The St. Louis Cardinals have made it clear this offseason: change is coming.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the front office is reshaping the roster, and that means parting ways with some of their highest-paid veterans. Sonny Gray is already out the door, dealt to the Red Sox.
Now, Willson Contreras could be next.
Contreras, who turns 34 in May, is reportedly more open to waiving his no-trade clause-a shift in stance that could accelerate his exit from St. Louis.
He’s under contract for two more seasons at $36.5 million total, with a $5 million buyout on a 2028 team option. That’s a $41.5 million commitment for a player who just posted a .257/.344/.447 slash line with 20 homers, 31 doubles, and 80 RBIs in 2025.
That kind of production, especially from a player with positional versatility, makes him an intriguing option for teams looking to upgrade at first base without diving into the deep end of the free-agent pool for someone like Pete Alonso or Cody Bellinger.
Let’s take a closer look at three teams that could be strong fits for Contreras-and why the move might make sense for both sides.
Washington Nationals: A Veteran Presence for a Young Core
You might not immediately think of the Nationals when it comes to first base upgrades, but take a look at their current depth chart. Luis Garcia Jr. and Andres Chaparro are penciled in as the likely options at first, and neither has the offensive upside or experience the club needs at that position.
Garcia played just two games at first in 2025; Chaparro has 42 career games there. Meanwhile, Contreras logged 120 games at first this past season alone.
For a Nationals team in the early stages of a rebuild under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, Contreras could be a stabilizing force. He’d slot in as a middle-of-the-order bat, likely hitting behind top prospect James Wood, and would bring leadership to a clubhouse filled with youth and inexperience. His background as a catcher also gives him a unique perspective on the game-something that could be invaluable in mentoring a young roster.
Texas Rangers: A Contender Needing a Boost
The defending champs from 2023 took a step back in 2025, and first base was part of the problem. Jake Burger handled most of the duties there, but his production dipped-especially after a wrist injury limited him to just 90 plate appearances after the All-Star break. His final line: .236/.269/.419 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs in 91 games.
The Rangers do have 23-year-old Abimelec Ortiz waiting in the wings. He was added to the 40-man roster this offseason after a strong year in the minors, where he hit .257/.356/.479 with 25 homers across Double- and Triple-A. But Ortiz has yet to debut in the majors, and banking on him to be the everyday answer right away is a gamble.
Contreras would give Texas a proven bat and a steady glove at first-plus postseason experience, which still matters in a clubhouse with championship aspirations. Financially, the fit might be a little tight, depending on how much room the Rangers have to work with.
But if the Cardinals are willing to eat a portion of the remaining salary, there’s a path to making it work. For a team looking to bounce back and make another deep October run, adding a veteran like Contreras could be a savvy move.
Miami Marlins: A Clear Need, and Room to Spend
Few teams in baseball are in more desperate need of a first base upgrade than the Marlins. According to FanGraphs’ positional depth charts, Miami ranks 29th at first-only the Rockies are lower.
Right now, the Marlins are looking at Graham Pauley and Eric Wagaman as their primary options. Neither has much of a big-league track record, and neither projects as a long-term solution.
That’s where Contreras comes in. He’d immediately become one of the most reliable bats in the lineup, and he wouldn’t break the bank. Miami has shown a bit more willingness to spend recently, and with only one player-Sandy Alcantara-set to earn more than $5 million in 2025, they’ve got the payroll space to take on a deal like this.
There’s also a strategic angle here. With the MLBPA keeping a close eye on team spending, bringing in a veteran on a mid-sized contract could help the Marlins avoid scrutiny while also improving the roster. It’s the kind of move that checks both boxes: competitive and compliant.
Contreras may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he offers a rare combination of production, experience, and affordability. For teams with a hole at first base, he’s not just a fallback option-he might be the smartest play on the board. Whether it's Washington, Texas, Miami, or someone else entirely, expect his name to stay in the rumor mill until a deal gets done.