Fansided

MLB Rumors: Cardinals surprise trade, Braves-Ohtani package, Yankees-Royals trade

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Willson Contreras #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by Jordan Walker #18 after hitting a home run during the 5th inning of the game at Citi Field on June 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Willson Contreras #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by Jordan Walker #18 after hitting a home run during the 5th inning of the game at Citi Field on June 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
MLB Rumors, Willson Contreras, St. Louis Cardinals
Willson Contreras, St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Cardinals could trade Willson Contreras in fire sale

Even amid a bit of a hot streak for the St. Louis Cardinals, the read of the room about their trade deadline plans remains the same. The phrase “too little, too late” undoubtedly comes to mind. Despite winning seven of their last 10, the Cards are still 11 games under .500 and as many games back in the NL Central race with the Brewers and Reds staying hot.

As such, the expected outcome of the Cardinals selling off short-term rentals in trades with guys like Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks, Dylan Carlson, and Paul DeJong, among some potential others, remains the same. But one MLB insider reported that a surprising name could also be on the move out of St. Louis: catcher Willson Contreras.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Sunday that the Cardinals would consider trading Contreras, considering him “on the block” as the deadline approaches.

The Cardinals inked the former rival with the Cubs to a five-year, $87.5 million deal this past offseason as their prize in free agency. That move, however, has turned out disastrously. Including being benched as the team’s catcher earlier in the year, Contreras was awful in May and June with 47 strikeouts compared to just 31 hits with an OPS in the low .600s. He’s improved of late, though, which could be exactly why St. Louis is trying to strike now.

Various teams around the league are looking for an upgrade at catcher with teams like the Yankees, Astros, and several other buyers being in that position market. If Contreras is indeed available with the club control left for four seasons after 2023 — even at that salary — his upside could net St. Louis a substantial haul in return.

Home/MLB Rumors