*Photo from the Chicago Tribune*
Here comes the heir apparent to Yadier Molina in the Midwest. The St. Louis Cardinals and C Willson Contreras have agreed to a 5 year, $87.5 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Cardinals have confirmed the move.
With Molina, the longtime franchise face of the Cardinals, retiring after the season, the Cardinals quickly pivoted to upgrades behind the dish. They were active in trade talks and the free agency market, choosing Contreras to succeed Molina.
Jose Mijares, Contreras's agent, said that "Yadier Molina sent the jersey to Willson and it said, ‘This is my last year, you are the future.' After seeing the celebration for Pujols, he later put the Yadi jersey on. He told me, ‘Jose, I know the money might be more in other places, but if you can make it happen with the Cardinals, I want to be a part of that.’ He was firm, and we got it done."
Last season in the majors was the 7th for Contreras. He ended the campaign with 22 home runs and 55 RBI's, adding a .243 batting average, .349 on base percentage, and .815 OPS, hitting 23 doubles in 113 games, also making the NL All Star team.
When the offseason began, the Chicago Cubs extended the qualifying offer to Contreras, which he declined. As such, the Cubs will receive a draft pick in one of the compensation rounds of the draft, while the Cardinals lose their second highest draft pick and $500,000 in international signing bonus pool money.
Another spot Contreras can fill for the Cubs is at DH, as Albert Pujols also announced his retirement over the offseason. He has made the All Star game 3 different seasons and was one of the last remaining ties to the 2016 World Series championship team for the Cubs in 2022.
Contreras has spent all 7 seasons in the majors with the Cubs, signing with them as an international free agent. In that time, he has accumulated a .256 batting average, .349 on base percentage, and .459 slugging percentage, hitting 117 home runs to go with 365 RBI's in 734 games. He has a .231 batting average with 3 home runs and 7 RBI's in 30 career playoff games.
Asked about signing with the Cardinals, Contreras said that "I knew I had to keep working and getting better, so I was ready when this opportunity came. I always wanted to do something every single day to get better even though they were rebuilding. I’m excited for the next chapter, and I’m looking forward to beating the Chicago Cubs. I want to do everything I can to help the St. Louis Cardinals win it all."
The signing of Contreras is the first notable addition of the offseason for the Cardinals, as he'll join Andrew Knizner and Ivan Herrera as the top catchers entering spring training. In addition to Pujols and Molina retiring, Jose Quintana also left to sign with the New York Mets.
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