Cardinals Trade Willson Contreras to Red Sox, Add Pitching Depth in Return
The St. Louis Cardinals’ offseason strategy has been clear: get younger, get cheaper, and reload the rotation. On Sunday, that approach continued in a big way as veteran slugger Willson Contreras agreed to waive his no-trade clause, paving the way for a deal that sends him to the Boston Red Sox.
While the trade hasn’t been officially announced by either team, reports indicate that the Cardinals will receive a trio of right-handed pitchers in return: Hunter Dobbins, Blake Aita, and Yhoiker Fajardo. St. Louis will also send cash to Boston to help offset the roughly $40 million left on Contreras’ contract.
This move marks another step in the Cardinals’ effort to reshape their roster - and their pitching staff - after a disappointing stretch. Contreras, who was originally signed ahead of the 2023 season to replace franchise icon Yadier Molina behind the plate, never quite found his footing in St.
Louis. But despite a bumpy start defensively and a midseason position change, he still managed to deliver his best offensive season in four years.
Contreras’ St. Louis Chapter Closes
Contreras’ time with the Cardinals was eventful, if not always smooth. After signing as a free agent to be the long-term answer at catcher, he struggled early with pitch-calling and game management - enough that the team briefly pulled him from catching duties. But to his credit, he worked his way back behind the plate and started to settle in.
Then came a brutal setback in 2024: a fractured left arm caused by a swing while catching. The injury forced him out for a significant chunk of the season. When he returned, the Cardinals opted to move him to first base, where he not only held his own defensively but also posted 80 RBI - a career high - while continuing to provide value at the plate.
Now 33, Contreras heads to Boston looking for a fresh start, while the Cardinals turn the page and open up first base for Alec Burleson to take on an everyday role.
What the Cardinals Get in Return
The headline name in the return package is Hunter Dobbins, a 26-year-old right-hander who made 11 starts in his rookie season before tearing his ACL in July while covering first base. He finished the year 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA and showed flashes of being a solid back-end starter.
Dobbins isn’t overpowering - his strikeout and whiff rates were on the lower end - but he excels in limiting walks, avoiding barrels, and generating ground balls. That profile fits the mold of the type of pitcher the Cardinals have long favored: someone who pitches to contact and lets the defense do the heavy lifting.
Joining Dobbins are two younger arms with developmental upside. Yhoiker Fajardo, just 19 years old, struck out 83 batters in 72 innings across two levels of the low minors last season without allowing a single home run - an impressive feat for a teenager. Originally signed by the White Sox at age 17, he was traded to Boston before the 2025 season.
Blake Aita, 22, was a sixth-round pick out of Kennesaw State in 2024. He split last season between Low-A and High-A, posting a 3.98 ERA over 19 starts. While he didn’t miss a ton of bats - finishing with fewer than a strikeout per inning - he showed enough to be considered a potential depth piece or projectable arm for the future.
How the Rotation Battle is Shaping Up
Dobbins becomes the second young starter the Cardinals have acquired from Boston this offseason, joining Richard Fitts, who came over in the Sonny Gray deal nearly a month ago. Both Dobbins and Fitts are expected to compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
They’ll be part of a crowded race that includes Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore, Dustin May, and Michael McGreevy. Kyle Leahy, who spent last season in the bullpen, is also being stretched out to start, and the Cardinals appear committed to giving him a real shot at earning a rotation role.
With so many arms in the mix, the Cardinals are banking on competition to bring out the best in their young pitchers - and hoping that at least a couple of them can solidify the back end of the rotation.
Opening the Door for Burleson and Herrera
Contreras’ departure doesn’t just impact the rotation - it also clears the way for Alec Burleson to step into a full-time role at first base. That move could have ripple effects throughout the lineup.
With Burleson at first, the Cardinals gain flexibility at designated hitter, where Iván Herrera is expected to see more at-bats. It also opens up opportunities in the corner outfield, where the team has several young options vying for playing time.
All in all, this trade is another example of the Cardinals doubling down on youth, depth, and versatility. It may not be the splashiest move of the offseason, but it’s a clear signal that St. Louis is committed to reshaping its roster with an eye toward long-term sustainability - and pitching depth remains at the center of that plan.