WILLSON CONTRERAS NEWS

How one meeting convinced the Cardinals to sign Willson Contreras: 'That's who I am' The Cardinals loathed the Cubs catcher from the opposing dugout, but everything changed during a three-hour lunch in Orlando.

MARCH 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Likely to bat fifth Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Wednesday that Contreras is likely to bat fifth this season, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Marmol added that Paul Goldschmidt will likely hit third, with Nolan Arenado handling cleanup duties. Brendan Donovan figures to serve as the primary leadoff man in most pitching matchups and Tyler O'Neill could open as the No. 2 hitter. Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman might regularly factor into that top-of-the-order mix as well. Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in December and has posted a .367 batting average and .891 OPS through 33 plate appearances this spring in Grapefruit League play.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Settling in with new team Contreras is hitting .250 with one double, one RBI and six strikeouts over six Grapefruit League games.

Impact Contreras stayed in camp rather than going to the World Baseball Classic to get to know the pitcher on his new team. The catcher signed a five-year deal in December to become the Cardinals' new No. 1 backstop after the retirement of Yadier Molina. Contreras won't enjoy the friendly confines of Wrigley Field as often as he used to, but he's a four-time 20-homer hitter and should continue to return solid numbers at a position where those are scarce.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First impressions of Cubs' new catching setup without Willson Contreras The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry will have a new, unpredictable element for Major League Baseball's London Series in June.

MARCH 8, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Here's why Contreras is a secret weapon with new rules JUPITER, Fla. -- As he was learning about MLB’s new rules limiting pitcher pick-off throws and the times when they can step off the rubber t...

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • MLB.COM

Cubs turn to Gomes, Barnhart to replace Contreras at catcher After seven seasons, Willson Contreras departed the Cubs and signed with the rival Cardinals.

FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Ranking the best 24 catchers of 2023 in the MLB

Who are baseball's best catchers? Ben Verlander breaks down his five tiers for the toughest position in baseball.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

Rosenthal: Willson Contreras determined to silence the critics with Cardinals Willson Contreras on time with Cubs: "I know during the six years I was there, I did my best to make everyone better.”

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Will it will be brotherly love for Brewers' William, Cardinals' Willson Contreras when they meet on the field on April 7? April 7 will be the first of 13 times this year William Contreras will play opposite his older brother, Willson.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • JSONLINE.COM

Astros celebrate, Cubs-Cardinals in London mark schedule

Baseball's 2023 season begins with another celebration for the Houston Astros, and Jacob deGrom returns to New York on another big day on this year's major league schedule

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hochman: From tape ball to MLB, journey of Willson Contreras and brother is powerful Willson Contreras, the new Cardinals catcher, will face his brother, now with the Milwaukee Brewers, in divisional play.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • STLTODAY.COM

Cardinals offseason mailbag: Addressing the payroll, starting pitching and more Other than adding Willson Contreras, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak mostly stood pat throughout the free-agency frenzy.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cubs finalize 2-year deal with catcher Tucker Barnhart

The Chicago Cubs have finalized a $6.5 million, two-year contract with Gold Glove-winning catcher Tucker Barnhart

DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

EXPLAINER: Why are baseball teams spending so much money?

It has been an epic holiday season already for several major league teams and players a year after baseball trudged through an ugly labor dispute

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How Marmol helped Cards land Contreras This story was excerpted from John Denton's Cardinals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regu...

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • MLB.COM

Greenberg: When Willson Contreras returns to Chicago, what kind of Cubs team will he face? Can the new Cubs live up to the standards that developed Contreras and got him paid? We'll find out soon enough.

DECEMBER 13, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Column: 3 thoughts on baseball's Hot Stove League — including Willson Contreras' jersey exchange and a possible thaw between Dusty Baker and Sammy Sosa Thoughts on the MLB offseason after a $2 billion spending spree on free agents at the winter meetings.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

'You are the future': Yadi's message brought Contreras to Cards ST. LOUIS -- The first time Willson Contreras seriously contemplated doing what was once unthinkable in a rivalry that dates to 1892 -- leav...

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • MLB.COM

Willson Contreras Pushes Cardinals Closer to World Series Contention A few hours after Aaron Judge re-signed with the Yankees on Wednesday morning, and before A.J. Preller added Xander Bogaerts at the end of t...

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Contreras Pushes Cardinals Closer to World Series Contention Plus, more on Brandon Nimmo, Dansby Swanson and the winter meetings.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • SI.COM

Contreras, Cardinals finalize $87.5M, 5-year contract

The St. Louis Cardinals will have a new starting catcher for the first time in more than 18 years

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Officially lands in St. Louis Contreras' signing of a five-year, $87.5 million contract with a $17.5 million club option for 2028 with the Cardinals was formally announced by the team Friday.

Impact The deal was first reported Wednesday and made official accompanied with a press conference Friday. Contreras has big shoes to fill in replacing future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina, whose 19-year reign as the Cards' catcher has come to an end following retirement. There will undoubtedly be a downgrade defensively, especially in the framing department where Contreras is lacking. It's difficult to overstate how much more offense Contreras is likely to bring, though. His OPS over the last four seasons sits at .816, a number Molina reached twice in his career and not since 2013. There will be a ballpark downgrade for Contreras, although Busch Stadium is more favorable for right-handed batters than it is lefties.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

How Contreras hopes to honor Molina's legacy ST. LOUIS -- The move the Cardinals hope will continue their decades-long stability at catcher and make them true World Series contenders ag...

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • MLB.COM

Willson Contreras calls joining the St. Louis Cardinals a dream come true: 'I couldn't be more excited,' the former Chicago Cubs catcher says Former Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras said joining the rival St. Louis Cardinals is a "dream come true" in a story for The Players'...

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Why Willson Contreras got a long-term commitment from the Cardinals, not the Cubs The Cubs tried to trade Willson Contreras during the 2022 season and were prepared to lose their catcher who made three All-Star teams.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM