Red Sox Surprisingly Linked To $87.5 Million Star On Trade Block

Could a trade be coming for the Red Sox over the next few months?
Aug 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (40) hits a home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Aug 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (40) hits a home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Will the Boston Red Sox pull off a trade over the next few months?

It wouldn't be too shocking.

Boston already has made it known that it is open to anything this winter. This means that the Red Sox likely will be active in free agency and very well could make a trade or two. This will be an extremely important offseason for the Red Sox, which could put the club back in contention.

It's clear that the Red Sox need some right-handed pop in the middle of the lineup, and FanSided's Josh Jacobs floated a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for All-Star catcher Willson Contreras as an intriguing option.

"Once free agency begins, Juan Soto is far and away the best hitter available this offseason, but he will likely require a contract north of $500 million in order to sign," Jacobs said. "The next position player available is probably Pete Alonso. But he's going to require a massive deal to sign as well. Outside of Alex Bregman or Willy Adames, things get thin quickly when it comes to adding bats to a lineup. Contreras has three years remaining on his deal at $18 million per year with a club option for 2028 at $17.5 million...

"I haven't listed many teams in this exercise, but when I think of Contreras, teams like the (Seattle Mariners), (San Francisco Giants), (Detroit Tigers), (Texas Rangers), (Washington Nationals), (Toronto Blue Jays), Red Sox, and even the (Tampa Bay Rays) stick out as teams who could use a big bat added to their lineup. Contreras would have to approve any trade that happens, which in theory limits his value a bit, but I have a hard time believing the Cardinals couldn't get something nice in return for him."

Contreras only appeared in 84 games last year but had 15 home runs and 36 RBIs. He is a fear right-handed hitter who could make sense for Boston at the right price.

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu