Overview
- Boston acquired Willson Contreras from the Cardinals for right-handers Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita, with the Mets having pursued him before the deal, according to Jon Heyman.
- Contreras is expected to play first base after logging most of his 2025 starts there and hitting .257 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs.
- The trade continues a deal-heavy winter for Boston, which has made 10 trades including an earlier move for right-hander Sonny Gray.
- MassLive's Chris Cotillo reports the Red Sox have made retaining third baseman Alex Bregman their primary objective after fortifying the lineup with Contreras.
- If Bregman signs elsewhere, reports have linked Boston to short-term third-base options such as Nolan Arenado as a potential bridge solution.