The Boston Red Sox — and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow — have taken a lot of heat so far this season.
While this is the case, there is one move that Breslow made before the 2026 season that arguably stands above the rest and that was the acquisition of Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. Boston got the three-time All-Star and cash in exchange for Hunter Dobbins and prospects Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita.
Boston got Contreras and cash for three players that are currently down in the minors in the Cardinals’ system. For Boston, Contreras has been electric. He entered the day on Tuesday slashing .253/.360/.481 with an .841 OPS, 10 homers, and 27 RBIs. The offense in general has been brutal, but Contreras and Wilyer Abreu have carried the load for Boston. That’s not all, though. He’s under contract next season at just $17 million and has a $20 million club option for 2028.
As good as he has been offensively, he arguably has been better defensively over at first base as well.
With Triston Casas dealing with multiple serious injuries over the last few years, Contreras has been a consistent breath of fresh air for Boston.
It’s easy to be upset with how the Red Sox have played in general this season, but Contreras is a star and Boston fans should be happy about him, at least.
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