The St. Louis Cardinals have already made one major move this offseason by trading Sonny Gray, and it sounds like they’re far from done.
With the calendar still a few weeks away from flipping to 2026, all signs point to more roster shakeups on the horizon. And now, Willson Contreras-who not long ago seemed committed to staying in St.
Louis-may be open to a change of scenery.
Contreras Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause
Contreras, who spent the final stretch of his best offensive season with the Cardinals on the injured list, holds a full no-trade clause. That gave him complete control over his future, and early indications were that he intended to use it to stay put.
But according to a recent report, Contreras has softened his stance. He’s now reportedly more open to waiving that clause if the right opportunity presents itself.
This is a notable shift for a player who had seemed poised to return as the Cardinals’ everyday first baseman in 2026. After transitioning from catcher to first base, Contreras adapted well to the position and brought consistent power to the lineup-his 20 home runs led the team last season. That kind of production, especially in a lineup that lacked pop, made him a steadying force on a team in transition.
Cardinals Face Key Decisions at First Base
If Contreras is dealt, the Cardinals will be staring down a big question at first base. There’s no clear heir apparent in the minors, and the major league roster doesn’t offer a seamless replacement either.
Alec Burleson, who just brought home a Silver Slugger award, could slide in from the outfield and take over at first. That would open up a corner outfield spot, which the Cardinals would then need to fill-either internally or via another acquisition.
Another name to watch is Ivan Herrera. He’s expected to take on more catching duties next season, but there’s a chance the Cardinals could experiment with him at first base during spring training. Still, that would be a big ask for a young player still finding his rhythm behind the plate.
Trade Value vs. On-Field Value
Contreras' age, defensive limitations, and salary-he’s owed $18 million in 2026-could make him a tough sell on the trade market. There aren’t many teams in need of first base help right now, which could limit the return the Cardinals would get in a deal. And that’s where the front office faces a tough decision: Is it worth moving a proven power bat and clubhouse leader for a modest return, or does it make more sense to keep Contreras as a stabilizing piece during a transitional phase?
That’s the balancing act the Cardinals are dealing with. While Brendan Donovan has also been mentioned frequently in trade rumors, the difference is that Donovan’s versatility and age make him a more attractive trade chip with potentially higher upside in return. Contreras, on the other hand, may offer more value to the Cardinals on the field than he would bring back in a deal.
What’s Next?
The Winter Meetings are just around the corner, and the Cardinals are clearly in evaluation mode. They’ve already moved one of their top arms, and now they’re weighing the future of key veterans like Contreras, Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Lars Nootbaar.
If Contreras is moved, it won’t just be a roster shift-it’ll be a signal that the Cardinals are fully embracing a retool, if not a rebuild. It would also underscore just how much faith they have in their younger core to step up and fill the void.
For now, Contreras remains a Cardinal. But with his willingness to entertain trade talks now on the table, the next few weeks could bring more change to St. Louis-and fast.