras and cash from the St. Louis Cardinals for right-hander Hunter Dobbins and pitching prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita, the clubs announced Monday.
The Red Sox received $8 million to help cover Contreras' salary, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Contreras, a three-time All-Star, waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move.
The 33-year-old reportedly gets an extra $1 million for approving the deal through a renegotiation of his contract that will now pay him $18 million in 2026 and $17 million in 2027 with a $20-million option for 2028 that includes a $7.5-million buyout.
Contreras hit 20 homers with 80 RBIs and a .791 OPS over 135 games in 2025. Defensively, he finished in the 91st percentile in outs above average and 76th in arm strength in his first full season at first after being a catcher for nine years to start his career.
Dobbins, 26, authored a 4.13 ERA with a 3.87 FIP and 6.6 K/9 over 61 innings (11 starts) during his rookie season in 2025. He underwent knee surgery in August after tearing his ACL in July.
The 19-year-old Fajardo posted a 2.25 ERA with 10.4 K/9 in 72 innings between Single-A and rookie ball this year.
Aita, 22, recorded a 3.98 ERA with 99 strikeouts over 115 1/3 innings in Single-A this past season.
The Red Sox also acquired right-hander Sonny Gray from the Cardinals in a separate big trade in late November.