Willson Contreras Brings Power, Defense, and Veteran Presence to Red Sox Infield
FORT MYERS, Fla. - When the Red Sox traded for Willson Contreras this offseason, the headline was his bat. And for good reason - Contreras brings the kind of right-handed power that plays well in Fenway Park, especially with the Green Monster looming in left. But what’s flown a bit under the radar is just how much Contreras can help Boston with the glove, too.
Last season, in his first full year as a first baseman, Contreras quietly turned in one of the best defensive performances at the position across the majors. His 6 Outs Above Average ranked fourth among all first basemen - an impressive feat for someone who spent most of his career behind the plate.
That kind of defensive upgrade couldn’t come at a better time for Boston. The Red Sox infield struggled mightily last year, finishing with a minus-21 Outs Above Average and leading the majors with 116 errors.
That wasn’t a one-year blip either - they’ve been near the bottom in defensive efficiency for three straight seasons. Shoring up the infield has been a clear organizational priority, and Contreras figures to be a big part of that solution.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Contreras leaned heavily on the Cardinals’ field coordinator Stubby Clapp last spring as he made the transition from catcher to first base. But he also got some help from a Hall of Fame source - Ozzie Smith.
Yes, that Ozzie Smith.
The Wizard of Oz - a 13-time Gold Glove winner and one of the greatest defensive players of all time - spent time with the Cardinals during spring training and offered Contreras some invaluable tips.
“He showed up a couple of times during my workouts and explained some of the angles, some other stuff,” Contreras said. “I asked him a lot of questions, and that helped a lot.”
The biggest takeaway? Footwork.
“Stay in your feet, don’t stay flat-footed,” Contreras recalled. “Stay ready and ask any question.
I said, ‘Tell me anything you want me to do, I’ll do it.’ His advice, it was really helpful.”
That willingness to learn has paid off. Contreras, now 33, may be relatively new to first base, but his infield instincts go way back.
When he first signed with the Cubs back in 2009, he actually started out playing third base. That experience, combined with his years of reading the game from behind the plate, has made him a natural fit at first.
“I think just from being willing to listen, to ask any questions, listen to people that played there before - there’s no stupid question for me,” he said.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a former infielder himself, has taken notice early in camp.
“He’s a good athlete, he moves well,” Cora said. “They did a good job with him last year (in St. Louis).”
With Triston Casas still rehabbing from a ruptured patellar tendon, Contreras is expected to hold down first base for the foreseeable future. Even when Casas returns - possibly in May - Contreras is likely to stay in the lineup, shifting to designated hitter when needed. The Red Sox don’t have another true first baseman on the 40-man roster, outside of utility options like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard, so Contreras’ role is secure.
He’s also not expected to see much time behind the plate. While he’s open to catching in an emergency, the main duties will fall to Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong.
But make no mistake - Contreras was brought in to hit. And the Red Sox will be counting on his production.
Last season, he hit .257 with 31 doubles, 20 home runs, and a .791 OPS in 135 games. That kind of power from the right side is exactly what Boston needed after a quiet offseason in terms of adding big bats.
Cora sees Contreras as a middle-of-the-order presence and plans to pencil him into the cleanup spot, likely with Wilyer Abreu hitting behind him. The top of the order is still being sorted out, but names like Trevor Story, Roman Anthony, and Jarren Duran are expected to fill out the first three spots.
“I think similar to what Alex (Bregman) brought last year, offensively, very similar,” Cora said. “This guy is going to hit the ball hard.
It’s a quality at-bat. It’s a righty that we needed.
He had a good season last year.”
Contreras isn’t too concerned about where he hits - he’s more focused on making every at-bat count.
“I think the most important thing for me is just having good at-bats,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where I hit in the lineup.
I think we have a really good team from one through nine, who can back each other up. And hitting in the cleanup spot is good.
I think it’s fun. And I’m looking forward to it.”
He arrived at camp a few days early, partially because he’s hoping to play for Team Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He’s still waiting on clearance from the insurance company, but he’s optimistic he’ll get the green light soon.
He’s one of 12 Red Sox players on the 40-man roster expected to participate in the WBC. Roman Anthony is among them, though he’s also waiting for final clearance.
In the meantime, Contreras is already making an impression in camp - not just with his glove or his bat, but with his leadership. On a team filled with young talent, his presence is already being felt.
“We have a really good group,” he said. “Good hitters from one to nine. We have a lot of young guys, young talent here, and I’m going to do my best to be there for them.”
If early signs are any indication, Contreras is ready to do a lot more than just be there. He’s ready to anchor a defense in need of stability, power a lineup in need of right-handed thump, and mentor a clubhouse full of rising stars. And for a Red Sox team looking to turn the page, that’s exactly the kind of presence they need.