Baseball fans have been speculating about whether Willson Contreras will wear a St. Louis Cardinals jersey for quite some time now. The Cubs catcher has been a hot topic of conversation, especially since reports emerged that he was on the trading block. While many fans were excited about the prospect of seeing him play for the Cardinals, it doesn’t look like that will happen—at least for now. Here’s why.
The first reason is that the Cubs are unlikely to trade with the Cardinals. Cubs president Jed Hoyer has made it clear that they would prefer not to make any trades within the division. This makes sense considering that the Cardinals are one of the Cubs’ biggest rivals.
Even if the Cubs did agree to trade Contreras to the Cardinals, they would want a significant return. The Cardinals would likely have to give up several top prospects, which is something they may not be willing to do, especially considering that they have other needs on their roster.
Another factor to consider is the Cardinals’ current catching situation. Yadier Molina, who has been the team’s primary catcher for the past 17 years, is a free agent this offseason. The Cardinals have expressed interest in bringing him back, and if they do, it’s unlikely that they would have room for Contreras on the roster.
Assuming the Cardinals don’t bring Molina back, they could look for a cheaper option at catcher, as they have other holes to fill on their roster. Contreras is set to make $6.65 million in 2021, which could be a deterrent to the Cardinals, who are looking to cut payroll this offseason.
Finally, Contreras may not be the right fit for the Cardinals’ style of play. The Cardinals are known for their emphasis on defense and their strong pitching staff. While Contreras is a solid offensive player, his defense isn’t quite as strong as Molina’s. This could be a concern for the Cardinals, who rely heavily on their defense and pitching to win games.
In conclusion, while Willson Contreras would be a great addition to any team, it’s unlikely that he will be playing for the Cardinals—at least for now. With their current catching situation, payroll constraints, and the Cubs’ unwillingness to trade within the division, it seems unlikely that Contreras will be in St. Louis anytime soon. However, things can change quickly in baseball, so fans should never say never.
