Willson Contreras was willing to join Cardinals for less money than other suitors

 Catcher Willson Contreras wanted to be a St. Louis Cardinal so badly, that he was actually willing to turn down more lucrative offers, according to his agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals had the unenviable task of trying to find a new catcher to replace the retiring Yadier Molina. The Cardinals didn’t have to look far, as they set their focus on Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, who was the best option available in free agency. At the time of the Winter Meetings, the two sides agreed to terms on a five-year, $87.5 million contract.

In Ben Fredrickson’s column for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Contreras’ agent, Jose Mijares, said that the catcher knew more lucrative offers might come from other teams, but he wanted to be a Cardinal.

Willson Contreras was willing to turn down more money to sign with Cardinals

“They knew Willson as a player,” agent Mijares said. “They wanted to know Willson as a person, who he really is. And Willson had the same feeling. He knew the organization, but he needed to know more to go there. That meeting was so important, to get both of us to the next step. After that, Willson told me, because he loved what they explained about the organization and the role he would have here, he said, ‘Jose,’ I know the other teams may try to offer us, more money, whatever, but make it happen. I want to be a Cardinal. Make it happen. That is the right place for me.’”

This meeting between the Cardinals and Contreras took place in late November, and the rest was history.

Frederickson wrote in the column that Contreras actually accepted the deal from the Cardinals before one of the other three teams sent in their final offer.

Contreras was a potential trade deadline target this past season, but the Cubs were unable to find a trade they felt was satisfactory. They did place the $19.65 million qualifying offer on Contreras, which he declined. With Contreras signing with the Cardinals, the team forfeits their 2023 second-round draft pick.

This past season, Contreras recorded a .243 batting average, a .349 on-base percentage, a .466 slugging percentage, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 101 hits. He was named to the All-Star Game for the third time this past season as well.

After beginning his career with the Cubs, Contreras will now be the backstop for the Cardinals, succeeding a legend in Molina.