Willson Contreras made his preference plain in the middle of All-Star week: he wants to stay in Boston.
That matters because the Red Sox have been drifting away from the idea of selling at the trade deadline, and Contreras would have been one of the biggest names on the market if they had gone the other way. The rumors around a possible move never got loud, but they were there. Now, with Boston’s direction becoming clearer, Contreras took the opportunity to say exactly where he wants to be.
Before stepping onto the stage for the Home Run Derby on Monday night, the newly minted All-Star first baseman was asked about his first season with the Red Sox. He talked about the ups and downs of the year, then went further than anyone expected.
"It's just getting better. I mean, the energy that Fenway brings, it's really unique, and I just like it there.
I just love it." Contreras told a gathering of reporters at All-Star media day, via the Section 10 Podcast.
“And I told them, just leave me here. I want to stay here."
Boston’s recent run only strengthens that stance. The Red Sox entered the break on a nine-game winning streak, and they finished the last three of those without Contreras, who was serving a five-game suspension tied to his role in a brawl with the Washington Nationals two weeks ago.
Even with three fewer games played, Contreras still put together a first half that separated him from the rest of Boston’s lineup. He hit seven more home runs than any of his Red Sox teammates and led the club in OPS by 160 points.
That kind of production has him on pace for what could be the best season of his decorated career. And despite the occasional noise that follows him on the field, he appears to be a strong presence in the clubhouse, too.
There’s still the practical side of it: the Red Sox are close enough to the playoffs that a trade now feels unlikely, and Contreras is under contract for two more seasons. But after the way he spoke on Monday, Boston at least knows one thing for sure - he’s not looking for a way out.
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